Central Asia Institute

Central Asia Institute
AbbreviationCAI
FormationJune 1996; 28 years ago (1996-06)
Founders
Type501(c)(3)
Legal statusNon-profit
PurposePromotes literacy and education
HeadquartersBozeman, Montana
Region
Central Asia and South Asia
AffiliationsPennies for Peace
Websitecentralasiainstitute.org

Central Asia Institute (CAI) is an international non-profit organization, co-founded by Greg Mortenson and Jean Hoerni in 1996.[1][2] The organization is based in Bozeman, Montana and works to promote and support community-based education throughout Central Asia, primarily in Pakistan and Afghanistan, by building schools, supporting teacher-training programs, and funding school scholarships.[3]

CAI's mission is to "empower local communities of Central Asia through literacy and education, especially for girls, promote peace through education, and convey the importance of these activities globally."[4] The organization collaborates with communities to build schools in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, with a particular emphasis on areas where there is little or no access to education.[5][6] Pennies for Peace is an affiliated organization that partners with schools and clubs in the United States and around the world to raise pennies for CAI's educational efforts.[7]

After a 60 Minutes segment aired questions about the organization's effectiveness, the Central Asia Institute has become a reference example for the limitations in evaluating charities based solely on financial analysis.[8][9][10]

  1. ^ Bosman, Julie; Strom, Stephanie (2011-04-18). "'Three Cups of Tea' Author Defends Book (Published 2011)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  2. ^ Volz, Matt (April 5, 2012). "'Three Cups' author to stay with nonprofit". Durango Herald. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  3. ^ Pettinger, Anne (18 September 2008). "Women's work: MSU's Chabot brings female voice to Central Asia Institute". MSU News Service. Montana State University. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  4. ^ "About CAI". Central Asia Institute. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  5. ^ Friedman, Thomas L. (18 July 2009). "Teacher, Can We Leave Now? No". New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  6. ^ "To Educate Children, a Unicycle Ride". Harvard Magazine. 8 July 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  7. ^ "Humanitarian Greg Mortenson". Tavis Smiley. PBS. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  8. ^ "'Three Cups of Tea' Scandal Offers Lessons for Charities". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 25 April 2011.
  9. ^ "'Three Cups of Tea' questions remind donors to check up on charities". USA Today.
  10. ^ "Nobel Prize Nominee's Charity Wins No Award for Accountability - Central Asia Institute - Greg Mortenson - CharityWatch". www.charitywatch.org.