Celebrating 10 Years of Grantmaking: 2000–2010
OUR APPROACH
Child-centered Family-focused Community-based
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS Our Core Values. . . . . . 2 –11 Letter from the Founder & President......12 Letter from the Executive Director......13 The Need & The Solution......14 The Way We Work. . . . . .15 Our Programs. . . . . .16–17
Firelight 2000–2010. . . ...20–23 Our Grantees’ Work. . . . ..24 A Message from the Director of Programs......25 GRANTEE PROFILES A Community Support Network Gives New Lease on Life: Bwafwano Community Home-Based Care Program......26–27
Firelight supports grassroots organizations that help families and communities meet the needs of their children.
OUR MISSION
Our Accomplishments & Impact......18–19
The mission of the Firelight Foundation is to improve the well-being of children made vulnerable by HIV, AIDS, and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Transforming the Lives of Young Girls: WEM Integrated Health Services......28–29 Protecting & Nurturing Children: The Child Protection Society......30–31 REFERENCE Support Firelight. . . . . 32–33 Donors. . . . . . 34–37 Board of Directors, Advisory Council & Staff......38–39 Our Vision 2010–2020. .....40
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OUR CORE VALUES
We believe that children hold the key to a brighter future for Africa.
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Our grantees understand the needs of children and families made vulnerable by HIV, AIDS, and poverty.
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We believe that real and lasting change begins at the grassroots.
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We know that small, well-targeted investments can make a big difference in children’s lives.
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We have seen the success and impact of our approach on children, families, communities, and other funders over 10 years of operation.
“Africa is a magnificent continent and its children not only represent hope; they also live and inspire it. The privilege to witness this energy and photograph it continues to be the most humbling experience of my life. As Firelight’s Communications and Development Officer from 2005 to 2008, I had the opportunity to travel and document some of the remarkable work of our grantees. There are so many faces and smiles I will never forget. Firelight’s images of children and families stir emotions without evoking pity. These are individuals with dreams and aspirations who are overcoming frightening statistics.”
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– Joop Rubens, photographer & former Firelight staff member
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LE T TER FROM THE FOUNDER & PRESIDENT Celebrating a journey of partnership & action In October 2000, the Firelight Foundation celebrated an important milestone. We made our first round of grants to 24 African communitybased organizations serving children in need. Ten years and more than 1,100 grants later, this publication marks the celebration of a journey of partnership and grassroots action that has improved the well-being of hundreds of thousands of children made vulnerable by HIV, AIDS, and poverty.
Kerry Olson Founder & President
As we look back on the past decade, we have much to be grateful for. While our core mission, vision, and values have remained the same, our Grantmaking and Capacity Building Programs have evolved and we have formalized new ways to leverage our impact through organizational learning, outreach, and advocacy. Our belief in the dignity and worthiness of every child, the central importance of family, and the power of community action to bring about positive change are the cornerstones that have guided our child-centered, family-focused, and communitybased approach. Our growth has been guided by and grounded in the day-to-day work of hundreds of granteepartners addressing the needs of children and families in direct and life-changing ways. It is the work of these grassroots groups—brought to life in the following pages—that continues to inspire us and affirms our sense of purpose and commitment to stepping up support of local initiatives that respond to the needs of their communities.
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Letter
Our 10th anniversary celebration is especially significant as it marks our transition from private foundation to public charity, aligning our identity more closely with the organization we have become. The heart and core of Firelight is about local communities in Africa making a real difference for children by mobilizing action and local resources, and a growing virtual community of donors and partners investing in these grassroots groups. By working together we are able to build a brighter future for children and families in one of the most poverty-stricken yet resourceful regions in the world. We are deeply grateful to all of those who have walked this journey with us—our past and present grantee-partners, donors, staff, volunteers, and Advisory Council and Board members who have brought Firelight’s mission to life. We also honor the dedicated African caregivers, local leaders, and community activists who “walked the talk” but are no longer with us, and whose memories remind us that lasting legacies are created through giving and service. As we look forward to the next 10 years and beyond, we remain steadfast in our mission. Alongside our community-based partners, we are in this for the long haul. Helping to improve the lives of children and families in need is a social justice issue that transcends current economic conditions and political climates. It is a call to action to us as responsible and compassionate citizens of the world who together can help make a difference, each in our own way. 2000 to 2010
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LE T TER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIREC TOR Building on Africa’s strengths For the last 25 years, I’ve been working to improve the well-being of children in the developing world. Going straight from college into the Peace Corps, I spent the next two decades with a US nonprofit in Africa and then heading a European foundation. But my last two years, as executive director of the Firelight Foundation, have been especially memorable. What makes Firelight so special? A lot of inspiration, each and every day. Much of this inspiration comes from working with the Firelight team—a hard-working, creative group of talented people dedicated to helping children. It’s a very powerful mix that leaves me with more energy at the end of the workday than I had at the start. Firelight’s strong belief in the power of community action is a unique hallmark of the Foundation. That belief inspires everything we do. One of Africa’s most abundant and renewable resources is solidarity— the willingness of a neighbor to help another neighbor. Firelight recognizes this strength and celebrates the small but mighty organizations that channel solidarity into positive change for children. Many of these organizations are idea-rich but cash-poor. This is where Firelight comes in, providing modest but dependable funding, advice, and support as the organizations grow. Firelight is a responsive funder, seeking to help what’s already going on rather than prescribing approaches. Our only directive to prospective grantee-partners is: “Show us that you are wellrooted in your community and that you’re well-run; and then tell us what you think would make the
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most difference for the well-being of children in your community.” There are still many funders and policymakers who see small grants given to small organizations as too risky or time- and resource-intensive. At Firelight, we see things quite differently. In our experience, our grants have been remarkably low-risk, because of the number of eyes on the cashbox in a community. We have lost less than two percent of the funds we have granted over 10 years, even though we would have accepted a considerably higher loss rate in order to be able to get funds directly to the grassroots. We are inspired by the creativity, hard work, and energy in each of these compassion-driven start-ups. Some of them will stay small and steady, and others will grow into large national nonprofits, but all make a big difference in children’s lives.
Peter Laugharn Executive Director
Firelight understands how crucial and ubiquitous these small organizations are in the ecosystem of child well-being. They are everywhere in Africa— South Africa alone has 50,000 grassroots groups. So it’s not a question of scaling up community action, but rather of “skilling up” and of helping these organizations become as effective as possible. During the last 10 years, Firelight has been on an inspiring journey, hand in hand and step in step with our grantee-partners. Over the next 10 years our focus will be on getting more funding to the grassroots, both through our own grantmaking and by advocating that other large funders do the same. We hope that you’ll come along with us on the next phase of our journey.
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THE NEED Children affected by AIDS & poverty In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 40 million children have been orphaned. 12 million of these children have lost at least one of their parents to HIV and AIDS, and millions more have been made vulnerable by poverty and the burden of caring for ill parents.
THE SOLUTION: COMMUNIT Y AC TION Communities changing children’s lives About 90% of all children affected by HIV, AIDS, and poverty are supported by extended families and small community-based organizations (CBOs) that work on a shoestring budget to help children stay in school and ensure that they have food, clothing, shelter, psychosocial support, and protection from abuse.
Close to 80% of the children orphaned by HIV and AIDS globally live in Sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly 60% of people live on less than $1 a day.
Communities mobilize local resources to help vulnerable children and families. They give their love and volunteer their time to provide care, grow food, and give clothes to children. This strong community Strengthening solidarity builds children’s resilience.
Every day another 15,000 children lose their mother or father to AIDS and other causes.
communities to keep children in families =
Remarkably, most orphans and vulnerable children in Africa live with families, including surviving parents, extended family members, or “foster” families in their communities.
The challenge is that most of these families are living in poverty and struggling to provide for their children’s care. African communities are responding to this need. Community members are working together to strengthen the capacity of families and communities to meet the needs of children, helping children remain in families where they grow best.
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The Need & The Solution
But the resources of these grassroots groups are being stretched to the limit as the heavy toll of HIV, AIDS, and poverty rises and the global economy worsens, making affected children and families more vulnerable.
Firelight seeks to overcome the two biggest obstacles faced by community groups: a lack of recognition and insufficient funding of their work. We are one of a very few foundations that partners with small CBOs supporting vulnerable children and families in the hardest-hit areas of Africa. Over 10 years of operation, we have seen that our approach works. Building on the resources of African communities and strengthening local organizations leaves them better able to respond to the strains of HIV, AIDS, and poverty.
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THE WAY WE WORK 1
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THE NEED
THE FIRELIGHT RESPONSE
HIV, AIDS, and poverty are taking a heavy toll on children and families in Sub-Saharan Africa, where too few resources reach their communities.
Firelight directly funds CBOs and helps build their capacity to reach more vulnerable children and families and to become self-sustaining.
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CBOs improve the well-being of children and families by deploying holistic, sustainable, and locally-tailored programs* that: Meet basic material needs:
Material Assistance
Food/Nutrition/Agriculture
Economic Strengthening Provide care, support & protection:
Psychosocial Support
Children’s Rights Facilitate access to governmentprovided services:
Education
Health care/HIV
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The increased well-being of children
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE
THE COMMUNIT Y SUPPORT SYSTEM
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THE COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE Communities identify the needs, mobilize networks and resources, and formalize efforts by creating community-based organizations (CBOs) that: • Provide direct support to vulnerable children and families • Strengthen volunteer and caregiver networks • Advocate for improved government policies and greater access to services.
* For a full list of Firelight’s grants and grantee-partner program areas, go to www.firelightfoundation.org.
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OUR PROGRAMS Building on our strengths
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e Firelight Foundation Th has been an amazing example of how knowledge is the most valuable philanthropic tool. By opening up their knowledge to influence other donors’ grantmaking, they have had an outsized impact.
Ten years ago, Firelight developed a Grantmaking Program to effectively channel resources to small, local community-based organizations (CBOs), with guidance from our Africa-based Advisory Council.
– Sean Stannard-Stockton, CEO, Tactical Philanthropy Advisors
Ten years later, our core programs affirm what our grantee-partners have told us from the beginning: It is not just about the money. It is also about partnership and engagement, strengthening organizations, and learning.
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From its beginning, Firelight has embodied the fundamentally important principle that the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children are built—effectively and sustainably—by supporting and strengthening the capacities of those closest to them. Firelight has also played critically important leadership roles among both technically-oriented and faith-based organizations in helping to conceptualize the best collective way forward for child protection and care.
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– John Williamson, International Advisor on Child Protection & Co-author of “Children on the Brink”
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THE BUILDING BLOCKS
Firelight’s work has been built on a set of core principles that inform what we do and how we do it: 1 We believe that children grow best in families.
Firelight partners with CBOs to support community efforts to strengthen families and improve the lives of vulnerable children. CBOs have the grounding to work with their communities to identify the most vulnerable families and develop targeted solutions to local problems.
SEVEN-YEAR PARTNERSHIPS
2 We understand that improving the well-being of children requires holistic and integrated approaches that meet the wide-ranging needs of children and help facilitate access to essential services.
Firelight recognizes that improving the lives of children and families takes time and resources. We put most of our resources into our Grantmaking Program, which makes direct grants to community organizations responding to the needs of vulnerable children and families.
