Find out what we look for when selecting new partners.
At Global Fund for Children, we select our partners based on their demonstrated potential to produce sustainable improvement in the lives of children and youth facing poverty, injustice, and discrimination. We also look for organizations that can contribute to our growing grassroots network by serving as a resource or model for other organizations.

Eligibility Criteria
Prospective grassroots partners must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for our support.

LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Prospective grassroots partners are primarily led by individuals who live and work in the community. We do not fund the local offices or affiliates of national or international organizations.

APPROPRIATE SIZE AND STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
Most of our new partners have budgets under $100,000 at the time of their first GFC grant, though we remain flexible to identify organizations that will benefit from our approach and services. In most cases, new partners have budgets in the $25,000 to $100,000 range.

DIRECT INVOLVEMENT WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Working directly with children and youth should be the centerpiece of a prospective partners' work. We also consider advocacy organizations provided that their work is directly informed by the experiences of children and youth.
CAPABLE MANAGEMENT
Prospective grassroots partners must have systems and processes for ensuring responsible management of funds. At a minimum, an organization needs to have basic accounting and reporting systems as well as phone and email access.

LEGAL STATUS
In most cases, nonprofit registration with the local or national government is required. If the political context makes legal registration unfeasible, the organization must demonstrate nonprofit equivalency. We do not provide start-up funding for the creation of new organizations.

Selection Guidelines
Beyond our basic eligibility criteria, we use the following selection guidelines to identify grassroots organizations that are truly exceptional.

A FOCUS ON THE MOST EXCLUDED
Our grassroots partners reach the children of the last mile- those who are economically and socially excluded due to race, gender, social class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, or other defining characteristics.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
We prioritize organizations that are rooted in their community and operate with community input, involvement, and investment, embracing the community as an integral part of their success.

EFFECTIVENESS
We prioritize organizations that can demonstrate sustained, meaningful improvement in the lives of the children and youth they serve.

EMPOWERMENT
We prioritize organizations that engage children and youth as active participants in their own growth and development, rather than as passive recipients of services.

INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
We prioritize organizations that tackle old problems in new ways, demonstrating innovation and creativity in their program strategies and approaches.
STRONG LEADERSHIP
We prioritize organizations that have committed, respected, and dynamic leadership with a vision for change.

ADAPTABILITY
We prioritize organizations that generate models, methodologies, and practices that can be adapted and applied to similar issues and challenges in other communities.

POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY
We prioritize organizations that have a strategy for ensuring the long-term sustainability of their programs, through donor diversification, mobilization of government funding, community investment, income-generating activities, and other creative measures.

REPUTATION
We prioritize organizations that are recognized and trusted in their communities.

Organizations that believe they meet these criteria can submit an organizational profile at any time. If an organization falls within our priorities, criteria, and funding availability, we will follow up with the organization to solicit a full proposal. (Due to the volume of inquiries, we cannot respond individually to those not selected for further consideration.)

Where We Work
With your help, we reach children and youth in places like refugee camps, urban slums, and isolated villages- giving them what they need to thrive.
Regions
The Americas- Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, United States

Africa & The Middle East- Burkina Faso, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia

Europe & Eurasia- Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom

South Asia- Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

East & South East Asia- Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand

Focus Areas
Education
Gender Equity
Youth Empowerment
Freedom from Violence & Exploitation

Together with our partners, we are building a future where all young people enjoy equal resources and opportunities in society and can live to their full potential.
Our work advances the rights of children and youth across four focus areas and five regions. We have a deep commitment to courageous organizations that support young people facing poverty, injustice, and discrimination.