Friends of Nigeria has long supported development projects in Nigeria. Our grants program began in 1998 with a donation of $500 to the Niger Wives Braille Project. The grants program has since grown in importance and by 2020 FON had raised and distributed more than $300,000 to grass-roots organizations in Nigeria. All membership dues not required for operational expenses, and 100% of donations, go to these development projects. Our priority is to fund projects that rely on local decision-making, address clear needs, and result in specific outcomes.
In recent years our emphasis has been on infrastructure for computer training programs, health education in general, and on maternal health and fistula repair in particular. Friends of Nigeria has donated to EngenderHealth and DOVENET, organizations that specialize in addressing maternal health and fistula repair. In response to the 2020 Covid pandemic, the FON membership raised additional funds for our partners in Nigeria to help in the procurement and distribution of food in rural areas affected by the pandemic. We welcome donations that will support our grants program.
FON is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization.