EF Gives Back

EF Foundation relies on generous contributions and commitments from volunteers around the world, most of all from host families, local representatives and school officials who welcome students into their homes and communities and care for students during their exchange year. A high school year abroad is a formative experience in the lives of our students; it shapes their futures and helps define who they become as individuals. It is something they will remember for the rest of their lives. Our dedicated volunteers know this, and without their support we would not be able to provide such a valuable opportunity to our students year after year.

Most of our volunteers, staff and representatives agree that this experience – bringing people together, learning about new cultures and languages, making a difference in students’ lives, helping to create a better world – is its own reward.

That is why we at EF Foundation believe, in the spirit of this mission, it is important to give back to the communities that contribute so much to our program. In local communities and around the globe, EF is dedicated to making a positive difference where it can. Positive change is possible, one student at a time and one project at a time.

The Mentor Foundation

EF is a founding member of the Mentor Foundation and has been a dedicated sponsor for the past 10 years. Mentor is a nonprofit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, that works with the United Nations and the World Health Organization to prevent drug misuse and promote the health and wellbeing of young people around the world.

EF’s founder, Bertil Hult, founded the Mentor Foundation together with Queen Silvia of Sweden, Queen Noor of Jordan, Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Mr. Hult has worked actively on the board of directors for over seven years. You can find more information about Mentor at: www.mentorfoundation.org.

Red Cross

Over the course of more than 40 years, EF and EF’s owner, Bertil Hult, have donated millions of dollars to the Red Cross to support to the organization’s mission.

Some of the bigger contributions include:

• $800,000 in disaster assistance to aid victims of the earthquake that struck China in 2008 and the cyclone that devastated Myanmar that same year. The Red Cross used some of these funds for immediate relief efforts, and some of the funds will go toward long-term reconstruction efforts designed to rebuild schools in the affected areas.
• $300,000 for relief efforts in Southeast Asia in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.

Local Charities

Around the world, EF participates in many local charitable endeavors. For example, EF provides English tuition to people in Brazil who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford English lessons.

Another example: EF Foundation donated $50,000 to New York firefighters in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Community Outreach

EF employees around the world are encouraged to suggest volunteer opportunities for EF staff members to take part in. Some of these volunteer opportunities take place during work hours. They serve as a way for us to give back to the local communities where we have offices and staff.

EF supports various community events, such as the March of Dimes in Boston, Mass., where EF staff take part in the March for Babies, which supports programs and research dedicated to saving premature babies.

In addition, EF staff helped the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Boston clean up North Point Park for the summe.

Volunteer Trips

Because EF is a leader in international education and cultural exchange, its employees are dedicated to making a positive difference in every corner of the globe. For this reason, many EF employees participate in volunteer trips to other countries. For instance, in November 2007, about 15 EF staff members traveled to Guatemala to volunteer at an orphanage for boys outside Guatemala City, and in November 2008, an enthusiastic group of EF employees traveled to Brazil to take part in charity projects there.

Charitable Matching

EF has committed to matching employee-raised charitable donations, up to $20,000 per year. When an employee submits a copy of a donation receipt, along with a donation form, EF sends a check of corresponding value (up to $500 per employee per year) directly to the benefiting organization.