BRIGHT LIGHT VOLUNTEERS INTERNATIONAL
Make the world a brighter place!
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The need we address is two-fold. First, we address students', particularly Title I students', access to global learning experiences. Second, we address the needs of each underdeveloped community we serve. The world needs educated, compassionate world citizens to meet global challenges that we face.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Virtual Global Service Learning & Citizenship Program
Program participants improve their understanding and critical thinking about global issues and the interconnectedness of different countries and populations. They become familiar with UN Global Goals and develop an understanding of how their involvement and service supports the development of a more peaceful and sustainable world. With guidance from UNESCO global citizenship education, the GSLC course equips participants with the broad knowledge and functional skills necessary to become culturally competent, global citizens and leaders. Via the online course, participants will also interact with BLV’s partners across the world and engage in a virtual service project with members of our host communities.
- Earn a Certificate for Global Citizenship
- Obtain knowledge and understanding of local, national and/or global issues and the interconnectedness and interdependency of different countries and populations
- Develop awareness of one’s own personal reactions to those from different cultures (personal biases, beliefs, attitudes)
- Act effectively and responsibly at local, national and global levels for a more peaceful, just and equitable world.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
GreatNonprofits Top Rated Nonprofit 2017
External reviews

Photos
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Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Economic impact of global service programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Young adults, Preteens, At-risk youth, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is measured in USD.
College acceptance rate for student participants
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
This is measured in percentage.
Number of students who receive scholarship funds and/or tuition assistance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Young adults
Related Program
Virtual Global Service Learning & Citizenship Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
This includes full and partial scholarships.
Total dollar amount of scholarship awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
This is measured in USD.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The goal is to provide safe, quality international service abroad programs that foster the development of global leaders and world citizens. By providing educational international service abroad to students, we create citizens who will continue to make the world a brighter place.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
With the help of our University partner, students are enrolled in a college course, at a discounted tuition. This course prepares students by introducing them to the country's history, culture, and unique challenges. By taking part in this online course, we are reinforcing why it is so important that education, as well as first-hand knowledge, is the key to solving the world's problems. During their service program, students are guided by a local citizen. They take part in structured learning, as well as impromptu teaching moments as they serve. The students fulfill whatever service opportunity the community needs at the time. Some of the service initiatives our students have taken part in recently are beach plastic clean-up, farming, teaching, building and renovating school facilities, installing drinking wells, health clinics, and environmental conservation.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
All of our program coordinators have many years' experience in traveling abroad and global service. We follow best practices through extensive research and strategic planning. Our University partner is fully accredited with a Global Studies department.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since 2014, we have had over 600 volunteers serve abroad with us, most of them students. All of our students currently have a 100% college acceptance rate. Many of our students have pursued careers in international service, such as international law and global economics.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
BRIGHT LIGHT VOLUNTEERS INTERNATIONAL
Board of directorsas of 08/26/2021
Mrs. Amy Besnard
Mr. Scott Jennings
Amy Besnard
Scott Jennings
Margaret McMillan
Sharon Parker-Thomas
Alexander VanDewark
Alma Garcia
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as: