Unique Strengths of the Foundation

The John Dau Sudan Foundation brings several unique strengths to transforming healthcare in Southern Sudan:

Powerful Fundraiser: John Dau is an internationally recognized humanitarian and a powerful public speaker. He has been instrumental in raising over $1,000,000 since 2005 to build and sustain the Duk Lost Boys Clinic. With the concentrated efforts of the Foundation staff, the prospects for raising millions of dollars a year are excellent.

Ensure the Money is Well Spent: During his extended visits to Southern Sudan, John provides advice on the operations and management of the Duk Lost Boys Clinic, suggestions for new programs and explores the possibilities of establishing new healthcare initiatives and clinics in South Sudan. As someone from the region, he also provides crucial advice in developing culturally appropriate policies.

Transparency Policy: The Foundation’s web site will present on a semi-annual basis the amount and sources of donations, and the amount and purposes of expenditures.

Cost-Containment: The Foundation's policy is to spend no more than 20 percent of funds received on administrative and fundraising activities. In addition to John's significant volunteer service, which at today's market would be valued at $70,000 a year, JDSF has received many in-kind donations:

·      The use of the Central New York United Way as a temporary office for John when he is in town and as a mailing location.

·      A free answering service to provide constant telephone contact by Finger Lakes Business Services, Inc. (www.callflas.com).

·      Organized support from Syracuse University student volunteers and part-time workers. The Foundation's Chairman of the Board, Bill Coplin, is a professor of public affairs in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and has been able to organize a large group of student volunteers, led by paid student managers, to do much of the fundraising work of the JDSF. This includes public relations, web design and maintenance, donor relations, video design and other fundraising activities.

·      Faculty from the Maxwell School and the Newhouse School of Public Communications provide support through advising and coursework.

Transfer Support to the Government of South Sudan: John has strong ties to local governmental officials in South Sudan. His uncle, Philip Thon Leek, who was a governor of the State of Jongeli and is now a Minister of Transport in the Government of National Unity, has been instrumental in providing contacts and support from the natives, Tribal Chiefs and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movements and its Health Ministry. The Foundation has received a commitment from the local government to provide support by the end of 2009 for the existing clinic. Although there is no guarantee that this will happen, given the Government of South Sudan's financial constraint, it represents a viable strategy that will require less outside support to sustain what has been developed.

Policy of Partnership with Other Efforts: The Foundation's mission is to raise funds to support new projects and to monitor existing projects that it supports to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. Both John and JDSF work closely with other organizations to maintain the clinic in Duk County, Southern Sudan. The Foundation seeks similar partnerships so that it can continue to support the projects both financially and through technical advice and advancements.