Good Neighbors is an international humanitarian and development non-governmental organization in General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). Established in 1991, the organization currently conducts missions around the world to improve quality of life and educational standards, as well as to provide aid in areas of civil unrest or natural disasters.
History
Good Neighbors started in Seoul, Korea and originated as a non-profit, non-governmental organization in 1991. Funded projects concentrated mainly on equity of life, primarily by supporting orphanages, handicapped children programs, living arrangements for disadvantaged widows, rural community development and the assistance of disadvantaged families of tuberculosis patients in Korea. The organization has since been reorganized in 1996 and now supports projects in 26 countries. The majority of those programs focus on ultimately enabling the young and poor to become self-reliant through education and nutrition. In August 1996, Good Neighbors was granted General Consultative Status, the highest status level for an NGO, with the UN ECOSOC. In 2007, Good Neighbors was recognized by the UN with a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Award for their achievements in Universal Primary Education.
Good Neighbors currently operates projects in 26 field countries, with more than 120 project sites in third world countries, 26 project sites in North Korea, and in 40 field offices consisting of 70 project sites in South Korea, and with USA, Japan and Switzerland as supporting countries, with the annual budget of 2009 at approximately $48M, with 1,500 employees worldwide, a total of 12,000 volunteers, and 350,000 individual donors.
Organizational Structure
Good Neighbors is headquartered in South Korea and maintains a number of field offices in the countries where projects are supported. The majority of funds are raised from South Korea, the United States, Japan, and Europe. In 2009, Good Neighbors raised over $48 million in support funds, drawn mainly from sponsorship dues, government subsidies and donations.
Good Neighbors, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part.
