The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present unprecedented challenges for children and youth worldwide. Through its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, Global Fund for Children is issuing immediate grants to the community-based organizations keeping them safe.

The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating vulnerabilities for children and youth worldwide, and GFC’s partners are at the heart of community responses. As the pandemic took hold, these local organizations pivoted to providing emergency hygiene kits, critical food supplies, and accurate information to children and families. More than a year later, they are stepping up to support young people affected by the economic fallout and unsafe situations caused by the pandemic, while searching for new ways to deliver key programming with limited resources.

In response to these immediate and long-term challenges, GFC launched the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund in March 2020. To date, GFC has issued more than $3.3 million in emergency grants to community-based organizations responding to COVID-19. This includes $851,000 for more than 140 partners serving children and youth around the world, as well as $2.5 million through the Phoenix Fund for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic organizations in England. While we are proud of this success, the needs of children and youth affected by COVID-19 continue to grow.

Donate to support children affected by COVID-19 worldwide.

GFC’s community partners are uniquely positioned to protect children and youth during a crisis. Your support will provide these organizations with the immediate resources they need to keep children safe and healthy during COVID-19 and will build their long-term capacity to support children who are most at risk in the long recovery period ahead.

Through the Spark Fund, GFC is also looking beyond the pandemic to support youth leaders and grassroots partners that are leading the charge to build a more equitable and just post-pandemic world. The world needs new solutions to entrenched problems, and we believe that young people should be drivers and decision-makers in this transformation.

Learn more
  • Our partners: Meet the GFC partners that have received COVID-19 emergency response grants [Jan. 2022]
  • Our survey data: See survey highlights on the impact of COVID-19 on GFC partners [Nov. 2020]
  • Our response: Read our special feature about community responses to keep children safe during COVID-19 [Oct. 2020]
Read the news
  • Status update: Find the latest information on GFC’s coronavirus response [Sept. 2021]
  • Youth voices: Watch a global conversation with five young female leaders about the impact of COVID-19 on girls’ education [May 2021]
  • Global statements: Read a reflection on youth and hope for the future from Managing Director Hayley Roffey [Feb. 2021], a special update from President and CEO John Hecklinger [June 2020], and a global message from President and CEO John Hecklinger [Mar. 2020]
  • Community perspectives: Watch a global conversation with four community leaders about the effects of the pandemic [June 2020]
Take action

Discover how GFC and its local partners are responding to the pandemic in the featured stories below.

Featured Stories


Featured News

March 3, 2022
Global Fund for Children’s Managing Director, Hayley Roffey, reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are affecting children and young people, and shares how GFC is responding.
May 11, 2021
To better understand the impact of COVID-19 on education, we hosted a global conversation that tapped into the perspectives of young leaders working with children and youth.
February 1, 2021
Global Fund for Children's Managing Director, Hayley Roffey, reflects on COVID-19's impacts on young people and shares GFC's commitment to work with and for youth to build a more equitable post-pandemic world.
September 18, 2020
GFC announces a $250K grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, which will support organizations working with children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 16, 2020
John Hecklinger provides a second update on GFC's response to the global coronavirus pandemic, guided by flexibility, responsiveness, solidarity, and safety.
June 16, 2020
John Hecklinger brinda una segunda actualización sobre la respuesta de GFC a la pandemia mundial del coronavirus, guiada por la flexibilidad, capacidad de respuesta, solidaridad y seguridad.
June 16, 2020
John Hecklinger fournit une deuxième mise à jour sur la réponse de GFC à la pandémie mondiale de coronavirus, guidée par la flexibilité, la réactivité, la solidarité et la sécurité.
May 28, 2020
Join the online conversation with Global Fund for Children’s Youth Leadership Council and four community leaders to find out firsthand.
May 11, 2020
Global Fund for Children (GFC) joins more than 700 funders in a Call to Action to shift philanthropy’s response toward maximum flexibility, support, and trust during and beyond the coronavirus crisis.
April 29, 2020
GFC joins more than 500 organizations calling for girls, women, and gender equality to be at the center of coronavirus preparedness, response, and recovery.
March 26, 2020
Co-hosted by GFC and AGAG, this new virtual discussion series is designed to help funders navigate new challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 23, 2020
The global community is confronting unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your support now is critical to keeping children and youth safe worldwide.
March 19, 2020
Global Fund for Children's President and CEO, John Hecklinger, provides an update on GFC's response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, including information for partners, supporters, and the GFC team.
March 19, 2020
El Presidente y CEO del Fondo Global para la Niñez, John Hecklinger, brinda una actualización sobre la respuesta de GFC a la pandemia mundial de COVID-19, incluida información para socios, partidarios y miembros del equipo de GFC.
March 19, 2020
Le Président et Directeur Général du Fonds Mondial pour les Enfants, John Hecklinger, fournit une mise à jour sur la réponse de GFC face à la pandémie mondiale du COVID-19, y compris des informations pour les partenaires, supporteurs, et l’équipe de GFC.

Global Fund for Children (GFC) UK Trust, created in 2006, is a UK registered charity (UK charity number 1119544). We work to generate vital income, create new fundraising opportunities, and raise awareness of the invaluable work of GFC’s grassroots grantees. Our aim is to extend the reach of GFC in the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond.

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