Brief History of the Global Bridge Foundation
The founders of Global Bridge Foundation, Robert Strock and David Knapp, both psychotherapists, have enjoyed a personal friendship and professional relationship spanning 40 years. Their partnership began in the early 1970s, when they created and ran an innovative graduate school internship program at Beverlywood After Care Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Bringing over 60 interns into the program, Strock and Knapp were able to provide support and therapy to 135 schizophrenics patients in residence at Beverlywood, while at the same time training hundreds of psychologists-in-training from major educational institutions. Following their successful partnership in the Beverlywood Aftercare Center initiative, Strock and Knapp formed the Family Home project, a home for 15 teenage boys who were mostly wards of the State of California. Again, the intern model was used to enhance the support for the boys, and training for graduate students earning degrees and certifications in psychology. During this period, the partners also provided counseling services at Santa Monica Community College, worked with drug and alcohol programs and, provided hospice counseling at Brotman Memorial Hospital. The approach taken in the initial two projects was based on a framework of spirituality and psychology highlighting the benefits of compassion and meditation; one that did not exclude any religious or psychological approach but was inclusive, enabling the partners to work across cultural and religious lines. The approach taken in the two initial projects remains the basic approach of GBF. Today, GBF offers collaborative services that are both practical to the organizations, and insightful to the individuals running the non-profits with whom GBF works. In recent years others have joined the effort at GBF. As it moves ahead into 2010, GBF is instituting an initiative, primarily in third world countries, in project related investing. We are actively seeking out opportunities to maximize sustainable impact where possible. The Foundation is funding and collaborating with projects that may not necessarily be sustainable, but have the potential to become so with skilled assistance. Program Related Investing – Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Global Bridge Foundation is looking for opportunities to reach out to people in third world countries who are not currently being served through microfinance or small and medium business enterprises. They are not being served because they often don't have the business plan, track record or skill sets to qualify for funding from traditional sources. We are looking for opportunities where there is a reasonably good chance of business sustainability. Priority is given to projects that focus on agriculture, medical support, water or improved shelter. In general, poverty alleviation will also qualify. In all cases, Global Bridge will participate in the creative aspect of how best to use the financing to create the most impact and benefit. Most of our targeted groups are living in or adjacent to microfinance communities which already have had proven success. Some of the groups may be graduates of the microfinance world where success can lead to a momentum and expansion of the path they’ve already been on. We partner/network with as many organizations in this space as possible to maximize the benefits to all. In our newest initiative we are looking for five projects that are approximately $100,000 each to be invested in a Program Related format (PRI). Projects may be micro, small or medium businesses or enterprises. Depending on circumstance we may bring in an expert to consult on best practices or provide grant writing or business expertise. For example, consultants may advise on how to plant soybeans, create a shelter, or offer pharmaceutical knowledge. In some cases we would provide the training, depending on the stage each enterprise is in; or, we may pay for the infrastructure to start or grow the business. The ideal term of our PRI would be five to seven years where capital would be returned and a rate of one to two percent per annum may be earned. In some cases, the PRI may carry no rate of return. With this program, Global Bridge can demonstrate that these projects create a beneficial service while the funding organization receives a small financial return where possible. Collaboration, Collaborative Grants and other Support
From time to time Global Bridge will support a project directly on a one-time or ongoing basis. The support may be financial, collaborative and or the provision of consultants or grant writers. The project must be related to the Global Bridge Mission. Recent examples of this involve Women for Women International, Heifer International, Unitus, International Medical Corps and more. In addition, on occasion we will offer grants on a one time basis for projects that appear to be especially worthy of support and fall within our Mission.
