International
Uplifting the social and economic climate for the world’s most disadvantaged individuals
Recent studies reveal that approximately half the world’s children live in poverty. It’s estimated that 640 million exist without adequate shelter and 400 million do not have access to safe water. For most, basic human freedoms like education and health services are limited, and the consequences of living without them can be devastating.
The Benefaction International Portfolio is committed to bringing about global change and making a positive impact on the world we live in.
Purpose
To invest in initiatives that improve the standard of living for the world’s most impoverished people
Key Initiatives
• Ending world poverty and hunger.
• Improving infrastructure to enhance the economy of developing countries and raising
the standard of living.
• Creating opportunities for children to acquire an education.
• Helping low-income entrepreneurs start or expand businesses; thereby strengthening
and uplifting entire communities.
My Arms Wide Open
The My Arms Wide Open® Foundation provides support for mothers, children, and youth in South Africa to build sustainable communities and responsible businesses.
My Arms Wide Open works directly with community members, who identify priorities for community development. We help them improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as entrepreneurship, leadership, mentoring, education and personal development.
Free the Children
Free The Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education. It was founded by a group of 12 year-olds who dreamed of changing the world. Since then, Free The Children has grown into a youth movement that spans the globe. Today, through the voices and actions of youth, Free The Children has built more than 500 schools in developing countries around the world, providing quality primary education to more than 50,000 students every day.
Canadian Crossroads International
Canadian Crossroads International (CCI) is an international development organization that is working to reduce poverty, mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS and increase women’s rights around the world. CCI develops unique and tailored partnerships with leading not-for-profit organizations in both Developing Countries and in Canada. Together partners establish and implement concrete solutions to address systematic inequalities and injustices over the long term. In its 50 year history CCI has collaborated with hundreds of local partners and currently works in 8 countries in Western and South Africa, and Latin America. CCI is committed to delivering local solutions to insure lasting economic, social and political outcomes. We have offices in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver, and a network of 8000 committed volunteers and over 25 partner organizations.
Opportunity International
Opportunity International is a non-profit microfinance organization dedicated to helping the working poor in 27 developing countries. Founded in 1971, Opportunity International provides small loans — sometimes as little as $50 — and other services that allow entrepreneurs to start or expand a business, develop a steady income and provide for their families. By giving the entrepreneurial poor a “working chance”, Opportunity International helps uplift entire communities through job creation. 85% of Opportunity International’s clients are women.