2012 Annual Report

2 0 1 2

A N N2012 U ANNUAL A L REPORT R E P| www.firelightfoundation.org O R T

Page Name

|

1

“When children are rooted in their community they don’t just survive, they thrive.”

– Kerry Olson

2

|

Page Name

www.firelightfoundation.org

|

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

FROM THE PRESIDENT & THE EXECUTIVE DIREC TOR 2012: Investing in Lasting Change When Firelight Foundation was started in 1999, our goal was to make a meaningful difference for children in sub-Saharan Africa. Like many of the grantee-partners we support, we have grown in the depth and breadth of our reach, and in our support from donors who share our vision. Over the last 13 years, our expanding community of supporters has made it possible to award over $18 million to more than 330 African grassroots organizations to improve children’s lives. Last year, we awarded over $2 million to 134 African groups.

We believe in the power of African communities to make a lasting difference for children and families. By providing small grants to organizations selected for their vision and resourcefulness—and by working in partnership with them to build on their strengths over time—Firelight is able to leverage results and help communities create sustainable change for children and families.

In this year’s annual report, we are excited to share with you the story of one of our graduated grantee-partners, Luapula Foundation in Zambia. First funded by Firelight in 2003 with a small grant of $5,000, Luapula strengthened their organization and programs over the course of our six-year partnership. Today, they are an internationally recognized organization reaching thousands of children and families, and the primary provider of HIV testing and counseling in their province. From organic gardens and strengthened livelihoods to greater access to education and health care, Luapula has played a vital role in leading their community to a better future.

Kerry Olson Founder & President

Peter Laugharn Executive Director

Firelight celebrates the hundreds of grantee-partners both past and present that are helping families to raise children who will grow up safe, healthy and resilient. We thank our many donors and all those who have joined us in recognizing and building on the great work that African community organizations have set in motion.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

|

www.firelightfoundation.org

Letter

|

1

GR OWIN G F R O M O U R S T R ENGT HS

LUAPULA FOUNDATION WAS A FIRELIGHT GRANTEE-PARTNER FROM 2003 TO 2008. WE RECENTLY ASKED MOSES ZULU, LUAPULA’S DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER, TO REFLECT ON HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRELIGHT AND THE IMPACT OF LUAPULA FOUNDATION IN THE COMMUNITY. The idea of starting Luapula Foundation came in 1999. The hospital had just opened the first HIV testing facility. We knew something was going on when we weren’t able to treat what we thought was a chronic tuberculosis problem; it turned out to be widespread HIV. I still remember my first thought: “What about the children? Who will care for them if their parents are gone?”

Moses Zulu, Director and Co-founder, Luapula Foundation

I quickly turned to two friends to discuss how we could respond. We decided to start Luapula Foundation. It would focus on teaching people to help themselves. The goal was not charity. It was empowering individuals to afford their basic needs.

14,417

We wrote many proposals, but Firelight was the one that said yes, we’d like to fund you. Over the course of our partnership with Firelight, they provided $83,000 in funding and so much more—they helped us plan our growth, introduced us to our second donor and spread the word about our work.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE TESTED BY LUAPULA FOR HIV LAST YEAR

2

|

Moses Zulu

By the end of the partnership, we had a new capacity and confidence. That led us to apply for a $2.3 million grant from the New Partnership Initiative under the U.S. government’s program for AIDS relief (PEPFAR), which we received. We are now the primary provider of HIV counseling and testing in the whole province, reaching people others cannot reach.

We work directly with children and families because HIV is not just a health issue; the impact is felt throughout the community.

www.firelightfoundation.org

|

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

“It’s about the relationship.

Community is your identity.”

– Moses Zulu

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

|

www.firelightfoundation.org

Page Name

|

5

“Children who once came to us for meals now come to us for college recommendations.”

– Moses Zulu

6

|

Page Name

www.firelightfoundation.org

|

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

GR O W ING W IT H O U R CO M M U N I T Y

When Chalwe’s parents were diagnosed with HIV, they immediately worried for their six children, unsure who would care for them. The staff at Luapula Foundation encouraged them to form a support group to help them face their fears and look to the future. They reached out to ten others they knew to be HIV-positive, and together, the group constructed a store.

Shortly after the group formed, Luapula Foundation donated two goats and two pigs to help the business grow. They also provided four bikes and taught the group how to repair them.

They continue to check in on the group to offer support and strengthen their work.

The parents’ support group shares the profits from the store evenly, allowing everyone to purchase food and clothes and cover their children’s school fees. Each month, one of them travels to the hospital by bike, returning with the group’s antiretroviral treatments and delivering them door to door.

