12 Cornerstones in Detail
Passing on the Gift
Every family that receives an Heifer animal agrees to pass on one or more of their animal's offspring to another family in need. This replicates and sustains the project, while giving the project partners a distinct and important role in the fight against hunger and poverty.

Accountability
Groups define their own needs, goals, and strategies. Heifer provides guidelines and support for them to use, but the responsibility for the project rests with benefits. Animals must have plenty of feed and water, and have access to shelter and health care. Species and breeds of animals must be appropriate to the area.

Sharing and Caring
Heifer believes global problems can be solved if people are committed to sharing what they have and caring about others.

Sustainability & Self-reliance
Sustainability & Self-reliance is necessary for the long-term success of projects. Heifer can only fund a project for a limited time so the families Heifer works with must plan to support themselves.

Improved Animal Management
Animals should be a vital part of farm activities without creating an extra burden on family members or farm resources. Species and breeds must be appropriate to the area.

Nutrition and Income
Livestock contribute directly to human nutrition and well-being by providing protein and fibre, draft power for crops and transportation, and fertilizer in the form of manure, for the earth. Livestock also provide families with a readily accessible source of income and with many income-generating opportunities.

Gender and Family Focus
Heifer encourages women and men to share in decision-making, animal ownership, labor, and benefits of projects.

ON THE

Genuine Need and Justice
Heifer is a partner to people who need an opportunity to improve their quality of life and who can benefit from modest support.

Improving the Environment
The introduction of Heifer livestock should have a positive effect on one or more of the following: soil erosion/fertility; sanitation; forestation; biodiversity; pollution; wildlife; and watershed condition. With appropriate training and inputs, livestock are a viable aspect of a healthy ecological system.

Full Participation
Heifer works with grassroots groups or intermediary organizations representing grassroots groups. Effective groups have strong leadership and organization and are committed to including all members in decision-making. Group members have control of all key decisions.

Training and Education
Groups decide their own training needs, and local people are involved as trainers. Training consists of formal and informal sessions (farm visits, demonstrations, model farmers) and is typically more "hands-on" than academic. In addition to training in livestock husbandry and care of the environment, help with food processing, human nutrition, marketing and group formation are often requested.

Spirituality
Spirituality is expressed in common values, common beliefs, and shared visions of the future. It bonds group members and gives faith, hope, friendship and a sense of responsibility to work for a better life.

The first letter of each of the Cornerstones spells out PASSING on the GIFTS. The most important concept of Heifer International projects, Passing on the Gift incorporates all other Cornerstones.

Over the past few years, Heifer's training department has been conducting training worldwide with our field offices and project partners in values-based program implementation, based on the 12 Cornerstones