2 0 2 0 A N N U A L R E P O R T

1
Janti Soeripto
President & CEO,
Save the Children Dear friends,

2020 was one of the worst years, over the past couple of decades, for the
world’s children. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented upheaval
– magnifying the hardships of millions of children around the world who were
already struggling. The pandemic also deepened systematic inequalities within
societies and made our work for vulnerable children more urgently needed
than ever.

The challenges have been immense. But through it all, our amazing supporters
and partners have been with us every step of the way. Thanks to you, we’ve
been able to come through under pressure when it mattered the most for
children. We have adapted and expanded how we deliver our life-changing
programs and advocacy for children, and launched innovative new initiatives
to address the pandemic’s devastating impacts.

The summer brought with it a racial reckoning years in the making. We know
that racism, discrimination and inequity begin in childhood, and we are more
committed than ever to promote social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion
inside our organization, in the communities we serve, and in national and
international policies.

The global pandemic changed us as an organization. We saw a fundamental

shift to remote working due to stay-at-home orders, forcing us to find
innovative ways of working to achieve our breakthroughs for children.

While travel and movement were restricted, we had more opportunity to

localize our work on the ground, to benefit even more from our country
technical expertise and local partner capability. Having local expertise gives
us a clear advantage and we have seen the benefits of this.

1
Brad Irwin
Chair, Save the Children
Board of Trustees We were required to rapidly scale up our digital efforts – not only in how
we engage with our staff and work together remotely, but also in how we
influence policymakers and engage our supporters. Our teams used digital and
mobile platforms to train teachers and local health workers to deliver cash
programming, and to engage our supporters and fellow campaigners. They
delivered services remotely using channels like radio, internet, phones and
television to reach children like never before – such as digital community case
management of childhood illness in Nicaragua, and basic education through
television in Ethiopia.

We invite you to review our results from 2020 and to be assured our work is
going full force in 2021, adapting as needed to new realities, and committed to
doing whatever it takes to give children the childhoods and futures they deserve.

Thanks to supporters like you, we achieved tremendous results for children last
year. Together, we reached more than 197 million children, including 1.1 million
here in America. Our total operating revenue was $869 million, 4% higher than
in 2019.

In these difficult times, we thank you more than ever for your compassion,
generosity and determination to ensure children everywhere survive, learn
and are protected.

On behalf of the world’s children,

Janti Soeripto Brad Irwin

President & CEO, Save the Children Chair, Save the Children Board of Trustees
@SaveCEO_US

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Greetings to world leaders and Save the Children supporters,

It’s a pleasure and honor to write this introduction to Save the Children’s annual report. I am happy to cast light on the
issues faced by children in the whole world, particularly in South Sudan. I am an activist, raising the concerns of children
at different forums at my school, and at state and national levels. I was also nominated by South Sudanese children to
represent them in a presession meeting with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child committee.

When campaigning, I focus on the inclusion of all children (including girls and those with disabilities) in education.
I also work on gender-based violence targeting children, sexual abuse (including forced and early marriage) and
violence against children. While South Sudanese children struggled during COVID and flooding, I focused on
ensuring they were safe, by talking to them about prevention and response measures.

Coronavirus has affected girls in South Sudan negatively – many dropped out of school during the lockdown.
It resulted in child marriage, as many thought schools would not open again. Here, only girls who stay in school
can avoid getting married before 18. Child labor has also increased. Widespread poverty and hunger are other
issues children face in my country.

My hope and dream is that one day children in South Sudan and the entire world live, learn and stay
in a safe and protective environment. I want to take this golden opportunity to ask the government
of South Sudan to prioritize children’s rights and provide equitable basic services, especially in
health, education and security.

The cases of child rights violations have slightly reduced, according to my personal
observations. When we advocate, we see that our efforts lead to change and this
keeps me wanting to do more. Finally, I want to tell leaders that we children are
looking at you, to ensure our rights are prioritized and you give us the education
we need, because we are the seeds of tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Achol
Student at St. Andrew Primary School-Bor
and member of a Child Rights Club, South Sudan
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Every second
of every day
Through Save the Children’s work – every second of every day –
a hungry child is fed, a sick child gets care, a young mind is learning, a
vulnerable child is protected, or a family gains tools to overcome poverty.

4
5
6
 Meet our youth advocates
There are over 100 Save the Children Clubs in 22 states across the country. These are student-led groups that
meet regularly to create change for kids in need – through advocacy actions, awareness-building and fundraising.
Learn more about starting or joining a school club: www.savethechildren.org/clubs

“
Together we can all truly make
a difference … especially
during these difficult times.
– Lichel, age 16
“There are countless children
around the world that are
being denied basic rights.
– Pal, age 16
“Children are the future, and we
need to start with children to
make real change in the world.
– Toke, age 16

7
Four-year-old Resta plays outside
at her preschool in Indonesia.
We support communities like hers

Photo: Victoria Zegler / Save the Children

to make preschools into places
where children enjoy learning.

8
 A Healthy Start
Save the Children has been a global leader in
child health for decades. We led the massive
worldwide effort that helped reduce newborn
Photo: Save the Children Philippines

deaths by 42% since 2000, saving 1.7 million

babies each year. We’ve also helped decrease
the number of children dying before age 5
by over half since 1990, saving 122 million
children.

As the pandemic spread throughout the

world, we worked to ensure children’s routine
health care was not disrupted. We trained
and equipped health workers to deal with
new challenges. We also found innovative
ways to provide families with knowledge
and resources to keep safe from COVID
and slow its spread.

