Programs

The One of Us Global Foundation is currently focused on how to strategically achieve our vision and leaning into our unique strengths and resources. As a private foundation we are intentionally focusing on how to embody transformational philanthropy.

How can philanthropy be transformational? We plan to intentionally focus on key cultural and systems shifts in WHAT we fund and HOW we approach and do things. Including:

Shifting from Traditional Philanthropy

• Meeting immediate needs only

• Funding outputs, or program activities only

• Restrictive grantmaking that puts in place requirements and prescribed results

To Transformational Philanthropy

• Deep partnership and investment in the immediate needs and long-term results with the communities we support

• Funding outcomes, activities resources that support sustainable and enduring results that contribute to equitable health and wellbeing for all

• Equity-focused grantmaking that is community-driven without unnecessary restrictions

We believe that when we work collectively and consciously align and coordinate funding to drive toward the outcomes and impact we envision for our communities, and shift how we do our work, philanthropy can be a substantive force for equity and dignity. To accomplish this, One of Us is doing and planning the following:

• We created a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of twelve young people around the globe to help identify projects, initiatives, and programs that align with our values and will help accomplish our vision. We are creating internal decision-making processes that center the YAC and other youth voices to ensure that One of Us Foundation’s work is focused on the issues they care about most as well as their creative ideas and solutions for these issues.

• We created a Board of Advisors, rather than a traditional Board of Directors, specifically to rethink how a Board can best support the YAC to be decision-makers for the organization. They serve as coaches, advisors and partners to the young people in our organization, and to future staff and partners.

• Our funding will support youth-led and youth-focused programs, initiatives and projects that both meet immediate needs in our communities, as well as address root causes of key issues through systems, narrative and policy change.

• We will continue to evaluate and iterate our projects, programs and processes on an ongoing basis and will be actively seeking input and feedback from our internal team, partners, and other advisors.

The One of Us Global Foundation is also developing a mentorship program for gifted young creators and visionaries to partner up with some of the industry's biggest names to turn their ideas into reality. Passionate about an idea? Want to enact real change in your digital communities? Have goals for the future of our digital landscapes? Good! We want to hear about it. More information to come.