BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

694 E 230 N, LINDON, UT 84042-2517

In care of

% RACHEL MINER

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

Rachel Miner, 694 E 230 N, LINDON, UT 840422517

Signed the 990

Rachel Miner, Founder and CEO

Phone

(801) 615-1318

Website

www.bellwetherngo.org

Mission

Our mission is to disrupt the cycle of genocide and create genocide-resistant societies. Through rigorous impact evaluation research and a network of experts we have prioritized learning how why and when genocide happens. We have used our findings to narrow our focus and clarify our mission. We aim to confront the genocide trap -- where communities with desperate economic conditions and a history of genocide face mounting incentives to use violence and turn on their neighbors rather than address systemic issues. Governments perpetrate genocides but communities carry them out. Our vision is to create a world where governments can prevent genocide top-down and individuals resist genocide bottom-up to create peaceful and plural societies. Our theory of change is centered on prioritizing our four impact areas: conflict transformation economic development policy and sustainability.

Program accomplishments

• Iraq: Bellwethers work in Iraq aimed to uncover and interrupt the long term effects of intergenerational trauma. In 2023 we began cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions for Yazidi women and youth many of whom lived in camps and in poverty. Over the course of multiple sessions both groups saw marked improvement in their approach to conflict and prosocial behavior their generosity of spirit. From 2023-2024 working in 4 different cities there were clear positive mental health outcomes.In 2024 Bellwether continued to offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT group sessions to empower Yezidi women in their recovery from the trauma of the 2014 genocide. Building on the success of the CBT sessions in Sinjar Bellwether expanded its outreach to reach Yezidi women in Tel-Ezer at the community center. In Sinjar two rounds of eight-session programs were held from February to April and July to August involving a total of 26 women. In Tel-Ezer 28 women participated in a nine-week program running from April to May. The sessions covered key topics such as managing trauma symptoms emotional regulation addressing sleep disturbances and anger management. Each session included explanations of symptoms insights into the root causes of these mental health challenges and strategies for coping. Importantly the sessions fostered a strong sense of community with many participants forming supportive friendships that extended beyond the program. To date 311 women have completed the program and reported trauma healing. To better measure the impact of the CBT sessions Bellwether included a control group of 10 women with similar demographics in a pre- and post-assessment during the second session round in Sinjar. These women who were also part of Bellwethers sewing training program showed an average mental health improvement of 11%-around 30% lower than the CBT group. All CBT participants showed improved mental health survey scores with most experiencing a 40-50% increase. While the control groups vocational training may have contributed to their mental health improvement results clearly indicate that targeted CBT interventions led to significantly higher mental health gains. In addition to the CBT sessions literacy courses were offered to women at the community center in Tel-Azer with further sessions held in Sinjar. In total 31 women aged 18 to 50 graduated from these literacy courses in 2024. The program was designed to create immediate results within a one-month period focusing on rapid skill-building in reading and writing to address urgent community needs. Despite the condensed timeline the course successfully engaged participants who were eager to acquire foundational literacy skills. Many showed significant progress gaining confidence and a sense of empowerment from the opportunity to learn. The programs intensive format required strong commitment from both participants and instructors with structured lessons to maximize learning in a short time. This approach helped participants stay focused and dedicated throughout the month. In partnership with the Banan Foundation for Sustainable Development the Til Ezer Community Center which opened in Tel Ezer in 2023 continued its impactful programming throughout 2024. Designed as a safe and welcoming space for youth girls children and women of all age groups the center offers a wide range of activities including educational recreational and awareness-raising programs. Its mission is to strengthen social cohesion restore community ties and support the return of displaced individuals. This year the center expanded its services to include primary education classes. In February 2024 a cohort of 45 children aged 4-6 and 40 children aged 7-11 completed the centers educational programs. Another group of 42 children participated in lessons offered in June. In addition to educational services the center hosted various workshops and events such as International Womens Day celebrations health awareness sessions on disease prevention family planning workshops and musical activities. Through