27.9
MILLION
CHILDREN
In the Philippines, a girl practices HEALTHY
washing her hands while wearing a
mask provided by Save the Children.
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Three years ago, Ummay escaped to Bangladesh with In a refugee camp in Bangladesh,
her husband and his family due to the horrific violence 18-month-old Jakia has received all
her vaccinations at the right time.
they witnessed in their village in Myanmar.
Jakia’s mother, Ummay, is delighted
her baby is healthy.
Like the thousands of other Rohingya refugees who

Photo: Sonali Chakma / Save the Children

fled Myanmar, the journey to Bangladesh was extremely
difficult for Ummay and her family. They had very little
water and food, and Ummay’s husband was shot in
the leg. A few months after they arrived in Bangladesh,
Ummay gave birth to their baby but he died within
a few days. “I think the lack of maternal care when

“well and healthy.

She is perfectly
”
I was pregnant and the difficult journey contributed
to my baby’s premature birth and then his death from
pneumonia,” she said.

Ummay now lives with her husband in one of the

Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Because of the
injury he suffered when he was shot, Ummay’s husband
cannot walk without support and cannot do heavy lifting
or manual labor. They have a shop but had to close it for
five months because of the COVID pandemic. “Now we
are fully dependent on the food ration we get,” she said.

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 When she became pregnant again, Ummay visited Save the Children’s We also have a 20-bed primary health care center offering 24/7
health facilities regularly for check-ups. She now has a healthy inpatient and maternity services as well as outpatient services
18-month-old daughter named Jakia. “She received all her vaccinations serving both the refugee and host community.
at the right time,” said Ummay. “She has not had any severe diseases.
She is perfectly well and healthy.” Save the Children’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Cox’s
Bazar is focused on three key areas: community-based care and
Save the Children has eight health posts offering comprehensive information, specialized clinical care for suspected COVID patients
primary health care services in the Rohingya refugee camps, in an isolation and treatment center and continuing our
including maternal, newborn and child health; adolescent sexual and existing lifesaving health services.
reproductive health; and mental health and emotional support.

Jakia’s parents cannot work because of

COVID restrictions in the refugee camp
Photo: Sonali Chakma / Save the Children

where they live. The family depends fully

on the food rations they receive.

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Photo: Sonali Chakma / Save the Children

Ummay and her family receive

regular care at a Save the Children
health post in a Rohingya refugee
camp in Bangladesh.

12
 Global Health Results
• 2020 marked the end of our flagship Saving Newborn
Lives initiative. As the first newborn health program of
its kind, SNL generated a movement for improving
newborn health and survival, and an unprecedented
legacy, shared by Save the Children and partners around
the world. Over the last two decades, SNL worked in 32
countries establishing a catalytic approach to research,
advocacy and program implementation. These efforts
enabled partners to come together on lifesaving
interventions for newborns in many low- and mid-income
countries, including those with the highest burden of
newborn deaths.
Photo: Catherine McGowan / Save the Children

• In 2020, we directly reached 9.4 million vulnerable

people, including 4.5 million children, through our hunger
and livelihoods programs in 27 countries. In the Sahel and
Horn of Africa regions, our REAL program
is piloting methods to measure and
analyze resilience to shocks
and stresses in communities
affected by conflict. These
innovations are helping
families secure a safe
and healthy future.

Ayesha Sharmin, a Save the Children

medical assistant, works at a primary
health care center in a refugee camp
in Bangladesh.
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 Photo: Miguel Arreátegui/ Save the Children Peru
In Peru, Nicolas, age 3, learns
how to wear his mask and
keep his hands clean with
help from Save the Children.

• In Ethiopia, our USAID-funded Growth and posters on nutrition, COVID and This reversed an expected White House
through Nutrition project reached 1.5 million breastfeeding to more than 3,250 directive that would have prohibited PPE
children under 5 with nutrition interventions. health facilities. procurement for U.S. aid programs.
It provided access to safe water to 55,000
people and basic sanitation services to 41,000 • In partnership with other international Learn more about our high-impact health programs
people. It also trained 9,000 frontline health organizations, we helped ensure equipment that save lives: www.savethechildren.org/health
workers. In response to the pandemic, we to protect against COVID was provided to
translated and distributed 60,000 flyers frontline health workers around the world.
14
 “
I know how to protect myself from
coronavirus. I wash my hands with
soap and water. I stay indoors.
I wear a mask when I have to
go out. I need to maintain social
distancing. You shouldn’t touch
your face, and you must cough
or sneeze into your elbow.

”
Photo: Sophie Hamandishe / Save the Children

– McLean, age 10, Zimbabwe

In rural Zimbabwe, McClean and her young brother

are among 650 children from their area who received
hygiene kits from Save the Children.

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 The Opportunity
to Learn
In the last decade, Save the Children has
delivered quality education to over 273
million children – more than any other global
development organization. We helped reduce
the number of out-of-school children by over
one-third since 2000, resulting in 144 million
more children getting the education
they deserve.

At the height of the pandemic in June 2020,

over 90% of the world’s children were out
Photo: Save the Children

of school. We worked tirelessly to ensure

children affected by school closures continued
to learn, with their physical, emotional and
education needs supported.

12
MILLION
CHILDREN
A boy in Afghanistan works on an
art project in a Save the Children
LEARNING
play and learning center.
16
 Mahadiya with members of her family
Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world, has outside their home in Ethiopia.
made good progress in improving children’s education,
but illiteracy rates remain high, and school closures due
to coronavirus threaten to erode hard-won victories.

