Over the years, several endowment funds have been set up within VGIF as a result of special contributions or board decisions. Each endowment fund was established to address a specific challenge faced by women and girls. These funds are professionally managed within the VGIF Endowment Portfolio.
The following four funds were created to provide grant funding for specific types of projects.
Erna Hamburger Fund (EHF):
In 1988, Erna Hamburger, who served VGIF on the Finance Committee, Project
Grants Committee, and as First Vice-President, passed away. Her many friends
urged that an endowment be established in her name. To begin the fund,
Elizabeth May made a generous contribution. The Board capped the endowment
at 50,000 USD to provide grant funding for projects encouraging the education
of girls in developing countries in mathematics, science, or engineering.
Asian Regional Endowment
Fund (ARE):
In 1997, VGIF established its first regional fund to develop a substantial
and sustained financial resource for targeted project funding in Asia,
particularly the Pacific Island countries. The intent was that contributions
to this fund would enable VGIF to develop a secure financial base for
future project funding.
Central/South America/Caribbean
Regional Endowment Fund (CSACRE):
In 2006, VGIF established its second regional fund as a quasi-endowment
to develop substantial and sustained financial resources to support qualified
projects from any of the 40 countries that comprise Central and South
America, and the Caribbean. Fifteen percent of the annual income from
the fund may be used each year for grant awards to support qualifying
projects.
Leaders Fund (LF):
The Leaders Fund was approved as a quasi-endowment fund by the VGIF Board
of Directors in October 2004. Fifteen percent of the annual income from
the fund may be used each year for grant awards to support cutting-edge,
innovative, or entrepreneurial projects. The fund enables VGIF to respond
to special opportunities as they arise, providing flexibility to meet
changing needs.
Information about the entire VGIF Endowment Portfolio is available upon request.
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Fiji Erna Hamburger Fund (EHF) |
Thailand Asian Regional Endowment Fund (ARE) |
Colombia Central/South America/Caribbean Regional Endowment Fund (CSACRE) |