According to UNICEF, more than 132 million girls around the world are out of school, including at least 34.3 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67.4 million of upper-secondary school age. In countries affected by conflict, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school than girls living in non-affected countries. The Girls Education First Foundation believes that educated girls strengthen communities, economies and reduce inequity. Our goal is to provide a safe space in which girls can learn, find their interests and go on to pursue the careers of their choice.
The Girls Education First Foundation does accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation has a grant cycle and review process dates that vary on a yearly basis. Grant applicants must ensure that their projects address one of the foundation’s goals. Once we select potential partnership opportunities, we will contact the prospective grantee organization and invite them to submit additional information.
Yes. Our education initiatives are open worldwide for charity organizations advocating to provide girls with a safe environment that provides them with a quality education they can count on.
The foundation provides funds for the following initiatives:
- Expand Quality Education to:
- Create and lead a virtual community, mainly with women, to highlight recurrent and provide tangible solutions accordingly
- Provide hygienic kits
- Distribute school supplies
- Pay tuition fees (elementary to grade schools)
- Build schools and libraries in rural communities
- Promote Gender Equality in order to:
- Promote teaching materials
- Organize and lead training curricula for girls
- Promote equal funding for girls’ and boys’ sports
- Advocate for female empowerment, specifically projects which
- Empower women and young girls economically and educationally to enable their participation in development activities
- Motivate communities to advocate and support education for girls, and increase enrollment of girls in schools
- Provide funding for young single mothers
Yes. The Girls Education First Foundation currently has a total of ten (10) Board of Directors and Advisors that are fully involved in every process from program approval to grant distribution, fundraising and internal management. See a list of the Board of Directors and Advisors here.
Our grantees submit periodic reports on their progress toward expected milestones such as improving student achievement, supporting young women in their communities, raising awareness, and increasing educational opportunities. When key performance benchmarks are met or exceeded, we may expand or deepen our relationship with the grantee. When key performance benchmarks are missed, we may offer assistance and/or we may decide to put a grant on “pause.” If there is limited progress made towards meeting targets, we may terminate an investment early.
Our focus is worldwide. We work with local and national organizations advocating for underserved girls and young women in war-torn and under-developed countries.