Grant Support

Grants to community-based groups form the core of the Global Fund for Children’s grantmaking program. To date, GFC has made over $6 million in small grants to over 240 groups in 64 countries.

Grants for Project, Program, and Organizational Support

Small grants to community-based organizations represent the bulk of GFC’s grantmaking. These grants are awarded on an annual basis, with a typical funding relationship of three to six years. GFC core grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 per year, growing in size and scope over the course of the funding relationship, and may be used for general or operating support of the grantee partner organization. GFC considers this primary grant an investment in the organization’s mission and programs as well as its institutional growth and development.

In addition to its primary grants, GFC makes various other types of grants, described below, that complement and maximize the impact of its core support.

Sustainability Awards

Transitioning out of a funding relationship is a sensitive and complex process. Responsible philanthropy demands donor transparency regarding the expected term and level of funding, ample notice before funding is ended, and development of a transition plan that minimizes disruption of a grantee partner’s programs. In striving to honor these principles, GFC provides Sustainability Awards to its strongest grantee partners at the end of the funding relationship. These $25,000 grants support grantee partners’ initiatives to strengthen their organizational sustainability and long-term viability through such mechanisms as endowment funds, revolving funds, purchase of office space or property, securing fundraising expertise, and investing in management and staff development. This grant is a unique and valuable element of GFC’s grantmaking model. Click here to learn more about our Sustainability Awards.

Johnson & Johnson Health and Well-Being Grants

In recognition of the fact that poor health can limit children’s ability to benefit from other types of support, GFC offers a supplementary health grant of $1,000 to its grantee partners. The supplementary health grants are underwritten by Johnson & Johnson. These grants allow our grantee partner organizations to offer complementary health initiatives that address the health needs of their child and youth beneficiaries. Use of this support by our partners varies widely. Some have applied the funding to purchasing essential health supplies and medications (such as water purification filters or aspirin); others have contracted with part-time health providers to give essential care; still others have incorporated a health education component into their primary services. Click here to learn more about the Johnson & Johnson Health and Well-Being Grants.

Crisis Response Grants

GFC endeavors to support community-based organizations in difficult times. When tragedy strikes, GFC uses its discretion to provide emergency relief grants to existing partners directly affected by a disaster or working to address the emergency by providing assistance and relief to others in their community. In cases of profound devastation—such as the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami—GFC considers supporting new grantee partners undertaking longer-term child-focused recovery and renewal efforts.

• Rapid-Response Crisis Grants: Natural disasters and other emergencies create overwhelming needs and demands. Being close to the ground, community-based organizations are often the best positioned to provide immediate relief. Through discretionary rapid-response grants, GFC helps organizations serving children and youth to respond quickly and effectively.
• Post-Crisis Recovery and Renewal Grants: GFC also recognizes the need for ongoing support in the months and years following a natural disaster or other emergency. As immediate relief efforts wind down, communities face longer-term challenges to rebuilding their lives. GFC therefore provides discretionary grants to support post-crisis recovery and renewal efforts by community-based organizations serving children and youth.

To learn more about GFC’s immediate and ongoing support in response to the 2004 tsunami in Asia, click here.