The Ethiopian Biographical Resource Center (EBRC) was founded in October 2007 by a group of Ethiopians residing in the United States. It has been registered as a nonprofit organization with the U.S. government since March 2008. Its headquarters is in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Objectives

1. Gather biographical data about Ethiopians who have made significant contributions to their country and people in any area of public service or field of knowledge
2. Preserve data on the life and works of such prominent Ethiopians by establishing an archival facility
3. Provide access to its data bank for biographers, historians and other researchers
4. Help Ethiopian biographers and autobiographers obtain logistical support and funding by means of grants, fellowships, etc. in order to carry out their project
5. Facilitate professional editorial assistance for individuals engaged in biography-related projects
6. Acquaint Ethiopians with the life and works of prominent citizens by organizing lectures, seminars, media programs, etc.
7. Undertake oral history projects and record personal testimonies of individuals as well as secondhand accounts about landmark events in Ethiopian history.

Data-gathering mechanisms

Data on the biographical personalities will be gathered in a variety of ways, including the following:
1. Personal interviews with the individuals of biographical concern which may be conducted face to face or via telephone, video conference, email, etc.
2. Interviewing people who know them closely
3. Securing, through purchase or other means, copies of documents pertaining to their life and works from individuals, libraries, archives, etc.

Data will be gathered by means of audio/videotaping, note taking, or photocopying documents from other sources when original copies are not available for purchase or donation.

Selection process

The center will in future adopt detailed operational schemes. However, in the meantime, it will draw up a set of criteria for selecting biographical personalities. It will make a list of such people and assign each group within the organization to gather data on a given number of these selected biographical personalities. Priority on data gathering is given to biographical personalities who are in a state of fragile health and/or aging. The same goes in approaching individuals who can be used as sources on a given biographical personality.

Sources of funding

The center will be funded through donations from individuals, foundations, and other organizations that will have no direct or indirect influence on its mission or operation. In future, it will adopt different means of supporting itself, such as charging fees for use of its database.

Operational Scheme

The Ethiopian Biographical Resource Center will form a network of small groups in Ethiopia, North America as well as other parts of the world with large Diaspora communities, and undertake various projects pertaining to the collection of biographical data. Each group within the network is accountable to the headquarters office in the United States. (For details on the organizational structure of the center, see the bylaws.)