these initiatives the Til Ezer Community Center continues to foster social unity and provide vital support for the community. After participating in Bellwethers literacy courses the mother of 5-year old Herman registered her son to participate in the community centers classes. During this period Herman learned letters numbers shapes colors and sciences in Arabic English and Kurdish. He began to combine these letters to write and read names and he also became qualified to enter school. For the Yazidi New Year new clothing and shoes were distributed to 50 children in Sharya aiming to bring joy and hope to orphaned children survivors and those living in poverty. Many of these children reside in tents-either within or outside the camp-under conditions unfit for stable living. Lacking even basic necessities like food and clothing they face daily hardships. This project sought to brighten the lives of these less fortunate children providing them with clothing to celebrate the holiday alongside their families and friends. By offering something as simple as new clothes we hope to bring a sense of normalcy happiness and renewed optimism to children who endure so much. Ahmed told us how much his family needed this box because their mother died two years ago and their father has been having difficulty speaking and listening since that time. Ahmed is a student and all of his siblings are under 17 years old finding it difficult to find a source of livelihood. Ahead of the Yazidi New Year food boxes were distributed to families in Sharya and Sinjar facing severe poverty helping them gather essentials for their holiday celebration. Each box contained key items like eggs rice cooking oil sweets egg dye and chicken-ingredients central to the New Year festivities. Given the high demand priority was given to the most vulnerable families many of whom live in tents or incomplete shelters. In total BW supported over 300 individuals including 14 women who previously attended CBT sessions and 11 additional families by providing them with these culturally meaningful food boxes. This effort aimed to bring relief to those in need allowing them to observe the holiday traditions with dignity and comfort. A second round of food distribution was carried out ahead of the three-day Yazidi Fasting benefiting over 211 individuals in Sinjar and 189 in Sharya. The initiative aimed to assist single parents caring for orphans who are unable to afford food for the fasting period. To qualify for assistance families had to meet the following criteria: 1 They have limited or no stable income. 2 The household consists of at least five members with most under the age of 18. 3 They are unable to purchase basic necessities for the fasting period. In addition to providing essential food items the project also did an assessment to identify the families needs and introduced the families to Bellwethers broader range of support programs. This included identifying individuals who could benefit from other services such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT sessions for mental health support and vocational training. In 2024 Bellwether International continued its collaboration with the Iraqi Immigration Offices Womens Empowerment Section to provide sewing training to Yezidi women returning to Sinjar. On August 1 Bellwether and the Iraqi Immigration Office celebrated the successful completion of a two-month sewing training program for 20 participants. Each woman received at least 25 days of instruction in sewing and business management along with a sewing machine to continue honing their skills and take initial steps toward launching their own businesses. Participants showed substantial improvement in sewing skills as reflected in pre- and post-assessment scores. This year the programs evaluation process was enhanced with trainers documenting weekly reports on each participants progress and challenges. This approach allowed for targeted support and proved effective as each participants case was closely monitored enabling trainers to address individual needs. Following the training Bellwether has maintained regular contact with participants to monitor their progress and provide ongoing support. Each participant receives twice-weekly follow-up calls important sewing tips via text and participates in WhatsApp groups to foster communication and mutual support among the women. This continued engagement aims to reinforce their skills and encourage their journey toward economic independence.
  Expenses $118,047 · grants $75,000
