Six returned Peace Corps Volunteers created the Foundation in early 2006.  Working for two years across all regions of Turkmenistan in the country’s health and education sectors, the Volunteers came to understand the challenges and the opportunities of development in Turkmenistan.  The Foundation is one of only a handful of NGOs that work in Turkmenistan and it is unique in that it is devoted exclusively to the development of that country.

As an non-profit corporation organized pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible.  Other than the Executive Director, all of the Foundation’s staff work on a volunteer basis. 

About the Foundation’s Structure

The Foundation’s Board of Directors oversees the Foundation and is responsible for ensuring its adherence to its mission.  The Foundation’s Board of Advisors provide useful and informal guidance.

Members of the Foundation’s Executive Committee, led by the Executive Director, are appointed by the Board of Directors.  The Executive Committee and the Executive Director oversee the day-to-day operation of the Foundation.

Among those members of the Executive Committee are the leaders of the Working Groups: The Programmatic Working Group, the Development Working Group, and the Strategic Planning and Outreach Working Group. 

Essential to the Foundation’s smooth operation are the Program Managers, Director of Communications, Webmaster, Mentors, and all of the other volunteers who help to select our scholars and projects, provide in-kind services, seek sources of revenue, and much more.