The Bhutan Foundation: Building international partnerships to support progress in Bhutan
IN FOCUS
Karma Dorji, Travel Programs Coordinator, Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions
With thoughtful itineraries honed since 1999, we unveil the depths of Bhutan's happiness philosophy, the daily physical adventures through the beautiful Himalayan landscape complemented by the intimate and in-depth cultural experiences sensitively curated for you every day.
Through the eyes of a select few informed leaders we saw the dilemmas of a culture: A hitherto sheltered nation discovering the arguments for and against remaining a cloistered society in this 21st Century. I loved the adventure, and I loved the discovery. Unlike anything else I have ever experienced!
Lola W., California
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Founded in 1986, Bhutan’s premier non-profit for international partnerships and donations supports the broadest range of projects for social and environmental good in the kingdom, supporting its goal of delivering Gross National Happiness, or GNH, to its people. In keeping with the paradigm-shifting vision for national progress articulated by His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, the Bhutan Foundation aligns its efforts with the four pillars of GNH: cultural preservation, environmental conservation, sustainable development, and good governance.
Through its offices in Bhutan and Washington, DC, the Foundation acts as a bridge between the kingdom and the international community. It identifies critical gaps in Bhutan's development and addresses them through strategic partnerships with local and global entities.
The Foundation's approach is multifaceted:
Capacity Building: It brings expertise to Bhutan, helping to develop local professional skills in areas such as special education, emergency medical services, and cultural restoration.
Civil Society Support: The Foundation assists Bhutanese civil society organizations with donor relations, reporting, and funding support.
Global Awareness: It promotes understanding of Bhutan worldwide through cultural events and educational initiatives.
As Bhutan continues its journey as a young democracy, the Bhutan Foundation remains committed to its vision of a "forward-looking society enriched by the core values of Gross National Happiness." Through its mission, the Foundation is playing a crucial role in shaping Bhutan's future while preserving its unique cultural and environmental heritage.
Small Grants, Big Impact
The Foundation's Small Grants Program has become a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship across Bhutan. In 2023, the program supported projects ranging from developing a Bhutan Sign Language App for Special Needs Education in Bhutan, to revitalizing fishery ponds for improved nutrition, to agriculture-based projects for better food self-sufficiency by supporting the kingdom’s local farmers.
"Each grant has led to transformations, improving lives and shaping a future for many," says Tshering Yangzom, Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy.
The Foundation's work in cultural preservation includes the restoration of the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre. This project preserves a piece of Bhutan's architectural heritage and creates a space for cultural education.
The Foundation is using technology to enhance cultural preservation efforts. The Digitize Dratshang project is training monks in digital inventory and archiving, equipping them to be custodians of Bhutan's cultural and spiritual heritage in the digital age.
The Foundation's commitment to environmental conservation is evident in its assistance to the Million Tree Project, which has evolved into the Great People's Forest initiative with over 200,000 trees planted (by February 2025) and 10 million trees targeted by 2030. This effort contributes to carbon sequestration and helps maintain Bhutan's status as a carbon-negative country.
In health and education, the Bhutan Foundation has supported the training of Bhutanese doctors and nurses in Emergency Medical Services and established an emergency medicine training center at the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan.
The Foundation's Special Education Needs program, operating in 12 schools, is bringing education to children with disabilities across Bhutan. The organization is exploring approaches to healthcare, including strengthening Bhutan's traditional medicine system and introducing assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities.
Looking to the Future
As Bhutan navigates the balance between tradition and modernity, the Bhutan Foundation continues to support the country's development journey, backed by an impressive board of luminaries including Bhutanese Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Tseyring Pem Wangchuck, Co-Chair of the foundation. The team is led on the ground by Bhutan's first National Geographic Explorer and a member of the Explorers Club, Executive Director Tshewang Wangchuk; Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy Tshering Yangzom; Director of Programs and Operations, Dawa Sherpa; and Country Director Norbu Dema.
"We aspire for Bhutan to be a society enriched by the values of Gross National Happiness," states the Foundation's vision. Through its programs and partnerships, the Bhutan Foundation is turning this aspiration into reality, one project at a time.
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To support the highly vetted, high impact, low overhead, five-star Charity Navigator-rated projects of the Bhutan Foundation, please visit their website at https://www.bhutanfound.org/about/
IF YOU'RE INSPIRED by your travels in Bhutan to support the kingdom’s mission of effective, smart, heartfelt progress for its people, the best way to do that, in our opinion, is to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation to the Bhutan Foundation.
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