Chalwe knows the families in the support group well. He’s an enthusiastic 11-year-old and they are his community, too. He sees his parents’ investment in the future and plans for his own.

My parents used to be sick, but now they are strong. All of our parents come together and talk about the store and what they can do to help each other. My mom’s good at math so she runs the store. My dad fixes the bikes and I like to help. My parents always tell us to do well in school, to study hard and to eat healthy. They tell me it’s important to always give back.

Luapula Foundation facilitates lasting change by building on the strengths that already exist within the community. The store and other projects like it are a source of hope, strengthened livelihoods, and integrity for families. Firelight grants provided the resources and expertise to support these grassroots efforts. As a result of this partnership, families are now able to send their children to school, provide for them and model a caring, hopeful future for their children.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

|

www.firelightfoundation.org

“It is too hard to choose.

Let me just say that I want to teach everything. I want to be a teacher of everything.”

–Chalwe, 11-years old

MORE THAN

15,000 NUMBER OF CHILDREN LUAPULA HAS SERVED

Chalwe

|

5

GR OWIN G TO WA R DS A BE T T ER F U T U R E

For us at Firelight, grantee-partners like Luapula Foundation are a continuing inspiration.

When we first encountered Luapula, we saw some of the crucial elements that lead to lasting change: a clear vision, committed leadership and strong roots in the community. They had already gotten started with a few donations from the community, family members and their personal savings, operating that first year with three volunteers and a budget of $2,850. That personal investment and belief in what was possible, even in the face of limited resources, showed us they were dedicated to their goal of improving children’s lives. Over the next six years, we would help them strengthen their programs, realize their vision and build their relationships within Zambia and internationally.

Setting up tents for real-time testing allows Luapula to reach people who would otherwise not be reached.

$2,850 to $800,000 THE GROWTH IN LUAPULA’S BUDGET DURING THEIR FIRELIGHT PARTNERSHIP

6

|

Firelight

Firelight’s first grant helped Luapula to expand their school support program for vulnerable children. When Luapula works with a student, they pay school fees while also providing personal support to help children prepare for their future, including teaching them about HIV. They also work with the child’s whole family looking for opportunities to improve food security and steady income. Luapula used Firelight funds to launch their conservation farming program, which teaches families new skills and reduces the use of chemical fertilizers. The program improved food quality and quantity while also providing a path for change. That approach, of responding to the needs of the whole child while helping families to provide for their children, is what sets Luapula and other Firelight grantee-partners apart.

When Luapula Foundation graduated from Firelight funding in 2008, they had grown to a staff of 23 and a budget of $800,000 with support from multiple donors. They have continued to provide the same enduring support, but now reach many more families. They have created a legacy of change for children who are planning for their future and will have the education, skills and support to achieve it. Today, they have made a difference in the lives of more than 15,000 children.

www.firelightfoundation.org

|

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

“Firelight helped us plan for the future.”

– Moses Zulu

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

|

www.firelightfoundation.org

Page Name

|

9

2012 FINANCIAL REPORT 82%

6%

12%

STATE M EN T OF F I N ANC IAL POSITIO N

STATEMENT OF AC TIVITIE S

Total Program Expenses

(JULY 1, 2011–JUNE 30, 2012)

ASSETS 2011 2012

2011 2012

Cash and Equivalents

2,380,978

1,241,889

Support from Individuals

927,729

580,107

Grants Receivable

3,036,443

3,245,221

Support from Foundations

8,061,638

2,555,513

Other Current Assets

47,599

118,787

63,117

42,639

Property and Equipment, Net

20,014

21,820

Total Assets 5,485,034

4,627,717

Total Revenue and Support 9,052,484

3,178,259

Fundraising

FY2011 was the first year of operations for Firelight Foundation as a public charity. Support from Foundations in FY2011 includes $1.9million in start-up funds and legacy grants from Firelight Endowment, our predecessor organization, and $3.7million in multi-year grants, of which $3.3 million was restricted for use in subsequent fiscal years. The decrease in net assets in FY2012 is due to the expenditure of those funds in accordance with those restrictions.

