History

Here are some of the historic accomplishments leading to the development of The iF Foundation and our mission to create sustainable economic opportunities for the disadvantaged in the developing countries of the world, enabling and empowering the people living in these communities to create their own pathway out of poverty.

2002

The iF Foundation was founded in 2002 as the Iovino Family Foundation by Thomas Iovino

2007

In January of 2007 the Rev. James E. Byrum was hired as the first Managing Director of the Iovino Family Foundation and led the Foundation in its first international development ventures.  Through his work and the Iovino family’s vision, several partnerships were formed with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Bangladesh, Haiti, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Ethiopia, The Sudan, Zambia and Ghana with the mission of preventing disease and illness caused by the lack of clean, potable water.

2008

Within just ten months of working in the impoverished communities of these developing countries, we realized that the poor also lack many other basic necessities and decided to broaden our vision to include projects aimed at child welfare, education, healthcare, environmental preservation and micro-finance banking.  We decided that in order to make the biggest impact possible, we would focus our efforts on one country.  We chose two rural areas in northern Haiti, Thibeau and Dubre.  We hired Edlyne Cange and Jean Magnus Regis, two local Haitians, graduates of the Georgetown University CASS Program, as the Country Directors to lead our efforts in Haiti. By working closely with the people of the local communities and their leaders, we can ensure the success and sustainability of our projects. As the opportunities and our commitment to our work in Haiti grew, our knowledge of the people and their circumstances also grew.  There are virtually no employers and jobs available to support and sustain families in rural communities in the developing countries of the world, making it nearly impossible for the poor to make a decent living for oneself and one’s family.

2009

Haiti
Economic development projects are presented for funding in the areas of commerce, agriculture and animal husbandry.

Ghana
To compliment our work in Haiti, The iF Foundation makes a commitment to work in Ghana and hires Isaiah Amissah Addison in July, 2009 as the Country Director to coordinate our efforts on the ground.

A partnership with the Ghana Water Authority is formed and the drilling begins for 9 borehole wells in the Sefwi Wiawso District in Western Ghana

2010

Haiti
Over 20 economic development projects are funded in the areas of commerce, agriculture and animal husbandry.

Ghana
The drilling of the borehole wells is completed and clean water is provided to over 9,900 villagers.
5 economic development projects are presented for funding in the areas of commerce and agriculture.

2011

Economic development projects in Haiti and Ghana continue to be successful. This year the iF Foundation partnered with World Vets to assist farmers in rural Haiti with on-going animal husbandry projects, focusing on the goat farm in Lory, the pig farm in Thibeau and the rabbit farm in Riviere Sable. In Ghana, new economic development projects emerged as the Foundation’s reach continues to grow.