About

We are guided by the belief in the right and ability of all people to drive their own destinies.

Our mission is to work alongside community leaders, organizations, and networks to shape positive change. We envision a world where inclusive communities ensure basic needs such as food security are met, environmentally sustainable practices take root, and, where citizens hold government to account, protect and promote human rights, and foster constructive public dialogue.

about

Building more inclusive, sustainable futures

Founded in 1965, Counterpart is a recognized global leader in supporting civil society and community-based development.

about-content
our history

Our origins begin with an unlikely partnership

A movie star and a priest joined forces to help at-risk communities in the South Pacific. They shared a passion for helping others and the belief in the right and ability of all people to drive their own destinies.

2023

New awards take Counterpart back to Armenia and Iraq, where we have track records of success in civil society strengthening.

2022

Counterpart moves its corporate offices from Arlington, Virginia, to Washington, DC.

2000

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton presented Betty Silverstein and Stan Hosie, our founders, with a humanitarian service award in a special ceremony at the White House.

1994–2000s

Counterpart continues its capacity developing and resiliency programs expanding operations into Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine.

1994

Launching into humanitarian assistance, Counterpart helps supply food, clothing, bedding, hospital equipment, and other relief supplies to people in need around the world as part of the U.S. State Department’s Community and Humanitarian Assistance Program.

1992–1994

Counterpart leads teams of executive volunteers to the former Soviet Union to help with the transition of the newly independent states. It works with USAID to set up centers for local NGOs. Through training and support, Counterpart equips local organizations to become solution creators in their own communities.

1992

USAID asks the Foundation for the People of the South Pacific to expand its work globally. The organization changes its name to Counterpart International.

1985

The Foundation for the People of the South Pacific receive funding from USAID to build clinic and hospital capabilities and conduct health education programs across the region.

1984

Tonga chair of the Foundation for the People of the South Pacific, Sione Amanaki, creates a network of NGOs called the Tonga Covenant, which leads to the formation of the Pacific Association of NGOs. This type of collaboration and network building plays a significant role in the foundation’s future.

1982

The Foundation for the People of the South Pacific helps communities damaged by cyclones, offering humanitarian assistance in the aftermath and supporting long-term rebuilding efforts.

1973

The United Nations Social and Economic Council approves the Foundation for the People of the South Pacific in the Republic of Kiribati as a nongovernmental organization.

1965

Betty Silverstein, an Australian actress and singer, and Stanley Hosie, a Marist priest, create the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific to help local, at-risk communities. They share a passion for helping others and believe in the right and ability of all people to drive their own destinies.

what we do

Positive, sustainable change through partnership

Since our founding in 1965, we’ve embraced a fundamental premise: creating local ownership and building problem-solving capabilities at the local level is the only way to create positive and lasting impact. Counterpart takes a building block approach with our local partners to support stronger and more resilient communities by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and fostering multi-sector community partnerships.

our values

What matters most to us

These values are our guiding principles for how we work as individuals, as an organization, and as partners with external stakeholders. They inform our culture and remind us that we share a common goal, a larger purpose.