Inspired by this expansion, the Echo Fund made a transformational investment of $6 million to launch the Friends of the Children Social Impact Fund.
Washington-based philanthropist Diana Tomseth, founder of the Echo Fund, is the granddaughter of the late Les Schwab, who built the independent business Les Schwab Tire Centers. “This gift is how I am honoring my grandfather’s love and commitment to the people and company he cared about so deeply,” said Tomseth. “He attributed his own success to empowering those around him and providing opportunities for them to succeed.
He had very little means growing up and was fiercely committed to building impactful programs that have a larger vision and purpose, similar to Friends of the Children’s founder Duncan Campbell. My hope is that this gift will honor my grandfather’s legacy for many years to come.”
The Social Impact Fund is a powerful approach to transforming lives and partnering with more communities across the country, including a focus on rural and tribal communities. This incredible opportunity positions all investors who support this fund to be a spark for impact – mobilizing private resources to find and grow community solutions with evidence of results.
OUR STORY
Friends of the Children was founded over 28 years ago in Portland, OR with just three Friends and 24 children. Today, we are a national organization with 24 locations across the U.S. and United Kingdom. We have set a goal of raising $50 million for our national expansion campaign, which is being fueled by private and public investments.
In May 2021, Friends of the Children received a two-year, $6 million matching gift from the Echo Fund.
This gift catalyzed the Friends of the Children 2021/22 Social Impact Fund which will support the expansion of the model in partnership with communities across the country. Friends of the Children – National must match the $6 million investment dollar-for-dollar. Local communities receiving expansion grants will then need to match the investment again, turning $6M into $18M – moving us that much closer to our $50M expansion goal!
$300,000 - $500,000 Social Impact Fund Expansion Grants
Available to rural and tribal communities that can demonstrate the ability to:
Identify Youth Facing the Greatest Obstacles in the Community
Cohorts of youth ages 4-6 enrolled annually who are at high risk of and/or already experiencing foster care
Match the Impact fund expansion Grant
Impact fund expansion grant request must be matched dollar-for-dollar with local investments
Establish Local Champions committee
Individual community leaders with he potential to recruit a strong Board of Directors for established organization
Meet seed funding goal
$1M - $2M (including expansion grant0 secured by December 30, 2022, from diversified funding sources, e.g., a blend of funding sources that could include foundations, corporations, individuals, tribal nations, and government. Seed capital will be used for expenses incurred over a 3-year period.
Leverage Strategic Partnerships
Local leaders, tribal leaders, community, and government partners to ensure that program needs can be met, and that growth can be financially and programmatically sustained.
Friends of the Children estimates funding 6-8 Social Impact Fund Expansion Grants between 2021-22, with numbers varying depending on the number of communities that can meet impact fund grant requirements by December 30, 2022.
For more information, please contact Erinn Kelley-Siel, Chief Officer of Expansion & Policy, at ekelleysiel@friendsofthechildren.org