4 little children beaming into the camera

About us

In the fight for children’s rights, Global Fund for Children champions bold ideas that would otherwise go unheard. We are a global nonprofit dedicated to discovering, funding, and coaching truly community-based organizations and individuals that advance the rights of children and youth.

Global Fund for Children (GFC) has partnered with more than 1,000 community-based organizations worldwide to help children and youth reach their full potential and advance their rights.

From its inception over 30 years ago, GFC has filled a gap in philanthropy by providing small organizations with flexible, long-term support. As an intermediary funder, GFC plays a valuable role as a bridge between funders and grassroots groups, moving resources, shifting decision-making power, and forming deep long-lasting connections to catalyze systemic change.

We invest in changemakers advancing the rights and wellbeing of children and youth through work often spans several themes but aligns with our six broad areas of focus: Education, Gender justice, Youth power, Climate resilience, Safety and wellbeing, and Solidarity in emergencies. We have worked with partners in more than 90 countries throughout the world.

We fund diverse changemakers who are close to the issues and who often lack access to funding, including:

  • Youth-led collectives, organizations, or networks
  • Adult-led, youth-centered groups, organizations, or networks
  • Individual changemakers, especially children, adolescents, and youth

For more than 80% of our partners, we are their first flexible institutional donor (GFC partner survey 2022-2023).  Our grantmaking shifts power to community groups, youth activists, and leaders with lived experience with a commitment to those from historically excluded and underrepresented communities.

We invite you to learn more about us!

People

People

Meet our Boards, youth leaders, and the GFC team who drive our work and mission.

Meet our people

Founding story

Founding story

One woman’s “moment of obligation” led to a global grassroots network fighting for children’s rights.

Learn about GFC's beginning

Awards and fellowships

Awards and fellowships

Our award programs celebrate some of our highest-achieving partners and further catalyze their success.

Explore our awards & fellowships

Five-year vision

Five-year vision

Our vision for 2022 through 2026 outlines a bold path forward that centers children, youth, and their communities as drivers of systemic change.

Explore our five-year vision

Our values

Our values

Our values shape our vision, guide our daily decision making, and signal to the world what to expect when you encounter Global Fund for Children.

Explore our values

Financials

Financials

By making smart, bold investments in grassroots organizations, we put your donations to work for maximum impact and sustainable solutions.

See our financials & Annual Report

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