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 provides 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, mental health, and emergency response.
A few examples of the Mark McGoldrick Future’s Fund impact are:
Emergency support after LA fires:
Homies Unidos works in Los Angeles, U.S. to end violence and promote peace through gang prevention, promotion of human rights in immigrant communities, and youth empowerment. After the devastating wildfires in 2025, Homies Unidos provided emergency support for immigrant workers who lost their jobs due to the fires and were unable to access city services because of their immigration status.
Mentorship and play-based learning programs for girls around the world:
Through play-based educational programs, Fundación Niñas de Luz (Funiluz) in Colombia, is engaging girls and young women to support their social, emotional, and academic development. In Uganda, Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH) is responding to the needs of girls – including orphans, girls with special needs, and girls living with HIV – through mentorship programs that help them build self-confidence, develop leadership skills, and plan for a future career.
Immediate relief, and long-term healing from war:
GFC’s partners in Ukraine are supporting children and young people – especially those with intellectual and physical disabilities – who have been displaced and impacted by the war with urgent humanitarian services such as safe shelters and essential supplies, as well as educational services and trauma informed psychosocial support.
Preventing child trafficking by addressing root causes:
In rural Thailand, The Freedom Story 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 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
Members of the McGoldrick family and close friends gathered at the Global Fund for Children fundraiser in New York City in March 2025 which celebrated the first year of the Mark McGoldrick Futures Fund.
Mark’s commitment to GFC was inspiring to his family and friends. I am so honored that this fund allows all of us to continue his legacy of commitment to making the world a better place for children.
Debbie McGoldrick
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.
If you have any questions or are interested in contributing to the Fund, please contact Mea Geizhals, Senior Director of Individual Giving, at mgeizhals@globalfundforchildren.org.