• The Bellwether International Ambassadors Programme is committed to genocide prevention education merging learning with social impact endeavors funded through micro-grants. This effort empowers global Bellwether ambassadors to create and execute community-based projects that tackle local requirements foster active knowledge dissemination and translate learning into tangible outcomes. Projects are in line with the overarching goal of genocide prevention with participants engaging in both online and offline learning on democracy human rights justice for women and girls and interfaith collaboration. Presently the program boasts 46 Ambassadors who have successfully executed 9 social impact projects with an additional 24 slated for completion by late 2025. The projects have spanned regions like Brazil Iraq and Nigeria with upcoming endeavors planned in Sudan Northern Ireland and England. In 2024 the micro-grants facilitated 408 individuals in accessing genocide and interfaith education equipping women with conflict resolution skills and capacity-building capabilities to bolster entrepreneurship. As of March 2025 the micro-grants have enabled ambassadors to reach 1,981 individuals granting them access to strategic leadership education and community solidarity programs. These micro-grants play a pivotal role in advancing the mission ensuring that genocide education and related resources empower communities to harness knowledge and enhance their resilience against genocidal processes. The initiative adopts a community-driven strategy furnishing a comprehensive toolkit instead of imposing top-down directives. With the support and guidance of NGOs we equip Certified Ambassadors with the expertise and tools to identify and tackle the specific needs of their communities. Additionally a core component of the program is developing a curriculum to equip a global movement in genocide prevention. Bellwether International is developing a world-standard curriculum focused on genocide prevention aimed at empowering individuals communities and organizations to take proactive steps in preventing atrocities. The curriculum follows a three-tiered model to ensure both broad accessibility and sectoral-specific relevance: Level 1: Standardized Curriculum Delivered through a Learning Management System LMS this level provides foundational education on genocide prevention accessible to a wide range of participants. Level 2: Sectoral and Regional Approaches This level tailors the learning experience to specific sectors and regions guided by sector leaders and expert project managers who help contextualize genocide prevention strategies within varying contexts. Level 3: Micro-Grant Funded Social Impact Projects Empowering our Certified Ambassadors this level enables them to design and implement community-based projects. These initiatives bridge the gap between learning and action addressing local needs and fostering knowledge transfer. At the heart of this approach is a community-driven model. Our curriculum provides participants with the knowledge tools and support to identify and address the unique needs of their communities. This is achieved through a combination of expert guidance local facilitation and strategic learning materials. A key component of our curriculum is the integration of expert video content. Through interviews with thought leaders in genocide prevention we aim to provide participants with access to valuable insights from those actively working in the field. These videos will form a core part of the learning experience offering participants a chance to engage with voices that can guide and inform their journey in genocide prevention. Our new model adopts a sectoral approach to genocide prevention allowing for more targeted and effective interventions. We are also excited to launch our sister initiative the Art Ambassadors Program which will expand our reach and engage a broader audience in genocide prevention education. As of 2025 our Social Impact Projects have engaged over 2,000 people through education conflict transformation strategic leadership and community cohesion. Strengthening this effort our newest certified cohort of Ambassadors is driving 23 projects currently in development for Q1 2026. With this momentum we aim to reach thousands more fostering communities resilient to genocide. One micro-grant led a project titled "Capacity Building Program on FORB and Women Leadership + Skill Acquisition Training in Communities in Bwari LGA Nigeria." The two-day Capacity Building Program on Freedom of Religion and Women Leadership aimed to empower 50 women with leadership skills financial independence and practical skills such as soap-making poultry farming and peanut making. The program focused on ensuring religious freedom and economic empowerment equipping participants to prevent vulnerability due to financial dependency. Through these initiatives the program promoted religious tolerance fostered a network of women and enabled them to support their families while actively contributing to their communities economies. The programs motto "Empower a woman and empower a nation," reflects its long-term impact with many participants now training youth and starting their own businesses. Ambassador Chinyere Nwanedo shared " I was impressed at the turnout of the event watching women grow from not knowing what to do to developing skills. Bellwether Internationals support of this cause of humanity is laudable and shows that the organization supports humanity and what the society needs to thrive where there are diverse religions and ethnic groups. Thank you for the opportunity. I hope I have more opportunities in the future to do more projects to help foster FoRB." Another micro-grant sponsored the project "Fostering Interfaith Dialogue for Active Participation and Development." The project overseen by Bellwether International aimed to foster interfaith dialogue and promote peace-building religious tolerance and community cohesion following recent violence and youth clashes. It brought together 119 community members including youths community