Bellwether International

What it reported doing in 2024

Iraq: Bellwethers work in Iraq aimed to uncover and interrupt the long term effects of intergenerational trauma. In 2023 we began cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions for Yazidi women and youth many of whom lived in camps and in poverty. Over the course of multiple sessions both groups saw marked improvement in their approach to conflict and prosocial behavior their generosity of spirit. From 2023-2024 working in 4 different cities there were clear positive mental health outcomes.In 2024 Bellwether continued to offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT group sessions to empower Yezidi women in their recovery from the trauma of the 2014 genocide. Building on the success of the CBT sessions in Sinjar Bellwether expanded its outreach to reach Yezidi women in Tel-Ezer at the community center. In Sinjar two rounds of eight-session programs were held from February to April and July to August involving a total of 26 women. In Tel-Ezer 28 women participated in a nine-week program running from April to May. The sessions covered key topics such as managing trauma symptoms emotional regulation addressing sleep disturbances and anger management. Each session included explanations of symptoms insights into the root causes of these mental health challenges and strategies for coping. Importantly the sessions fostered a strong sense of community with many participants forming supportive friendships that extended beyond the program. To date 311 women have completed the program and reported trauma healing. To better measure the impact of the CBT sessions Bellwether included a control group of 10 women with similar demographics in a pre- and post-assessment during the second session round in Sinjar. These women who were also part of Bellwethers sewing training program showed an average mental health improvement of 11%-around 30% lower than the CBT group. All CBT participants showed improved mental health survey scores with most experiencing a 40-50% increase. While the control groups vocational training may have contributed to their mental health improvement results clearly indicate that targeted CBT interventions led to significantly higher mental health gains. In addition to the CBT sessions literacy courses were offered to women at the community center in Tel-Azer with further sessions held in Sinjar. In total 31 women aged 18 to 50 graduated from these literacy courses in 2024. The program was designed to create immediate results within a one-month period focusing on rapid skill-building in reading and writing to address urgent community needs. Despite the condensed timeline the course successfully engaged participants who were eager to acquire foundational literacy skills. Many showed significant progress gaining confidence and a sense of empowerment from the opportunity to learn. The programs intensive format required strong commitment from both participants and instructors with structured lessons to maximize learning in a short time. This approach helped participants stay focused and dedicated throughout the month. In partnership with the Banan Foundation for Sustainable Development the Til Ezer Community Center which opened in Tel Ezer in 2023 continued its impactful programming throughout 2024. Designed as a safe and welcoming space for youth girls children and women of all age groups the center offers a wide range of activities including educational recreational and awareness-raising programs. Its mission is to strengthen social cohesion restore community ties and support the return of displaced individuals. This year the center expanded its services to include primary education classes. In February 2024 a cohort of 45 children aged 4-6 and 40 children aged 7-11 completed the centers educational programs. Another group of 42 children participated in lessons offered in June. In addition to educational services the center hosted various workshops and events such as International Womens Day celebrations health awareness sessions on disease

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 73.4%; rating input score 73
• Program expense ratio: 75.1%; rating input score 75
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 78.6%; rating input score 79; 0th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: 0 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Fail
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Fail
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 0%; rating input score 0; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: Limited
• Governance controls: 3 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 38
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 2.4%; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.3; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 18.5%; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 30.8% per year; rating input score 100; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 29.5% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -2.7% per year; rating input score 0; 16th percentile among comparable filings