Central Asia Institute (CAI) is an international non-profit organization, co-founded by Greg Mortenson and Jean Hoerni in 1996.

"[4] The organization collaborates with communities to build schools in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, with a particular emphasis on areas where there is little or no access to education.

[7] After a 60 Minutes segment aired questions about the organization's effectiveness, the Central Asia Institute has become a reference example for the limitations in evaluating charities based solely on financial analysis.

The organization was established with funds from co-founder Jean Hoerni, a Swiss physicist and Silicon Valley microchip pioneer.

His first project was a bridge over the Braldu River, which enabled the community and him to transport building materials to Korphe village, where he built his first school.

Hoerni provided funding for these first two projects and subsequently established Central Asia Institute as a non-profit organization in the United States in 1996.

CAI's first Board of Directors decided to focus the organization's efforts in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan in order to establish relationships to further community-based projects in the area.

Public health: CAI provides funds for maternal healthcare, nutrition and hygiene awareness, disaster relief projects, and the installation of clean water systems.

Global outreach: CAI promotes the importance of education and literacy via the organization's website as well as other social media venues.

The story alleged that CAI spent more money on 'domestic outreach' (book tours, speaking, travel) than on supporting schools overseas, and that Mortenson's accomplishments may have been exaggerated.

[19] The 60 Minutes report featured best-selling author Jon Krakauer, who described what he called suspicious financial machinations within CAI.

[24] Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mortensen was required to resign as executive director and could no longer serve as a voting member of CAI's board.

But after 14 months, Starnes abruptly left Central Asia Institute after disagreements with the CAI board as to Mortenson's future role in the organization.