leaders and individuals from diverse religious backgrounds through a series of dialogues and workshops. These events focused on addressing interfaith disparities enhancing community engagement and fostering unity. The initiative successfully facilitated team bonding promoted peaceful coexistence and empowered youth to actively participate in peace building. Achievements include improved interfaith understanding strengthened community cohesion and long-term potential for reducing violence and promoting sustainable development. Ambassador Olamide Ogunsakin shared "The Ambassador program has enhanced my leadership skills and provided a better understanding of the issue of FoRB and peace building programs in Nigeria." A micro-grant program titled "International Seminar on Religious Freedom in Northern Brazil If Not Now When?." The International Seminar on Religious Freedom held in Northern Brazil under the theme "If not now when?" aimed to deepen understanding and foster dialogue on religious freedom as a fundamental human right. The event which attracted over 150 in-person attendees and 88 online participants featured distinguished speakers from diverse backgrounds and successfully promoted dialogue awareness and understanding of religious freedom. Held in Boa Vista Roraima the seminar raised awareness of religious rights fostered tolerance and unity and engaged the community in meaningful conversations. Positive feedback from participants and the events outcomes laid a strong foundation for future advocacy efforts in the region.
  Expenses $66,415 · grants $50,000
• Nigeria: Bellwethers work in Nigeria sought to test how far protecting religious freedom could go in mass atrocity prevention. In 2021 we began interfaith dialogues between Christians and Muslims as well as between tribes IDPs and host communities. These efforts centered religious freedom as a gateway for intimate reflections about daily life and the community they wanted to create for their children to grow up in. From 2021-2024 working in 12 different cities there was a meaningful decrease in violence. More importantly the enormous energy and momentum led to participants starting their own initiatives. In remote communities Bellwether combined interfaith dialogues with emergency response and education initiatives. Meanwhile in 2024 Bellwether launched the Faith for Rights Symposium with the United Nations where attendees from 120 organizations designed locally-led projects aligned with the UNs Faith for Rights commitments aimed at reducing ethnic and religious intolerance. These projects are now being implemented across Nigeria. Bellwethers work in Nigeria highlighted that violence is often manifest along religious divisions but enhancing religious freedom alone is not sufficient-it must be combined with other efforts. The "Faith for Rights" Frameworks 18 commitments serve as a crucial mechanism for promoting ethno-religious tolerance and preventing genocide within Nigerian communities. This was underscored in a three-day UN Faith for Rights Symposium held in Abuja attended by 101 participants representing over twenty organizations. Participants were strategically selected from Nigerias six geopolitical regions-North-Central Northeast Southwest Southeast Northwest and South-South-to ensure a comprehensive diverse approach. The symposium gathered faith leaders youth and women leaders local government representatives security and political figures ethnic leaders and civil society actors to study the UN Faith for Rights Framework with a particular focus on religious freedom and genocide prevention. Through interactive sessions such as group discussions case studies and brainstorming participants developed action plans to foster safer more resilient communities. The training also incorporated analytical tools to deepen participants insights such as conflict management style assessments and exercises in identifying hopes and fears which allowed for personal reflection and constructive group dialogue. In the post-symposium survey 94% of participants reported a full understanding of the framework and several actionable strategies were created for future interventions aimed at strengthening community resilience and tolerance. A three-day Community Cohesion Workshop was held in Jos Nigeria for 30 participants from Benue Kaduna and Plateau States. This workshop brought together key stakeholders including ethnic and community leaders from conflict-affected areas to address and analyze the root causes of violence extremism and religious intolerance in their regions. The participants represented communities that have endured repeated violent attacks including locations in Plateau State such as Barkin Ladi Jos East and Bokkos and Southern Kaduna including Adara Kajuru and Zangon Kataf as well as various areas in Benue State like Guma Agatu and Katsina-Ala. Notable organizations like the Plateau Initiative for the Advancement of the Natives PIDAN and the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union SOKAPU which serve as umbrella bodies for tribal and community groups participated actively fostering a collaborative environment. By the workshops conclusion attendees had developed action plans for each state setting a foundation for ongoing efforts toward community resilience peace-building and reducing