Grassroots organizations work to meet a wide range of children’s needs by directly providing material support, care, and protection, as well as facilitating access to government-provided services such as education and health care. 3 We recognize that community resources are stretched to the limit and focus on channeling resources to CBOs.
Using a thorough review process, we select grassroots groups that work effectively to mobilize community resources to meet the needs of children. We develop partnerships with them that respect their local knowledge and leadership. We keep our grant sizes at levels that small organizations can manage. We fund both program and overhead costs so that organizations can do their core work while paying rent, salaries, and other expenses.
The typical Firelight partnership with a grantee-partner lasts from five to seven years. This duration of funding provides financial stability to the organizations, allowing them to plan for the long term. By gradually increasing grant sizes according to the capacity of the granteepartner, we support measured and sustainable growth. We aim to provide larger grants in the last two years of funding to help organizations sustain their work as they graduate from Firelight funding. In addition to directly funding CBOs, we are expanding our effort to build a network of African grassroots grantmakers. These established and experienced organizations are wellpositioned to reach smaller, more remote, and informal emerging
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groups and provide them with mentoring and support in the early stages of development. A new focus of our Grantmaking Program is providing support to grassroots organizations leading national-level advocacy efforts, giving them a platform to inform and influence national policies impacting children.
partner networks that provide opportunities for organizations to connect, share, and learn from each other. Our local program consultants provide ongoing mentoring and guidance. Firelight’s weekly newsletter provides a forum for sharing programming and funding information with grantee-partners.
STRENGTHENING ORGANIZATIONS & PROGRAMS
LEARNING TOGETHER
Driven by the desire to make a tangible difference in children’s lives, many grassroots organizations seek to improve their programs and serve a greater number of children. They realize that this requires resourcefulness, careful planning, and thoughtful growth and expansion of programs. Firelight’s Capacity Building Program helps grantee-partners meet these increased demands by supporting efforts to build the skills and knowledge of their leaders, staff, and volunteers. We fund community organizations to receive training in organizational management, program planning, implementation and evaluation, and governance. We have developed 2000 to 2010
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Firelight has always learned by doing, and has always learned alongside our grantee-partners. This approach has enhanced our grantmaking strategy and shaped the development of our Capacity Building Program. In recent years we have made our learning about how CBOs work more structured and purposeful. Our Organizational Learning Program employs both formal and informal approaches to learning. We observe and document effective strategies, coming together to learn and reflect. We systematically analyze the data we have collected over the years and synthesize our lessons into practical knowledge. These strategies help us to more effectively support our partners, and in turn, assist them with
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improving their own programs. They also help us to inform and persuade other donors about the importance of getting resources to the grassroots.
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ADVOCATING FOR INCREASED RESOURCES & EFFEC TIVE SUPPORT
Firelight understands that our funding meets a very small portion of the need on the ground. Whenever possible, we use our voice and the voices of our grantee-partners to advocate for more resources to support the valuable work of grassroots groups helping children and families. Using the knowledge from our learning efforts, our Communications Program raises greater awareness and understanding of the efficacy of a community-based approach. Through our Advocacy Program, we engage with government, philanthropic, and faith-based groups—which together contribute more than $1 billion a year for children affected by HIV and AIDS—to encourage them to increase the amount of funding and support reaching the grassroots.
Over the past 10 years, Firelight has been a leader in grassroots grantmaking in Africa, reaching communities and strengthening organizations overlooked by other funders. American Jewish World Service has always drawn inspiration from Firelight’s capacity to bring forward the best caregivers and activists working to protect children from the effects of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic. We have been honored to partner with Firelight on many occasions. As we say in the Jewish tradition, ‘You are not obligated to complete the task, but you cannot refuse to participate.’ That is the challenge that Firelight has accepted, and we wish you many more decades of success!
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– Ruth Messinger, President, American Jewish World Service
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The Firelight Foundation has done something extremely rare in philanthropy: It has listened and it has learned. I deeply admire Firelight’s commitment to serving those in need, rather than its own preconceptions and agendas.
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– Timothy Ogden, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Philanthropy Action
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In 10 years, Firelight awarded more than 1,100 GRANTS totaling nearly $14 MILLION reaching 330
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS serving an estimated
250,000 CHILDREN in *
10 Sub-Saharan African countries. * Based on the average number of child beneficiaries per grant in 2009. In order to avoid inflation of beneficiary numbers, we count children reached by multiple programs only once and do not include children who are reached only through indirect, low-touch mass channels.
Play
Love
Growth
Family
Education
Health
Food
Care
2000–2010 Timeline
OUR CORE WORK
1999 After becoming beneficiaries of a Silicon Valley public offering in 1999, Kerry Olson and her husband, Dave Katz, founded the Firelight Foundation (FF) to support children affected by HIV, AIDS, and poverty.
Initial Endowment: $12,678,000
Grantmaking and Capacity Building: Channeling resources directly to the grassroots; taking a long-term approach to our granteepartnerships; and strengthening community-based organizations.
Equipping the Foundation with the legal, financial, human, operational, and knowledge resources to be able to conduct our core work and leverage our programs.
Firelight makes first grant to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation to reduce mother-to-child transmission of AIDS in Africa.
Outreach to raise awareness about the needs of vulnerable children and families starts early. At the Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, Firelight hosts its first roundtable on children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
Firelight issues its first call for proposals.
Program Director Tammy Moody and Advisory Council (AC) member Suzi Peel attend International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, and visit communitybased organizations (CBOs) in 5 African countries.
First Firelight AC meeting in which first round of proposals is reviewed.
Firelight moves to its first office in Santa Cruz, CA. Tammy Moody serves as volunteer program director. Cheryl TalleyMoon, administrative assistant, becomes first staff member.
FY* 2000: $8,100 in public support (individuals).
Firelight Advisory Council (AC) is established, including founding members Jen Astone, Natasha Martin, and Suzi Peel. Debra Evans and Nancy Shallow join Kerry Olson and Dave Katz on the Firelight Board of Directors.
FY* 2000: 2 grants totaling $22,500 awarded.
Firelight website is launched. Firelight provides seed funding for Rory Kennedy’s film Pandemic: Facing AIDS. Firelight co-hosts meeting in New York City for 28 foundations and NGOs on orphans and vulnerable children in Africa, timed to coincide with the Special Session of the UN General Assembly on HIV/AIDS. Firelight’s grantmaking focuses on 6 African countries (Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) based on HIV and AIDS rates, level of need, and opportunity for impact. Renewal grants continue to be made in Lesotho, Kenya, and Uganda. First Firelight granteepartner meetings in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. FY 2001: 47 grants totaling $636,300 awarded. $134,130 in program services** provided. Firelight receives first public donations from individuals and businesses.
2001
In December 1999, the Firelight Foundation incorporated and was endowed as a private foundation with a mission to address the needs of children orphaned and affected by HIV, AIDS, and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.
RESOURCING FIRELIGHT
Olson and Katz made their decision to focus on this issue after a thoughtful process including research of philanthropic opportunities focused on children, AIDS, and Africa; participation in numerous conferences, workshops, and roundtables on the issue; and being inspired by stories of African grassroots initiatives serving children.
Increasing our knowledge and lessons learned, and amplifying our impact through public outreach, communications, advocacy, and strategic alliances.
Information gathering and outreach to organizations focused on Africa, AIDS, and children informs Firelight’s programs.
2000
Throughout the 1990s in regions hardest hit by HIV, AIDS, and poverty, African community-based organizations began to mobilize to respond to the needs of an increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children.
LEVERAGING OUR WORK
FIRELIGHT FOUNDATION: CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
Jen Astone becomes Executive Director (ED) and serves through 2007. FY 2001: $700 in public support (individuals).
Firelight hosts granteepartner and strategic alliance meeting at the International AIDS Conference in Barcelona.
100th Grant Awarded Firelight creates a privacy and confidentiality policy to respect and protect the identities of children and people living with HIV and AIDS in reports and publications. Lesotho becomes Firelight’s seventh focus country. FY 2002: 46 grants totaling $449,300 awarded. $263,800 in program services provided.
Firelight moves to larger offices. First two program officers are hired. FY 2002: $14,300 in public support (individuals). Additional endowment: $476,700.
FF is featured in COF publication: Successful Small Grants Programs: When A Little Goes a Long Way (Caroline D. Avery).
Firelight steps up capacity building support and launches its “META” (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Technical Assistance) Program. First technical assistance grant given: Firelight funds GRACE to conduct a five-day organizational development workshop for 14 grantee-partners from 5 countries.
Public support increases as Firelight is recognized as an effective grantmaker. FF hosts three donor outreach events and receives first foundation grant. Donor Advised Fund at Tides Foundation is established.
2003
Dr. Geoff Foster becomes first Africabased AC member.
Firelight presents at the Global Philanthropy Forum, Grantmakers Without Borders, the Council on Foundations (COF), and World Bank conferences.
FY 2003 Support: $284,600 (individuals); $317,300 (foundations); and $107,500 (through Tides Donor Advised Fund).
2004
2002
FF convenes meeting on “best practice” for orphans and vulnerable children in New York City bringing together 23 representatives of philanthropic, educational, civic, governmental, and religious organizations.
First Firelight video, “Stories from Kenya,” produced by Firelight donor and supporter, Jim Hayes, and Firelight co-founder Dave Katz.
First Annual Report covering 2000-2003 is published and later receives COF Wilmer Shields Award for Excellence in Communications. Kerry Olson and Dave Katz receive the Children Affected by AIDS “Ribbon of Dreams” award for founding Firelight to support vulnerable children.
First newsletter for grantee-partners is published. FY 2003: 78 grants totaling $720,800 awarded. $317,300 in program services provided.
Firelight mentors other foundations in a grassroots grantmaking model, serving as a resource to those interested in working with emerging CBOs. In 2004 alone, this results in more than $150,000 given to granteepartners by other foundations. FF provides 15 grantee-partners with “documentation and dissemination” grants, enabling them to share their work more broadly.
Firelight launches threeyear strategic plan (2004-2007), with goal of increasing grants to grassroots groups. FF receives grants from the Flora Family Foundation, the New Field Foundation, and its largest individual donation to date ($300,000) from an anonymous donor.
FF is featured in COF publication: Making A Difference in Africa: Advice from Experienced Grantmakers (Rob Buchanan and Jayne Booker).
FY 2004: 109 grants totaling $825,400 awarded. In addition, $307,500 granted through the Tides Donor Advised Fund. $394,500 in program services provided.
Firelight donor and supporter, Cathy Aronson, raises $13,000 for Firelight biking across the US (and raises thousands more in 2006 and 2010). FY 2004 Support: $140,500 (individuals); $310,000 (foundations); and $307,500 (through Tides).
ED Jen Astone co-chairs COF and European Foundation Center joint working group to develop Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy.
FF convenes “think-tank” in London, bringing together 17 researchers, specialists, and community-based partners to explore innovative and community-driven approaches to monitoring and evaluation.
Firelight publishes Promise of a Future advocacy paper to raise awareness about the importance of family and community-based care. FF joins Bernard van Leer Foundation, International AIDS Alliance, and Teresa Group to form the Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS (CCABA) to increase the visibility of children’s issues at International AIDS Conferences.
