Mark McGoldrick Futures Fund
Global Fund for Children is pleased to announce the Mark McGoldrick Futures Fund to support our work to power the potential of children and young people around the world.
Named in memory of the founding chair of the UK Trust, the Mark McGoldrick Futures Fund will provide catalytic funding to power GFC’s global network of local grassroots organizations led by change makers focused on creating a future where all children can thrive. Initiatives are focused on education, gender justice, combating child trafficking, climate action, and mental health.
In 2024, Global Fund for Children distributed four inaugural grants from the Mark McGoldrick Futures Fund. Read more about these incredible organizations:
Afghan Institute of Learning | Afghanistan
Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) was founded in 1995 during the Taliban’s initial rule and helped educate children through a network of underground schools. Since then, AIL has reached nearly 15 million people across the country through its learning centers, medical clinics, and other programs. In recent times, in response to the collapse of the Afghan government and the return of Taliban rule, AIL has strived to continue to offer girls access to education through innovative means, including the Meraj Academy, a televised secondary-school curriculum.
Foundation for Inclusive Community Help | Uganda
Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH) operates with the vision of a generation of healthy, innovative, productive, and self-reliant youth, women, and families in the community. FICH responds to the needs of girls – including orphans, girls with special needs, and girls living with HIV – through mentorship programs, empowering them to build self-confidence, develop leadership skills, and plan for a future career.
Fundación Niñas de Luz | Colombia
Fundación Niñas de Luz (Funiluz) is dedicated to addressing the challenges that girls aged 5 to 17 face in their social, emotional, and academic development, providing them with tools that strengthen their capabilities and enable them to develop their life skills. Funiluz uses play-based education programs to engage the girls and support their learning and development, encouraging them to become future leaders.
The Freedom Story | Thailand
The Freedom Story works in rural Thailand to prevent child trafficking by addressing its root causes. The organization provides fully funded scholarships for at-risk children, ensuring they stay in school instead of being forced into labor or exploitation. Through mentorship, rights education, and sustainability programs, The Freedom Story supports young people and their families with the knowledge and resources to build a future free from trafficking.
About Mark McGoldrick (1958-2023):
Mark was a singular figure, a person of immense accomplishment and unbridled heart.
His passing compels us to recognize that his life – bold, strong, and eminently compassionate – has indelibly influenced the lives of all those he encountered, especially the many children around the world who now live better lives because of Mark’s dedication to GFC’s mission. It was at Mark’s urging that GFC launched its UK Trust. Building upon his longstanding relationships in London, Mark brought together the initial resources that got us off the ground. Genuinely curious, immensely generous, alive to the world around him – we thank him and his family for their remarkable generosity and sustained belief in our work.
We are deeply grateful to the seed funders who made the Mark McGoldrick Futures Fund possible:
- Maya Ajmera
- Peter Briger
- Michael Daffey
- Jim Esposito
- John Hepburn
- The McGoldrick Family
- Lance West
Donations to the Mark McGoldrick Futures Fund will be used to support GFC partners and priority projects working to power the potential of children and young people. GFC investments are managed in balanced portfolios and with moderate growth strategies with Board oversight and institutional advisors at Fidelity Investments.
If you have any questions or are interested in contributing to the Fund, please contact Mea Geizhals, GFC Director of Major Gifts, at mgeizhals@globalfundforchildren.org.