A Bold Approach To A Better Ethiopia

“ By helping one farmer,

you empower a family and transform a community.”

W e l c o m e t o T H E A B Y S S I N I A N F U N D :

While studying in Africa, Reverend Nicholas Richards developed a love for the continent

and its people. He witnessed tremendous need yet a strong desire within people

to work for their own development. The Abyssinian Fund was founded on the belief that each

of us has boundless potential, but are often limited by constraints such as poverty. We partner

with individuals and communities in rural Ethiopia to unlock their capacity. The Abyssinian

Fund provides the knowledge, resources and training necessary for sustainable growth.

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The Abyssinian Fund’s mission is to reduce

poverty in Ethiopia. One community at a time.

We combat poverty in a variety of ways,

all centered on something you may find

surprising—your morning cup of coffee.

Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee,

grows some of the world’s finest beans.

Coffee is the second most traded commodity

in the world, yet Ethiopian coffee farmers

make on average $500 per year and live

in unacceptable conditions.

With assistance from The Abyssinian

Fund, Ethiopian farmer entrepreneurs

are increasing their global coffee sales,

improving the quality of life for their

families and reinvesting in critical projects

such as clean water, health and education.

Every donation is making a real

and immediate impact.

Your support makes our mission possible.

The Reverend Nicholas Richards The Abyssinian Fund, Board of Directors

A Double Shot Of Hope In EthiopiaO U R M I S S I O N

Why Chaffee Jenette?

Chaffee Jenette means

“Land of Paradise”.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee

and in Chaffee Jenette; they’ve been

growing it for over 200 years. We

offer training, equipment and local

expertise to improve the farmers’

ability to produce and harvest

the best coffee for a premium price.

F I L T E R E D F A C T S

Letter From the Board of Directors

Some of the world’s finest coffee beans come from a farming village in Ethiopia called Chaffee Jenette.

Because of the appropriate climate and elevation of this region coffee farming here is a trade that has

been passed down from generation to generation for more than two centuries.

A typical day of work for a coffee famer in Chaffee Jenette consists

of constant weeding and pruning. Working in the high heat and

without access to modern tools makes farming a complex experience.

For all the work they endure, the farmers have difficulty obtaining

simple resources such as clean water and healthcare. With an annual

income of $500 it is impossible to improve their lifestyle without help.

The Abyssinian Fund provides the training and equipment that makes

coffee farming more efficient and profitable, allowing coffee farmers

access to a better quality of life.

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F I L T E R E D F A C T S

The Female Farmer

25% of the farmers we train are women. Female

farmers often do not pass the fourth grade level and

rely heavily on farming as their only source of income.

Get To Know A Chaffee Jenette farmer T H E F A R M E R

A closer look into Chaffee Jenette: There are only three major

sources of water, all of which

are jointly used by local animals.

This leads to contamination and

waterborne diseases within the

community. There is one health

post in the village center, Deder

about 17 miles away. When you

support one farmer, you are also

helping to build a community.Chaffee Jenette farmers make $500 a year compared to the average annual

American income of $47,000.

$47K

$500

“ I have seen firsthand

the poverty and the

lack of infrastructure

in Africa. If supporting The Abyssinian Fund is one thing I can do to help improve the

economic conditions

in Ethiopia, then it

is certainly worthy

of my attention.”

Rodney Adkins, Abyssinian Fund supporter

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BUYERS (importers/exporters)

Purchase at a premium rate

The Abyssinian Fund works with farmers by helping them

grow higher quality coffee beans so they can escape the

grasps of poverty.

The farmers work with our field director Zerihun Tessema Fanta

and field coordinator Demeke Hailu, who are native Ethiopians

based in Chaffee Jenette. Together, our staff has over 40 years

of expert coffee experience and agronomy training.

We hire experts who introduce farmers to modern equipment

such as rakes and coffee nurseries and innovative techniques

to produce better coffee. Next, we connect the farmers with

coffee buyers interested in paying premium prices for quality

Chaffee Jenette beans. By improving the farming methods

in Ethiopia we are ultimately

making a global impact

starting with your

morning cup of ‘joe’.

A Different Kind Of CharityT H E P L A N

F I L T E R E D F A C T S

Red is best! We teach Ethiopian farmers to pick only red color beans. Why? Because red beans produce the highest quality of coffee and higher quality demands premium prices.

THE FUNDSells to Buyers at a

premium rate

The Fund re-invests income back into community water, heath and education programs

FARMERS: Sell to the Cooperative

COOP: Packages/sells to the Union

UNION: Stores/exports to Buyers

We invest in people who re-invest in themselves

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Americans consume $40 billion worth

of coffee per year. Coffee accounts

for 39% of Ethiopia’s export earnings,

a drop from 65% in 2003.