REVENUE AND SUPPORT

General & Administrative

Note:

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 205,759 223,271 Grants Payable

396,500

703,700

Total Liabilities

602,259

926,971

Other Income

LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

Unrestricted 389,870 Temporarily Restricted

3,226

4,492,905

3,697,520

Total Net Assets 4,882,775

3,700,746

EXPENSES

Grants Awarded

2,062,600

2,095,600

Program Services

1,336,677

1,464,997

General and Administrative

524,824

517,997

Fundraising 245,608 281,694 Total Expenses 4,169,709

4,360,288

Total Liabilities & Net Assets 5,485,034

4,627,717

Change in Net Assets 4,882,775 (1,182,029)

Firelight Foundation’s complete audited financial statements are available at www.firelightfoundation.org

8

|

2012 Financial Report

www.firelightfoundation.org

|

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

MARY YOO: WHY I SUPPORT FIRELIGHT… I’ve always been drawn to Africa—I love the energy and the

I have worked as a lawyer most of my career, but I’m starting a

beauty of it. However, it’s the children who come first for me

small health and wellness business and I’m going to collaborate

as a donor. We need to invest in children because they really are

with Firelight. I’m confident in Firelight because I’ve known them

our future.

It was a grantee’s story that led me to Firelight.

for some time, and while stepping into my own new path, I’m

In the San Francisco Chronicle, I read about Monica Ngumi, who

inspired to be more involved. It’s very attractive to be so personally

started Mama Darlene’s Children Center. She saw that children

connected, to know the people you are giving to—it’s not just

were coming to school without breakfast

a donation.

I’m going to have an open

and had to do something. Firelight helped

house and Firelight will be there. I’ll also

her start a goat-rearing project, for nutrition

hold a fundraiser when Moses Zulu is visiting

and to raise funds for the school. I looked up

California this year. I know a lot of people

Firelight’s website and made a donation. That

who are looking for places to donate money,

was six years ago.

I like Firelight’s model

and there are so many organizations that

because it responds to the initiative that’s

it can be overwhelming. I can reach out to

already present in Africa. There’s sensitivity

them and say, I have a place for you.

to the needs and a real investment in

hope is for Firelight to continue to thrive

My

developing relationships with grantee-partners. As I learned

and grow. I like that it’s supporting organizations that will

more, I saw how thoughtful Firelight is about the work of building

graduate and that more organizations will receive support. I know

organizations to empower communities, and the children in

it has a strong presence in Africa already, but I want to see it reach

those communities flourish. I truly feel that by working with those

even more organizations and children. There’s a lot of work to

in greatest need, it helps everyone. We’re all interconnected.

be done.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

|

www.firelightfoundation.org

Page Name

|

11

DONORS

(JULY 1, 2011–JUNE 30, 2012)

We are grateful to all of our donors for their generosity.

Their commitment to Firelight makes it possible for us to support communities and families in sub-Saharan Africa that are working to improve children’s lives.

Shanti George & Des Gasper

Linda Larkin

Joanne Newberry

Paola Gianturco

Rachel Laufer

Ross Newport

Peter & Marie Kagaju Laugharn

Albert and Mary Nibbe

Julie Goldstein & Eric Goodman

Dorothy Laugharn

Besem Obenson

Mary Lee

Augustine Gill

INDIVIDUALS

Nick & Fran Bongo

Robin Dixon

Tom Graves

Anonymous (11)

Dylan Bothman

Ann & John Dizikes

Karim & Lisa Abuhamad

Jamie & Melanie Brown

Franklin Dlott

Morgan & Ian Charles Hanna

Karen Ande & Jeff Johnson

Hilary & Dave Bryant

Phoebe Dlott

Keyna Bugner

Jo Anne Dlott

David Anderson

Patrick & Linda Bujold

Sabine Dukes

Chris Arisian

Tom & Lore Burger

Peggy Dwyer

Stacy Aronovici

Kimberly Campbell

Marjorie & Howard Ebright

Glenn & Carin Hanna John & Tracy Heathcote Jessica Hemphill Edward & Cheryl Heneveld Kathryn & Ian Hermann Tony & Dina Hoffman

