The Aga Khan Foundation is a non-denominational, non-governmental development agency founded in 1967 by Aga Khan IV and based in Switzerland. Headed by the spiritual leader of the Ismaili branch of Shi'a Islam, the foundation provides grants to selected local organizations in really impoverished communities attempting innovative solutions to problems in health, education, rural development, and civil society. In 2004, the foundation provided $149 million USD in grants for 130 projects located in 16 countries. The Aga Khan Foundation is part of the Aga Khan Development Network. Image File history File links Akf-title_logo. ... The term non-governmental organization (NGO) is used in a variety of ways all over the world and, depending on the context in which it is used, can refer to many different types of organizations. ... The goal of international development is to alleviate poverty among citizens of developing countries. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... The Aga Khan receives the Order of Canada from Governor General Adrienne Clarkson in a ceremony performed at Rideau Hall in 2005. ... The Ismāʿīlī (Urdu: اسماعیلی Ismāʿīlī, Arabic: الإسماعيليون al-Ismāʿīliyyūn; Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmāʿīliyān) branch of Islam is part of Shīʿa community after the Twelvers (Ithnāʿashariyya). ... Shia Islam, also Shiite Islam, or Shiism (Arabic:شيعة, Persian:شیعه translit: ) is a denomination of the Islamic faith. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... Founded and guided by Aga Khan, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institution-building and the promotion of economic development. ...

Among other recognition for its work, the Foundation received the 2005 Award for Most Innovative Development Project from the Global Development Network for the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) in Pakistan.[1] The Global Development Awards and Medals Competition is an international competition for research on development that is organised by the Global Development Network (GDN), a non-profit organization registered in the United States. ...

The foundation is currently active in the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Canada
• India
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Mozambique
• Pakistan
• Portugal
• Switzerland
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

External links

• Aga Khan Foundation Home Page

References

• "Aga Khan Foundation Home Page". Retrieved September 2, 2005.