Founded in 2002 by Morgan Keay and Liliana Goldman, The Itgel Foundation was established in response to direct requests for assistance expressed by Mongolian individuals.
During their initial time in Mongolia in 2002, Keay and Goldman completed an academic program focused on Mongolian culture and development that featured intensive language study, extended home-stays, and professional training and lectures. Through these experiences, Keay and Goldman were exposed to the challenges Mongolia faces in the current period of rapid change and development that has followed the country’s 1991 revolution from socialism to democracy. This period has been characterized by economic growth, technological development, and increased exposure to global trends and markets, presenting a myriad of both opportunities and threats to the country.
In an effort to balance tradition with modernity, and continuity with change, Mongolians often speak of the need to honor Mongolia’s rich legacy while contributing to its sustainable development. Such a goal requires careful planning and creative thinking, and a holistic approach to development that encompasses far more than economic growth or statistical figures. Itgel was founded in response to ideas presented by Mongolian individuals and communities who envisioned ways to make this balance possible, and define a positive future for their country.
Since its establishment, The Itgel Foundation has designed and implemented a variety of projects that contribute to Mongolia’s sustainable development and protect its cultural and environmental legacy. All of our projects are initiated at the request of local communities, and are never pre-determined by external stakeholders. Our grassroots approach means a deep commitment to bottom-up strategies, methods that are highly participatory and empower local stakeholders, and promote self-sufficiency and sustainability every step of the way. According to our definition, sustainable development means empowering communities from within to ensure that their goals and needs are met, and that they are not dependent on external actors in the long term. This means that all of our projects have exit strategies and “hand-over” points whereby leadership and responsibility is transferred from our organization to local stakeholders.
The organization is a joint US/Mongolian NGO, and is a fully tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and legally-registered Mongolian entity. We are funded primarily through private donors, foundation and government grants, and business sponsorships. We have an incredibly modest budget of less than $100,000 per year, and are supported by a team of mostly-unpaid volunteers, allowing us to stretch each dollar farther than most organizations many times our size.
We believe positive global change must begin at the grassroots level, and that small, focused projects can mean big things to individuals in need. In keeping with our philosophy, our organization bares the name "Itgel," which means hope in Mongolian.
The organization is a joint US/Mongolian NGO, and is a fully tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and legally-registered Mongolian entity. We are funded primarily through private donors, foundation and government grants, and business sponsorships. We have an incredibly modest budget of less than $100,000 per year, and are supported by a team of mostly-unpaid volunteers, allowing us to stretch each dollar farther than most organizations many times our size.
We believe positive global change must begin at the grassroots level, and that small, focused projects can mean big things to individuals in need. In keeping with our philosophy, our organization bares the name "Itgel," which means hope in Mongolian.
