About the Bhutan Foundation

Our Mission

To support the people of Bhutan to reach their full potential by developing local capacity and facilitating global support.

Since its founding in 1986 and re-launch in 2002, the Bhutan Foundation has become an active organization with offices in Thimphu, Bhutan and Washington, DC as well as around 40 partner organizations in Bhutan and more than 20 international partners. Through its commitment to the shared values of Gross National Happiness, the Bhutan Foundation is fundamentally aligned with the vision of His Majesty the King, the Royal Government of Bhutan, and Bhutan’s emerging needs. The Foundation is not, and will not be, aligned with any political party. Its independence and objectivity are core values of the organization.

The Bhutan Foundation works in five core areas: conservation of the environment, preservation of culture, equitable development, good governance, and creating greater awareness and understanding of Bhutan in the United States and around the world. The Foundation’s vision is Bhutan as a progressive society enriched by GNH values, and our mission is to enable the people of Bhutan to reach their full potential by developing local capacity and facilitating global support. The primary focus of the Foundation, through all its program areas, is in building Bhutanese professional capacity while supporting the work of government and civil society partners.

Two elderly men are walking straight into a dense forest with tall, high grass surrounding them. They appear to be deep in conversation, dressed in simple outdoor clothing and hats, and are using walking sticks to aid their steps. The trees in the forest ahead are tall and closely packed, creating a lush, green canopy. The high grass they walk through is thick and reaches up to their waists, swaying gently in the breeze. The scene is serene and depicts a moment of companionship and exploration in nature.