F I L T E R E D F A C T S

What’s innovative about The Abyssinian Fund is that all famers agree to reinvest 10% of their

profits into a social development account. These funds are used for increasing clean water access,

the construction of a high school and health clinic within the Chaffee Jenette community.

The contractual agreement we have with the farmers promotes trust and ownership. This sense

of ownership for the famer is reflected in how she manages her farm, promotes, and shares her

knowledge with fellow farmers.

The farmers of Chaffee Jenette want a better life for themselves and their families and they deserve

it. We are helping Ethiopian farmers learn how to better take care of their crops so after successful

farming seasons the coffee will take care of them. At the Abyssinian Fund we’re in the business

of working together with farmers to build stronger communities.

How Coffee Gives BackT H E A G R E E M E N T

* Coffee: Is it healthier than you think? By Sarah Klein, Health.com

F I L T E R E D F A C T S

146 billion cups of coffee

are consumed in the US per year*

“ As a father, training has motivated me to improve the quality of my coffee,

increase the yield and in turn increase my income. Whatever improvements I make on this coffee plant will have a direct effect on my family and help me send my children to school.”From an interview with Mr. Amed Mumed, a Chaffee Jenette farmer who participated in the training.

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Every buyer plays a vital role in transforming lives one farmer at a time.

Seven million bags of coffee are traded every year.

When buyers purchase Chaffee Jenette coffee beans, they agree to pay a fixed premium.

100% of the premium is invested into social development projects within the local community.

The Abyssinian Fund’s role in the process is hands-on. We work directly with both famers and

buyers to build and maintain valuable relationships. We also help open the line of communication

between the farmers of Chaffee Jenette and buyers with whom they wouldn’t otherwise have contact.

Through the business networks they create, the famers then receive premium compensation

for their hard work, all of which is devoted to their own communities. This helps produce

a strong unit of educated farmers and a thriving business.

It’s all part of our goal to reduce poverty in Ethiopia.

Cash For Crops: Each Purchase Uplifts A Community

T H E B U Y E R

For more information

on purchasing and marketing

opportunities, please contact

info@abyfund.org or

1.212.828.4300

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Field Notes: Abyssinian Fund Newsletter • January ‘12

Field Notes: Abyssinian Fund Newsletter • December ‘11

Field Notes: Abyssinian Fund Newsletter • November ‘11

Interview with Reverend Richards, President of Abyssinian Fundtadias.com • January 19, 2012

Young Leaders on a Mission to Continue Dr. King’s Legacybread.org • January 16, 2012

Abyssinian Baptist Church Lays Hands on Ethiopian Villagehuffingtonpost.com • January 8, 2012

Traveling to Ethiopiahuffingtonpost.com • January 8, 2012

The Abyssinian Fund A Mission to Reinvest in the Land of ParadiseHarlem News • November 10, 2011

Abyssinian Pastor’s New Fund Helps Lift Ethiopian Java Farmers Out Of PovertyNew York Daily News • March 3, 2011

Harlem Helps Raise Hope in EthiopiaThe New York Times • July 26, 2010

Watch Videos and Read About Us in the NewsP R E S S

For more information or for media requests please contact Kendra Howard, khoward@abyfund.org.

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DONATE NOWGive A One-Time or Recurring Gift Online, By Mail Or Telephone

G i v i n g L e v e l s

$2500 Provides one month of training for 20 Chaffee Jenette farmers

$1250 Provides one month of training for 10 Chaffee Jenette farmers

$125 Trains one farmer for a week

$25 $50 Small monthly gifts go a long way

Abyssinian Fund is a registered 501 C3 tax-exempt charity. 100% of your donation is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

Online Visit www.abyfund.com

By Phone 212.828.4300

By Mail Make Payable to: The Abyssinian Fund

1825 Park Avenue. Suite 702. New York, New York 10035

Donate Stocks And SecuritiesA gift of appreciated stock or securities will go a long way to help The Abyssinian Fund, as well as provide you with significant income tax advantages.

Matching Gift ProgramA company matching gift program is a great way to maximize your gift. It will directly fund our work in Ethiopia.

EVENTSSign Up to be invited to attend our Special Events.

HOST A FRIENDRAISERHelp us make friends and raise funds.

HAVE QUESTIONS?Please contact Gail Maynor, Development Directore gmaynor@abyfund.orgt 212.828.4300

I N F O R M A T I O N

BOARD OF DIRECTORSRev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, IIIRev. Nicholas S. RichardsDorria L. BallKarole Dill BarkleyLinda H. DunhamDr. Degol HailuAnn Walker McDowell, Esq.Les PayneMarjorie Pierre-Merritt, Esq.Lamonda WilliamsAl Zollar

The time is now. The place is Ethiopia. The Abyssinian Fund.