Firelight awards first intermediary grant to Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization (JeCCDO) to help extend FF’s funding to smaller CBOs in Ethiopia. FY 2005: 98 grants totaling $1,277,800 awarded. $54,000 granted through the Tides Donor Advised Fund. $639,400 in program services provided.
FF moves into its current office space in downtown Santa Cruz, CA. FY 2005 Support: $741,100 (individuals); $415,000 (foundations); and $284,000 (through Tides).
Firelight convenes African community leaders and key stakeholders in Cape Town, South Africa, for second “think-tank” on innovative approaches to monitoring and evaluation. Two-year programs to strengthen granteepartner monitoring and evaluation are launched in Lesotho, Malawi, and Zambia.
Firelight publishes and launches 30,000 copies of From Faith to Action: Strengthening Family and Community-Based Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa, a guide for faith-based groups and donors. Launched at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto. Firelight is featured in Legacy and Innovation: A Guidebook for Families on Social Change Philanthropy (Stephanie Yang and Changemakers).
FY 2006: 140 grants totaling $1,800,300 awarded. $267,300 granted through the Tides Donor Advised Fund. $942,800 in program services provided.
Founder Kerry Olson serves as founding member and Chair of the Better Care Network Faith-Based Outreach Committee (later renamed Faith to Action Initiative), a coalition promoting best practice in orphan and vulnerable children care among US faithbased groups. Firelight brings grassroots leader Mary Balikungeri, from Rwanda Women Community Development, to speak alongside Jeffrey Sachs at the Foreign Policy Roundtable meeting in Los Angeles.
FF staff adapt newsletter for grantee-partners into weekly Newsflash sharing information on programs, resourcing, and organizational development. Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator Jennifer Lentfer develops capacity self-assessment tool (“Building a Fire”) for CBOs. Firelight develops a toolkit on organizational management for emerging CBOs.
Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and Nike Foundation Grassroots Girls Initiative (GGI) begin funding FF. 18-year old Julia Feinberg is awarded $6,500 from Make-aWish Foundation and chooses to give it all to FF. FY 2006 Support: $536,100 (individuals); $2,624,200 (foundations); and $267,300 (through Tides).
2007
2005
Firelight receives multi-year grant from Johnson & Johnson and its first grant from American Jewish World Service (AJWS).
2006
Five-year anniversary events and AC meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, featuring meetings with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and with grantee-partners. Firelight co-sponsors launch of Voices and Visions: Rights and Realities exhibit created by the Children’s Rights Center.
Firelight Program Officer Jennifer Anderson-Bahr shares Firelight’s work in Lesotho with Britain’s Prince Harry at Windsor Great Park in London. In Barron’s Magazine’s Special Report on Philanthropy, “Giving Wisely,” Firelight’s work is recognized when founders Kerry Olson and Dave Katz are honored as being among 10 of the most “thoughtful and effective donors in the United States”. Firelight holds special AC session on economic strengthening programs with microenterprise experts Jill Donahue and Godfrey Kasozi (from CETRUD, Uganda). Firelight funds CETRUD to facilitate a Uganda grantee-partner study tour on strengthening income-generating activities. FY 2007: 181 grants totaling $2,180,500 awarded. $10,000 granted through the Tides Donor Advised Fund. $1,306,000 in program services provided. Firelight strengthens its organizational capacity, creating the Director of Programs, Director of Communications & Advocacy, and Director of Development positions. FF meets its three-year strategic goal of increasing grantmaking by an average $300,000 per year. Firelight receives its first grant from The ELMA Foundation. FY 2007 Support: $937,900 (individuals) and $1,866,500 (foundations).
Firelight conducts a rapid assessment of how the emergency situation in Zimbabwe affects grantee-partners, and in response, convenes a “Care for the Caregivers” workshop. Firelight formalizes relationships with country resource people, who provide local support to grantee-partners and field-based analysis to FF’s Grantmaking Program.
Naomi Natale’s Cradle Project exhibition and fundraiser is held in Albuquerque, NM, raising more than $70,000 for Firelight. FY 2008 Support: $492,400 (individuals) and $3,194,400 (foundations).
Firelight’s new brand, website, blog, and social network presences are launched. Firelight convenes three-day meeting on child abuse and child protection in Malawi attended by 23 grantees from 9 African countries.
FY 2008: 180 grants totaling $1,970,500 awarded. $1,677,400 in program services provided.
FF provides increased funding, training, and tools for emerging intermediary organizations, helping them build their capacity to become grassroots grantmakers. Five-Year Strategic Plan (2009-13) formalizes multi-year partnerships and comprehensive approach to capacity building. During the economic downturn, Firelight’s major funders continue to maintain their past levels of support, either increasing funding or awarding multi-year grants.
2009
Peter Laugharn becomes FF’s Executive Director.
Firelight adopts a structured “learning agenda” to distill lessons learned to improve Firelight and grantee-partner programming and to advocate for channeling more resources to the grassroots.
FF is able to maintain its grantmaking and program work, and to continue its level of funding supporting grantee-partners.
ED Peter Laugharn & AC Member Howard Kasiya brief US Congress members on supporting community action. Firelight co-hosts the Stanford Symposium on Vulnerable Children with presentations by Firelight AC members. Firelight holds annual event on World AIDS Day (Dec. 1st) at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco. Firelight grantee-partner and “CNN Hero,” Betty Makoni of the Girl Child Network in Zimbabwe, keynotes.
Firelight funds Justice for Children Trust to hold a workshop for all Zimbabwean partners on how to engage in the constitutional revision process to enshrine children’s rights in the constitution. 1,000th Grant Awarded FY 2009: 181 grants totaling $1,675,600 awarded. $268,000 granted through the Tides Donor Advised Fund. $1,519,300 in program services provided. FY 2009 Support: $153,100 (individuals) and $2,425,600 (foundations).
Firelight Special Edition of the Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies (VCYS) Journal, “Community Action: Supporting Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS and Poverty in Southern Africa”, is launched at the CCABA Symposium in Vienna during the XVIII International AIDS Conference. FF publishes its 10-Year Anniversary Report in celebration of a decade of grantmaking and incorporation as a public charity.
Firelight staff and country resource people conduct “action research” projects in Malawi and Zimbabwe on early childhood development programs and organizational resilience. Findings are shared at international conferences.
Firelight conducts a survey of granteepartners’ support of children’s education to inform FF’s programming and advocacy.
Firelight develops and shares “Learning Circle” guidelines to support emerging partner networks and strengthen cross-partner learning in Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Beginning of FY 2011*: 117 grants totaling $1,401,000.
With growing public support, the Firelight Foundation becomes a public charity.
FY 2010: 5 grants totaling $23,000 awarded. $861,100 in program services provided.
FY 2010 through the beginning of FY 2011* Support: $402,000 (individuals) and $1,258,000 (foundations).
A public Board of Directors is recruited. Kerry Olson and Dave Katz are joined by Jonathan Lewis, Barbara Fagan-Smith, Geoff Foster, and Diana Aubourg Millner.
* “FY” refers to Firelight’s “Fiscal Year”. Until recently, FF’s fiscal year began on October 1 and ended on September 30. With the transition to public charity in July 2010, FF’s fiscal year was shifted to begin on July 1 and end on June 30. ** “Program services” include all charitable expenses beyond direct grant awards (grantmaking, capacity building, organizational learning, and communications and advocacy expenses).
TOTAL GRANTS: $14 MILLION | TOTAL PROGRAM SERVICES: $8 MILLION | TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPORT: $17 MILLION
The second edition of From Faith to Action is published with supporting statements from faith leaders and a total of 32 endorsing organizations.
Five-Year Strategic Plan (2009-13) is launched. New programs in Communications, Advocacy, and Organizational Learning increase impact.
2010
The Cradle Project exhibit in Albuquerque, NM, attracts more than 1,000 visitors. The Cradle Project book is published to raise awareness and funds.
2008
ED Peter Laugharn chairs the Coalition on Children Affected by AIDS (CCABA).
Advisory Council (AC) member Linda Richter gives plenary speech on solutions for children affected by AIDS—the first at any International AIDS Conference—in Mexico City, launching a broad discussion of the importance of family-centered services.
PIRO (Tanzania) empowers community committees to monitor at-risk children, remove them from child labor, and support their transition into school.
FEDOMA (Malawi) educates NGOs and service providers on how to extend services to children with disabilities. FOCUS (Malawi) builds the capacity of youth clubs to champion children’s rights and protect children from abuse.
WOMEDA (Tanzania) works with widows to preserve their legal and land rights.
NACC (Malawi) supports FLP (South Africa) community-based provides health-based childcare centers to literacy training to lowcare for young children. literacy families so that children can succeed in and out of school. CETRUD (Uganda) supports caregivers of orphans to start their own businesses and organic gardens. YOUTH FOR CHANGE (Zambia) builds the capacity of community committees to prevent and respond to violence against children.
ASSOCIATION TUVUGE TWIYUBAKA (Rwanda) holds community and school dialogues on HIV, AIDS, and human rights to overcome stigma and discrimination in the community.
JCT (Zimbabwe) provides training to communitybased organizations to advocate for the inclusion of children’s rights in the new Zimbabwean constitution.
TUJIKOMBOE (Tanzania) catalyzes national-level advocacy and policy changes and conducts communitylevel legal training and mobile birth registration programs.
GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED SERVICES
TS’OSANE (Lesotho) mentors local support groups to provide care, support, and protection to vulnerable children.
RWN (Rwanda) supports groups that help children, youth, and survivors of sexual violence by providing health care, psychosocial and socioeconomic support, and human rights training.
PIH/IMB (Rwanda) works with the Rwandan Ministry of Health and local communities to facilitate access to health care and economic empowerment.
CIVIL SOCIETY
FAMILY/CAREGIVERS
CHILDREN
OUR GRANTEES‘ WORK
MCC (Zambia) trains guardians and deploys community health workers and nurses to provide quality homebased health care to children living with HIV.
JeCCDO (Ethiopia) provides technical assistance and small grants to emerging communitybased organizations to support the direct services they provide to vulnerable children.
COMMUNITY GROUPS/MEMBERS
EMPILWENI (South Africa) provides individual and group counseling to bereaved and abused children.
YOCIC (Zimbabwe) trains caregivers in counseling skills to better support orphaned and vulnerable children in their care.
FST (Zimbabwe) works with government hospitals to enhance their ability to care for sexually-abused children by establishing specialized clinics.
INGALO ZOMUSA (Zimbabwe ) assists the Department of Social Welfare to provide birth certificates to children, which are key to protecting their political, legal, and socioeconomic rights.
CETRUD: Centre for Environment Technology and Rural Development | FEDOMA: The Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi | FLP: Family Literacy Project | FOCUS: Foundation for Community Support Services | FST: Family Support Trust | JCT: Justice for Children Trust | JeCCDO: Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization | MCC: Matero Care Center | NACC: Namwera AIDS Coordinating Committee | PIH/IMB: Partners in Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima | PIRO: The Pemba Island Relief Organisation | RWN: Rwanda Women Community Development Network | WOMEDA: Women Emancipation and Development Agency | YOCIC: Youth for A Child in Christ
THE LIFE-CHANGING POWER OF THE GRASSROOTS A message from the Director of Programs, Zanele Sibanda
“Working with limited resources, CBOs harness the collective power of communities to drive social change.” OVER THE LAST DECADE, FIRELIGHT HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO LISTEN, LEARN, SUPPORT, AND CHAMPION THE WORK OF MORE THAN 300 COMMUNIT Y-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOs) WORKING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Our partnerships are built on trust and mutual respect. We draw energy and inspiration from these grassroots organizations as they draw upon resources and encouragement from us. Although they are all too often seen as peripheral to global efforts to improve the well-being of vulnerable children, their track record tells a very different story. Working with limited resources, CBOs harness the collective 2000 to 2010
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power of communities to drive social change. They show courage and resilience in the midst of adversity. They learn and adapt to increase their effectiveness. These grassroots groups do not work alone. They establish linkages with government and other organizations to access additional support and resources for the children and families they serve.
