Firelight is a multi-donor public charity fund that envisions a world where children and youth in eastern and southern Africa live in safe, strong, nurturing environments where they can thrive. Firelight raises capital from and works with foundations, individuals, and funding institutions in the global North to support an approach to development and social transformation in systems for children and youth that emphasizes the insight, leadership, and ownership of those who are living in and experiencing those systems and their work to create lasting change in those systems.

Firelight’s approach is founded on the belief, backed by experience and evidence, that relevant, impactful, and sustainable change at the community level comes when:
Community members determine, own, and drive the change process; and
Change actions focus on addressing the underlying systems and root causes of concern – rather than only reacting to symptoms.

We recognize that there are imbalances of power and privilege in this world and that these are especially prevalent in “global development” and “philanthropy”. As such, our goal is to work with philanthropists and others to transition their capital in ways that address these imbalances. In doing so, we also assess, question and actively transfer power away from ourselves. We also take a justice and solidarity approach to all of our work because we believe the most meaningful philanthropy happens when donors and other holders of power and wealth walk with, be guided by and shift power to the people and communities we wish to serve.