FIRELIGHT FOUNDATION
Annual Report 2004
Text-only Version
Values
Firelight’s values are the underlying principles by which we
operate. They are the core beliefs and assumptions that guide and characterize
our work.
| Belief in the Resilience and Strength of Children Children are the future. We believe that children are resilient and are able to rise above many challenges. We believe that children should be treated as partners, future leaders, and important community members worth listening to, rather than as mere recipients of services. We encourage others to value children in this way. We believe that children are experts in their own lives and that we should take seriously what children are saying. |
| Belief in the Importance of Family and Community We believe that children grow best in families. A child’s developmental and long-term needs are best met within a family, rather than an institution such as an orphanage. Strengthening the capacity of families and communities is the most effective way to address the needs of children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. |
| Belief in the Power of the Grassroots In areas of few resources, one of the most effective and powerful means of bringing about social change is through community-based organizations. We believe that investing in grassroots organizations contributes to the development of civil society and is essential to lasting change. |
| Respect for Community Ownership and Local Leadership As outside donors, we are careful not to undermine community ownership. A community’s ownership and investment in finding its own solutions to local problems is essential to sustainability. We seek to learn from and to work in partnership with local leadership. Our philosophies and strategies are informed by practical experience in the field. We listen to our grantee-partners and we adapt our strategies accordingly to become more effective. |
| Being a Learning Organization To say that we are a learning organization is to acknowledge that we are continually developing and evolving. We learn by doing, and we extend our learning through data collection, analysis, documentation, and reflection. We strive to stay informed through observing what is happening on the ground, participating in relevant networks, keeping abreast of research and developments in the field, and maintaining good communication with key partners. |
| Being Agile, Adaptive, and Responsive As a relatively lean international grantmaker, we strive to remain nimble and quick to respond to needs as they arise. We adapt our strategy to newly discovered or realized circumstances – internally, on the ground, and in the broader global community – changing our approach based on what we know is effective. We are listening, monitoring, and constantly asking how we can use our resources more effectively. |
| Being Collaborative We value collaboration for many reasons, but first and foremost because we know that the scale and scope of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa requires it. We actively engage in networking and in sharing information, resources, and ideas with peer organizations. We initiate strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations to extend the impact of our efforts by facilitating information exchange, enabling joint advocacy on key issues, and encouraging the leveraging of funds. |
| Serving as a Model and an Inspiration Our hope is to encourage others to take up and build upon our grantmaking model and to engage in this work. We increase resources available to children by actively promoting a grassroots, small grants, respectful approach to grantmaking and by serving as a model for other foundations. Our measure of success is whether or not we are able to catalyze more resources getting to the ground. |
| Investing in Professional Staff and Outside Expertise Our staff is informed and experienced in grantmaking, and is credible and respected in the wider donor community and in the field. The high caliber of the Firelight team differentiates and enables our work as a foundation. We support internal communication and team building, and we invest in the well-being and professional development of our staff. We further seek to deepen and broaden our expertise and effectiveness through a wide circle of advisors, including Advisory Board members, “eyes on the ground,” consultants, and other outside sources. |
| Maintaining Internal and External Consistency We strive to ensure that the values and approaches we promote externally are embodied internally, and are reflected in all of our relationships, communication, and policies. |
Please note that this Annual Report covers the period from October 1,
2003 through September 30, 2004.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of this report, please send an email to Cheryl Talley-Moon at Cheryl@firelightfoundation.org.
