Builders Without Borders is an international network of ecological builders who advocate the use of natural, local, and affordable materials in construction. We believe the solution to inadequate shelter is not merely better buildings, but people who know how to build for themselves. To this end, BWB creates educational materials and opportunities to empower communities, organizations and owner-builders.
Builders Without Borders Inc directs most of its visible recent giving to Youth for Christ Intl, including a $170,000 grant in 2024 for a multi-purpose building for a school and another $70,000 for student sponsorship at a Christian school. That pairing shows a funder willing to support both facilities and ongoing participation, not just one-off construction. The foundation’s broader identity is rooted in ecological building: it promotes natural, local, and affordable materials, and its educational programs include curricula, books, videos, workshop scholarships, and consultation for community-led projects. Recent grants also show support for work beyond its own building mission, with funding tied to school infrastructure and student support. Builders Without Borders Inc is a regular funder with modest reported assets relative to annual grantmaking, and its latest 990 on file is for 2024. The grant list suggests a project-specific approach, with awards attached to concrete purposes rather than unrestricted support. Across the data provided, its giving reflects a blend of infrastructure, education, and capacity building.
One clear theme is school infrastructure. In 2024, Builders Without Borders Inc gave $170,000 to Youth for Christ Intl for a multi-purpose building for a school, and a separate $55,000 grant to the same organization for a multi-purpose building for YFCI in Tanzania. Education support also appears in a student-focused grant: it awarded $70,000 to Youth for Christ Intl for student sponsorship at a Christian school. A smaller award went to Africa New Life Ministries for student sponsorship, reinforcing the emphasis on access to education. Beyond these school-related grants, the foundation’s program descriptions point to natural building education and capacity building through curricula, books, videos, consultation, and workshop scholarships.
Builders Without Borders Inc shows a typical grant size centered in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $42,625, median grant size is $62,500, and p75 is $95,000. The 2024 grant list is concentrated in a small number of awards, including three large grants to one recipient and one smaller grant to another, which points to project-specific support rather than many small awards. It is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF or PRI vehicle. Unsolicited requests are accepted through its Requests for Assistance and Educational Resources Fund processes, which include a project summary, a Site Audit, and steering committee approval.
$301K
$15K
$70K
$75K
Most grants fall between $43K and $95K, with a median of $63K.
25th Percentile
$43K
Median
$63K
75th Percentile
$95K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CO.
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Grantmaking lands primarily in Colorado and on projects connected to international work. The top recipient city in the recent grants is Englewood, CO, which appears on three grants to Youth for Christ Intl. Another recipient is Portland, OR, through Africa New Life Ministries. The grant distribution provided for recent grants is entirely U.S.-based, with 4 grants and 100% to U.S. recipients. The active program descriptions also point to work tied to places such as Tanzania, Mexico, Nepal, Haiti, Pakistan, and Native American communities, but the recent grants shown here are all domestic recipients.
The foundation funds school infrastructure, student sponsorship, and educational support tied to its building mission. Recent grants include a $170,000 award for a school multi-purpose building, a $70,000 grant for student sponsorship at a Christian school, and a $5,500 grant for student sponsorship through Africa New Life Ministries.
Its typical grant size is in the mid-five-figure range. The p25 value is $42,625, the median is $62,500, and the p75 is $95,000. Recent awards also include one very large grant of $170,000 and a smaller $5,500 grant.
Yes. The program descriptions say unsolicited requests are accepted for both Requests for Assistance and the Educational Resources Fund. The process includes an initial project summary, a Site Audit, and approval by the BWB Steering Committee.
Most recent grants go to Englewood, Colorado. That city appears on three grants to Youth for Christ Intl, while another recent grant went to Portland, Oregon. The recent grant distribution provided is 100% U.S.-based.
The Educational Resources Fund and related programs provide Strawbale Construction Curriculum, books, videos, scholarships to BWB workshops, free consultation, and educational materials. The focus is on natural building education, workshop scholarships, and capacity building for community-led construction.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Current and upcoming funding from Builders Without Borders that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: New projects must be submitted to Builders Without Borders, complete the BWB Site Audit, and receive Steering Committee approval.
Deadline: Decisions are typically made within two weeks; no formal deadline stated.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST INTL | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $170,000 | 2024 | FUND MULTI PURPOSE BLDG FOR SCHOOL |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST INTL | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $70,000 | 2024 | STUDENT SPONSORSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST INTL | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $55,000 | 2024 | MULTI PURPOSE BLDG YFCI IN TANZANIA |
| AFRICA NEW LIFE MINISTRIES | PORTLAND, OR | $5,500 | 2024 | FUND STUDENT SPONSORSHIPS |
