name: Aga Khan Foundation
text: The Aga Khan Foundation is a non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 15 countries. It is a modern vehicle for traditional philanthropy in the Ismaili Muslim community under the leadership of the Aga Khan.
  
  The Foundation focuses on a small number of specific development problems by forming intellectual and financial partnerships with organisations sharing its objectives. Most Foundation grants are made to grassroots organisations testing innovative approaches in the field. 
  
  With a small staff, a host of cooperating agencies and thousands of volunteers, the Foundation reaches out to vulnerable populations on four continents, irrespective of their race, religion, political persuasion or gender. In 2004, it funded over 130 projects in 16 countries with a budget of US $149 million.
  
  The Foundation's geographical spread currently encompasses activities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. 
  
  Within these countries, the Foundation chooses certain regions for particular focus. Criteria include special needs in poor environments as well as the presence of capable implementing organisations. It normally intervenes where it has a strong volunteer base to ensure knowledgeable and culturally sensitive management of its local affairs.
  
  http://www.akdn.org/agency/akf.html