Albert & Pearl Lee

Wendy O’Meara Lester Olmstead-Rose

Heidi Lidtke

Kristin Olson & Kevin Kruger

Laura Lo Castro

Gayle Ortiz

Aviva Longinotti

Janis Ost

Mark Lorey & Debra Forbes

Peggy & John Overcashier

Ali MacGraw

Isabella, Andrea & Dave Parks

Janice Manion

Barbara Parlapiano Suzi Peel Victoria Pilate

Judy Edghill

Carol Anne Hoffman

Laura Marcus & Joop Rubens

John Edmunds

Karen Hovenga

Linda Marcus

Judy Edwards

Mathew & Shirley Hudson

Natasha Martin

Jude Clement

Peter Ehrhardt

Laura Hyams

Jennifer Matter

Debra & David Evans

Janet Jaffke

Annie McDonough

Robert & Lyndall Bardin

Steven Corbato & Susan Bratton

Regina Falcone

Nora Jimenez

Ginger McNally

Katya Baslee

Greg Cotten

Rachel & Steven Fisher

Dayne Johnson

Eva McRae

Cecile & Christophe Bellito

Amanda & Jeremy Cox

Gwyn Fisher

Dave Katz & Kerry Olson

Elone Miller

Edward & Michelle Elcoat Poulton

Sharon Belunza

Sheri Crockett

Kristi Miller

Stephen Prudhomme

Andrea Damon

Cynthia & Michael FitzGerald

A. Edward Katz

Michael Berkovec

Nancy & Robert Keiber

Catherine Milton

Dieter Ramaekers

Marci Berman

Karen Dandurand

Megan Fogarty

Nicholas Moless

Charles Rampers

Lee & Susanne Berry

Claire & Robert Dankoff

Roger Frankham

Larry Kerr & Jennifer Antrim

Peter & Judith Rice

Teresa Black

Luanne Darbonne

Pat & Michael French

Ann Kjellberg

Jane & John Munger

Mark & Beth Riley

Lydia Blanchard

Christopher Davis

Betsy Gaiser

Scott & Joan Kriens

Dennis Murnyak

Teresa Roberts

Marla Bobowick

Sheila De Lany

Aviva Garrett & David Doshay

Aili Langseth

Erin Murphy Camryn Nakano

Julie & Donovan Roberts Witmer

Cathy Aronson Matthew & Carol Gilbert Arozian Catherine Bacon Eric Balog Becky Banton

Hilda Bohacek

10

|

Donors

Cecilia Marie Carreon Glena Carroll Dave & Linda Carter Jillian Chelson

Debra Dell

Sandy Lansdale

John Neilson

Clemens Pietzner Griselda Pineda Marlene Pitkow Sandra Place James Potash & Sally Scott

www.firelightfoundation.org

|

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Michelle Roland

Suzanne Staver Adams

Janet Rossi

Juniper Stein-Catanach

GIFTS IN HONOR OF

FUNDS & FOUNDATIONS

Dorothy Ruby

Jane Stokes

The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County

Joellen Alward

Aid for Africa

Emmanuel Rurema

Brent & Carolyn Sweeny

The ELMA Foundation

Edward Chapman

Kaki Rusmore

Christopher & Mary Szecsey

Jean Church & Ruby Pedersen

Alpert & Alpert Foundation

The Wexler Philanthropy Fund, Goldman Sachs Philanthropy fund

Alison Thode

Emily & John Salcido Danielle Sanchez-Witzel

Annaliese Tinker

Brian, Lynn, Macon & Will De Lany

Elizabeth Sautter & Tony Savala

Curtis Tom

Michael Fogarty

Paul Traina

Ellie Foster

Rachel Scheer

Randy Trigg

Jim Hayes

Nancy & Kent Shallow

Miria Vargas

Marsha Shanle

James & Sally Vittorio

Aili Langseth & Rob Mullen Peter Laugharn

Dan Shapiro & Hester Parker

Kelly Wachs

Nicole Sallak

Howard Ward

Jeong Shin & Jeff Gregg

Jim & Judy Warner

Susan Simmons Pradeep Sindhu and Marie-Francoise Bertrand Jon Singletary Sandy Skees Suzanne Skees Thomas Skibo Allison Smith & Thomas McManus

Fidelity Charitable

United Way of New York City

Firelight Endowment

World Children’s Relief

Horizons Foundation International Health Programs, Public Health Institute

CHURCHES Rutgers Presbyterian Church

Amelia Wiatr

Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Contribution Fund

John & Jan Williamson

Hales Corners Lutheran Elementary School

Christopher Berry

Network for Good

Barbara Woodhead

Pacific Collegiate School

Stefan Stec

Nike Foundation

Vincent Worms

Martin & Irma Ward

Rockdale Foundation

Stephanie Zakarian

Santa Cruz County Cycling Club Silicon Valley Community Foundation

SCHOOLS

Community Printers Desert Son of Santa Fe Donnelly Chocolates Wells Fargo Zaplin-Lampert Gallery

FAITH TO AC TION INITIATIVE * Bethany Christian Services Bright Hope International Visionledd

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FUNDERS GROUP * Marshall Foundation The Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Foundation * Firelight acts as the Fiscal Agent for these groups.

