Robert D. Stillman Dignity Awards

Robert D. Stillman’s dedication, kindness, and contagious joy left a defining legacy at Global Fund for Children. The Dignity Awards honor Bob’s commitment to improving the lives of the children and youth who are most in need.

Bob Stillman’s legacy

From 2002 to 2006, Bob served as Chair of GFC’s Board of Directors, where he stewarded GFC’s mission with warmth and dedication. Bob’s tenure as Chair was a time of significant growth for the organization, propelling GFC to new heights. He was passionate about strengthening social protection networks and generating economic opportunity for children, particularly for orphaned children, street-based children, and those experiencing homelessness. Bob passed away on August 4, 2019. In a heartfelt tribute to their friend and colleague, GFC Founder Maya Ajmera and former Managing Director Greg Fields remembered Bob for his good humor and steadfast faith in “doing the right thing for the right reasons.”

About the awards

Established in 2020, the Robert D. Stillman Dignity Awards honor organizations responding to the risks and challenges that affect the wellbeing of children and youth. Specifically, these awards recognize organizations that advance the dignity of young people by:

Providing critical services, such as shelter, refuge, and humanitarian aid;
Fostering economic empowerment to break the trap of intergenerational poverty; and/or
Promoting welcoming communities through social inclusion programs.

The Robert D. Stillman Dignity Awards have been made possible thanks to the generous contributions of Bob’s family and friends.

About the 2024 winner

Suchana Uttor Chandipur Community Society, this year’s Dignity Award winner, offers accessible education opportunities to children in marginalized communities in India. Working in Birbhum, India, Suchana supports literacy and numeracy for children of the Santal and Kora tribes through multilingual early learning and uses locally relevant arts, crafts, music, dance, and other approaches to reach students between the ages of 4 to 25 from various backgrounds.

The organization also provides remedial classes for students with learning difficulties. With this award, Suchana plans to develop new areas of work to enhance children’s education and reinforce young people’s livelihood options.