Like 26 million other children in Ethiopia, Mahadiya

(“Maha”) was out of school because of the coronavirus
lockdown. Maha worried about her family, who has lost
income due to the pandemic, and she missed going to
school, seeing her friends and receiving food there. The

Photo: Seifu Asseged / Save the Children

one bright spot in her day? Reading books brought to her
by the Save the Children Camel Library.

“ I love camels.
They bring me books. ”
In the Somali region of Ethiopia, camels are traditionally
used to transport goods across the hot deserts, due
to their strength and resilience. Through this program,
21 camels – which carry up to 200 books at a time
– brought books to 33 villages, reaching over 22,000
children like Maha.

“Schools are closed,” Maha said. “I’m worried that we

could forget some of the things we learned and we could
fail our exam.”

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 “Each time the camel library comes to our village, I borrow up to Save the Children has been helping children in Ethiopia with their
three books that I read for myself and my brother and sisters. I learn schooling since the 1960s. In 2020, we dramatically expanded our
many new things from reading the storybooks that the camel library education program in response to the pandemic, with an emphasis
brings. I wish the virus would just go away and I am able to continue on remote learning. In all, we helped educate 4.6 million children in
my education. I won’t lose my hope of becoming an engineer.” Ethiopia – more than 4 times the number we reached in 2019.

Photo: Seifu Asseged / Save the Children

Mahadiya reads to
her siblings from a
book borrowed from
the camel library. 18
Mahadiya, age 13, is out of school because of the
coronavirus, but thanks to Save the Children’s
camel library, she is able to continue reading
and learning at home.

Photo: Seifu Asseged / Save the Children

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 In Bangladesh, Chadni is dedicated
to her studies and wants to be a
teacher when she grows up. Global Education Results
• Save the Children supported Ministries of Education in
53 countries to adapt curricula to the COVID context.
We also set up innovative and inclusive ways to keep
children learning through TV, radio, audio files, and simple
pen and paper. Our distance learning materials supported
parents who were educating children at home, including
specialized activities for children under 5 – an important
stage of development.

• Worldwide, we helped 87,830 children with disabilities

to access distance learning. In Cambodia, we supported
the Ministry of Education to include sign language in
distance learning materials. And in Georgia, Kosovo and
Vietnam, we adapted activities and parental guidance
to meet the needs of children with disabilities learning
from home.

• In Egypt, independent
evaluators found that children
in our literacy project made
significantly larger gains in
10 of 11 early grade reading
Photo: Save the Children

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Photo: Miguel Arreátegui / Save the Children

In Peru, Valentina, age 6, reads a

book about how to cope with fear
in situations like a pandemic.

skills, compared to a control group. The training young women entrepreneurs to grow on the impact of COVID on basic education.
Save the Children model has been adopted their businesses, achieve their personal The bill includes findings from our Save Our
by the Ministry of Education for wider use, goals, support their families and become role Education report.
which we will support. models in their communities.

• In 2020, we directly reached 9.4 million • We worked with the offices of Learn more about our work around the
vulnerable people, including 4.5 million representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and world to help children learn and thrive:
children, through our hunger and livelihoods Patrick Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to introduce a bill www.savethechildren.org/education
programs in 27 countries. In Ethiopia, we are that requires USAID to report to Congress
21
 “
Photo: Marla Reyes / Save the Children in El Salvador

It’s very difficult. My grandparents can’t

help me with my homework because
they can’t read or write. I don’t like this
virus because I get bored at home.
With this book I practice reading, so
now I have something new to
do thanks to Save the Children.

”
– Henry, age 11, El Salvador

Henry, age 11, participates in

Save the Children health and
education programs. In his free
time, now that he’s home more,
he enjoys his new coloring book.

22
 Protection
Photo: Marla Reyes / Save the Children in El Salvador

from Harm
Save the Children was the first global
organization devoted solely to serving
children’s needs, protecting them from harm
and securing their rights. The UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child, based on the vision
of our founder Eglantine Jebb, is the most
universally accepted human rights treaty in
history.

The pandemic made our protection mission

more essential than ever, and also more
challenging. Children’s safety and well-being
were at greater risk, while at the same time,
many protection services were disrupted.
Our goal was to bridge this gap and ensure
children at risk of violence, exploitation, abuse
and neglect had quality protection services
during COVID.

3.1
MILLION
CHILDREN
Karolina, age 7, and Nicolas, age 3, have
been supported by Save the Children’s
PROTECTED
COVID response program in Peru.
23
 Hala, age 7, plays at Save
On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion tore through the Children’s child-friendly
space in Beirut, Lebanon.
the port of Beirut, Lebanon, killing 215 people, injuring
thousands, and leaving an estimated 300,000 homeless.

Hala, age 7, was studying when the explosion hit. She

was injured by broken glass. Her home was destroyed
and she withdrew into herself, refusing to be left alone.
She wouldn’t go to sleep unless she was certain both
her parents were within reach. And when using the
bathroom, she kept the door open to make sure her
family was close.

“ Maybe half of the

fear is gone, not all
of it yet.
”
“She won’t go into a room by herself,” said Rabae, her
father. “Even if the lights are on, ever. Someone has to be
with her.”

Hala now visits a child-friendly space established by Save

the Children to support children’s emotional well-being
and help them rebuild their childhoods. “I played many

24
 things there and I was very happy,” said Hala. “They were very kind. “I still sleep with mom and dad, because when we have thunder, I get
They drew a cat on my face because I really like cats because they are scared,” said Hala. “I think it is another explosion when we get loud
gentle and loveable.” thunder. I don’t want another explosion.”

