About Us
Women are the heart of any society. No community can flourish until it has engaged and empowered the women who live within it. That empowerment must begin with education, which is essential in ennobling women and ending the cycle of poverty and mistreatment prevalent in so many developing communities
In 2011, Chris Burns-Fazzi created the BFB Foundation, an organization dedicated to elevating women and the communities in which they live. Chris believes the Credit Union Movement is a prime example of the power of community and volunteerism. She created the BFB Foundation to offer young women in developing countries educational support, personal and professional mentoring, and the chance to gain an understanding of and appreciation for the value of spreading positive opportunities. As women learn life and leadership skills and receive the support they need to build self-assurance and self-reliance, they begin to realize their own worth and potential. They become agents of positive and lasting change, both locally and globally
We have begun our efforts by reaching out to education-oriented organizations in the greater Antigua, Guatemala area. And although our work so far has focused on empowering the women of communities in Guatemala, our vision goes well beyond Central America. The goal is to improve and enrich the lives of women internationally—not only to invest in their lives, but to invest in the lives of all those in their communities as well.
BFB Foundation Initiatives
Overview — The BFB Foundation carefully selects organizations that share its vision of educating women and strengthening communities. These partner organizations already have strong infrastructures upon which we can build and through which it can provide additional support to help reach common goals.
Focus on Women and Communities — We know that one educated woman has the power to affect great change and to touch many lives. The most lasting solutions to problems concerning women will not be realized until women themselves are involved in the process.
Financial Literacy — Financial literacy—the knowledge of how money works—is vital to independence and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. Those without financial education are less able to develop the skills necessary to compete in an economy. The BFB Foundation is passionate about providing financial education to women in developing areas so they are more aware of their options and confident in spending, saving, and investing their money.
How You Can Help
Give Materials — Teaching requires more than just books. You can help by giving teachers the tools they need to create a fun, engaging environment. You and your group can gather items on the schools’ wish lists and help give the students the education they deserve.
Give Money — You can contribute to funding the education of the next generation of women in the world, an especially impactful service in developing communities.
- $10 buys school supplies for one child for one month
- $15 buys one child lunch for one month
- $30 buys one educational book for a school or community library
- $50 supports one child’s education for one month
- $80 buys educational materials for an entire school for one month.
Give Time — As appreciated and necessary as monetary donations are, giving your time and giving of yourself might be more important. Nothing helps as much as a willingness to give time to one of these young women. Become a mentor. Listen to a young woman’s needs, ideas, dreams, and concerns, and celebrate her successes and accomplishments with her. Share your own experiences, knowledge, and relevant professional expertise.
Please contact us to find out how you can get involved in working with the BFB Foundation and its partners to enrich and elevate the lives of women.
Pilar Fitzgerald Executive Director
pperotti@bfbfoundation.org | 678-852-8590 | 1816 East 7th Street | Charlotte, NC 28204