About Us
“Go to the people, learn from them, build on what they have.”
– Dr. Y.C. James Yen
Together with our development partners, we build on the unique assets and strengths of the rural people. We focus on learning what works for them through research, action, sharing, and enriching their knowledge. We then implement field programs that empower rural communities.
Today, IIRR continues to influence local and national agendas to mobilize political commitments, funding, and innovation necessary to alleviate poverty in rural areas.
Our Mission
We enable communities and those who work with them to develop innovative, yet practical, solutions to poverty through a community-led development approach and to widely share these lessons to encourage replication.
Our Vision
We envision a world of equity, justice, and peace where people achieve their full potential, learning to live a life of quality and dignity in harmony with the environment.
OUR FOUNDER
Dr. Y.C. James Yen
October 26, 1893 – January 17, 1990
The work of IIRR is anchored in the principles and teachings of Dr. Y.C. James Yen, the founder of the Chinese Mass Education Movement, which supported campaigns to teach sixty million people to read and write. Dr. Yen espoused the importance of equal education and opportunity to correct injustice. Dr. Yen said, “Where there is equity and justice, there will be peace.” We honor his legacy through IIRR by sharing knowledge with people in rural communities so they may share with others to achieve equality throughout the world.
CREDO
IRR's Mission statement and a confirmation of Dr. Yen’s historic Credo of Rural Reconstruction crystallize the response of the Institute to the current needs of the rural poor in developing countries.
Logo
The PING is a Chinese ideogram, a symbol expressing an idea that cannot adequately be summarized in words. It was used as the logo of the Mass Education Movement founded in China in 1923 by Dr. Y.C. James Yen...
People
We maintain a staff of 200 people across nine offices.
Our partners trust us to co-implement projects; governments and private institutions trust our technical expertise and ability to create solutions that serve rural communities; donors trust us to use their funds to uplift the lives of the rural people.
IIRR is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization. All contributions to IIRR are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. As of 2018, IIRR has a $6 million annual budget and we are generously funded by contributions from individual donors, foundations, corporations, and governments.
In the last 10 years, 80% of our funds were spent on our regional programs. We also earn revenue from trainings and technical assistance.
Annual Reports
AR_2009
Download and view
AR_2010
Download and view
AR_2012
Download and view
AR_2013
Download and view
AR_2014
Download and view
AR_2015
Download and view
AR_2016
Download and view
AR_2017
Download and view
AR_2018
Download and view
Financial Documents
IIRR_FS_2009
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2010
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2011
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2012
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2013
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2014
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2015
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2016
Download and view
IIRR_FS_2018
Download and view
Policies
HIV/AIDS Policy
Workplace Policy Statement
Conflict of Interest Policy
Download and View
Gender Policy
Download and view
Partnership Policy
Download and view
Whistleblower Policy
Download and View