“They care a lot,” said Rabae. “This makes her forget, a little, the “She’s left some of the fear behind,” said Rabae. “Maybe half of the
difficult times we have lived. For Christmas, they sent her gifts, stories, fear is gone, not all of it yet.”
things to color. She really loved them a lot.”

At our child-friendly space, Hala has her face painted.

“They drew a cat on my face because I really like cats
because they are gentle and lovable,” she said.
25
Hala, age 7, plays at the child-
friendly space we set up after the
explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

Photo: Tom Nicholson / Save The Children

26
In Afghanistan, Shogofa,

Global Child
age 9, and her younger
sister Fatima lost three
brothers when their house
was hit by a rocket. They
are now being helped to Protection Results
recover emotionally and
rebuild their lives. • COVID brought increased stress and risks to millions of
children and families around the world. One of our many
responses has been to adapt our Healing and Education
Through the Arts (HEART) program to become HEART
at Home. Children are given art supplies and parents are
guided to support activities that deal with children’s stress
and promote self-expression and learning.

• As our programs increasingly rely on the internet,

data and new technologies – especially during the COVID
pandemic – Save the Children has intensified its digital

Photo: TJim Huylebroek / Save The Children

safeguarding work to prevent harm to children. In
Cambodia, we led a coalition with the government and
more than 60 local NGOs to develop an app game called
“Cloud Chaos!” that helps children identify and avoid
online threats.

• Along with our partners,

we urged leaders make
children’s protection a central
consideration in COVID response
and recovery plans.

27
 Photo: Marla Reyes / Save the Children in El Salvador
Early in 2020, before school shut-downs, these kindergarten
students in El Salvador – José, Marjorie and Dennis – enjoyed
playing with blocks in their classroom.

Through research and reports, we provided • Save the Children drafted an original piece decision-making. It has bipartisan support,
evidence on the hidden impacts of COVID on of federal legislation called the Girls LEAD with 45 cosponsors in the House and 11 in
children’s well-being and on gaps in funding Act. It promotes children’s civic and political the Senate.
which were exacerbated by the pandemic. participation, with a focus on adolescent girls Learn more about how we provide safety to children
We also highlighted the devastating and ending gender-based barriers so they around the world: www.savethechildren.org/
secondary impact of the pandemic on girls. can safely and meaningfully participate in protection
28
“

Photo: Syria Relief / Save the Children

When COVID-19 started, schools
closed.... I stopped going. Now I
work farming cucumbers. My teacher
enrolled me into the distance learning
program, where I now study with my
my friends via a WhatsApp group
and send my homework back.

”
– Ameen, age 12, North Syria

Ameen, age 12, does his homework in the tent

where he lives with his family in North Syria.
29
 Emergency
Response

Photo: Save the Children

Save the Children is the global leader in
child-focused humanitarian response. We can
put a world-class team of health professionals
to work for children in crisis anywhere in the
world within 72 hours. We provide shelter,
meals, emergency medical care, help for
children to recover and return to learning,
and much more.

Now COVID has put the world’s most

vulnerable children at even greater risk of
illness, malnutrition, displacement, injury and
death. The United Nations estimated that
in 2020, 439 million people were in need
of humanitarian assistance globally, a
160% increase over 2019, and half of the
disaster-affected population were children.

18.5
MILLION
Ten-year-old Dara and her family CHILDREN
were displaced from their home by
airstrikes in eastern rural Idlib, Syria.
AIDED IN CRISIS
She and her siblings now sell toys to
help provide for their family.
30
 Camila plays with
10-year-old Camila, her parents and three siblings left
her family and friends
Venezuela two years ago after the father, Carlos, lost his at the park near her
leg in a car accident. He had been a taxi driver and he home in a settlement in
could no longer work. The family’s main source of income Maicao, Colombia.
was lost.

In Colombia, the family moved in to live with Carlos’

three brothers, two sisters and their children, totaling 15
people sharing one house. With space so limited, often
the adults will sleep outside in hammocks so that children
can sleep safely inside.

“ I like to eat
chicken, meat, lentils
and everything.
”
Carlos works in a small grocery shop and his wife
weaves and sells bags. But the income is not enough and
sometimes family members, including Camila, would go
without food.

Camila is especially fond of her baby cousin Marcela.

Photo: Nadège Mazars / Save the Children

“I feel bad when the baby cries because she is

malnourished,” said Camila. “I thought she was going
to die. We helped her. My mom and dad. And me.”
Save the Children has also stepped in to help. Marcela

31
 was treated for malnutrition and is now recovering. The team helped Throughout these challenges, Camila has remained positive. She
Camila’s family with food packages and cash transfers to support enjoys school and she always studies hard. “We did not get to go to
their living costs. school this year. We do our homework, take a picture, and send it
to the teacher. I have to learn to read and everything to be a doctor.
The family has used the money to buy essentials like food and I want us to be alright regarding COVID.
medicine. “I like to eat chicken, meat, lentils and everything,”
said Camila. “To the children of the world, I want to tell them to be well.”

