| In its 91 year history, NEF (Near East Foundation) has reinvented itself several times, both adjusting to different realities on the ground and taking advantage of new opportunities. From 1915 to 1930, NEF was a major relief organization directly helping millions of refugees. Between 1930 and 1980, we were a grantmaker supporting good works and good people in the Middle East and Africa. In the early 1980s, NEF evolved into an organization that funded its own programs as well as others: managing, tracking, staffing, reporting on hundreds of projects in as many as 15 countries at any one time.
2005-06 was another period of intense examination to determine the best strategy at a time when the need for our services is greater than ever in this significantly troubled part of the world. Responding to a new climate for non-profit organizations spurred on by a more efficient approach to charitable giving, NEF has reorganized to better meet the needs of its constituents and the demands of sophisticated donors.
Effective July 1, 2006, NEF, a non-profit organization, gained a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary, NEFdev, LLC, in order to compete/win work in both non-profit and for-profit sectors. Also, NEF field offices in various countries became independent nongovernmental organizations, comprising a valuable network of NEF affiliates throughout the Middle East and Africa. Within our own organization, we have put into concrete terms our long-standing commitment to local capacity building. NEF has become truly “boundaryless” across national borders with a pool of more than 150 of the most dedicated and talented specialists in a wide range of areas in international development.
During our nine decades of operation, NEF has gained exceptional experience, reputation, ability and knowledge to work in difficult places in the Middle East and Africa—and very importantly, in respectful ways. This report presents details about the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have improved because of our successful efforts in 2005-06. We thank everyone who has helped make such positive, sustainable impact possible.
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