Borderless Friends Forever Foundation

Overview

The Borderless Friends Forever Foundation is a US-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering international understanding and goodwill through educational and cultural exchange programs. It specializes in the placement and supervision of high school students participating in the US Department of State's J1 visa International Exchange program.

Mission

The foundation's mission centers around creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange that promote global citizenship and understanding. By facilitating these exchanges, the organization aims to enrich the lives of participants, foster personal growth, and contribute to a more interconnected global community.

Programs

Borderless Friends Forever offers exchange programs designed to immerse international students in American culture. The programs are available for both public and private schools, providing diverse educational experiences that align with the students' interests.

Operational Structure

Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, the organization maintains a network of dedicated community advisors across the United States. These advisors provide crucial support services to exchange students, host families, and schools. Notably, the foundation exceeds the minimum supervision requirements set by the US Department of State by mandating monthly in-person visits by advisors to students.

Financial Overview

The foundation's primary source of revenue is from program services. In recent years, it has reported substantial revenues, with $929,047 in 2022, reflecting its increased operational scale. Expenses include executive compensation and salaries for other employees, underscoring the importance of personnel in delivering effective exchange programs.

Recognition

The organization is recognized by the IRS as a public not-for-profit educational exchange organization and holds full listing status with the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). This recognition underscores its compliance with rigorous standards in international educational exchange.

Impact and Reviews

While participants often praise the organization for its personalized support and community-driven approach, some host families have expressed dissatisfaction with the professionalism and responsiveness of certain local coordinators. Despite these mixed reviews, the foundation remains committed to its mission, fostering transformative experiences for young people involved in its programs.

[1] https://givefreely.com/charity-directory/nonprofit/ein-465573646/ [2] https://borderlessfriends.org/about-us-2/ [3] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/465573646 [4] https://borderlessfriends.org/bff-exchange-programs/ [5] https://greatnonprofits.org/org/borderless-friends-forever-foundation