our history
Firelight Foundation was founded in 1999 by Kerry Olson and Dave Katz to address the needs of children orphaned and affected by HIV, AIDS, and poverty in eastern and southern Africa. Firelight supported grassroots African initiatives serving children, based on global evidence that community-based care provides a better future for vulnerable children.
In 2010, Firelight became a public charity to recognize it transition from a primarily private family foundation to a fund-seeking grantmaking organization. Today, we are a multi-donor fund that brings together philanthropists - both individual and institutional - to support community-driven systems change for children and youth in Africa.
To date, we have raised more than $50 million from foundations, philanthropists, and individuals in support of millions of children, families, and communities. We have:
Made 2000+ grants in 12 African countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe;
Supported 490 community-based organizations, including many community grantmakers that have supported additional CBOs;
Impacted millions of children, parents, caregivers, professionals, and community members
In Firelight’s 25-year history, we have also:
Co-founded the Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS (CCABA) with Bernard van Leer Foundation, International AIDS Alliance, and Teresa Group
Co-founded the International Education Funders’ Group with the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Co-founded the Faith to Action Initiative to encourage faith communities to direct resources to the most effective family- and community-based solutions