sectarian violence across these regions. In commemoration of International Peace Day Bellwether International organized a series of impactful events in both Abuja and Jos. In Abuja in partnership with the National Security and Civil Defense Corps the day kicked off with a peace walk aimed at raising awareness about fostering a culture of peace. The program also included a one-day symposium a media parley and a two-day school peace seminar that engaged students from five schools on the theme of International Peace Day. Over the course of these activities more than 4,973 individuals participated contributing to the broader mission of promoting peace and unity. In Jos a two-day workshop brought together selected youth leaders from across Plateau State to focus on inter-faith dialogue and the promotion of a culture of peace. The first day featured lectures while the second day was highly interactive with participants discussing papers and collaboratively designing a framework for peace-building activities within their communities. A total of 54 youth leaders took part in the workshop helping to shape sustainable peace initiatives for the future. In Oyo State a two-day workshop was conducted in collaboration with the local government providing a vital platform for dialogue among the diverse religious and ethnic groups in the Iwajowa community. The workshop aimed to enhance understanding of the cultural and religious diversity within the area develop coexistence strategies and equip community leaders with the tools to serve as ambassadors for interfaith tolerance. A total of 100 participants attended the workshop with 40% being newcomers and 60% returning from the previous year. The post-assessment survey indicated that all participants felt better prepared to contribute to peaceful coexistence in their community and everyone expressed a willingness to engage in future initiatives focused on community cohesion. A capacity-building workshop was held in Lagos for 50 women from inter-religious backgrounds focusing on empowering participants to protect their families and contribute to prosperous communities. This initiative titled "Capacity Building Workshop for Women of Interreligious Background to Protect Families and Build Prosperous Societies," specifically engaged women from the Igbooye Community providing them with knowledge of their rights leadership skills and a deeper understanding of their roles within their community and society. Following the workshop 90% of the participants reported feeling more equipped to take on leadership roles demonstrating the effectiveness of the training in fostering confidence and promoting active community involvement. This project was co-sponsored by Bellwether and designed and implemented by Nigeria Women Lead. The objective of the Nigeria Women Lead Project held in Abuja was to empower women with knowledge of human rights and freedom of religion enabling them to become powerful agents of positive change in society. The initiative began with a reception and dinner featuring the screening of Pray the Devil Back to Hell a film that highlights the transformative impact of women coming together to create change in Liberia. The following day included a course on Freedom of Religion or Belief followed by an inter-religious community organizing session. Over the course of the two-day seminar a total of 80 women were actively engaged in the program. This project was co-sponsored by Bellwether and designed and implemented by Nigeria Women Lead. The statewide initiative focused on empowering women through leadership trainings to promote freedom of religion or belief was continued in Kafanchan of Kaduna State. A total of 150 women and youth leaders participated in a one-day seminar which included guest presentations panel discussions and a film screening.
  Expenses $53,433 · grants $50,000
• Ambassador program which is an education program to certify individuals in basic human rights principles.
  Expenses $66,415 · grants $50,000

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

84-4027660

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

2021

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

International, foreign affairs and national security (Q70)

Assets (IRS master file)

$123,349

Income (IRS master file)

$414,863

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 84-4027660).

Questions about BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL

What is the EIN of BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL?

The employer identification number (EIN) of BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL is 84-4027660.

Is BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2021.

Are donations to BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.

Who is the principal officer of BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names Rachel Miner.

Who are the officers and directors of BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 5 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $75,000 (Rachel Miner, Chairman of the Board Founder).

How much revenue does BELLWETHER INTERNATIONAL have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $414,863, expenses of $405,087 and total assets of $123,349 at year end.

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