Leland & Marian Zeidler

Richard & Christina Staufenberger

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Tsadik Foundation

GIFTS IN MEMORY OF

Ellen Weiss & Jonathon Greenberg

Brandon Yung

Jon-Reno St. James

Kerry Olson & Dave Katz

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Tides Foundation

Jewish Community Federation

Mary Yoo

Sandra Spires

John & Judy Neary

Benjamin-Knox Family Fund

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Margaret Reynolds

Dawn Weathersbee

Monique Wynia

Robert & Tammy Snyder

Levi Myers

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

BUSINESSES Bay Photo/Kurtz Photographics

|

www.firelightfoundation.org

Donors

|

11

BOARD OF DIREC TORS, ADVISORY COUNCIL, STAFF & VOLUNTEERS BOARD OF DIREC TORS

STAFF CONTINUED

VOLUNTEERS

Kerry Olson, Founder & President

Cheryl Talley-Moon, HR & Office Manager

Thomas Barkley

David Katz, Vice President & Secretary

Dawn Weathersbee, Engagement Associate

Elizabeth Berk

Richard Staufenberger, Treasurer

Bridget Zwimpfer, Program Assistant

Nicole Campos

Diana Aubourg Millner Anand Chandrasekaran Barbara Fagan-Smith Geoff Foster, MD Rowland P. Hobbs Jonathan C. Lewis Catherine H. Milton STAFF Peter Laugharn, Executive Director Robin Dixon, Communications Officer Gretchen Ellis, Program Associate Aili Langseth, Program Officer Kristen Molyneaux, Program Officer Dila Perera, Program Officer Scott J. Pietka, Grants Administrator Joop Rubens, Director of Development Mia Schmid, Program Assistant Zanele Sibanda, Director of Programs Jane Stokes, Finance Manager

Antonio Cavagnari

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Madie Darbonne

Geoff Foster, MD, Consultant Pediatrician,

Allison Fiffer

Ministry of Health, Zimbabwe

Amanda Hill

Mulugeta Gebru, Executive Director, Jerusalem Children & Community Development Organization (JeCCDO), Ethiopia

Stefan Germann, Director for Partnerships, Innovation & Accountability, Global Health & WASH Team, World Vision International , Switzerland Malawi, Lwabumi Trust (LLT), Zambia

Lily Laugharn Ryan Lee Anne-Marie Mitchell

Wairimu Mungai, Excecutive Director, WEM Integrated Health Services (WEMIHS), Kenya

Linda Richter, PhD, Distinguished Research Fellow, Human Sciences Research Council & Senior Specialist (Vulnerable Children), Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, South Africa Centre (CRC), South Africa

Peter Kent-Stoll

Eric McClellan

Howard Kasiya, Country Program Consultant,

Cati Vawda, Former Director, Children’s Rights

Michael Kain

Bob Moon Sarah Moore Annabella Sakasai Mia Schmid Hannah Shr Emiley Stake Calvin Strehl Alexandra (Sasha) Turrentine Brandi Young Lists current FY12

12

|

Board & Staff

www.firelightfoundation.org

|

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Find a way TO GIVE

TO GET INVOLVED

DONATE ONLINE: www.firelightfoundation.org

Become a Firelight Foundation volunteer.

F

BURNIN

EP THE

KE

.FIRELIGH FO

G

Like us on Facebook and tell your friends about us.

Share this Annual Report with a friend.

Make a gift to Firelight Foundation.

UN

D AT I O N . O

R

QUESTIONS?

Make a planned gift.

Contact our Director of Development at development@firelightfoundation.org or call 831. 429 . 8750

Share stock.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

T

Make a gift in honor of a friend or family member.

Host a Firelight event at your home.

WW

MORE WAYS TO GIVE: Ask your company to make a matching gift.

Make an in-kind donation.

G

W

SEND A CHECK TO: Firelight Foundation 740 Front Street, Suite 380 Santa Cruz, CA 95060

I

RE

|

www.firelightfoundation.org

Meet more people in the Luapula community by visiting our Flickr account!

Find more news and stories online at Ubuntu, the Firelight blog.

The mission of Firelight Foundation is to improve the wellbeing of children made vulnerable by HIV, AIDS, and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Firelight supports grassroots organizations that help families and communities meet the needs of their children.

Firelight Foundation 740 Front Street, Suite 380 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA Tel: +1.831.429.8750 Fax: +1.831.429.2036 info@firelightfoundation.org www.firelightfoundation.org

Direction by Robin Dixon. Photos by Joop Rubens. Design and production by one | em design. Printed by Community Printers on 60% PCW paper.

Copyright Š 2012 Firelight Foundation. All Rights Reserved.