The Borgen Project

The Borgen Project spotlights vulnerable groups’ voices in developing countries through its publications, BORGEN Magazine and The Borgen Project blog. This is accomplished through volunteer writers and journalists who research and interview nonprofits on the ground working to eliminate global poverty. The organization is looking to launch a new initiative that enhances our current programs by partnering with more than ten startup/SME nonprofits that serve underserved communities in developing countries and provide training to those facing challenges to write about their firsthand experiences. Support from the Elevate Prize will be invested in resources needed for training, such as books, instructors, language translators, among other materials. 

Many small nonprofits do not have enough funding or resources available for a communications team, and must ultimately depend on news outlets to cover their work, some of which can be selective in their coverage. The Borgen Project addresses this gap by increasing coverage and global representation of nonprofits in developing countries tackling global poverty and major international development issues. The new initiative will amplify the stories of those who have faced, or are facing poverty first-hand, ultimately, helping to ensure that groups can address the most pressing issues in the most effective ways possible.

Clint Borgen is the Founder and President of The Borgen Project. In 1999, while working as a young volunteer in refugee camps during the Kosovo War and genocide, Clint recognized the need for an organization that brings U.S. political attention to issues of global poverty. In need of startup funding, Clint took a job living on a fishing vessel docked in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. From humble beginnings in one of Earth’s most remote locations, The Borgen Project was born in 2003. 

In Seattle, Clint maintained a day job and worked on the nonprofit during the evenings and weekends. His authenticity and interpersonal skills allowed the organization to grow and prosper. For instance, for the first ten years, neither Clint or any staff member received a salary, yet the organization has impacted people at a scale not many organizations reach. In 2020, The Borgen Project had volunteers in 1,952 cities and held 1,137 meetings with Congressional offices. These efforts helped pass three bills in the 116th Congress, ensuring millions of lives are transformed in developing countries despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Clint continues to shine light on the challenges people in developing countries face with extreme poverty by mobilizing Congress.

The Borgen Project works to eliminate global poverty and strengthen international development by educating and mobilizing volunteers, communicating with U.S. legislators, and maintaining a research-based magazine and blog.

Borgen volunteers are taught advocacy skills that are carried out in opportunities to meet with U.S. leaders to discuss global poverty and aid programs focusing on food security, girls’ education, water and sanitation, and proper infrastructure. Between 2015 and 2019, The Borgen Project helped to pass seven poverty-reduction bills, four of which have already helped improve 165 million lives globally.

Poverty levels rose for the first time in over 25 years due to COVID-19. Food security has been interrupted, many children will never return to school, and 35 low-income countries are at risk of never joining the global economy again. Borgen supporters work tirelessly to ensure Congress earmarks funding for global COVID-19 relief by mobilizing and publishing hundreds of articles on combating rising socio-economic issues. 

Further, we work with other organizations in joint global poverty reduction efforts. For instance, in April 2021, we joined ONE Campaign and 30 humanitarian organizations in a letter to President Biden, calling to share 550 million excess COVID-19 doses with low-income countries.

Numerous nonprofits on the ground working to reduce global poverty rely on U.S. government-approved funding to operate. The Borgen Project strengthens the development community by advocating for programs and implementation of funds to these groups. Since 2003, The Borgen Project helped pass bills through advocacy and articles on extreme poverty, hunger, global health, education, gender equality, sustainable cities, clean water and sanitization, employability and economic growth, industry and infrastructure, justice, and aid transparency. 

For example, The Borgen Project sent over 9,000 emails to Congress and held 138 meetings advocating for the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act. In 2017, the READ Act was signed into law, resulting in U.S. foreign policy emphasizing education’s value for social mobility and economic growth through international partnerships with institutions and organizations for educational development. As of 2019, the READ Act has helped improve the lives of almost 69 million school-aged people.

BORGEN Magazine and The Borgen Project blog also build awareness while highlighting the many successes in global poverty reduction, including the work of individuals and nonprofits. Volunteer writers and journalists covered the READ Act and consistently cover education in our publications.

Between 2015 and 2019, The Borgen Project helped pass seven poverty-reduction bills, four of which have already helped improve the lives of 165 million people globally. Our efforts are amplified through The Borgen Project publications, where volunteer writers cover stories about global poverty’s impact on humanitarian development and poverty reduction innovations in businesses, new markets, politics, and technology. The Borgen Project’s journalism initiative enhances these successes and impacts in a novel and innovative manner. 

In May 2021, The Borgen Project will compile a list of Borgen volunteers interested in the journalism initiative and begin training. Training sessions will include advanced interviewing lessons, cultural sensitivity, situational awareness, and feature article structures. Simultaneously, the spotlight organizations will be contacted and interview dates will be established. Once the interviews are published, this primary evidence is beneficial in three ways. Borgen volunteers can reference this content when they meet or email Congress. Second, other nonprofits can use this content to support their research in understanding the living conditions in impoverished or at-risk regions and improve their mission’s impact. Lastly, the spotlight nonprofits receive more opportunities to connect with the nonprofit community and obtain more resources to grow in these remote and online times.