Bridges to Prosperity
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Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) is a United States-based nonprofit organization that partners with local governments to connect communities via pedestrian trailbridges, in addition to providing technical assistance and resource mobilization.[1] Bridges to Prosperity is based in Denver, Colorado, with an operational headquarters in Rwanda and staff around the world.
This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (June 2023) |
Founded | 2001 |
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Founder | Kenneth Frantz |
Type | Social enterprise |
Focus | Last mile connectivity |
Headquarters | 1031 33rd Street, Denver, CO 80205 |
Location |
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Method | Partner with local governments to connect rural last mile with access to health care, schools and markets. |
President & CEO | Nivi Sharma |
Key people | Ann Cannella (Chief Financial Officer), Abbie Noriega (Chief Impact Officer), Alex McNeill (VP of Advisory Services), Alissa Smith (VP of Business Development), Eng. Rwunguko Jean D'Amour (East Africa Operations Director), Alan McGrane (Director of Engineering), Carolyn Ogott (Director of Talent), Delphine Mugisha (Uganda Country Director), Eniola Mafe Abaga (Global Advocacy and Partnership Director), Erica Brandt (Director of Strategic Partnerships), Ermiyas Ketema (Regional Engineering Manager), Jeff Murenzi (Rwanda Program Director), Linda Bihire (Strategic Partnerships Specialist), Pauline Uwamariya (Rwanda Operations Manager) |
Revenue | US$15 million (FY 2021–22) |
Staff | 110 international |
Website | www |
Trailbridges are cost-effective, durable, and safe, as well as easy for rural communities to build with only modest support, while the impact is great. A randomized control study completed at the University of Notre Dame concluded that bridge connectivity increases farm profits by 75%, labor market income by 36%, and overall household income 30%.[2]
Since its foundation, Bridges to Prosperity has constructed over 450 bridges, connecting over 1.5 million people across 21 countries.[3]
Bridges to Prosperity's current efforts are centered in East Africa due to a compelling mix of need (with millions living in rural isolation due to impassable rivers), existing interest from national governments to invest, the region's track record of safety and stability of leadership, and Bridges to Prosperity's long-standing relationships in the region.
In 2019, Bridges to Prosperity partnered with the government of Rwanda in the organization's first scaled program to build over 200 trail bridges between 2019 and 2024, serving over 660,000 people in that time frame.[4] A similar program was started in Uganda in 2018 to test a country-wide coalition approach to bridge building. Finally, in 2021, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust provided a $10.7 million 3-year partnership between Helvetas, Bridges to Prosperity, and the Government of Ethiopia to construct 150 bridges between 2022 and 2025, serving over 1.3 million people in that time frame.[5]