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Merger Announced!

Exciting changes are in the works for Global Business Assist, as we seek to increase our international reach and maximize the effectiveness of our efforts to transform poverty. We are pleased to announce that GBA is merging with our longtime, key international partner, International Aid Services (IAS).

With operations throughout Africa, IAS is similar to GBA in that it concentrates its efforts on the fields of water and sanitation, education, food security, health, emergency relief, and community empowerment. Many of GBA’s most effective projects have been accomplished with IAS implementation on the ground. All of this is carried out in hopes of contributing to a godly, transformed society.

How does this merger benefit GBA? Beginning immediately, GBA gains access to the international office structure of IAS. This includes more than thirty-seven offices and 264 staff worldwide. The GBA team will be the primary IAS presence in the United States. This provides instant capacity to expand our micro-finance programs with minimal additional administrative costs. Also, in sharing the IAS brand, GBA will have access to governmental funding opportunities to help finance our programming.

We’ll also have an immediate impact in new areas of outreach. IAS is the leader in providing access to water in places like Sudan, with more than five thousand wells in Africa. IAS will add a series of development options to the GBA portfolio, including agriculture, field medicine, emergency response, community training, literacy programs, elementary and secondary education and more. Additionally, the GBA team is especially pleased to work more closely with Leif Zetterlund, who founded IAS in Sweden more than two decades ago. Most importantly, as a Christian organization, IAS shares our core values of building the Kingdom of God as we also build capacity into the lives of the less fortunate.

An Enduring Relationship Creates New Opportunities For GBA

What will this change mean to GBA supporters? You can continue to be assured that your donations are being put to good use as we streamline administrative overhead costs in an effort to maximize your generous gifts. While it may seem a bit strange to see GBA move to a new identity, you can have confidence that this is a strategic step benefiting both donors and aid recipients alike.

Over the next six months you will begin to see the IAS logo appear side by side with that of GBA. Additionally, our publications will begin to reflect the broader work and vision of the GBA and IAS union. While the board of directors for the organization has expanded, the administrative structure, here in the U.S. will remain the same.

Beginning in 2011, you will start to notice the exclusive use of the IAS logo and branding. But until that happens, please continue to make your donations to GBA as you have always done. We will inform you if a change in your method for giving is required in the months ahead.

We, as an organization, are extremely excited about this expanded opportunity for the work of GBA. It is your faithful support for us throughout the years that has made this opportunity possible.

But now, more than ever, we need your solidarity with us as we make this transition. While this merger brings with it the prospects of future government and grant funding, future potential does not help us pay for our current organizational programming. No new funding is immediately available as a result of this merger. Your transition in partnership with us to the IAS brand is critical.

I look forward in the months ahead to sharing with you the benefits as well as exciting opportunities this merger brings. Please feel free to call or e-mail our office with your questions, encouragement, and comments as to this exciting news.

I look forward to our continued partnership together, now more strategic and focused than ever before on changing the lives of the world’s poor for the glory of God — through a new name:

INTERNATIONAL AID SERVICES

Sincerely,

Douglas Mann

President

GBA/IAS America

GBA is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation based on section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. Gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law and contributions are solicited with the understanding that Global Business Assist has authorization for the distribution of al donated funds. Donations to gba programs represent a contribution to the entire global mission of gba, including micro-lending, business training, community development and technical assistance. Donations will be used where needed to help the world’s poor help themselves.