Camila’s family has

used a cash transfer
from Save the Children
to buy food, medicine
and other essentials.
Photo: Nadège Mazars / Save the Children

32
Photo: Nadège Mazars / Save the Children

In Colombia, 10-year-old Camila

and her family are receiving cash
support to rebuild their lives after
fleeing Venezuela.
33
 Global Emergency
Response Results
Photo: Sacha Myers / Save the Children

• In November 2020, Storms Eta and Iota slammed into

Central America leaving nearly 5 million people displaced
across Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and
Colombia. We immediately jumped to action delivering
hygiene items, food, cooking kits and masks, ensuring
access to safe water and quickly starting up cash
programs to help families in need.

• The pandemic stretched health systems to their

absolute limits in 2020. Through innovation, perseverance
and adaptation, our Emergency Health Unit supported
teams on the ground to provide lifesaving treatment,
vital information about COVID and training for health
workers. The EHU also helped health facilities access
personal protective equipment and establish strict
infection prevention and control procedures
to keep patients and staff safe.
Despite obstacles – closed
borders, restricted
flights, lengthy quarantines
– our programs in 20 countries
reached more than 214,800
Conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia children and adults.
has disrupted routine health care for
many children like Samuel. His mother
Helen took him to Save the Children’s
mobile clinic where he was diagnosed
and treated for pneumonia.
34
 Photo: Lei Tapang / Save the Children
In the Philippines, Aldrin, Melina
and their children – Timothy, age
6, and Feliza, age 5 – received a
hygiene kit, food packs and child-
friendly learning materials while
under lockdown due to COVID.

• We launched a Global COVID-19 Response inclusion of language to address children’s • We launched the Humanitarian Climate
Plan to raise $649.1 million and reach 69 protection and mental health needs as part Crisis Unit, which spent the year developing
million children and adults in response to the of Congressional funding bills. We also an action framework to forecast climate
devastating pandemic. We quickly produced garnered support from more than 50 shocks using predictive analytics so we can
program guidance to support countries in members of Congress on a resolution to proactively respond. The pilot study is
adapting their programs to the new context. protect education in conflict settings, and we focusing on flooding in Bangladesh in 2021.
In 2020, Save the Children supported over secured a commitment from a Congressional
29.5 million people affected by coronavirus in office to introduce first-ever legislation
87 countries, and met 44% of its funding goal. focused on children’s mental health and Learn more about our work for children in crisis:
www.savethechildren.org/emergency
emotional support.
• As part of our Stop the War on Children
campaign, we successfully advocated for the
35
 “
Photo: Sami M. Jassar / Save The Children

A warplane … a missile. It exploded

like this ‘Shhhh … Ka … Pooooooo.’
I have pains because a missile injured
my leg and hand. I still have fragments
in my head. I hope the war stops
so that children can live.

”
– Waleed, age 10, Yemen

Waleed was injured during

an airstrike in Yemen which
hit his grandfather’s house.
His grandfather died and
another family member
was also injured.

36
 Our Work in the U.S.

Photo: Shawn Millsaps / Save The Children

As the national leader in helping children prepare
for and succeed in school across rural America,
Save the Children pivoted quickly when schools
closed due to COVID to ensure kids continued
learning at home. We provided critical educational
support, materials and resources to communities,
schools, parents and caregivers throughout the
pandemic. With school meals no longer easily
accessible at the start of COVID, we adapted
our programs to help distribute nearly 21 million
meals in 2020 to children living in poverty.

Save the Children Action Network, our political

voice for kids, has mobilized a movement of on-the-
ground volunteers and online supporters to advocate
tirelessly on behalf of children.

1.1 MILLION
CHILDREN LEARNING AND GETTING
CRITICAL MEALS IN RURAL AMERICA

668,000
MESSAGES TO CONGRESS
Damion, left, and his younger brother Drason
received learning materials, food, toys and games AND THE ADMINISTRATION
at family engagement event in Tennessee. ABOUT CHILDREN’S ISSUES
37
 In eastern Tennessee,
Whenever the red-checkered school bus rounded the
Noah, age 7, receives books
corner and stopped at families’ houses in Morgan County, delivered by Gus the Bus.
Tennessee – the painted faces of pigs and chickens

Photo: Shawn Millsaps / Save The Children

“peeking” out its windows – children would come running.

“The kids are always excited to see Gus the Bus,” said
Michelle, one of Save the Children’s school-age program
coordinators in the county.

Gus the Bus, well known because of the many community

family events it’s been used for, became one of several

“ Beaming rays of
sunshine during
the pandemic
”
county school buses delivering critical meals every day to
children who relied on schools for food. Michelle was one
of the many Save the Children and school staff teaming
up to prepare and distribute daily meals to nearly 2,500
children in Morgan County after its schools closed. They
also provided books and educational resources to help
the students continue learning at home.

In eastern Kentucky, Rosie the Readiness Bus had a

similar mission, providing early learning materials,

38
Rosa, age 5, and her family
receive prizes and rewards activities, games, meals and snacks from a safe distance to
from Save the Children families sheltering at home.
during a community event
in South Carolina.
Kim, a Save the Children staff member, recalls: “One day …
it was so cold and rainy, but the smiles from the families when
they saw Rosie pull up in their driveways were like beaming
rays of sunshine.”

Thousands of miles away, in Yakima County, Washington,

Save the Children’s early childhood coordinators quickly
shifted gears at the start of the pandemic to ensure the most
vulnerable children continued to learn and get the nutrition
they needed. They helped deliver hundreds of thousands of
meals – breakfasts and lunches – to 2,400 children daily.

“I am so relieved to know my children have food delivered to

our house while I am working,” said a mother of four who
works long hours at an apple orchard.

