The Bhutan Foundation
The Bhutan Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that facilitates international partnerships and grant-making to support Bhutan's four pillars of Gross National Happiness — environmental conservation, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and good governance — with offices in Washington DC and Thimphu.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Bhutan Foundation does
The Bhutan Foundation (legal entity: The Bhutan Foundation, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1986 and re-launched in 2002, with EIN 13-3376290 and operations organized in Delaware, USA. It maintains dual offices in Washington DC (1050 Connecticut Ave. NW, #66013) and Thimphu, Bhutan (Royal Textile Academy Building), and operates with a headcount in the 11-50 range. The foundation functions as an international intermediary that channels charitable contributions, technical expertise, and partnerships toward Bhutan's four-pillar Gross National Happiness framework: environmental conservation, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and good governance.
The foundation's offerings are programmatic rather than technology-platform based. Its three named programs are: (1) the Small Grants Program, awarding grants of up to USD 15,000 to civil society organizations and community-based organizations in Bhutan on 12-month (extendable to 18-month) implementation periods; (2) the Satellite Technology Workshop Program, a Planet Labs-supported capacity-building series covering biodiversity monitoring, water resource management, climate resilience, and sustainable land use; and (3) the Multimedia Functional Program, an Australian High Commission co-funded inclusive education initiative at Changangkha Middle Secondary School focused on students with special needs. There is no proprietary software platform; the foundation's technological footprint is limited to adoption of third-party tools (Planet satellite imagery, Constant Contact for email, The Giving Block for crypto donations) and facilitation of the Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab Lab.
Its revenue model is donations-based. Reported total funds raised in 2025 were $4.41M, sourced through an online donation portal (suggested amounts $50-$500 plus custom), recurring monthly giving, wire transfers, stock gifts, checks, planned giving/bequests (including IRA QCDs), and cryptocurrency via The Giving Block. The foundation supports approximately 40 Bhutanese partner organizations and 20+ international partners including WWF Bhutan, UNDP, Direct Relief, IEEE Smart Village, and the Australian High Commission. The organization holds a Candid Platinum Transparency Seal and a Charity Navigator four-star rating. In 2025 it facilitated 53 partnerships and supported 40 projects across Bhutan.
The Bhutan Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Bhutan Foundation
- Legal name
- The Bhutan Foundation, Inc.
- Website
- https://bhutanfound.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Bhutan Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that facilitates international partnerships and grant-making to support Bhutan's four pillars of Gross National Happiness — environmental conservation, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and good governance — with offices in Washington DC and Thimphu.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Bhutan Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development and Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)
Keywords
Where The Bhutan Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Bhutan Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Charitable Donations: The Bhutan Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization (EIN: 13-3376290) that raises funds through charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and foundations to support development programs in Bhutan aligned with Gross National Happiness principles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | General Donation |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Small Grants Program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Bhutan Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Bhutan Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that facilitates international partnerships and administers grant programs to support Bhutan's development under the four pillars of Gross National Happiness: environmental conservation, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and good governance. The Foundation operates offices in Washington, DC and Thimphu, Bhutan, and connects roughly 40 Bhutanese partner organizations with 20+ international partners. Its direct offerings include the Small Grants Program for CSOs/CBOs in Bhutan, satellite technology workshops for environmental monitoring, and the Multimedia Functional Program for special needs education.
Product overview
The Bhutan Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that does not offer commercial technology products or services. Its work centers on facilitating international partnerships and grant-making programs aligned with Bhutan's four pillars of Gross National Happiness: environmental conservation, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and good governance. The Foundation's primary offerings include the Small Grants Program supporting CSOs and CBOs in Bhutan, satellite technology training workshops for environmental management, and multimedia functional education programs for students with diverse abilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Small Grants Program
Quantifiable outcome
- $4.41M raised in 2025 supporting 40 projects through 53 partnerships
Companies that use The Bhutan Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Bhutan Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Bhutan Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ability Bhutan SocietycoreCSO providing education for children with special needs, working toward equal access to quality education under patronage of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. Partnership focuses on special education programming.
- Bhutan Ecological SocietycoreEnvironmental conservation organization founded by Her Royal Highness Ashi Chimi Yangzom to promote conservation research. Bhutan Foundation supports the Annual Environmental Research Symposium and Fair.
- Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental ConservationcoreWorld's first environmental trust fund established in 1991. Partnership on conservation projects including Project Centinela satellite technology initiative for biodiversity monitoring.
- WWF BhutancoreConservation organization working since 1977. Partnership on environmental conservation including Kora Tigers preservation and Bhutan For Life initiative.
- Royal Society for the Protection of NaturecoreCitizen-based conservation NGO established 1987 under royal command. Partnership supports conservation of endangered species and community-based sustainable livelihoods.
- Direct ReliefcoreUS-based humanitarian organization providing medical assistance globally. Partnership supports health programs in Bhutan.
