FRIENDS OF MONGOLIA	™
A National Peace Corps Association Affiliated Organization

Silent Auction

On February 25, 2009 Friends of Mongolia (FOM) held a happy hour fundraiser at the favorite RPCV haunt -- Haydee’s Restaurant -- in Washington D.C.’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood.  Friends of Mongolia officers and members wore their finest Mongolian clothes to celebrate the Mongolian New Year and to give the other guests a taste of Mongolian culture.  The event was well attended and included former RPCVs who had served in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia as well as members of the international development community, friends, and family of FOM members.  One of the highlights was the silent auction.  Competition was stiff as guests bid over Mongolian prints, ankle bones, wallets, and various other items generously donated by FOM supporters.  Haydee’s restaurant also contributed 30 percent of all sales that evening to FOM.  Between restaurant sales, new memberships, general donations and the silent auction, FOM received $1,390. 

RPCVs in Dels

The purpose of the event was to raise money for FOM's scholarship program which is now entering its 4th year. In 2008 FOM provided 18 full tuition scholarships to college students in Mongolia, and in 2009 we are looking to fund a similar amount of outstanding students. Given the relatively inexpensive rates of tuition in Mongolia each and every contribution to the program has a significant impact. The money raised at Haydee's Restaurant amounts to 2 full tuition scholarships. That means that just by coming together and giving $20, $50, or $100, each person in attendance has set in motion the potential to positively impact the lives of 2 students in the coming year. Thanks to everyone who came, donated, and helped out!

If you were unable to attend the fundraising event but you would like to contribute to the program, please donate today online by clicking here. All donations to FOM are tax deductible.

FOM sent 12 Gobi Students to Ohio in 2008

In 2009 Friends of Mongolia turns 10 years old. The organization was founded in 1999 by enterprising members of the 7th training group of Peace Corps volunteers in Mongolia--known as M-7s in Peace Corps Mongolia parlance. Since 1999 the organization has had it share of ups and downs, notoriety and obscurity, but at the beginning of its 10th year the organization has never been stronger.

As part of the celebrations FOM is determined to increase its membership base and to have a sizable percentage come from the hundreds of returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCV) who have served in Mongolia. To date over 600 volunteers have served in Mongolia, so there is a sizable pool of people to draw from.

Why should RPCVs be interested in joining? It's a great question that can be answered in this way: Friends of Mongolia is your organization. It is a grassroots organization that lives and dies by the commitment of volunteers. It reaches out to small communities in Mongolia changing lives in positive ways. It promotes greater understanding of Mongolia in the United States. It does all this by raising money each year from private donors and ensuring that at least 95% of each donation goes directly to support educational and cultural exchange programs as opposed to administrative overhead and salaries.

FOM Funded 18 Scholarships in 2008

Friends of Mongolia requires approximately $15,000 per year to fund its scholarship program, community grant program, and other outreach activities. Base membership is $25 per year, so if only 50% of Mongolia RPCVs paid annual dues, that would raise 50% of the annual total needed, or $7,500.

Currently Friends of Mongolia has just over 100 members paying anywhere from $25-$250 per year in dues. These contributions provide a substantial part of the organization's ability to meet its mission of promoting cultural and educational exchange between the United States and Mongolia.

Keep an eye out for initiatives in 2009 to bring Mongolia RPCVs back into a contributing role for Mongolia. And, if you're not an RPCV? Well, we want your support, too. About 25% of FOM's members are not Mongolia RPCVs, and we want members from all walks of life who have a passion for Mongolia and giving back to the community.

Join today at www.friendsofmongolia.org/join.