| Abbreviation | UNICEF USA |
|---|---|
| Formation | December 31, 1947 [1] |
| Type | Children's Charity |
| 13-1760110 | |
| Focus | children's rights, child survival and child development |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Michael J. Nyenhuis | |
| Website | unicefusa |
Formerly called |
United States Fund for UNICEF, [1] doing business as UNICEF USA, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) in the United States that supports the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Founded in 1947 by Helenka Pantaleoni, it is the oldest of the 32 UNICEF National Committees that support UNICEF worldwide [2] through fundraising, advocacy and education. Since its inception, the U.S. Fund has provided UNICEF and various NGOs with approximately $12 billion in cash and gifts-in-kind. [3]
UNICEF USA administers the long-running Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, which began as a local fundraising event in Pennsylvania in 1950 and has since raised roughly US$200 million to support UNICEF's work. The U.S. Fund also sponsored the UNICEF Tap Project, which provided children around the world with access to safe, clean water. [4] [5] [6] The Tap Project began in 2007 and ended in 2016. [7]
The President and CEO of UNICEF USA is Michael J. Nyenhuis. Current members of the National Board of Directors are Bernard Taylor Sr. (Chair), Robert T. Brown (Vice Chair) , Aaron Mitchell, Andrew Hohns, Brannigan Thompson, Carol J. Hamilton, Ewout Steenbergen, Glen Baptist, J. Stephen Eaton, John O'Farrell, Kelly Wilson, Ken Graboys, Lata N. Reddy, Laura Jones, Nicole Giles, Phillippe Gilbert, and Janet Truncale. [8]
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is headquartered in Manhattan in New York City [9] and maintains five regional advisory boards: Atlantic, Central Plains, Midwest, Northeast, and West [10]
UNICEF USA carries Charity Navigator's 4-Star financial standards rating for charities, the best possible score for nonprofits, indicating that donors can confidently give to UNICEF USA. Out of every dollar spent, 89 cents goes toward helping children, 9 cents is spent on fundraising costs, and 2 cents on administration. [11] [12]
The first UNICEF greeting card was created in 1949, the design featuring a "thank you picture" by a seven-year-old girl whose village in Czechoslovakia received emergency assistance from UNICEF. The card launched a worldwide fundraising activity that continues to provide a significant source of revenue to UNICEF. The U.S. Fund makes UNICEF greeting cards and gifts available in the United States through the UNICEF Market website. [13] [14]
The U.S. Fund also supports UNICEF with UNICEF Inspired Gifts. Through this program, individuals can purchase lifesaving supplies for children such as therapeutic milk or anti-malarial mosquito nets and have them shipped to one of the over 150 countries and territories in which UNICEF works. [15] [16]
UNICEF USA has a long history of support from its celebrity ambassadors and high-profile supporters who play a significant role in promoting UNICEF and advocating and fundraising on its behalf. Current UNICEF USA Ambassadors include Aria Maria Loberti, Jeremy Lin, Selena Gomez, Justin Min, Laurie Hernandez, Téa Leoni, Lucy Liu, P!nk, Alyssa Milano, and Sofia Carson. [17]
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| National | |