- Health Volunteers OverseascoreOrganization improving healthcare education and training. Has worked in Bhutan for 20+ years supporting doctors, nurses, dentists, and physical therapists. Partnership on emergency medicine programming at JDWNRH.
- Department of EnergycoreCentral government body for Bhutan's energy sector including hydropower and renewables. Partnership on renewable energy deployment.
- Department of Forests and Park ServicescoreGovernment department mandated to maintain 60% forest cover. Partnership on forest management and biodiversity conservation.
- Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral HospitalcoreBhutan's leading public hospital with 350+ beds. Partnership on emergency medicine and health programming.
- Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of BhutancoreMedical university established 2015. Partnership supports faculty development, training programs, health research, and launching Bhutan's first health journal.
- College of Natural ResourcescoreEducational institution offering programs in natural resources management. Partnership includes scholarship program supporting Bhutanese candidates in environment, climate, and forestry programs.
- Royal University of BhutancoreUniversity system established 2003. Partnership on educational development across constituent colleges.
- College of Science and TechnologycorePremier engineering institute offering bachelor's and master's degrees. Partnership on STEM development programs.
- Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab LabcoreDigital fabrication laboratory at Thimphu Tech Park, 4th Super Fab Lab globally. Established through collaboration with MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms. Partnership supports technological innovation.
- Tarayana FoundationcorePoverty alleviation foundation founded by Their Majesties. Partnership supports scholarship programs and skills development in rural communities.
- Bhutan Youth Development FundcoreYouth development organization with programs including Bhutan Souvenir Production and Training Center and support for children with special needs.
- Disabled People's Organization of BhutancoreOrganization advancing rights of persons with disabilities. Partnership supports inclusive handicraft enterprise and accessibility programs.
- Draktsho Vocational Training CentrecoreVocational training for special children and youth with disabilities. Partnership builds teacher capacity and supports awareness programs.
- Bhutan Cancer SocietycoreOnly nonprofit for cancer patients in Bhutan. Partnership supports cancer registry strengthening and cancer control services including for nunneries.
- UNDP BhutancoreUN development agency in Bhutan. Co-founded Bhutan Trust Fund and supports Bhutan's development goals.
- Australian High CommissioncorePartnership on inclusive education programs including Multimedia Functional Program at Changangkha Middle Secondary School for students with special needs.
- National Land Commission SecretariatcoreGovernment body for land management. Partnership on satellite technology workshop for environmental management and climate action.
- River Guides of PanbangminorBhutan's first community-based rafting company established 2011 with Bhutan Foundation support. Promotes eco-tourism and employs youth while supporting organic agriculture.
- Buddhist Art & Cultural Conservation CentrecoreOrganization conserving Buddhist heritage and digitizing sacred objects from 2,000+ monasteries. Trains monk conservators and collaborates on preservation.
- Bhutan Film InstituteminorNonprofit nurturing Bhutanese cinema through masterclasses and the Kingdom of Bhutan International Film Festival.
- Special Olympics BhutanminorOrganization promoting health and inclusion for persons with intellectual disabilities through Motor Activity Training Program.
- Gyalyum Charitable TrustcoreTrust led by Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck supporting women, youth, and children through entrepreneurship and cultural programs.
- Bhutan for LifecoreInitiative promoting sustainable development through natural resource management. Partnership on environmental conservation projects.
- The Loden FoundationminorEntrepreneurship and education organization. Partnership supports Loden Entrepreneurship and Mentorship Program.
- Bhutan Center for Media and DemocracycoreBhutan's first registered CSO focused on media literacy and civic engagement education. Partnership on good governance advocacy.
- Phensem Parents Support GroupminorOrganization supporting parents and families of children with disabilities. Partnership on inclusive book adaptation workshop.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Bhutan Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Bhutan Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Bhutan Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
The Bhutan Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Bhutan Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Bhutan Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Bhutan Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Bhutan Foundation
What does The Bhutan Foundation do?
The Bhutan Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that facilitates international partnerships and administers grant programs to support Bhutan's development under the four pillars of Gross National Happiness: environmental conservation, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and good governance. The Foundation operates offices in Washington, DC and Thimphu, Bhutan, and connects roughly 40 Bhutanese partner organizations with 20+ international partners. Its direct offerings include the Small Grants Program for CSOs/CBOs in Bhutan, satellite technology workshops for environmental monitoring, and the Multimedia Functional Program for special needs education.
Is The Bhutan Foundation a public or private company?
The Bhutan Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Bhutan Foundation founded?
The Bhutan Foundation was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Bhutan Foundation based?
The Bhutan Foundation is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Bhutan Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: charitable Donations.
Does The Bhutan Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Bhutan Foundation.
What industry is The Bhutan Foundation in?
The Bhutan Foundation's product category is International Development and Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 800.