“She was worried about her older child taking care of the
other three. She was concerned that they’d have to walk
somewhere to get food, or that they would have to turn t
he oven on and cook while she wasn’t home,” said Lisa, a
Save the Children early childhood coordinator. “That’s why
she appreciated having ready-to-eat food delivered right to
the door.”

In addition to making sure children weren’t going hungry,

Save the Children also helped keep learning going by pairing
educational materials, books and boredom busters with
meal deliveries.

39
Photo: Shawn Millsaps / Save The Children

Children in Kentucky received educational

games from Save the Children to keep them
learning while schools were closed.

40
 U.S. Results

Photo: Shawn Millsaps / Save The Children

• Throughout the pandemic, our frontline early learning
and education staff have kept closely connected to
families in more than 200 rural communities across
America to support at-home learning.

• We offered our summer learning for the first time

virtually, reaching more school-aged children, and
ensuring critical learning was not lost in the summer
months. And for the first time, our Head Start program
provided summer services for children transitioning to
kindergarten.

• Our early education, in-school and after-school

programs adapted to the social distancing approaches of
different schools across rural America, safely providing
in-person, remote and hybrid learning options for
families.

• As the national leader

in protecting children in
emergencies, we helped more
than 125,000 children and
100,000 adults impacted by crises in
2020. This included helping restore
30 child care programs after

In South Carolina, Save the Children

offered virtual learning opportunities
and hosted many distribution events –
at schools and by school bus.
41
 Photo:Victoria Zegler / Save The Children
Lisa, left, and her daughters Betheney, 7, center,
and Courtney, 14, read a storybook together
in a school library in Tennessee. Courtney has
participated in Save the Children programs since
she was in elementary school.

Hurricane Laura hit the Gulf Coast, and facing families during the pandemic and called turned out voters to support a ballot
strengthening the child protection capacity of for massive investments to help children measure making universal preschool a reality.
U.S.-Mexico border communities and shelters recover and catch up.
in four states to better support asylum- • Before Election Day, we generated more
seeking children and families. • At the federal level, our advocacy helped than 77,000 signatures in a petition campaign
secure an additional $15.5 billion in funding urging the presidential candidates to
• Every year, our U.S. Childhood Reports for early education and child care. prioritize early learning.
raise awareness and inspire action on issues
of critical importance to America’s children. • In New Mexico, our advocacy mobilized Learn more about how we help kids in America:
The Land of Inopportunity promoted ways to support to pass a historic $300 million Early www.savethechildren.org/usa
give all children – especially the most Childhood Trust Fund that will provide
disadvantaged – an equal chance to reach permanent sustainable revenue for early Learn more about how to get involved in our advocacy
work: www.savethechildrenactionnetwork.org
their full potential. Childhood in the education. And in Colorado, our advocacy
Time of COVID revealed increased hardships
42
“
I have never met a parent
who does not want the best for
their child, but too many lack
the resources to give their
children the opportunities they
deserve – and it’s a situation
that’s only magnified with the
COVID pandemic. That’s why
Save the Children is working
hard to make sure rural America’s
most vulnerable children get
the support they need to be

”
successful in school and life.
– Yolanda Minor, Deputy State Director for
Save the Children’s Mississippi programs

29-year-old Stephanie with her daughter Ka’Zyiah, age 2. Stephanie has

both of her daughters enrolled in Save the Children learning programs.
43
Board of Trustees Condensed Audited Financial Information
Brad Irwin, Chair For the 12 month period ending December 31, 2020 ($ in 000s)
Debra Fine, Vice Chair

OPERATING REVENUE 2020 2019 Change $ Change %

Abhishek Agrawal
Irv Bailey TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE $879,468 $835,873 43,595 5%

Abhijit Banerjee
Corinne Basler OPERATING EXPENSES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 2020 2019 Change $ Change %
Forrest Berkley PROGRAM SERVICES
Jay Collins Emergencies 85,388 59,969 $25,419 42%
Mary Dillon Health & Nutrition 232,641 266,677 ($34,036) (13%)
Peter Fasolo Education 151,749 131,322 $20,427 16%
Jennifer Garner Hunger & Livelihoods 80,537 88,534 ($7,997) (9%)
Susan Gianinno HIV/AIDS 53,857 47,948 $5,909 12%
Gabriela Hearst Child Protection 27,388 29,966 ($2,578) (9%)
Ernie Herrman Child Rights Governance 908 803 $ 105 13%
Erika James
Subtotal Program Activities 632,468 625,219 7,249 1%
Jeremy Kohomban
Program Development & Public Policy Support 78,859 78,949 (90) (0%)
Raj Kumar
TOTAL PROGRAM SERVICES 711,327 704,168 7,159 1%
Joe Mandato
Fundraising 77,976 68,198 9,778 14%
David Mastrocola
Management & General 50,534 45,618 4,916 11%
Peg McGetrick
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 839,837 817,984 21,853 3%
Anne Mulcahy
Excess of Operating Revenue over Expenses
Julie Nordstrom 39,631 17,889 21,742
before net transfers
Catherine Oppenheimer Net Transfers from Operating Revenue (7,996) (5,226) (2,770)
Danita Ostling E xcess related to funds
8,704 861 7,843
Without donor restrictions including net transfers
Joe Roth
 Excess related to Funds with Donor Restrictions 22,931 11,802 11,129
Sunil Sani
Non-Operating Activity (Endowment gifts & pledges,
Dave Sewell investment earnings and exchange gain/loss)
28,213 33,502 (5,289)
Iris Smith TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS $59,848 $46,165 $13,683
Judy Smith
Janti Soeripto, President & CEO
Tracy Stuart
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS 2020 2019 Change $ Change %
Tsehaye Teferra
Without Donor Restrictions $158,053 $131,750 $26,303 20%
Judee Ann Williams
With Donor Restrictions 169,412 135,867 $33,545 25%
Dona Young
TOTAL NET ASSETS $327,465 $267,617 $59,848 22%

as of March 25, 2021

In 2020 on average, to administer cash gifts (non Gifts-in-Kind) donated for current use, Save the Children charged 7 percent for fundraising,
5 percent for management and general, and 7 percent for program development and public policy support.

