Heifer International Appoints New Director of Grants

Heifer Project International
Thursday, 1 February 2001

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Heifer International recently announced the addition of Mr. Marvin Schwartz as the new Director of Grants.

Originally from New York City, Mr. Schwartz is now based in Little Rock, Arkansas. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University, (1970), a Master of Arts from Hollins College in Virginia, (1971), and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Arkansas, (1974). He has published several books, the majority dealing with aspects of Arkansas history, and numerous magazine articles. He has previous experience as a newspaper reporter, English instructor, corporate public relations director, and director of nonprofit organizations. As an independent communications consultant and planner, he has specialized in public sector issues - education, economic and community development, culture and history, resource utilization - areas that directly impact the quality of life. His work has assisted local, state, and international projects, producing grant proposals, video documentaries, organization histories, strategic plans, project documentation, community research and oral histories.

Mr. Schwartz most recently served as a consultant for Arkansas Medical, Dental & Pharmacists Association to create a concept paper and development strategies for the Arkansas Health Care Institute, a public health initiative seeking support through state tobacco settlement funds. He has also served as a consultant for the Southern Rural Development Initiative, an intermediary organization providing development resources to nonprofit organizations in eleven southern states.

As Director of Grants for Heifer International, Mr. Schwartz is facilitating the expansion and training of the Grants Team toward research, strategic planning and resource development, especially in the areas of gender and agro-ecology. His leadership will direct the Grants Team to collaborate in projects involving AIDS education, gender awareness, and orphan services.

To this end, Mr. Schwartz has recently secured $110,000 from the Sandy River Charitable Foundation to initiate Heifer's Agro-ecology Fund, which supports programs submitted by its field offices. In addition, the Bothar Foundation has awarded Heifer International $50,000 for beekeeping projects in five African Countries. This project will have beneficial impact on the environment and participant economic well-being, particularly in African communities struggling with the AIDS epidemic.

Since 1944, Heifer has helped more than 4 million hungry families in the United States and 118 other countries move toward self-reliance through the gift of food- and income-producing animals and training. Every family and community receiving animals also receives training in environmentally sound, sustainable agriculture. Recipient families pass on the gift by sharing their offspring with other struggling families. In this model, each recipient becomes a donor. This process enhances self-esteem, ensures project continuity, builds solidarity and multiplies the benefits of the original gift for generations to come.

For more information, or to contact Heifer Project International, see their website at: www.heifer.org