Barbuda REcovery & Conservation trust
September 2017
ABout THe Barbuda REcovery & Conservation Trust
What is the Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust?
The “Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust” (BRCT) is an emergency-relief fund to help rebuild the island of Barbuda after Hurricane Irma when 185 mph winds destroyed upwards of 90% of homes, buildings and major infrastructure.
The Waitt Institute and Waitt Foundation, in partnership with the International Community Foundation, established the Trust in September 2017. The Waitt Foundation generously donated $100,000 USD to seed the fund. The Trust accepts tax-deductible donations from private donors and international grant-makers to raise additional funds for humanitarian aid, rebuilding efforts and long-term sustainable development on Barbuda. The Trust does not charge administrative costs allowing 100% of donated money to go directly to support the recovery of Barbuda and its people.
Who is behind the Trust?
Three U.S. registered non-profit organizations manage the Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust, the Waitt Institute, the Waitt Foundation, and the International Community Foundation.
The Waitt Institute is the main point of contact for partners in Antigua & Barbuda to provide the most effective and transparent aid possible. The Waitt Institute has a long-standing partnership with the Government of Antigua & Barbuda and has worked on Barbuda through the Blue Halo Initiative since 2013. The Blue Halo Initiative is a partnership between the Barbuda Council, the office of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Waitt Institute with the goal to develop solutions for sustainable ocean management recognizing that people and oceans can thrive sustainably together. Over the past 4 years, the Waitt Institute has invested about 2 million USD on Barbuda to create marine sanctuaries, and build capacity for sustainable development through training and education. The Institute implements similar projects in Montserrat, Curaçao and Tonga, and brings to the table a global network of NGOs, researchers, development practitioners, and multilateral agencies. The Waitt Institute will coordinate closely with the Government of Antigua & Barbuda and the Barbuda council in its hurricane response.
The Waitt Foundation mission is to restore our oceans to full productivity. Given the rapid decline of marine resources, the Waitt Foundation protects and restores ocean health. The Foundation funds initiatives globally with a focus on marine protected areas and sustainable fishing policy and practice. It provides grants, technical assistance, strategic advice, and support innovative ocean science. For maximum impact, The Foundation partners with unique coalitions of governments, funders, NGO, academics, and businesses.
The International Community Foundation (ICF) administers the Trust. ICF is one of the most respected charitable fund-managers in the world with 25 years of fund management experience. The Waitt Institute and Waitt Foundation selected ICF not only for their demonstrated competence and expertise in environmental disaster response, but for their trustworthiness and generosity. ICF has agreed to manage the Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust with 0% overhead. This means no administrative costs, allowing 100% of donations to go directly to Barbuda.
What does the Trust do with donations?
The International Community Foundation hosts the Barbuda Recovery and Conservation Trust as a pro-bono service. Waitt Team expenses are covered by the Institute and the Foundation. This means that no portion of any donation will be used for administrative overhead, allowing for 100% of donated money to go directly to support the recovery of Barbuda and its people.
The Fund will support the following types of expenses, programs and/or services:
· Emergency shelter/housing, food, clothing, and supplies
· Transportation
· Daily wages for Barbudans working to support hurricane relief and recovery
· Daily living expenses
· Community clean up
· Restoration and recovery of community services
· Restoration and recovery of educational and training programs for adults and children
· Sustainable construction; particularly of the energy, water, and waste grids
How do I know that the Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust is legitimate?
The Waitt Institute and Foundation have established a Transparency Policy and will take several steps to ensure that the use of contributions are clear.
§ No Contribution Funds are Used for Administrative Expenses: 100% of donations will go to the people of Barbuda
§ Government & Community Coordination: The Waitt Team will coordinate the Trust Fund’s activities with the Barbuda Council, Barbuda community leaders, Government of Antigua & Barbuda (GOAB) and other organizations providing hurricane relief.
§ Detailed Accounting for the Barbuda Fund: All expenditures related to the Barbuda Relief Efforts will be recorded and shared on the websites and Facebook pages as events unfold regarding programmatic activities and expenditures.
§ External audits: Each year, ICF is audited by an accredited CPA firm to ensure strict compliance with all government regulations regarding international grant-making and standard accounting practices.
§ Advisory Board: The Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust will assemble an informal advisory board to guide expenditures. Ideally this board will consist of appropriate GOAB officials, the Chair of the Barbuda Council, the Minister for Barbuda Affairs, community members, the Waitt Institute, and other interested parties with insight and expertise to this highly specific humanitarian crisis for the Barbudan people.
For additional information, please visit www.waittinstitute.org or email
To donate, please visit www.waittinstitute.org/barbuda-hurricane-relief