The mission of Heifer International is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Heifer does this by providing appropriate livestock, training and related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide.
You can explore our history and donate.
Yes. Heifer International is exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3), and is a non-profit organization eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. Each donation to Heifer is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and represents a contribution to its entire mission — which is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth.
Our Tax ID number is 35-1019477.
Our 12 Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development, or "Cornerstones", are a set of essential principles that guide Heifer's work. Together, they form the acronym PASSING GIFTS, representing the quintessential Cornerstone and trademark practice that makes Heifer unique and its projects sustainable.
Our Cornerstone of Passing on the Gift® assures that each participant in the program becomes a donor and gives the animal's offspring to another family in need. This concept helps build community and enhances dignity and participation in each project. The families continually give to others ensuring self-sufficiency, one family at a time.
Heifer's key concept is that each recipient must pass on to others some of the offspring of the farm animals they receive. This practice ensures that each participant in the program becomes a donor, enhancing dignity and participation in each project. Passing on the Gift also helps communities to become self-sustaining.
Heifer's Gender Equity program seeks to ensure that men and women are equal partners in planning, work and benefits of a project. In many countries, women care for animals kept near the home but often have little access to technical training, resources, credit and decision-making. When women are able to receive animals and training, family nutrition improves and women gain new respect in their communities.
Agroecology is the sustainable use and management of natural resources, accomplished by using social, cultural, economic, political and ecological methods that work together to achieve sustainable agriculture production. Heifer International is working within an integrated system of plant and animal production practices to satisfy human food needs, enhance environmental quality and natural resources and make the most of on-farm and renewable resources.
No matter where Heifer International is working around the globe, we find a biodiversity made up of people, wildlife, plants and habitats. As all are interrelated and woven tightly together, we must respect the needs and capabilities of each of these pieces in order to keep the ecosystem healthy. Heifer International's focus on environmental issues, therefore, is not just an ethical position but also a practical necessity. Some examples of how we confront this reality:
Heifer strives to excel in its role of good steward, not only of each other, but also of the Earth that we share.
No. Heifer International does not take political stands, but we do agree with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and support justice for all people.
Detailed information on Heifer's finances is available in the Financial Information section of this website. You may also view how Heifer meets Give.org's BBB Wise Giving Alliance 20 Standards for Charity Accountability by accessing their current report.
Heifer International and Heifer Foundation are separate non-profit charitable organizations with distinct purposes; however, both exist to serve the mission to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth.
Heifer International performs the day-to-day work of implementing projects and programs by providing appropriate livestock, training and related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide. Heifer International fundraises to provide the annual budget which provides for the immediate needs of the organization and mission.
Heifer Foundation's purpose is to build an endowment to generate long-term support for the work of Heifer International in perpetuity and to educate people on how planned charitable giving supports Heifer International's work. This education includes a variety of planned charitable giving instruments, such as endowments, annuities, trusts and more.
Both organizations work closely together to support a common mission while meeting the unique individual needs of donors.
The independent evaluator Charity Navigator obtains information on charities from the IRS Form 990 which we file with the federal government. Charity Navigator uses a uniform rating system for all charities, applying formulas to numbers derived from Form 990. They look at two primary categories: organizational efficiency and organizational capacity. View Charity Navigator's evaluation of Heifer International.
Heifer meets Give.org's BBB Wise Giving Alliance 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. View their current report on Heifer International.
For more financial information about Heifer and to read our latest IRS Form 990, visit the Financial Information section of our website.
Please be assured that Heifer International takes the stewardship of resources entrusted to us by donors seriously. We are committed to our mission of ending hunger and poverty and caring for the Earth and we know that you share that commitment. If you have concerns or further questions about our finances, we will be glad to talk to you about them. Please email info@heifer.org for general inquiries.
Our staff currently provide valuable support and assistance for project partners all over the world.
We have featured country projects that you can donate directly to located at Fund a Project. If you need further information call us at 855 9HUNGER (855.948.6437) or email info@heifer.org.
Yes. The work of Heifer USA is centered on building and reviving local food systems so that farmers and families in the South, one of the poorest regions in the USA, are making a difference in their own lives and the lives of their neighbors.
The power of Heifer USA lies in the belief that small-scale farmers can feed the world and revive their local economies using the impact of locally produced food. We are empowering food entrepreneurs and building food enterprises to address every link in the food value chain—from farm to table.
Yes, provided the intent of the reprinting is to promote Heifer and its mission. You may reprint articles from World Ark magazine, Heifer's website or any other Heifer printed materials. Please appropriately recognize Heifer with the following publication credit:
"Reprinted with permission from Heifer International - www.heifer.org."
For any other use of Heifer articles other than to promote Heifer International, please contact us at info@heifer.org
Yes, if you are in the United States, you can request Heifer International materials be sent to you by emailing us at info@heifer.org or calling us at 855 9HUNGER (855.948.6437).
Yes. Our partnerships with governments, corporations, private organizations, nonprofit coalitions and other networks enable us to find effective solutions with substantial impact. Whenever we work hand-in-hand with these partners, we create sustainable paths out of poverty for populations who would otherwise be left behind.
There are three ways you can partner with us:
We currently work in many countries around the world. Learn about the transformation across the globe and our programs.
Some examples of the training we provide to project groups include: planting trees, building pens, animal husbandry/management (including animal nutrition, breeding and healthcare), record keeping and marketing. We also teach group-building skills and gender relationships. Much of the training is provided through cooperation with local extension services, community animal health workers, universities, colleges and other local organizations.
We welcome your interest and would like to be able to accommodate visits from people traveling on their own. However, to respect the dignity and privacy of our project participants, and in light of the limited time and resources of our field staff, we do not encourage unscheduled visits to our projects.
You can send us an email at info@heifer.org or give us a call at 855 9HUNGER (855.948.6437).
Please send your full name, address, phone number and e-mail address to info@heifer.org with your request. Note that changes to your mailing preferences, changes of address or removal from mailing lists require one or two mailing cycles to come into effect.
If you prefer to only receive email updates, please send your full name, address, phone number and e-mail address to info@heifer.org with your request. Note that changes to your mailing preferences, changes of address or removal from mailing lists require one or two mailing cycles to come into effect.
If you prefer not to receive mail from Heifer, please send your full name, address, phone number and email address to info@heifer.org with your request. Please note that removal from mailing lists require one or two mailing cycles to come into effect.
Please e-mail your address changes to info@heifer.org or mail your correct address label from your Heifer publication to:
Heifer International
Attn: Donor Services
P.O. Box 8058
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-8058
Note that changes to your mailing preferences, changes of address or removal from mailing lists require one or two mailing cycles to come into effect.
Yes. Signing up for Heifer's email is one way to deepen your commitment to ending hunger and poverty. You'll learn about Heifer's work through inspiring stories, and we'll send you information on how you can empower families to move from poverty to self-reliance.
Yes. Our global education resources are based on national educational standards for Pre-K through the 8th grade and put a new spin on courses like English, Geography, Science and others. View Heifer's school resources including free lesson plans, classroom activities, videos and games.
Phone: 855.9HUNGER (855.948.6437)
Email: info@heifer.org
Mailing Address:
Heifer International
1 World Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72202
Members of the media should refer to the For the Press section of this website for current contact information for our public relations team.
