Milestones to $100 Million
The Fund was established with a vision for a new type of philanthropy—one that provides support to local leaders addressing human rights issues within their own communities. Since then, we have distributed over $100 million in support to frontline activists across the globe. Below are just a few highlights from the past 18 years.
-
2005
We expand again into the Great Lakes region of sub-Saharan Africa, helping to strengthen groups working in areas ridden by conflict and corruption.
With our support, a women’s rights group in Mexico secures a major victory when a state legislature passes reforms criminalizing domestic violence and marital rape.
-
2006
We grow our annual budget to award $3 million in support to more than 150 locally led groups.
A coalition of activists, including Fund-backed groups, secures landmark legislation in India that recognizes the land rights of more than 40 million Adivasis (indigenous peoples) and forest-dwelling people.
-
2012
In Liberia, a collective of Fund supported groups secure passage of a Decent Wage Act to establish a minimum wage board and improve working conditions for laborers. They also obtain commitments from several mining and logging companies to eradicate child labor.
Our annual budget increases to award nearly $6 million in grants and strategic support to intrepid local leaders worldwide.
-
2013
Following international pressure generated by Fund-backed groups, Morocco announces overhaul of its immigration policy, creating a pathway to legal status for an estimated 20,000 sub-Saharan migrants living in the country.
Our European office opens in London, connecting us with new conversations, advocates, and supporters in Europe dedicated to furthering human rights across the globe.
-
2017
Following years of advocacy by women’s groups supported by the Fund, Tunisia adopts the country’s first law addressing domestic violence, strengthening protections for women and criminalizing sexual harassment.
We provide more than $9 million in dedicated support to courageous locally led groups across the globe.