44
Financials
In more than 100 years of change
for children, we’re pleased to
report that some things remain
steadfast, including our financial
strength and continued growth.

45
In Afghanistan, Marwa is learning the
Dari alphabet at an early learning center
supported by Save the Children.

46
SPECIAL DONORS
THE SIMON SOCIETY
Named in honor of acclaimed writer, producer and director Sam Simon, The Simon Society is composed of a group of Save the Children’s most dedicated investors who make an
extraordinary commitment to vulnerable children. We honor these generous annual supporters of our mission, who are helping us achieve critical breakthroughs for the girls and boys
we serve.

VISIONARY ($1 MILLION & ABOVE Leila Maw Straus Ms. Marisa Michele Paiva Smith Family Foundation
CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIFTS) Phyllis Teitelbaum and Anthony Lunn Salice Family Foundation Kelli and James Stanton
John, Jr. and Sandy Beard Garrett Thornburg Save the Reef Helene Sullivan and Jeffrey DeMond
Forrest Berkley and Marcie Tyre Tricoastal Foundation Cyrus and Joanne Spurlino Ms. Maryanne T. Tagney and Mr. David T. Jones
The Bezos Family *Anonymous (23) Tracy and Timothy Stuart Tithe One On
Judith Haskell Brewer Fund **Deceased Virani Family Fund Barbara and Edward Wilson
Jenny Brorsen and Richard De Martini VoLo Foundation JoAnn Wood
Robert A. Daly and Carole Bayer Sager The Wasily Family Foundation Trish and Rick Worden
Davis Family Charitable Foundation INVESTOR ($500,000 - $999,999) *Anonymous (10) Korynne and Jeffrey Wright
William H. Draper III Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Dona and Roland Young
Charitable Lead Annuity Trust Under the Will of Louis Feil Rick and Melinda Reed *Anonymous (20)
Debra J. Fine and Martin I. Schneider ADVOCATE ($50,000 - $99,999)
Philip H. Geier, Jr. ** Ajram Family Foundation
The Goodnow Fund CHAMPION ($250,000 - $499,999) Joseph Azrack and Abigail Congdon *Active donors as of
Otto Haas Charitable Trust Kenji Kasahara and the FamilyAlbum Team Irv and Catherine Bailey December 31, 2020
The Austin & Gabriela Hearst Foundation Charles MacCormack Nancy E. Barton Foundation
Eli and Britt Harari J. Byrne Murphy and Cara Murphy, on behalf of the Estate of Mimi O’Hagan Kenneth S. Battye Charitable Trust
John B Hurford Foundation Robert and Maureen Sievers Family Charitable Gift Fund Ruth M. Buczynski, PhD
Brad and Cathy Irwin Iris Smith Manny and Joanne Chirico
Karin Kuhns Fulcrum Foundation
Buddy and Joan Lamonica AMBASSADOR ($100,000 - $249,999) Susan and Lawrence Gianinno
Ruth and David Levine Abhishek Agrawal Ernest L. Herrman
David J. Mastrocola The Anonymous Foundation Nancy and Doug Horsey
Margaret McGetrick Mary Jan and Paul Bancroft Drs. Shawn and Stephanie Jorgensen
Tom J. Miller and Teresa Olson Miller Corinne Basler Olga and James M. Kendall
Susan S. Mirza Berglund Family Foundation Drs. Diana and Sam Kirschner
Mooney-Reed Charitable Foundation Ms. Sheila J. Clancy MacMillan Family Foundation
Luke & Lori Morrow Family Foundation Mary and Terry Dillon Alfred E. Mann Family Foundation
Anne Mulcahy Mr. Alejandro Fernandez and Dr. Erica Daza Naseem Munshi & Michael Tupper
Thomas S. Murphy Robert & Sylvia Gergen Linda & Cameron Myhrvold
Kate and Bob Niehaus Jay and Michaela Hoag Brandy and Pete Nordstrom
Susan and William Oberndorf Mr. Richard Humphrey Julie & Erik Nordstrom
Catherine Oppenheimer Karmagawa Foundation The O’Shea Family Foundation
Charles and Sheila Perrin The Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation Alan and Marsha Paller
The Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh Elizabeth and Joe Mandato John Purdon
Julian and Anastasia Salisbury Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams Judith Reichman
The Sani Family The Millstream Fund David M. Robinson
The Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation, Inc. Moccasin Lake Foundation Doug and Cheryl Shamon
George Stephanopoulos and Alexandra Wentworth Mr. Bruce Nordstrom and Mrs. Jeannie Nordstrom Robert I. Schattner Foundation 47
SPECIAL DONORS CONTINUED
LEADERSHIP COUNCILS ONE HUNDRED STRONG
Save the Children is fortunate to be supported by dedicated philanthropic In commemoration of our 100th year, 100 Strong was officially launched in 2019
volunteer councils: Boston Leadership Council, Fairfield County Leadership Council, thanks to the galvanizing leadership of Save the Children trustees Gabriela Hearst, Peg
Greenwich Leadership Council, Long Island Council, Upstate New York Council and McGetrick, Catherine Oppenheimer and the late Cokie Roberts. This extraordinary
the Young Patrons of New York City. The councils promote Save the Children’s fellowship brings together dedicated women philanthropists, affording them
work through fundraising, education, experience-based advocacy and raising public opportunities to engage with Save the Children, thought leaders and world experts
awareness. about issues affecting children; connect with one another to forge new partnerships
and strengthen personal networks; and generate transformative impact for children
THE EGLANTYNE JEBB SOCIETY around the world.
The Eglantyne Jebb Society, named in honor of our founder, a fiercely intelligent
and influential champion of human rights, comprises loyal supporters who have In 2020, 100 Strong welcomed new members from coast to coast in the U.S. while
included Save the Children in their wills or other estate plans. Today, we honor simultaneously taking the network global, inspiring the launch of 100 Strong in the
more than 1,000 Eglantyne Jebb Society members for creating a legacy of U.K. and plans for a chapter in the Middle East.
commitment to the world’s most vulnerable children.

