Save the Children: Over 80 Years of Helping Children and Families in Need

In 1919, teacher and sociologist Eglantyne Jebb founded the Save the Children Fund in England to help children in war-torn central Europe. More than a decade later, a group of concerned citizens who were inspired by Jebb's vision established Save the Children in America to aid Appalachian children and families struggling to survive during the Great Depression. Today, Save the Children works internationally to create lasting, positive change in the lives of children in more than 120 countries. The world's leading independent organization for children, Save the Children has a broad domestic and global footprint thanks to the support of its donors and partners. In 2012, Save the Children helped more than 78 million children in the United States and over 125 million children globally.

Currently led by president and CEO Carolyn Miles, Save the Children works in the heart of marginalized, impoverished, and vulnerable communities, helping children and families help themselves. The organization's core philosophies have always been self-help and self-reliance – that development takes place when people take charge of their own lives. Save the Children helps save children's lives, defend them from exploitation, and assist them in accessing health care and education. Additionally, the organization responds to natural disasters, civil conflicts, and ethnic violence, staying in communities to help them rebuild and recover.



Recognized for its commitment to accountability, collaboration, and innovation, Save the Children has received top awards from charity watchers, publishers, and consumer advocates, including an A+ ranking from the American Institute of Philanthropy, a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and a Top-Rated Award from Great Nonprofits.

While Save the Children runs diverse programs and follows a multi-disciplinary approach, its mission has always been to improve the lives of children in need around the world. The organization envisions a planet where every child has the right to survival, development, protection, and participation.

Save the Children: Helping Kids in Need for Over 90 Years

In 1919, British teacher and sociologist Eglantyne Jebb founded the Save the Children Fund in England to help children affected by the war in central Europe. More than a decade later, a group of Americans inspired by Jebb's vision established Save the Children in America, with the immediate goal of assisting the kids and families living in the Appalachian Mountains during the Great Depression. Today, Save the Children is the leading independent charity dedicated to supporting children in need worldwide. With a presence in over 50 countries, the organization provides families and communities with the essential tools to lift them out of poverty, poor health, hunger, and illiteracy.

Save the Children oversees a number of programs that all aim to create permanent, positive change in the lives of underprivileged kids in the United States and around the world. One of the issues that the organization addresses is HIV/AIDS – Save the Children works with communities in Asia, Eurasia, Africa, and the Caribbean to raise awareness about the disease as well as provide care for those affected by it. Additionally, Save the Children helps vulnerable families in nearly 30 countries to help ensure they have secure livelihoods and can afford basic needs and services.

Save the Children supports education programs for kids in the most marginalized parts of the world as well. Last year, the charity's efforts reached almost 10 million children. Recently, athletes Abou Diaby and Johan Djourou of popular English football club Arsenal headed to Beijing to visit the club's educational project in partnership with Save the Children. During their visit, Diaby and Djourou played football, read stories, and made arts and crafts with the youngsters. The joint project will train 200 teachers and 20 head teachers to improve the quality of education in some of Beijing's most under-resourced schools.