The Global Fund for Children
Encyclopedia
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.
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
.
War Child, a documentary film about former Sudanese child soldier Emmanuel Jal
, won the audience choice award at the Tribeca film festival http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Reel-U-Films-918997.html 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/index.php/Our-Work/Digital-Media-and-Learning-Hub.html
Other GFC strategic partners include GoodWeave, the International Center of Photography
, Tea Collection
, and New Global Citizens.
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
Social entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is the work of social entrepreneurs. A social entrepreneur recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create and manage a venture to achieve social change . While a business entrepreneur typically measures performance in profit and return, a...
. 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.
Operations
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
Clinton Foundation
The William J. Clinton Foundation is a foundation established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." The Foundation focuses on four critical areas:...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
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
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
International grantmaking
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.Children's books
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.http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/index.php/vmchk/View-all-products-in-shop.html- Xanadu: The Imaginary Place Edited by Maya Ajmera and Olateju Omolodun. Charlesbridge 1999.
- Extraordinary Girls By Maya Ajmera , Olateju Omolodun, and Sarah Strunk. Charlesbridge 1999.
- Let the Games Begin! By Maya Ajmera and Michael J. Regan. Charlesbridge 2000.
- Children from Australia to Zimbabwe By Maya Ajmera and Anna Rhesa Versola. Charlesbridge 2001.
- Come Out and Play By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge 2001.
- To be a Kid By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge 2001.
- Ser niño By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge 2001.
- Back to School By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge 2001.
- A Kid's Best Friend By Maya Ajmera and Alex Fisher. Charlesbridge 2002.
- Animal Friends By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge 2002.
- Children of Native America Today by Yvonne Wakim Dennis, Arlene B. Hirschfelder, and Global Fund For Children. 2003.
- To be an Artist By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge 2004.
- Be My Neighbor By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge 2004.
- Ser vecinos By Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko. Translated by Yanitzia CanettiYanitzia CanettiYanitzia Canetti is a Cuban author, translator, and editor.Her published works include two novels , a collection of narrative short stories , and over 200 children's books...
. Charlesbridge 2004. - My Family By Sheila Kinkade. 2006
- Global Babies By The Global Fund for Children. Charlesbridge 2007.
- Children of the USA By Maya Ajmera , Arlene Hirschfelder, Yvonne Wakim Dennis, and Cynthia Pon. Charlesbridge 2008.
- Global Babies/Bebés del mundo By The Global Fund for Children. Charlesbridge 2009.
- Faith By Maya Ajmera , Magda Nakassis and Cynthia Pon. Charlesbridge 2009.
Films
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
Emmanuel Jal
Emmanuel Jal is a South Sudanese musician and former child soldier.-Childhood:Born in the village of Tonj in Southern Sudan, Jal was a young child when the Second Sudanese Civil War broke out. His father joined the Sudan People's Liberation Army and when he was about seven years old his mother...
, won the audience choice award at the Tribeca film festival http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Reel-U-Films-918997.html 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
Lunam Docs
Lunam Docs is an independent documentary film production duo - Lucian and Natasa Muntean - dedicated to documentary filmmaking on human rights and social justice, around the world, with special attention paid to children rights and child labour.Through their films, Lunam Docs is trying to present...
, a Serbian independent documentary production duo - Lucian and Natasa Muntean, specializing in telling the stories of working children.
Special projects
Goldman Sachs Foundation - Youth Enterprise in IndiaThe 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.
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
American Jewish World Service
American Jewish World Service is a nonprofit international development organization, founded in 1985, which supports community-based organizations in 35 countries in the developing world and works to educate the American Jewish community about global justice...
, EMPower
EMPOWER
EMPOWER , also known as Centre for Sex Workers' Protection or Moolniti Songserm Okard Pooying , is a non-profit organisation in Thailand that supports sex workers by offering free classes in language, health, law and pre-college education as well as individual counseling...
-The Emerging Markets Foundation, Firelight Foundation, Global Fund for Women
Global Fund for Women
The Global Fund for Women is the largest non-profit foundation in the world funding women's human rights. It was founded in 1987 by New Zealander Anne Firth Murray, and co-founded by Frances Kissling and Laura Lederer to fund women's initiatives around the world...
and Mama Cash.
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.
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. http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/index.php/Our-Work/Digital-Media-and-Learning-Hub.html
Other GFC strategic partners include GoodWeave, the International Center of Photography
International Center of Photography
The International Center of Photography is a photography museum, school, and research center in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
, Tea Collection
Tea Collection
Tea Collection is a San Francisco-based children's clothing company co-founded in 2002 by Emily Meyer and Leigh Rawdon. The clothing line is available through their e-commerce website as well as department stores and clothing boutiques worldwide....
, and New Global Citizens.