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They mobilize community members to build up their volunteer corps, strengthen indigenous community structures, and create a vital safety net of care and support for vulnerable children and families. The three organizations profiled in this 10-Year Anniversary Report are among the first CBOs funded by Firelight. Each began as a targeted effort to support a small group of children in their communities. Using a rigorous review process, Firelight staff selected these groups from among hundreds. Benefitting from funding, training, networking, and encouragement, all three have become
established organizations transforming the lives of children and families while continuing to grow from strength to strength. Multiply the remarkable impact of these three organizations by the thousands of other CBOs in Sub-Saharan Africa working to fulfill the promise of a brighter future for children and families in need. Their collective efforts have created a positive sea change for children all over Africa. We are heartened and proud to be supporting the unfolding of a social movement working to meet the needs and realize the rights of children, even as it changes thousands of children’s lives, one child at a time. Message from Programs
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A COMMUNIT Y SUPPORT NE T WORK GIVES NEW LEASE ON LIFE Bwafwano Community Home-Based Care Program
“All of this work is made possible by a cadre of more than 500 community-based care volunteers.” FIRELIGHT SUPPORTS COMMUNIT Y AC TION TO BRING HOPE TO CHILDREN. BWAFWANO USED FIRELIGHT FUNDING TO BUILD UP AN EXTENSIVE NET WORK OF COMMUNIT Y SUPPORT AROUND CHILDREN, INCLUDING PROGRAMS TARGETING THE NEEDS OF YOUTH. BECAUSE THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM IS SO CENTRAL TO CHILDREN’S EVERYDAY LIVES, BWAFWANO IS BET TER ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO CHILDREN’S NEEDS.
If it weren’t for Bwafwano Community Home-Based Care Program, Patrick Sinyangwe might not have had the opportunity to get an education. Patrick was only three years old when his father died. His mother could barely feed Patrick and his four siblings. The 26
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Sinyangwe family found themselves struggling to survive. Fortunately for them, not too much time passed before volunteers from Bwafwano— a grassroots group located in the Zambian capital of Lusaka— identified and selected Patrick and his family to participate in
its programs. Patrick’s mother joined a support group where she learned about micro-finance and business development. Patrick and his siblings participated in Bwafwano’s orphans and vulnerable children support program.
settlement in Lusaka, saw that the clinic was sending most of its patients home to die. Given the extreme poverty, limited public services, lack of medical treatment, and stigma, most of those patients faced difficult and undignified deaths.
Even early on, the care and support that Bwafwano’s volunteers gave to Patrick’s family made a world of difference for them, paving the way for their future well-being and success.
In this community facing poverty and a high rate of HIV and AIDS, the need for care and support was particularly acute.
Bwafwano (meaning “helping one another”) was launched in 1996 when Beatrice Chola, a nurse working at a government clinic in a high-density squatter
Responding to this need, Beatrice started a home-based care program to care for the chronically ill and dying. Initially, the program served individuals living with HIV, AIDS, and tuberculosis, but was soon 2000 to 2010
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expanded to support the children they left behind. Today, Bwafwano provides a full range of integrated health services, including a community health clinic with a diagnostic lab, HIV and AIDS testing and counseling, as well as an antiretroviral treatment program. The scale of Bwafwano’s reach is evident in the number of beneficiaries the group has served. At its inception, the group was caring for 180 HIV, AIDS, and tuberculosis patients. Today, Bwafwano serves more than 4,000 adults through its comprehensive programs. The organization also offers programs and services for children and youth. Serving 125 children in 1998, today Bwafwano reaches more than 11,500 children scattered throughout seven communities. Through its community committees network, the group makes every effort to meet the emotional, health, nutritional, and educational needs of children. All of Bwafwano’s work is made possible by a cadre of more
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than 500 community-based care volunteers—trained and deployed by Bwafwano staff. More than 225 of these community volunteers are focused on providing care and support to young people; facilitating access to government-provided services such as education and health services; and protecting children and youth from violence.
Today, Bwafwano serves more than 4,000 adults and 11,500 children.
Boys and girls benefit from a recreation and life skills program, and sexual reproductive health and vocational training. Graduates of the Bwafwano program have gone on to become youth leaders in other organizations across Lusaka. For Patrick and his family, Bwafwano’s programs have provided a new lease on life.
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First, Patrick enrolled in Bwafwano’s community school, then received support to attend a government school to complete his primary education. Today, he is in the 11th grade, poised to graduate from high school. While going to school, Patrick participated in Bwafwano’s life skills program and was trained as a peer educator. Because of his leadership skills, he was elected chairperson of the Anti-AIDS Club in Kamwala High School. “I am very grateful to Bwafwano for giving me opportunities that have changed my life. I may face challenges in life, but I have been given the opportunity to make something of myself,” Patrick said.
Bwafwano’s Community Health Clinic brings antiretroviral treatment to the community, extending the lives of parents.
In the 14 years since it opened its doors, Bwafwano’s success has been built on an effective strategy of mobilizing community volunteers and creating a strong network of care and support for children made vulnerable by HIV, AIDS, and poverty. The remarkable result is a brighter future for Patrick, his family, and thousands of other children and families.
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TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF YOUNG GIRLS WEM Integrated Health Services (wemihs)
“The RAY program is focused on building a support system that serves as a catalyst for change in the girls’ lives.” FIRELIGHT BELIEVES THAT THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES SHOULD DRIVE THE PROGRAMS OF ITS GRANTEE-PARTNERS. THAT RESPEC T FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP ENABLED WEMIHS TO DEVELOP LIFE-TRANSFORMING PROGRAMS THAT MEET THE MATERIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ESSENTIAL SERVICE NEEDS OF YOUNG GIRLS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
What difference can an organization make in the life of a girl? As it turns out, a huge difference. Four young women—Julia, Jane, Lucy, and Faith—participated in the Responding to AIDS Among Youth (RAY) program run by WEM Integrated Health Services (WEMIHS) in Kenya. Their stories illustrate just how much the RAY program has changed their lives. 28
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As the AIDS epidemic was hitting the community of Thika in central Kenya, three women founded WEMIHS to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS by sharing information and encouraging increased testing. They quickly realized that the terminally ill needed home-based health care services. Through home visits, WEMIHS staff saw that young women carried most of the burden of
care—nursing, bathing, and feeding the sick and dying members of their families. At the same time, the young women were also responsible for feeding their younger brothers and sisters and getting them to school. This left the girls little time for school or friends. To give them a chance for a better life, WEMIHS designed RAY, a support program that addresses the multiple challenges that limit girls’ life choices. To reduce the burden carried by young women, community volunteers provide home-based care for the sick adults and WEMIHS supplies food packs to feed the families.
The heart of the RAY program is focused on building a support system that serves as a catalyst for change in the girls’ lives. Counseling, love, and support from WEMIHS staff nurtures self-confidence in the young women. Youth clubs provide a forum for peer mentoring in which the girls learn about sexual reproductive health, HIV prevention, and other important life skills. As Julia, one of the four young women, described it, “Through the RAY program, we learned who we are and identified our talents. We learned how to prioritize and manage our time.”
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The skills the young women learned not only helped them to make informed life choices, but also to get and retain good jobs.
opportunities for the young women with local businesses, government, and nongovernmental organizations.
Jane explained: “I learned how to work with all kinds of people and to motivate them to take action on community issues. These skills got me my current job with a nongovernmental organization that works on improving access to services like water.”
Over time, the girls saw a difference in the way their parents treated them. As Lucy put it, “After a forum organized by the RAY program, parents began to see us in a different light and came to [not only rely on us but] also trust us.”
Thanks to the information the girls received about sexuality and reproductive health, many were able to avoid the double trap of early pregnancy and early marriage. At a time when so many young people are living with AIDS, these young women are healthy and AIDS-free.
The RAY program has changed the lives of scores of girls and young women.
Enrollment in vocational training programs, including tailoring, secretarial skills, business management, as well as leadership and advocacy courses opened up new possibilities for employment for the young women. Instead of being limited to domestic work, agricultural labor, goods-hawking, and the sex trade, the RAY program opened up a new set of job
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The wider community also started to treat the girls with respect. “The RAY program helped the community to understand that youth can have a positive impact on society,” said Faith. “In the voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing clinic, grown-ups saw us as people with information and came to us to help solve problems. When
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someone my mother’s age came and asked me for help, I felt this was something. It made me feel proud and important, and wanting to learn more. It was nice to know they had confidence in us.” Today, all four young women are well-adjusted adults leading stable and fulfilling lives. They are making their own decisions about who to marry and how many children to have. One of them is attending college; another is married and staying home with her child; and the others are working in good jobs. WEMIHS staff are proud of the wonderful young women that they have become. For Julia, Jane, Lucy, Faith, and all of the other girls and young women, RAY isn’t just a program they participated in. By giving them the tools, skills, and support they needed to overcome great hardship and explore new avenues, RAY has changed the entire course of these young women’s lives in very positive and lasting ways.
At WEMIHS’ 2010 Intergenerational Conference, young girls discuss the issues they face in their everyday lives.
Moved by the impact of HIV and AIDS on their community, Esther Gatua, Wairimu Mungai, and Florence Mwihaki Githiori (pictured left to right) drew on their professional experiences and community ties to establish WEMIHS.
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PROTECTING & NURTURING CHILDREN The Child Protection Society (cps)
“CPS’ family-based approach enables the children to build strong personal relationships.” FOUNDED ON A BELIEF IN THE FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD, FIRELIGHT FUNDING HELPED INITIATE THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHILD PROTEC TION SOCIET Y’S (CPS) APPROACH FROM INSTITUTIONAL CARE TO FAMILY-ST YLE HOMES. TODAY, CPS MOBILIZES COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES SO THAT FEWER CHILDREN ARE PLACED IN ORPHANAGES.
In a country like Zimbabwe, where as many as 25 percent of children are orphans, it is easy to think that orphanages are the answer. But research confirms that children who grow up in families have a sense of hope and security. Familial relationships provide the essential ingredients that
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build a child’s self-esteem and resilience to overcome life’s challenges. The community that surrounds the family—aunts and uncles, neighbors, and church groups— provides children with a sense of belonging, an opportunity to learn life lessons, and a safety net of support and protection.
