| Founded | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Website | www.globalfundforchildren.org |
The mission of The Global Fund for Children is to advance the dignity of children and youth around the world. GFC pursues its mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with some of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth, complemented by a dynamic media program that, through books, documentary photography, and film, highlights the issues affecting children and celebrates the global society in which we all live.
GFC made its first grants in 1997 using royalties from its children’s book publishing venture. Since then, GFC’s grantmaking capacity has grown dramatically, from $3,000 in 1997 to approximately $3.2 million during the 2008-09 fiscal year. Since 1997, GFC has distributed more than $15 million in grants to more than 375 groups in 73 countries worldwide.
The needs of children and youth, though in many ways universal, are best responded to in ways that fit the particular situation on the ground. GFC therefore supports groups that are providing for the needs of children in a variety of ways—by giving scholarships to allow poor children to attend formal schools, by providing tutoring and after-school services to youth at risk of leaving formal schooling, or by establishing classroom environments on train platforms, in boats, on beaches, or at garbage dumps.
This model of grantmaking is both time—and labor-intensive, but its impact is substantial. In addition to providing opportunities for vulnerable children, this model contributes to the growth of civil society, encourages the development of homegrown philanthropy, and supports social entrepreneurship. In developing economies, where groups often need only a small amount of money to undertake meaningful programs, small grants can have measurable impact on an organization and the lives of those it serves.
GFC’s Global Media Ventures encompasses GFC’s book-publishing program, which produces vibrant photo-illustrated children’s books showing the similarities of children throughout the world and celebrating the shared processes of childhood; documentary photography that illustrates the day-to-day lives of young people served by the community-based organizations GFC supports; and films that profile the issues that children often face in their struggles for dignity. The organization believes that the messages inherent in our media ventures underscore the goals of our grantmaking and, together, present a compelling statement on behalf of children everywhere.
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The organization pursues this mission through two primary strategies:
The Grantmaking Program supports and strengthens innovative community-based organizations working to transform the lives of vulnerable children and youth.
The Global Media Ventures create and promote books, films, and documentary photography that help children and adults understand and appreciate the multicultural world in which we live.
In 2007 GFC was a guest at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City and made a $10 million commitment over five years to invest in early childhood programs worldwide, targeting vulnerable children under 8. This commitment is known as U-8. In the same year GFC established the UK Trust to extend the organization's fundraising and communications reach into Europe.
Grants support grassroots organizations that work directly with children. GFC is currently active in 69 countries. Since 1997, GFC has distributed more than $15.4 million in grants to more than 375 groups in 73 countries worldwide.
The Global Fund for Children creates multicultural children's books under the imprint Global Fund for Children Books. Each book seeks to integrate children’s perspectives and inspire young readers to explore diverse cultures and global understanding.[1]
To date, The Global Fund for Children has invested in two documentary films that have done very well in international film festivals.
War Child, a documentary film about former Sudanese child soldier Emmanuel Jal, won the audience choice award at the Tribeca film festival [2] and opens in theaters November 2008. The film is the directorial debut of C. Karim Chrobog.
Journey of a Red Fridge tells the story of Hari Rai, a child porter who carries a red Coca-Cola refrigerator through the Himalayan mountains. It was made by Lunam Docs, a Serbian independent documentary production duo - Lucian and Natasa Muntean, specializing in telling the stories of working children.
Goldman Sachs Foundation - Youth Enterprise in India The Global Fund for Children and Goldman Sachs have partnered on a $1.2 million project to include young people in the economic advancement of India. In total, this initiative will support 25 community-based organizations in India.[1]
Nike Foundation - Grassroots Girls Initiative The Global Fund for Children is part of the Nike Grassroots Girls Initiative, focusing on girls' education. The GFC-Nike partnership has funded 20 community-based organizations working with adolescent girls. Other partners in the initiative include American Jewish World Service, EMPower-The Emerging Markets Foundation, Firelight Foundation, Global Fund for Women and Mama Cash.[2]
Clinton Global Initiative - U8 The Global Fund for Children launched its Under-8 Initiative (U8) at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2007. Through this initiative, GFC committed $10 million to programs worldwide that support early childhood education and development for children under age 8.[3]
MacArthur Digital Media Award In 2008, The Global Fund for Children was selected as a winner of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's Digital Media and Learning Competition. GFC's project, "Using Digital Technology to Extend Grassroots Knowledge," works to enable the organization to share and promote the knowledge and best practices of its grantee partners. [3]
Other GFC strategic partners include GoodWeave, the International Center of Photography, Tea Collection, and New Global Citizens.[4]