How We’re Different

"I just haven't seen other NGOs in Guatemala with a scaled-up, sustainable, impact-oriented program such as CoEd's.
—Tim Magee, Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Development

Too many international development projects lack a long-term survival plan. Once the sponsoring organizations move on, these “dump and go” programs often fail. And the cycle of poverty and despair continues.

Sustainable Programs

We deliver sustainable programs that thrive and survive into the future. Our innovative revolving fund model involves every beneficiary.  Each person makes a small financial contribution to their school’s project, giving them a vested interest in its success.

Deep Development

We address the root causes of poverty in Guatemala—rather than just treating its symptoms

While many nonprofits spread their resources across many countries, CoEd builds long-term relationships with our beneficiaries in one country, providing them with multiple, layered programs that combat poverty. Our approach to “deep” development will bring about long-term, systemic change in Guatemala.

Community Empowerment

CoEd also builds local capacity by training community members to manage and maintain the projects. Even once CoEd moves on, the programs will continue to benefit the young people of rural Guatemala.

Of the 428 total projects CoEd has implemented in Guatemalan schools, 363 are still going strong—and most operate solely on local funds. This translates to an 85 percent sustainability rate for all projects in Guatemala since the organization’s inception in 1996.

Run Like a Business

"The organization is run like a well-lubricated business—quite unusual in the nonprofit world."
-Tim Magee, Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Development

At CoEd, we pride ourselves on transparency, accountability, and a commitment to measuring the outcomes of our work. We evaluate the success of each program and share the results with our partners.

• Learn more about our programs’ results.
• Read more about how our programs work, along with personal stories from the beneficiaries of our programs, with a copy of Rewriting the Future, a book about our work in Guatemala. Receive a free copy when you make a $25 donation to CoEd through this special link.