While orphanages may provide food and clothing, they are often unable to give children the things they most need: caring, nurturing relationships, and a sense of connectedness. The Child Protection Society (CPS)—one of the oldest child welfare organizations in Zimbabwe—has made it their mission to ensure that, whenever possible, children without families grow up within familytype settings. CPS provides residential care for abandoned, abused, disabled, and terminally ill children. For many years, the organization operated “Chinyaradzo,” a large
dormitory-style home for children who had been separated from their families. But over time, CPS learned that life in a dormitory deprives children of the kind of nurturing and supportive relationships that children typically experience within a family. CPS staff witnessed firsthand the challenges that young people faced as they left Chinyaradzo. Isolation from family and the larger community did little to prepare them for life outside the orphanage, making it difficult for them to relate to other people and integrate into the society around them.
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External research and their own experience compelled CPS to transform Chinyaradzo from an orphanage housing 60 children into six family-modeled homes. In each of the six homes, carefully selected and trained houseparents care for approximately eight to ten children, ranging in age from infancy to 18 years of age. Two of the six homes are completely integrated into the community, with the children attending local schools and playing with other children in the neighborhood. In CPS’ nurturing family-style homes, each child can build personal relationships and learn family roles and responsibilities. The homes also teach children how to become self-sufficient and independent. Youth receive training in livelihood skills such as basic computing, graphic design, tailoring, woodworking, and screen-printing. Since transitioning to a familymodel home, the children are more emotionally secure and have a greater sense of belonging. In fact, CPS staff members have noticed significant increases in the children’s selfconfidence, overall well-being, and happiness. Daniel Lang has lived in Chinyaradzo since he was four. 2000 to 2010
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Now 15 years old, he reflects on his experience moving from a dormitory to a family-style group home: “When we were in dormitories, l did not have a sense of responsibility as everything was done for me. But that is different now. I truly feel that l belong to a family. Living in a family has taught me important values.”
CPS works to ensure that children grow up in the love, care, and protection of families. CPS did not stop there. Through research, the group learned that 78 percent of children in institutions have traceable relatives. They realized that in most of those cases, parents and grandparents placed their children in orphanages because they were unable to feed them or send them to school. Recognizing that there was an even greater opportunity to ensure that more children separated from their parents grew up in nurturing families, CPS decided to do something about this problem.
from the 72 orphanages scattered throughout Zimbabwe and reunite them with their families. Their thoughtfully designed process provides support both to the children and to the families to ensure successful reunifications. For those children who have no other options, CPS makes every effort to influence orphanages to create environments that offer children the kinds of relationships and way of life that they would normally experience growing up in a family. CPS also works to prevent the placement of children in orphanages by mobilizing communities to strengthen families in a variety of ways. Community volunteers work with families to address the issues that make it difficult for them to take care of their children, including HIV, AIDS, abuse, and insufficient parenting skills. CPS helps parents start gardens to grow food and engage in incomegenerating activities so that they can provide for their children. As a result of these efforts, families and communities have become stronger and better able to feed, clothe, and send their children to school. But most importantly, children are more likely to grow up in the love, care, and protection of families.
Tom is six years old and looks to his grandmother for care and love. Despite repeated attempts, she had been unsuccessful in obtaining a birth certificate for Tom— a document essential for him to be able to get an education, access health care and inheritance rights, and much more. Fortunately, Tom enrolled in one of CPS’ play centers for young children. It was through the center that Tom’s grandmother managed to get help. Now very proud of his birth certificate, Tom finally has an official identity and a recognized right to access critical government-provided services. More than 2,500 other children have benefitted from this program.
Today, the group leads nationwide efforts to remove children
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SUPPORT FIRELIGHT
“
I have been a fan and supporter of the Firelight Foundation virtually since its beginning. I am so moved by the deep understanding and sensitivity with which the Foundation works in concert with local, caring Africans to assist thousands of children in their own communities. Firelight is a remarkable and extremely effective organization that is making a very large difference for children in Africa. I see it as being a model for us to follow in trying to help people facing challenging situations in cultures far removed from our own, with compassion, deep respect, and the faith that all of us, everywhere, can truly make a difference in the lives of our fellow human beings. –Ali MacGraw, author, actress, activist
“
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Firelight’s impact has been profound. Supporting community projects with small grants in the low thousands of dollars has shown donors with multi-million dollar budgets that the best way to get results is to listen to community leaders and allow communities to set the agenda—not the other way around.
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– John Donnelly, former Boston Globe Africa correspondent & Vice President, Burness Communications
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WHY DONATE TO FIRELIGHT?
• Contributions to communitybased organizations have lifechanging impact on children’s lives. These funds are often the difference between a meal before bed or sleeping on an empty stomach. They enable children to attend school, opening opportunities for a brighter future.
In July 2010, the Firelight Foundation became a public charity, building on the momentum of public support and recognition we have gained over the last decade. Firelight’s new public charity status will open doors to new partnerships, outreach, and funding opportunities, enabling us to increase our support to the grassroots groups making such a big difference in the lives of children and families in need.
• Firelight is one of the few funders that makes grants directly to community-based organizations.
We are grateful to all of our dedicated donors who have supported us over the years and made our transition to public charity possible. Now more than ever, Firelight’s work and our grantees’ programs depend on the generosity of people like you. We hope that you will continue to support Firelight or, if you are new to us, will consider joining our community of dedicated donors.
• Firelight ensures that your contributions reach grassroots groups and local leaders who intimately know and care for children in need, but are too often not reached by other funders. For more than 30 percent of our grantees, we are their first funder. • Firelight’s grantee-partners mobilize local volunteers and resources that stretch your donation even further. • Firelight doesn’t just provide funding. Throughout our multi-year partnerships with grantees, we build their capacity to become sustainable organizations.
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EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS
A little goes a long way. Donations to Firelight go a long way in supporting our grantee-partners’ life-changing programs, thanks to contributions from local communities and volunteers. Communities know the best ways to reach children and families in need. The following are just a few examples of how effectively our grantees use Firelight funding: Keep a child in school: $5 can transport a child with disabilities to school for an entire school term. (ZIMBABWE PARENTS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, ZIMBABWE)
Help a family become self-sufficient and provide for their children: $50 can purchase farm animals and provide business training for a family. (WOMEN EMANCIPATION AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, TANZANIA) Keep children warm at night and help protect them from malaria and other diseases: $500 can supply 15 children with mosquito nets, blankets, as well as supplies and training in basic hygiene. (ASSOCIATION UBUMWE ST KISITO, RWANDA)
Train women to help them sustain themselves and their families: $5,000 can purchase sewing machines and provide training to help 30 women living with HIV earn livelihoods. (NETWORK OF ZAMBIA PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV, ZAMBIA)
Provide children with access to essential services: $10,000 can fund a one-year grant that supports multiple programs, including sending children to school, providing them with meals, and helping their guardians become economically self-sufficient. (CHILDREN IN DISTRESS, ZAMBIA)
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE DONATE ONLINE: (securely)
www.firelightfoundation.org Make a one-time gift or arrange for an automatic monthly donation. SEND A CHECK TO:
Firelight Foundation 740 Front Street, Suite 380 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 SHARE STOCK:
In a transfer to Firelight via Northern Trust Bank. GIVE INTO THE FUTURE:
With planned giving and bequests. SUBSCRIBE:
To our newsletter and publications; read our blog; and become our Facebook friend at: www.firelightfoundation.org QUESTIONS?
Please call: 831.429.8750 or send an email to development@ firelightfoundation.org
Thank you for your support! 2000 to 2010
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DONOR PROFILE: Cathy Aronson In June 2010 Cathy Aronson rode her bike 1,800 miles from Washington to North Dakota to raise funds for Firelight and awareness about children, AIDS, and poverty in Africa. Her cycling trip raised nearly $6,000 that will directly support a grassroots organization helping children and families in Africa. Previous rides in 2004 and 2006 have brought Cathy’s total funds raised to more than $20,000, and her total miles pedaled for Firelight to 8,300. “I get to do something I love and also help people at the same time. It’s a win-win,” Cathy said. “In 2002 I found out I have Multiple Sclerosis and became determined to stay in motion. I did my first cross-country trip in 2003. Then I watched a video about one of Firelight’s Zambian grantees. I was really taken by their work and decided that on my next ride I would raise money for Firelight.”
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DONORS
The following lists are current through October 2010.
INDIVIDUALS
Nicholas Barthel
Caitlin Brune
Paula Clupper
Jennifer Delaney
Richard Fleming
Suzanne Abel
Tina Barzegar
Sheila & Joseph Brune Jr.