MEMBERS Susan Gianinno Iris Smith

To learn how you can change the lives of children now and in the future, please
As of April 2021 Janet Haas Judy Smith
contact our Planned Giving team at plannedgiving@savechildren.org or by phone
Cathy Irwin Janti Soeripto+
at (475) 999-3182.You can also access information on legacy giving by visiting our
CO-FOUNDERS Erika James Tracy McHale Stuart
website at www.savethechildren.org/legacy.
Gabriela Hearst Diana Kirschner Helene Sullivan
Peg McGetrick Molly Davis Macleod Dawn Sweeney
Catherine Oppenheimer Carolyn Miles Nancy Taussig
_________________ Sue Mirza Judee Ann Williams
Corinne Basler Anne Mulcahy Carol Winograd

“What impresses me most about Sheila Clancy

Jenny Brorsen DeMartini
Cara Murphy
Julie Nordstrom
Dona Davis Young
Anonymous (5)

Save the Children is the dignity with which Mary Dillon

Debra Fine
Danita Ostling
Anya Salama + Member Ex Officio

they provide much-needed support to our Jennifer Garner Susan Salice

forgotten children and their families. By

so doing, these children have a fighting
chance to thrive despite their adversity.”
– Simonne Hewett, Co-Chair, Fairfield County Leadership Council

48
2020 FOUNDATION PARTNERS
The Achelis and Bodman Foundation Echidna Giving No Kid Hungry
Bainum Family Foundation Fairfield County’s Community Foundation North Carolina Community Foundation
Bezos Family Foundation Family Planning 2020 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Bruderhof Communities Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Rural India Supporting Trust
The Catalyst Foundation For Universal Education Hau’oli Mau Loa Foundation Tinker Foundation
Center for Disaster Philanthropy The Hearst Foundation, Inc. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
The Charles Engelhard Foundation Latter-Day Saint Charities World Impact Foundation
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies Anonymous (4)
Comic Relief USA - The Red Nose Day Fund The Material World Foundation
Crown Family Philanthropies The Mead Foundation
The David & Lucile Packard Foundation New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

CORPORATE PARTNERS
GLOBAL CORPORATE PARTNERS 
Accenture Discovery, Inc. Mondelez International & Mondelez International Foundation
Boston Consulting Group GSK The TJX Companies, Inc.
Bulgari Corporation of America IKEA US Retail and IKEA Foundation
C&A and C&A Foundation Johnson & Johnson

CORPORATE PARTNERS
1st Degree Cummins, Inc. Mars Wrigley Foundation Principal® Foundation
Amazon Danaher Foundation Mattel, Inc. and its American Girl division PVH Corp.
American Express DICK’S Sporting Goods Media Storm. A Merkle Company PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation Dollar General Literacy Foundation Medtronic Foundation Scholastic Inc.
Baby2Baby The Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, Inc. MNI Targeted Media, Inc. SC Johnson
Baxter International Foundation Ferrari North America, Inc. MoneyGram Foundation Spin Master
BlackRock Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. New York Life Foundation Target
BNY Mellon First Book Nike Foundation TOMS Shoes
Bombas Good360 Olivela Ulta Beauty
Cargill HarperCollins Children’s Publishing Oliver Wyman The Walt Disney Company
Chevron Hasbro, Inc. P&G Western Union Foundation
Cisco Highgate Hotels, L.P. The PepsiCo Foundation Anonymous (2)
The Coca-Cola Foundation Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Penguin Random House
Colgate-Palmolive Company Land O’ Lakes, Inc. Pfizer and The Pfizer Foundation
Corus International Loro Piana Primrose Schools Children’s Foundation

49
 This boy in South Carolina participates
in Save the Children’s education and
nutrition programs.
Photo:Victoria Zegler / Save The Children

50
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding over 100
years ago, we’ve changed the lives of over 1 billion children. In the United States and
around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and
protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of
crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

501 Kings Highway East 899 North Capitol Street, NE savethechildren.org

Suite 400 Suite 900 1-800 Save the Children
Fairfield, CT 06825 Washington, DC 20002

On the cover: In eastern Tennessee, 9-year-old Alina’s school had in-person classes only two days a week because of the COVID pandemic.
Photo credit: Shawn Millsaps / Save the Children

Some names of children and parents in this report have been changed to protect identities.
51