Bitcoins./PHOTO;Courtesy pexel
Save the Children is breaking new ground in humanitarian innovation with the launch of its first-of-its-kind Bitcoin Fund, developed in partnership with digital asset leader Fortris.
The initiative is designed to transform how financial resources are held, managed, and delivered during crises, allowing the organization to unlock funds faster and maximize the impact of every donation.
The Bitcoin Fund enables Save the Children to securely hold donations in Bitcoin for up to four years, giving the organization flexibility in converting assets when market conditions are favorable.
This approach not only preserves value but also supports experimentation with new cash and voucher delivery systems using Bitcoin, stablecoins, and digital wallets.
By leveraging blockchain-based tools, the fund allows assistance to reach children and families faster, more transparently, and at a lower cost.
“Out-of-the-box solutions are essential to ensure we continue to be there for children when they need us most—especially when traditional foreign aid funding falters,” said Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US.
“This innovation integrates the speed, cost-efficiency, and financial inclusion of blockchain-based tools to strengthen Save the Children’s emergency response and long-term development programs for kids in the U.S. and around the world.”
Since 2013, Save the Children has been a pioneer in crypto philanthropy, becoming the first international NGO to accept Bitcoin donations.
Through its Hodl Hope initiative, the organization has already raised millions in digital assets to support children in crises across Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and other hotspots.
The launch of the Bitcoin Fund formalizes this effort, creating a structured platform to hold, manage, and strategically deploy crypto donations for maximum impact.
Antonia Roupell, Innovation and Partnerships Lead at Save the Children US, said:
“Many non-profits accept Bitcoin today, but few hold these donations or leverage the asset’s underlying peer-to-peer technology in their operations. Our Bitcoin donors asked for the flexibility to choose when to convert to maximize the impact of their generosity, and this fund delivers exactly that.”
The fund also signals a broader shift in global philanthropy.
According to market projections, crypto donations to charities could reach $1.5 billion annually by 2030, fueled by increasing adoption of digital assets, growing interest in decentralized finance (DeFi), and a younger generation of donors seeking fast, transparent, and borderless giving options.
Save the Children’s initiative positions the organization at the forefront of this movement, demonstrating how humanitarian programs can integrate emerging financial technology to reach underserved populations more efficiently.
Beyond speed and transparency, the fund opens opportunities for financial inclusion.
Save the Children plans to explore community-based Bitcoin tools in partnership with developers like Fedi, aiming to help families with limited access to traditional banking services gain digital financial literacy.
By combining over a century of humanitarian expertise with cutting-edge financial technology, the organization seeks to turn digital value into tangible economic empowerment.
The Bitcoin Fund is expected to serve as a model for other NGOs and philanthropic organizations considering digital assets as part of their strategy.
With volatile markets often cited as a barrier, structured approaches like Save the Children’s can mitigate risk while unlocking new potential for donations that appreciate over time.
The ability to hold donations in crypto until optimal deployment could increase both efficiency and impact in humanitarian response.
Moreover, the fund could encourage more donors to give in digital assets, creating a positive feedback loop.
As more non-profits explore crypto philanthropy, adoption may accelerate, enabling faster and more flexible emergency responses globally.
Experts note that blockchain-enabled donations also improve accountability and traceability, key concerns for donors seeking assurance that their contributions reach those in need.
Looking forward, Save the Children plans to combine the Bitcoin Fund with its ongoing initiatives in cash and voucher assistance, digital wallets, and blockchain-enabled tracking.
By doing so, it aims to create an ecosystem where traditional and digital donations can be deployed in ways that maximize impact, reduce overhead, and reach children and families efficiently, even in the most challenging crisis zones.
By launching the Bitcoin Fund, Save the Children is not only advancing its own mission but also shaping the future of philanthropy.
The initiative exemplifies how technology can amplify impact, improve transparency, and create financial tools that benefit vulnerable populations worldwide.
Save the Children invites the global crypto and philanthropic community to join this effort, contribute to the Bitcoin Fund, and explore innovative solutions for humanitarian support.
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