Shauna & Randy Della
Julie Flieder
Morton & Sheppie Abramowitz
Katya Baslee
Alison Brush
Roberta Cohen & David A. Korn
Caroline Flowers
Bilge Bassani
Lisa Brush
David Collins
Audrey DeLoache Karen DeMorett
Kathleen Flynn-Barnett
Karim & Lisa Abuhamad
Jeri Battistoy & Sue Ann Robertson
Daniela Bryan
Robert Devlin
Sara Flynn-Murphy
Terry Baugh
Barnabe Diarra
Megan Fogarty
Deborah Bryant
Emiliano Dias
Gregory Ford
Robert Dixon
Merry Foss
Ann & John Dizikes
Emily Fox-Penner
Gerald & Margaret E. Doty
Lynn & Michael C. Freeman
Jerry & Chris Doerr
Pat & Michael French
Aditi Dubey
Eric Friedman
Mary Lee Duff
Carolyn Froeberg
Brooke Dulaney
David & Betsy Fullagar
Joan Duncan
Doug & Janine Fullmer
Ester & Christopher Ackerman Suzanne Staver Adams Judy Agid
Hossain & Joann Steck Bayat
B.P. & Vimal Agrawal
Jill Bean
Nayna Agrawal
Rob Becker
Laurie Ahern
Beth Beckner
Cengiz Alaettinoglu
Michael Beesley
David Alcantar
Beverly Bell
Page Allen & Nat O. Owings
Isaac & Andrea Bempong
Nancy Alpert
Anne Bengtson
Uzoma B. Amuta
Michael Berkovec
Frances Anamosa
Susan Berlow
Karen Ande & Jeff Johnson
Marci Berman
Bev Anderson
Lisa Berry & Leslie F. Johnson
Catherine Bryant Hilary & Dave Bryant Raquel Bueno Keyna Bugner Patrick & Linda Bujold Tom & Lore Burger Holly Burkhalter John & Naomi E. Burns
Lindsey Collins Mary & Kate Collins Sue & Elizabeth Colton Gabriel Constans & Audrey Blumeneau Mary Lou Cook Pam Cook Michelle Coons Maggie Cooper Wendy Cooper
Cheryl & Joseph Burrescia
Steven Corbato & Susan Bratton
Glee Harrah Cady
Claudia Cornish
Marjorie & Howard Ebright
Gina Annette Gagnon
Eileen Campbell
Janet & Bill Cornyn
Terry & Cathleen Eckhardt
Ingrid M. Gain
Kelly Campbell
David & Deborah Cosby
Judy Edghill
Connie Gainer
Kevin & Patrice Campbell
Dorothy & Bob Courtney
Martha Egan
Betsy Gaiser
Rose Campbell
Janice Coury
Moira Egan
Gaby Gani
Lawrence Carbone & David Takacs
Matthew Craner & Lynn Ploch-Craner
Britt L. Ehrhardt
Marcel & Elisabeth Gani
David Carey
George Ehrhardt
Kenneth Crepea
Aviva Garrett & David Doshay
Derek Carpenter
Peter Ehrhardt
Jill Croft
Paul Carpenter
Randle Ellington
Tim & Betsy Croft
Julie Blank
Cecilia Marie Carreon
Titia & Bill Ellis
Shannon & Jeffery Cronin
Cathy Aronson
Tony Carroll III
Michael & Jean Englade
Leo Blumberg-Woll & Lisa Woll
Jason & Michaela Crooks
Patrice Engle
Pete Aronson
Elizabeth Boardman
Winston Carroo & Mary Donovan
Peter Cross
Ingrid Erkman
Matthew & Carol Gilbert Arozian
Marla Bobowick
Dave & Linda Carter
Carol Ann Crow
Catherine Etherton
Barry Bolink
Rita Carter
Prudence Crowther
Debra & David Evans
Nick & Fran Bongo
Peter & Denise Castro
Alan Crystal & Marilyn Uzan
Richard Everett IV
Caroljean Bongo
Mildred & Gerald D. Chaffin
Joanne Csete
Joris Evers
Jayne Booker
Ted Chaiban
Dennis Culp & Simone Steinhaus-Culp
Julia Getzels & Benjamin L. Fine Arnab Ghatak
James Booth
Douglas Chamberlain
Barbara Fagan-Smith & Colin Smith
John & Patty Curran
Peter Booth
Anand Chandrasekaran
Timothy & Larissa K. Fain
Ron Da Silva
Concepcion & Benito Falcon
Michael Astone & Bettina Wromar
Gretchen Borchelt
Amee Chapman
Bill Dalo
Marie Martone Farrand
Nooshi Borhan
Thomas & Jo B. Chapman
Jay & Joanne Dalo
Blair Boudreau
Edith Chase Hardy
Sandy D. Fausone
Jessica Auchterlonie
Lewellyn Dameron
Roger & Carolyn Ayers
Andrea Dana-McCullough
Jeffrey Chow & Shirley Chen
Julia Feinberg
Russell & Anne R. Ayers
Jennifer Boulanger & Bruce Schillo
Rick Cheever
Kylie Fauth
Paul Ciccolella
Robert & Sarah Feinerman
Barbara Ayotte
Peter Boutel
Lynn Danielson
Gloria Bowen
Claire & Robert M. Dankoff
Randall Clare
Terri Fette
Catherine Bacon
Steven Boyd & Meriko Tamaki
Joshua Dankoff
Elizabeth Clearwater
Bruce & Lucy Finch
Brook & Nicole Bailey Lauren Bala
Jack Bradley
Bill & Elaine Darte
Sandra Clemens
Cindy Finks & James Hermens
Eric Balog
Mary Braun
Christopher Davis
Judy Clement
Joseph Davis
Sara & Robert Fitch
Russell Gold
Robert Bardin & B. Lyndall Callan
Nicola Brennan
Patsy Clement
Supriya Deas
William P. Fitzpatrick
Ethal Goldberg
Carol Jayne & Wayne Brucks
Amanda & Mark Clothier
Laureen DeBuono
James Flach
Howard Goldberg & Marcia David
Gena Anderson Lynn Anderson Stacey Anderson Teri & David Anderson Laura Arntson Brenda Aronowitz & Raymond Dyck
Frances Ashcroft Antonia Astone-Weissbein Barbara & Robert Astone Jennifer Astone Judy Astone & Donald Patten
34
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Donors
Debi Beyerbach Kamalinee Bhatt Leo Bicknell David & Elizabeth Birka-White
2000 to 2010
Des Gasper & Shanti George Michelle Gavin Mark Geiger John & Elise Gerich Kenneth Germer Arlene Getchell Vivian & Dominique Gettliffe
Paola Gianturco Sheila Giblin Jennifer Gilbert & Rob Fagen Laelia Gilborn & David Weller Marya Gilborn & Nicholas Miller Melissa & Marc Ginsberg Alexis & Marshall Girard Soma Glick Celia Goeckermann
|
www.firelightfoundation.org
Sandra Golden
James Hepner
Nora Jimenez
Sally Klein
Tony Li & Lisa Bourgeault
Gina & John K. McDonald
Margery Goldman & Marvin Naiman
Kathryn & Ian Hermann
Jill Johnson & Nigel Martin
Kristin Klempnauer
Mary Libbey
Annie McDonough
Julie Goldstein & Eric J. Goodman
Pedro Hernandez-Ramos
Cassandra Johnson
Mark Knopper
Heidi Lidtke
Esther Hewlett
Judy & Denton Johnson
Nancy L. & Edward J. Kopf
Lynn Lim
Douglas & Christine A. McGavin
Louise Heydt
Kristen & Jeremy T. Johnson
Sara Kopf
Joanna & Peter C. Linden
Robert Hickmott
Stephen Johnson
Sharon Kosecki
Eliza M. Linley
Tricia Hill
Adrienne Jones
Jacqueline Kovach
Laura Lo Castro
Yvonne Hines
Alan & Jacqueline Jones
Sandra & John Kovac
Kathlynn & James Lockard
Bonnie Ho
Stephanie Jones
Erik Kreil & Lucia Divenere
John Lohr
Bethany & Anthony M. Hoang
Matt & Sarah Jordan
Randall Kruep
W. M. Ray & Patty L. Lollis
Blaise Judja-Sato
Michael Kruger
Merike Kaeo
Roxanne Kumagai
Fabien Lombard & Liz Gilbreath
Sam McPherson
Lou Hochheiser
Herbert & Joy Dana Kaiser
Jay Kvam
John & Karin A. McQuillan
Myoung & Sung Mo Kang
Marilyn & Eric Lager
Joan Lombardi & Neville Beharie
Alan Kanner
Laura Langdon
Muhammad Ashraf Kapadia
Aili Langseth
Mark Lorey & Deborah Forbes
Sue Karant & Horace Small Jr.
Sandy Lansdale
Amy & Donald E. Low
Krishnan Kartha
Daniel LaPenta & Janice Paran
Mike Lowrie
Yoine Goldstein Vikki Golsh Sally Goodis W. Scott Gordon Robert Graffam Tom Graves Linda Gray David Grayson
Susan Clare Holliday
Melissa Greene Wylie & Janet Greig Shirley & Fred Griffiths Adam Grosser
Victoria Holt Becky Holtzman Beverly Honchorek
Ann Gubser Gretchen Gudenkauf Richard & Judith H. Guggenhime Veronica Guiry
Karl Horn Khristina Horn Wayne Huang Jeff Huber Vernie & Kathleen G. Hubert
Marcy Haberkorn
Aaron Huges & Stacy Taylor
Florence Hable
Mary Humbaugh
Ted Haddock
Laura Hunter
Justine Harden Robert Hall Karen Halverson & Steven Gilborn Susan & Mark Hamlin Ruthann & Jay Hammer Jane Hancock Glenn & Carin Hanna Peggy & James Hanna Cody Hanson Jade Hargrave Kate Harrison Jane Hartman Kari Hartwig Bryan Hassemer Susan & Chuck Hawley James Hayes Deborah Haynor & Joyce Colman Brenna & Dennis M. Healy John & Tracy Heathcote John & Susan Hebberger Bob Heer Kimberly Heldt Edward & Cheryl Heneveld
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Dave Katz & Kerry Olson A. Edward & Jeanette Katz Bob & Susan Kealhofer Jane Keckonen Keven Keller Suse Kelley Sally Kempton
Jennifer & Sean Larkin Belinda Latham Laura & Gary Lauder Marc, Lily & Kate Laugharn Peter Laugharn & Marie Kagaju Laugharn
Janelle London
Laura Lumpe Matt MacDonald Ali MacGraw Keith & Evy Macklis Charles & Terrie A. Mahala Mary & Tom Malone
Sherrie & Brian McMahon Philip McManus & Betsy Fairbanks Danny & Heather McPherson Gerry & Miriam McNearney Mark Merrill Miriam & Felicia Messinger-Hayes Kraig Meyer Elone Miller John Miller Lisa Miller & Bryan Gaynor Sheril Miller Stanley & Eileen A. Miller Cheryl & Richard C. Mills Neeraj Mistry Philip & Maribel Mitnick
Richard B. Laugharn & Deb Hopkins
William Manning Athi Mara
Edward Jr. & Katrina Kern
Richard G. & Dorothy Laugharn
Paul & Elizabeth Mockapetris
Anne Layshock
Judy Margolis
Larry Kerr & Jennifer Antrim
Kristin Molina
Kathy Keyes
Albert & Pearl Lee
David Margrave
Roma Montoya
David & Mara Khorram
Belinda Lee
Gina Annette & Alejandro D. Marotta
Tammy & David Moody
Haideh Khorramabadi
Jenny Lee
Mitra Kianian
Jesse & Laura Lee
James Marsh & Mary Ann Snow
Libby Moroff
Ronald Indra
Jonathan Kibera
Laura A. Lee
Natasha Martin
Elaine Infanger
Noreen Kilby
Matthew Iverson
Heather Kilner
Lewis Swift Lee & Alison Howe Lee
John & Elizabeth B. Martin Steven & Carol Martinez
Dana & Loreen Jackson
Ernest Kilton
Louis & Cassandra Lee
Elisa Massimino
Alverta Jean Jacob
Joyce Kim
Mary Lee
Lois & Greg Mastel
Thelma Mosbey & Sherley Phillips
James Jacobson
Stacy Kim
Christina Lee-Simmons
Richard & Mary J. Masters
Ron Moskowitz
Ole Jacobsen
Paul & Kathleen Kimball
Arnold Leff M.D.
James & Teresa Matetich
Lowell Moulton
Janet Jaffke
Bill King
Tom & Sandy Lehmkuhl
Matt Mullin
Stevie Jagutis
James King & Mary Lou Goodwin-King
Gordon & Brenda B. Matheson
Elisha Huricks
Debbie Hall
2000 to 2010
Angie Holman
Monica McHenney & Peter B. Kessler
Donald & Kathryn Hutchinson Elizabeth & Frank Huttinger Laura Hyams Alison & Razvan Ianculescu Erica Ike David Imboden & Kathy Levy
Sigrid Jakob
Debbie Kennedy Beth & Walter Kerley, Jr.
