From the Executive Director

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Partners,

After more than a year since our last newsletter, I’m honored to reconnect with you at a truly transformational moment for Believe in Belize.

At the end of 2025, our founder and longtime Managing Director, Nabil Bedewi, retired after years of extraordinary leadership and impact. On behalf of everyone who has been touched by this organization, we extend our deepest gratitude to Nabil for his vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to Belize.

It is a privilege to step into the role of Executive Director and help guide Believe in Belize into its next chapter.

A Time of Transformation

Over the past several months, Believe in Belize has undergone a comprehensive reorganization – modernizing every aspect of our organization while staying true to the mission that has always guided us.

We have:

• Rebuilt our operational foundation with modern systems and tools 
• Implemented a new CRM and donor platform to better serve our supporters 
• Streamlined our processes for transparency, accountability, and growth 
• Welcomed new members to our Board of Directors, while honoring those who have retired after years of service 
• Launched a beautiful, fully redesigned website built for engagement, storytelling, and impact 

While our mission, vision, and commitment to Belize remain unchanged, our ability to scale and amplify that impact has never been stronger.

A Smarter Model for Greater Impact

As we look ahead, we are evolving how we operate to better align with our strengths – and to maximize the effectiveness of every dollar and every hour invested.

Believe in Belize will continue to:

• Champion a wide range of causes across education, health, community development, and the environment 
• Support our long-standing partners and expand into new collaborations 

However, we are shifting toward a model that emphasizes:

1. Financial Infrastructure & Fundraising Platform

We will serve as the trusted financial backbone for our partners – providing:

• US-based nonprofit structure and tax-deductible giving 
• Transparent fund management and reporting 
• A global platform for raising funds internationally 

2. Empowering Local Execution

We are deepening our collaboration with local Belizean Rotary Clubs, who are exceptionally well-positioned to:

• Execute projects on the ground 
• Manage logistics efficiently 
• Sustain long-term community relationships 

While Believe in Belize remains an all-volunteer organization, many of our members are also active Rotarians – meaning we will continue to contribute directly through hands-on service alongside our local partners.‍

3. Focus Where We Add the Most Value

Rather than directly managing large-scale project execution, we will:

• Enable those who are best equipped to deliver results 
• Focus on funding, enabling, and amplifying impact 
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and donor confidence 

This approach allows us to scale responsibly while staying lean, agile, and effective.

Introducing Our New Digital Home

We are proud to introduce our new Believe in Belize website – a central hub for everything we do.

Through the new platform, you can:

• Donate to Believe in Belize, our partners, or specific projects 
• Volunteer and get involved in meaningful ways 
• Explore projects and track progress and outcomes 
• Discover events and opportunities in Belize 
• Read stories from the communities and people you’re impacting 
• Connect with our members and partners 

This is more than a website – it’s a platform for engagement, transparency, and shared impact. This is only the first version, so stay tuned as we continue to develop and release updates.

Looking Ahead

Believe in Belize has always been built on a simple but powerful idea:
That individuals, working together, can create meaningful and lasting change.

Today, we are stronger, more focused, and better equipped than ever to fulfill that promise.

As we move forward, we invite you to:

• Reconnect with our mission 
• Explore our new platform 
• Engage with our projects and partners 
• Continue (or begin) your journey with us 

Thank You

To our donors, partners, volunteers, and community members – thank you for your continued belief in Belize.

The work ahead is meaningful, the opportunity is immense, and the impact we can create together is greater than ever.

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead,

Russell Cozart
Executive Director
Believe in Belize