What is the Heifer Foundation? The Heifer Foundation was founded
in 1991 to develop and manage an endowment to support the work of Heifer
International. It is a separate non-profit charitable organization assisting
donors with various planned giving instruments that meet their needs.
While the details of how the Golden Talent Award came to be are lost in
history, it is purported to have begun as an award developed by Heifer
International’s Asia/South Pacific team for their programs in the early
1990’s. The award was so well received that
that team recommended expanding it to encompass all of Heifer’s international
programs, which the Heifer Foundation did.
As operated currently, staff from each country
program nominates an individual or family to the Area Program Team at Heifer International
Headquarters for consideration. A selection committee consisting of dedicated
Heifer volunteers from around the U.S. lead by Steve Denne, COO/EVP of Programs,
selects 15 winners to receive special recognition of their excellence in sustainability. One winner is selected per country each year.
The winner
receives a cash award of US$1,000 provided by Heifer
Foundation. Out of the total award, US$800
goes to the project community and $200 is designated as a cash gift or in-kind
gift to the family or individual.
One of our very own Heifer Sacramento volunteer participated
on the 2012 selection committee. Laurie Heller has been volunteering with
Heifer Sacramento for 2 years. Laurie said enjoyed
the experience working with the selection committee and remarked that ‘The
nominees were all amazing people!’