Jennifer Lentfer Lillian & Jullius Lentfer
Lea Ann King
Patty Lentfer
Martin King
Wendy Leonard
Sherrie & Marc Kingsley
Anne & Harvey Levine
Paul & Sarah Janssens
Alan & Georgia Kingsley
Hilde Levine
Marti Jeffers
Dmitriy Kislovskiy
Sandra Jenkins
Ann Kjellberg
Ted Jankowski Miebeth Janssens & Austin O’Connor
www.firelightfoundation.org
Jennifer Mannshardt
Vishuranath Matthews Dechonne McBride & Phelicia Parker Jody Lynn McBrien
Be’eri Moalem
Mary Morgan David Morrell & Kirsten Gruesz Stephen & Susan Morriss Bruce Morton
John & Nancy Munger Franklin Mount Dennis F. Murnyak Grant & Holly Murphy
Anne McCarten-Gibbs
Paul & Ruth Murphy Karen Anne Murray
John & Shari Levitt
John McCarthy & Kathy Barnhart
Charles & Hilda Murray
Nicole Lewin
Joseph McCrate
Ghassan Nakad & Judith M. Barsalou
Elizabeth Lewis
Donors
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35
DONORS
(Continued)
Lynne Nakata
Ted & Ann Palsgrove
Paul & Deborah S. Reilly
Raymond Samahu
Kathy Smith
Namrita Nanjappa
Jacques Pantazes
Danielle Sanchez-Witzel
Michaela Smith
Geeta Narayan
Geoff Parcell
Susan Rennie & Catherine Chen
Pearish J. Smith
Timothy & Beata Terry
Christine Pareja
Sophie Reynolds
Bijal Sanghani
Cindy Nathan
Suzanne Savage
Malay & Beverley Thaker
Michael Nava
Hester Parker
Stacy Smith-Paynter & Michael Paynter
Hariharan Thangarajah
Nancy Navarrette
Mary Parker
Eric & Monica Snellings
Jill Thomas
Peter Neal
Carolyn B. Parks
Jean Snyder
Moira Thomas
Robert & Tammy Snyder
Kathleen Thompson
Elisabeth Sommer
Jeff Thurston
Piya Sorcar
David & Elisa B. Tierno
Lori Spencer
Anna Tiran
Steve Spitalny
Bill Tod
Nancy Springer
Curtis Tom
Scott Staub
Rick Tra
Anne Staunton
Julie Traina
Marianne Steenken & Jochen Gruber
Paul Traina
Charles Stein & Lynda Marin
Bill & Louisa Trigg
Robert Rhodehamel C. Jane Rice Dana Rice Peter Rice
John Neary
Isabella Parks
Sharon Negri
Barbara Parlapiano
Karen & Tom Neier
Ruth & Dean Peabody
Emmy Neilson
Suzi Peel
Lisa Rinde
John Neilson
Stephen & Tracey W. Peranich
Edith Ritz Allen Robel
Elena & Ana Carvalho Pereira
Lynn Roberts
Christine Perri
Teresa Roberts
Holly & Michael Nelson Jackie Nelson Michele Newell Peggy Newell Suzanne Newsome Albert & Mary Nibbe Alexandra Nicklas
Deirdre Peterson Beth Pettengill-Riley Cynthia Phillips
Leila Nimatallah
Elizabeth Pierotti & Ikuharu Kawashita
Alene Nitzky
Victoria Pilate
Leslie Nobile
Marlene Pitkow
Nicole Noble
Richard & Jeanne Placone
Josh Novic & Jan L. Polon
Susanne Richards Linda Richter
Rosalea Roberts Mary Robertson Will Robertson Torea Rodriguez Rachel Rogers & Jimmy Lohman Victoria L. Rogers Michelle Roland Jim Romary
Shirley Nuno
Annemarie & Moises I. Plascencia
Zelda O’Brien Kelly
Michael & Joan Pokroy
Christopher O’Loughlin
Evelyn Polesny
Lester Olmstead-Rose
Peggy & Bob Pollard M.D.
Kristin Olson & Kevin Kruger
Marilyn & Edwin Pollock
John & Sabine Omvik
James Potash & Sally J. Scott
Doris & Shelley Orgel
Edward & Michelle Poulton
Donna Orr
Nick Pratt
Gayle Ortiz
Sharon Pratt
Janis Ost
Robert Press
Patrick & Kristen Osterkamp
David Priest
Joop L. Rubens & Laura Marcus
Tasha Ostrander
Joseph Provo
Kathleen Rubens
Stephen Ott & Jennifer Hubbell-Ott
Anne House Quinn & T. Anthony Quinn
Robert & Hettie Rubens
Laura, Dean, & Lisa Ottoman
Sasha Rabsey
Donors
Janet Rossi Leah Taylor Roy Marcie Rubardt
Anne Runow & Stanley R. Andrulis
Mark Schneider Stephen Schottman Susan Schuhardt Sally Scott & James Potash Chad & Randee Scott Linda Seal Michael Seifert Cliff & Leslie Sellery Jacinta & Garry Selsky Richard & Diane R. Seltzer Kori Shadrick Matthew Shafeek Nancy & Kent Shallow Marsha Shanle Dan Shapiro
Geoffrey Stein
Amy Sibiga Robert & Karen Simon Hayward Simoneaux Pradeep Sindhu & Marie-Françoise Bertrand Jon Singletary Barbara Siracusa & Neil Katz Suzanne Skees
Boyd & Vita G. Tucker
Peter & Sharron Stohrer
Matt & Liz Tucker Judith Tumin Fred Tung Monique Van der Pauw
Robert Stratton
Rien Van Gendt
Lauren Suchman
Laura & Michael van Lienden
Mary Suffoletta Cindy Suh
Sharon Veltman
Bing Sun Qing Sun
Virginia Vendrell & Haywood G. May
Sheila Sundar
Nicholas Vergoth
Linda Sussman
Beth Verhey & Daniel Toole
Brent & Carolyn L. Sweeny
Ronald Vertrees
Christopher & Mary Szecsey
John Villesvik
Stephen Tanner & Sophia Mellos
James & Sally Vittorio
Nafia Tasmin-Din
Cindy & John Von Kannon
Naomi Rutenberg & Robert V. Burn
Pete & Sally Slicer
Cheryl Talley-Moon & Bob Moon
Joanne Smalley
David & Nina H. Taylor
Rhonnie Reed
Hasanna Fletcher Ryan & Dane Ryan
Stanford Smalley
Jeff Taylor
Jane Reid
Michael St. Johns
Allison G. Smith & Thomas E. McManus
Kathryn Jo Lincoln Tee
Kim Reid
Emily & John Salcido
Jane Smith Ltd.
Laurence Ravat
Benita Tsao
Susan Stevick
Janis Stoner
Diane & James A. Shneer
Eric Troyer
Yolande Sterling
Constance Shaw-Plouffe & George R. Plouffe Jr. Jan & Caroline Shinpoch
Jean Trotzky
Jennifer Stenson
Chuck Shaw
Claire Sherwood
Phan Trinh
Tom & Christine Steinhaus
Don Stoll & Marianne Kent-Stoll
David Tremblay Randy Trigg
Juniper Stein
Kaki Rusmore
Charlotte Foulkes De Romero & Hugo Romero
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Brandon Ross
Thomas & Tania S. Schlatter
Lee Slaff
Kelley Owen & Don Wixiott
36
Beth Ross
Toni Schick
Richard Skurla
Thomas Raffa
Jim & Sandra J. Palmquist
Jonathan Rosenberg & Beryl Grace
Katie Schenk
Emmanuel Rurema
Peggy & John Overcashier
Margaret Palm & John Heffernan
Kim Rosa
Ellen Schell
Thomas Skibo
Susan Oursler
Nathaniel Owings
Jennifer Root
Rachel Scheer
Lauren Rusk & Eric Roberts
Monna Rae & William G. Scheffer
Alysha Owens
Josette Romero
Patricia Sayler
Roslyn & Lawrence Terfansky
Fufkin K. Vollmayer
Marc Tarpenning
Carol Ward Howard Ward Martha Ward Timothy Warder & Laurie A. Herraiz Jim & Judy Warner
Janne Tee
Marion Wasserman
Paul & Mary Telford 2000 to 2010
Ed Waters
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www.firelightfoundation.org
William Watson
FUNDS & FOUNDATIONS
UNICEF
Tiffany’s Flowers and Boutique (Soquel, CA)
Audrey Webb
Aid for Africa
United Nations Children’s Fund
Tiny Toes (Costa Mesa, CA)
Amanda Weber & Corinne Ball
Aloha Foundation
The William H. & Mattie Wattis Harris Foundation
Yahoo Employee Giving Program (Santa Clara, CA)
Ellen Weiss & Jonathon J. Greenberg
The A. McDonald Family Foundation
Alpert & Alpert Foundation
Zaplin-Lampert Gallery (Santa Fe, NM)
BUSINESSES
Jessica Weiss & Vladislav Luskin
American Jewish World Service
Gail Wells Ordl & John Wells
Argentarius Foundation
Gloria H. Welsh
Bernard van Leer Foundation
Peter & Deborah Wexler
Bridgeway Foundation
Jane Whicher
California Community Foundation
David White
CARE USA
Lynton Dove White
Caris Foundation
Rob & Yuko Whitestone
Cars 4 Causes
Laura Widmar
Clarence Foundation
California Commercial Interiors (Santa Cruz, CA)
Robbie Williams
The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
Carried Away Foods (Aptos, CA)
Kathleen & Keith Williams Rayvon & Debra Williams
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
John & Jan Williamson
Eckhardt Chandler Fund at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
Bethany Willlbanks
The ELMA Foundation
Adobe on Green Street (Santa Cruz, CA) Alpert & Alpert Iron & Metal, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) Appleton Partners, Inc. (Boston, MA) Astone’s Protea (Aptos, CA) Bank of America Matching Gifts (Charlotte, NC) Burness Communications (Bethesda, MD)
Casa Nova (Santa Fe, NM) Community Printers (Santa Cruz, CA) Coyote Vintage Aviation (Corona, CA) Desert Son (Santa Fe, NM) Doma Café and Gallery (New York, NY)
Chris & Nancy Wilson
Elton John AIDS Foundation–UK
Melissa Wilson
Elton John AIDS Foundation–US
Jennifer Windsor
Flora Family Foundation
Wendy Winkler
Global Action for Children
Kyle Wipp
Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund
Susan Wishon
The Grand Street Foundation, Inc.
Ellen Wiss
The Hesperian Foundation
David Wittbrodt
JKW Foundation
Delene Wolf Joel & Katherine L. Woodham
Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Contribution Fund
Sharon Woods
John Ashby Webb Living Trust
William Woodward & Robin M. Blackwood
Lehmann Family Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund
Elka Worner
Make-a-Wish Foundation
Rock Paper Gallery (Madrid, NM)
Russ & Nancy Wright
Marvin Naiman & Margery Goldman Fund
Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill (Carlsbad, CA)
Judi Wyant
New Field Foundation
SADZA (Santa Cruz, CA)
Marianne Wyllie & Tim Gilbert
New Mexico Community Foundation
SantaCafe (Santa Fe, NM)
Andrea Yaffe
Nike Foundation
Santa Cruz Home Finance (Santa Cruz, CA)
Alice Yang
P.E.O. Sisterhood
Sofre Catering (Oakland, CA)
Keith Yocam
Progressive Action Coalition
Stardust Visions, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)
Elizabeth Yocam
Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise
Streeter Specialty (Boulder Creek, CA)
Robert N. & Florence Slinger Fund at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
Sun Microsystems, Inc. Matching Gifts Program (Andover, MA)
Mary Yoo Irene Yoon Donna Young
The Seattle Foundation, CGMK Fund
Irene Yung Lynn Zachreson Donna S. & Michael A. Zaldivar Mark Zaplin & Richard Lampert Leland & Marian Zeidler Agust Di Zhan
2000 to 2010
French & French Fine Properties (Santa Fe, NM) Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria (Capitola, CA) Guchiebird’s (Driggs, ID) Hewlett-Packard Matching Gift Program (San Francisco, CA) Jane Sauer Gallery (Santa Fe, NM) Origins (Santa Fe, NM) Owings Dewey Company (Santa Fe, NM) Pachamama (Santa Fe, NM) Partech International (San Francisco, CA) Patina Gallery (Santa Fe, NM)
KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation (Chicago, IL) Kidzana Ministries (Mukilteo, WA) St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church (Capitola, CA) Sharptown United Methodist Church (Pilesgrove, NJ) Skyland Community Church (Los Gatos, CA) Temple United Methodist Church (San Francisco, CA) The First Presbyterian Church (Charleston, WV)
SCHOOLS A. P. Giannini Middle School (San Francisco, CA) Chadwick School (Palos Verdes, CA) Friends’ Central School Corporation (Wynnewood, PA) Georgiana Bruce Kirby Prep School (Santa Cruz, CA) Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School (Palo Alto, CA) Hales Corners Lutheran Elementary School (Hales Corners, WI) Hamline University School of Law (St. Paul, MN) Louisiana School (Natchitoches, LA) Pacific Collegiate School (Santa Cruz, CA) Pearson Education (Livonia, MI) Perrysburg High School (Perrysburg, OH) Reevis Mountain School (Roosevelt, AZ) UCSF Childcare Bright Horizons Preschool (San Francisco, CA) UC Santa Cruz Psychology 118B (Santa Cruz, CA) Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) York School (Monterey, CA)
Seeds of Empowerment
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL OF OUR DONORS FOR THEIR
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
GENEROSIT Y. THEIR COMMITMENT TO FIRELIGHT MAKES
Tamaki Foundation Tides Donor Advised Fund
IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES IN
Triskeles Foundation
AFRICA WORKING TO IMPROVE CHILDREN’S LIVES.
