Founding Story

The Firelight Foundation was created in 1999 to support children orphaned and affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Established by Kerry Olson, Ph.D. and her husband, David Katz, a software engineer, the foundation reflects their shared sense of social responsibility. As a private foundation, it is driven by the personal values of its founders to invest in the future of the world’s most vulnerable children.

Firelight’s mission is a natural outgrowth of Kerry’s background as a child advocate, early childhood educator, and research social scientist. Kerry’s life-long commitment began at the age of eight, when she was so moved by the hardships faced by orphaned children internationally that she took the extraordinary action of organizing to raise money on their behalf. Once she had experienced the joy of giving and the difference that an individual can make, her commitment was set. Throughout her youth, Kerry organized community fundraisers, corresponded with relief workers in foreign countries, and volunteered on behalf of children. In addition to earning a doctorate in education and developmental psychology, she served as the founding director of two nonprofit childcare programs, coordinated programs for the Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, and conducted research in inner city schools.

When the Silicon Valley technology boom provided Kerry and Dave with the resources to form the Firelight Foundation, their vision of working with children internationally expanded rapidly. “The sudden access to wealth brought with it an immediate responsibility to share it and to direct it to an area of great need. When we looked at the global picture, we identified the HIV/AIDS crisis as the intersection of the gravest issues facing the world’s most vulnerable children,” explains Kerry. “We decided to focus our efforts where we felt our dollars were most needed and could have the greatest impact – Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Starting with a clear vision, building a strong team of dedicated individuals, forging strategic alliances, and consulting with key experts in the field enabled Firelight to launch a grantmaking program that quickly became effective in getting dollars to the frontlines of the AIDS crisis. “It was shocking to learn how few funds ever make it to the community level in Africa,” Kerry reflects. “As a small private foundation, we are able to be flexible and responsive in our approach, making small grants and remaining respectful of community ownership.” With its focus on making grants directly to grassroots organizations that are strengthening the capacity of communities and families to care for vulnerable children, Firelight has been lauded as an innovative and effective partner in the battle against AIDS.

Firelight Foundation’s leadership reflects both deep personal values and broad professional and international experience. While its Board of Directors is comprised of family members, Firelight’s international Advisory Board actively consults on grant review and strategic planning. The Foundation’s staff brings vital on-the-ground experience with Africa, youth and HIV/AIDS, and international grantmaking to its programs. The Firelight Foundation now reaches thousands of people in 12 African countries. Partnerships with other foundations and private donors have helped Firelight increase its grant awards. “The scope of the AIDS pandemic requires intervention on many different levels,” shares Kerry, “There is ample room for others to contribute to this work. Our experience is testimony to the fact that even small dollar amounts can make a substantial difference.”