Letter from the President & Director

The 2004 Annual Report marks the Firelight Foundation’s fifth year of grantmaking (October 2003 through September 2004). As we reflect on the phenomenal growth of the foundation over these past years, we celebrate community and collaboration and the roles they have played in making a difference in the lives of thousands of African children made vulnerable by poverty and HIV/AIDS.

While the Firelight Foundation started with the vision and initiative of a few individuals, it has quickly grown into a broad community effort with strong collaborative ties to many different individuals and organizations. Our message about the pivotal role of community-based organizations in addressing the needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS has resonated with a wide range of people and groups. Collaboration with our donors, grantees, colleagues, and volunteers has led to many more children and families served. It is through this community of support that our work is made possible.

Inspired by the mission and experience of Firelight, a growing circle of donors has expanded our work through their generosity and enthusiasm. Our donors include hundreds of individuals, as well as several foundations. Thanks to this increased support, we were able to fund 44 first-time grant awards and 65 renewals in 2004, totaling $1,186,900, representing a 60% increase from the previous year in total grant dollars awarded. This includes over $360,000 in grant awards that were made through the Firelight Foundation Donor Advised Fund at the Tides Foundation. Most notably, 2004 marks the first year in which the majority of grants were funded through donor dollars. While the endowment continues to cover Firelight’s operational expenses, program services, and a portion of its grants, fundraising is now the primary source of our grantmaking. Fully 100% of the funds we raise go directly to organizations serving children, and we are extremely grateful for our donors’ partnership in getting these dollars to the grassroots level, where every dollar counts.

Collaboration with other foundations has supported Firelight’s mission to increase the overall resources reaching children within their communities. More and more frequently, Firelight is being called upon to share its experience with other foundations. From making specific recommendations for grant awards to providing mentorship on our grantmaking procedures, Firelight is expanding our impact beyond our own grantmaking through collaboration with others. In addition, a growing number of foundations are investing directly in our work. We are excited to begin a partnership with the Flora Family Foundation to support our efforts in Tanzania. Funds from the Argentarius Foundation and New Field Foundation have strengthened our grantmaking and programs.

Collaboration and participation in key donor networks, such as Grantmakers Without Borders, the Council on Foundations, and the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group, have enhanced Firelight’s learning and leadership. These forums have provided us with many opportunities to both share our work and learn from others. In the complex landscape of global HIV/AIDS, networking is essential to effectiveness. Our impact and our message are so much more likely to make a difference when we join our efforts and our voices with those of others. This past year, Firelight has taken the lead on an exciting collaborative advocacy project with American Jewish World Service, the Bernard van Leer Foundation, and the Pan-African Children’s Fund. To be completed in 2005, the project is a joint document for wide public distribution that will highlight the importance of investing in community-based approaches that strengthen the capacity of families to care for vulnerable children.

Our approach to grantmaking is child-centered, family-focused, and community-based. We believe that children grow best in families. For this reason, we invest in community-based organizations that are supporting and strengthening the family safety net of care that has been so ravaged by poverty and HIV/AIDS. As of September 2004, we have awarded grants to over 160 such organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa. We continue to be inspired by and to learn from our grantee partners, who are bringing hope to their communities through their action and service in the face of many challenges. We support these efforts not only through direct funding of services, but also through facilitating shared learning and networking, and providing opportunities for grassroots organizations to expand their own collaboration and community of support.

Firelight’s story is one of many participants, including youth themselves, working together to make a better world for children who struggle to grow up in the face of hardship. This annual report is a testament to the power of collaboration and community, as reflected in the grant award and organizational descriptions, personal profiles, and an expanded list of staff, Advisory Board members, donors, assessors, and volunteers. With the help of many, Firelight has increased our work in each of our program areas described in the following pages. This collaborative enterprise represents literally thousands of relationships, and tens of thousands of conversations about how to make a difference for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. We invite you to join in this conversation and we thank you for your support.

In appreciation,

Kerry Olson, Founder & President

Jennifer Astone, Executive Director