Tsadik Foundation
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Eddison & Melrose (Pacific Grove, CA)
CONGREGATIONS & FAITHBASED ORGANIZATIONS
www.firelightfoundation.org
Donors
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37
BOARD OF DIREC TORS, ADVISORY COUNCIL & STAFF The following lists are current through October 2010.
BOARD OF DIREC TORS
STAFF
Kerry Olson, Founder & President
Peter Laugharn, Executive Director
David Katz, Vice President
Gretchen Ellis, Program Assistant
Senior Software Engineer
Jonathan C. Lewis, Treasurer Founder & CEO, Opportunity Collaboration
Barbara Fagan-Smith BOARD MEMBER PROFILE: Geoff Foster Geoff Foster has served on the Firelight Advisory Council since 2002 and on the Firelight Board of Directors since 2010. “In 1987, I helped establish FACT, a nonprofit in Zimbabwe, after diagnosing children with AIDS. I started treating malnourished children orphaned by AIDS, and soon after began working with grassroots partners to develop community-based responses. In 2000, I met Board members from Firelight and was impressed by their energy and vision. Firelight has pioneered flexible, small grantmaking to support vulnerable children that is responsive to the needs of their grantee-partners, especially fledgling organizations. As a result, some small volunteerdriven groups have developed into larger, influential organizations, while many more have strengthened their programs and services to serve vulnerable children and families more effectively.”
38
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Board & Staff
Founder & CEO, ROI Communication
Geoff Foster, MD Pediatrician, Ministry of Health; Consultant, Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT)
Diana Aubourg Millner Senior Policy Analyst, Bread for the World Institute
ADVISORY COUNCIL Geoff Foster, MD, Pediatrician,
Suzana Grego, Director of Communications & Advocacy Sarah Jordan, Development Assistant Aili Langseth, Program Officer Lisa Palm, Development Officer Dila Perera, Program Officer Scott J. Pietka, Grants Administrator Zanele Sibanda, Director of Programs Cheryl Talley-Moon, Human Resources & Office Manager Bridget Zwimpfer, Grantmaking Assistant Dawn Weathersbee, Development Assistant
Ministry of Health; Consultant, Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT) (Zimbabwe)
Mulugeta Gebru, Founder & Executive Director, Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization (JeCCDO) (Ethiopia)
Stefan Germann, World Vision International— HIV and AIDS Hope Initiative (Switzerland)
Howard Kasiya, HIV/AIDS Programme Manager, Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) (Malawi)
Wairimu Mungai, Program Director, WEM Integrated Health Services (WEMIHS) (Kenya)
Linda Richter, PhD, Distinguished Research Fellow, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) & Senior Specialist (Vulnerable Children), Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (South Africa)
Cati Vawda, Director, Children’s Rights Centre (CRC) (South Africa)
2000 to 2010
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www.firelightfoundation.org
WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO PAST AND PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS, ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS, STAFF, INTERNS, AND VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO AND SUPPORT OF FIRELIGHT OVER THE YEARS. VOLUNTEERS & INTERNS (past & present)
Jim Hayes
Karen Ande
Michele Hutton
Cathy Aronson
Leslie Johnson
Judy Astone
Sara Keene
Tristan Bähr
Haideh Khorammabadi
Charles Baumann
Pamela King
Lisa Berry
Robyn Klopp
Melissa Booth
Jennie Konsella-Norene
Nooshi Borhan
Jenny Larken
Marilyn Breiling
John & Shari Levitt
Gail Brenner
Heidi Lidtke
Rachel Broshears
Aviva Longinotti
Patrick Bujold
Madeleine Linares
Holly Burkhalter
Walker Linares
Jessica Carsten
Ali MacGraw
Kristen Cheney
Katie Malloy
Olivier Corbet
Osha Maloney
Brian Corser
Laura Marcus
Cole Cottin
Judy Margolis
Claire Dankoff
Charlene McKowen
Tim Davis
Maggie McRae
Briana Dickinson
Cameron Miller
Famy Diener
Amanda Hill Al Hudock
Donald Patten
STAFF MEMBERS (past)
Charmaine Peck
Nayna Agrawal
Carmen Pegan
Jennifer Anderson-Bähr
Steven Rutherford
Jennifer Astone
Nancy & Kent Shallow
Joye Bretón
Amkela Sibanda
Caitlin Brune
Lee Slaff
Lisa Castellanos
Jennifer Smith
Amee Chapman
Darrell Steely
Janice Cook-Silva
Deb Steinkamp
Cole Cottin
Sam Sternlight
Joanne Csete
Adam Stieglitz
Josh Dankoff
Travis Swanson
Britt Ehrhardt
Jo Tams
Andrew Green
Gloria Taylor
Jim Hayes
Chuck Tremper
Anne Holmes
Marty Vaden
Sara Keene
Anita Vogel
Desirée Kosciulek
Laura Widmar
Angela Lee
David Wittbrodt
Jennifer Lentfer
Marianne Wyllie
Heidi Lidtke
Brandi Young
Neema Mgana
Bridget Zwimpfer
Lauren Maher
Jolly Ntungire
BOARD MEMBERS (past)
Osha Maloney Ron Maysenhalder Neema Mgana
Jennifer Delaney
Tammy Moody
Debra Evans
Suzanne Newsome
Jim Hayes
Rosalie Nezien
Joan Lombardi
Alexandra Nicklas
Nancy Shallow
Gwendolyn Pogrowski Christine Reyes Anne-Marie Rosché
Grace Mnguni
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS (past)
Angela Eisenstark
Tammy Moody
Tim Jackson
Joop Rubens
Gretchen Ellis
Bob Moon
Natasha Martin
Scott Staub
David Evans
Ryannon Moon
Suzi Peel
Stephanie Thompson
Pat French
Nancy Munger
Beatrice Were
Julie Furtado
Karen Anne Murray
Gaurav Garg & Khomal Shah
Alexandra Nicklas
Michael Hall
Kelsey Nocket
Rebecca Hall
Sydney North-Gerson
2000 to 2010
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www.firelightfoundation.org
Zoe Rowlandson
“
Children were once the invisible face of the AIDS pandemic. Thanks to the Firelight Foundation and many other partners, this is no longer the case. Children are at the very center of the global and community response. UNICEF and Firelight share a common commitment to supporting the efforts of families and communities affected by AIDS to provide protection and care for children. Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of working together on building evidence, conducting advocacy, engaging new partners, and spreading best practices and good results. As part of the Inter-Agency Task Team and with the Faith-to-Action Initiative, Firelight has been a knowledge leader on children and AIDS. The Foundation has brought technical expertise, passion, and an active commitment to building bridges and providing linkages between families, communities, and key services, and between development practitioners, communities, and faith-based organizations. This is no easy task. UNICEF appreciates your contributions and looks forward to many years of continued collaboration.
”
– Jimmy Kolker, Chief, HIV & AIDS, UNICEF
Board & Staff
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OUR VISION Every child, regardless of race, creed, country, or other factor is raised in a supportive family and community, in a safe environment, with adequate food, shelter, and health care, and a sound education. Children’s rights are recognized, protected, and upheld as an integral part of human rights. The strengths of children and families are recognized and their voices are valued and heard. Community solidarity—one of Africa’s strengths and assets—is widely recognized as vital to efforts to improve children’s well-being in Sub-Saharan Africa. Communities take action to address issues that affect vulnerable children and families. There is a widespread belief and corresponding investment in community-based organizations as a strong and growing facet of civil society. Governments, donors, nongovernmental organizations, community-based organizations, communities, and individuals work together to guarantee children’s sustained quality of life. There is global awareness and effective action to address the severe impact of HIV, AIDS, and poverty on Africa’s children.
2010 “All children deserve to have a childhood. Programs that provide children with the opportunity to be children—to play, to learn, to grow, and to dream—are the programs that foster their sense of trust and lay the groundwork for their hope for the future.” –Kerry Olson, Founder & President Firelight Foundation
2020 VISION
Getting more resources to the grassroots means better lives for children.
2020 “If a child is given a supportive environment, a child can become someone. Give children a chance and you will discover great, great heroes in them.” – Moses Zulu, Development Aid from People to People Children’s Town, Zambia
Stepping up our support Over the next 10 years, Firelight will work hard to:
1
Reach greater numbers of children and families affected by HIV, AIDS, and poverty by increasing our funding to effective community-based organizations.
2
rovide our grantee-partners greater financial P stability through multi-year grants, enabling them to plan for the long term while doing their daily work.
3
uild the capacity of our partners and strengthen B their organizations to become sustainable.
4
upport more African grassroots grantmakers S to reach even smaller, more remote, and informal community-based organizations working with vulnerable children.
5
L everage our impact by sharing what we have learned about the efficacy of a community-based approach and persuading larger funders and other donors to channel their resources directly to the grassroots.
You can help us make our 2020 vision a reality. Visit www.firelightfoundation.org
“The photo of Promise smiling on the cover was taken in December 2007 in Rwanda. Promise was 10 years old and one of five siblings who lost both parents a few years earlier. Their home was empty except for a small mat they shared at night. Promise hardly talked to me, but we did laugh together. She taught me that people are strong and that children find joy in life, even in challenging situations.
Firelight Foundation 740 Front Street, Suite 380 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA Tel: +1.831.429.8750 Fax: +1.831.429.2036 info@firelightfoundation.org www.firelightfoundation.org Writing and editing by Suzana Grego, Kerry Olson, Zanele Sibanda, and other Firelight staff. Photos by Joop Rubens, Zanele Sibanda, and other photographers. Design and production by one | em design. Printed by Community Printers on paper made with 100% recycled fiber and bleached without the use of chlorine compounds. Copyright © 2010 Firelight Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
A group of women in Promise’s community founded the grassroots organization Solidarité Femmes 3X3 (SOLF). They mobilized community members to provide Promise and her siblings with regular care, and material and emotional support. Promise showed me that when local communities band together and are given a chance to help, they change lives.” – Joop Rubens, photographer & former Firelight staff member