Global Benefits Group Foundation launched to support international NGO and PVO projects

Published on 01 July 2011

 

Andrew Thorburn, President and CEO of Global Benefits Group, an
international insurance company, made the formal announcement
of the launch of The GBG Foundation today at the International AID
Forum Conference in Washington, D.C.

“We operate in a global community,” Mr. Thorburn said. “This is a
way to give back to the people who are part of our market.

“After working for decades in developing countries and
economically challenged locations, it’s impossible not to notice the
struggles and challenges that so many people face every day, and
how comfortable our own lives are by comparison,” Mr. Thorburn
said. “The GBG Foundation allows us to support the many
wonderful initiatives that already are under way.”

The GBG Foundation has chosen to partner with established
organizations, such as International Relief and Development (IRD), the Washington, D.C.-
headquartered international NGO, to support Education and Health programs by
facilitating Gifts In Kind contributions and program funding.

Gifts In Kind (GIK) is the name given to the practice of soliciting new goods and materials
from manufacturers who in turn receive a tax benefit, and donating these products to
programs managed by NGOs and PVOs, often in the most challenged locations in the
world. The GBG Foundation works with organizations to support their programs and, in
this way, helps provide access and delivery to essential goods and equipment.
“We decided to rely on the organizations with blue-chip reputations that have the
necessary infrastructure in place to make the most impact with our GIK contributions,”
Mr. Thorburn said. “Many of our partners will join us to support these great programs.”

Utilizing its network of contacts in commerce and manufacturing across the world, The
GBG Foundation is able to make significant contributions to programs that are pressed
for financial resources. GBG Foundation projects are funded in part by donations received
from Global Benefits Group, which has allocated a percentage of revenue from specific
products, and also from partnering organizations, GBG clients and individual
philanthropic donations.

“I decided the best way to make a difference was to help NGOs and non-profits who are
trying to implement programs that we believe in but would not get implemented without
our help,” Mr. Thorburn said.