Angel Organizations of the Month

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Doing whatever it takes to save a child

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF was founded in 1947 to support the work of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) by raising funds for its programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world's children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, we are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children's lives.

Education Is a Child's Right

Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure her own children receive an education.

UNICEF Is There—Before, During and After a Crisis

War and natural disaster devastate children’s lives. They threaten children’s health and separate children from their parents. UNICEF is on the ground during an emergency to help children survive. We provide food, water, shelter, and health care. We help reunite parents with their children when they've been separated, and we make sure that children who are orphaned receive care and protection.

Lifesaving Immunization for Children

Every since its first tuberculosis campaign in 1947, UNICEF has been a leader in global immunization. Today we provide vaccine to 40 percent of the world’s children and help save two million lives a year. But thousands of children still die needlessly every day from diseases like measles, polio, or tuberculosis. UNICEF is committed to vaccinating every single child against preventable childhood diseases.

Breaking the Cycle

HIV/AIDS devastates the lives of millions of children. Over 2 million children are HIV positive, and 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa alone have been orphaned by AIDS. Left untreated, half of all HIV-infected children will die by the age of two. As the death toll keeps rising, progress in education and healthcare is slowly eroding, and entire communities are in danger of losing their economic and social viability. UNICEF is committed to helping those who are suffering the consequences of HIV/AIDS and to break the cycle of this deadly disease.

Malnutrition Is a Silent Emergency

Malnutrition plays a role in the majority of the deaths of children under five. Malnourished children are too weak to fight off illness, and they often become physically and mentally stunted. And malnutrition keeps children trapped in the cycle of poverty. UNICEF is there to make sure that all children get the proper nutrition they need to grow into healthy and productive adults.

Clean Water Saves Lives

Water is life. Yet one billion people do not have access to safe water, and 2.6 billion people live without proper sanitation. Water-borne illness is the second highest cause of childhood death in the world. When water is unsafe and sanitation non-existent, water can kill.

U.S. Fund for UNICEF Campaigns

Believe in Zero

No child should ever die from a preventable cause. Every day, 25,000 do. "Believe in zero" is the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's rallying cry. We fervently believe in zero and ask all those outraged by the unnecessary deaths of children to join us.

Together we will reach the day when no children die from preventable causes: zero children killed by malaria and measles, poisoned by unclean water, lost for a lack of safe shelter or by falling prey to malnutrition.

As the organization that has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization, UNICEF is committed to doing whatever it takes, until we can ensure the survival of every human born on this planet.

Tap Project

What is the Tap Project?
In 2007, the Tap Project was born in New York City based on a simple concept: restaurants would ask their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free, and all funds raised would support UNICEF’s efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world.

Growing from just 300 New York City restaurants in 2007 to over 2,300 across the country in 2008, the Tap Project has quickly grown into a national movement. Restaurants, corporations, volunteers, advertising agencies, community groups, local governments and everyday diners participated to save millions of children’s lives.

During World Water Week, March 22-28, 2009, the Tap Project will once again raise vital donations and awareness for UNICEF’s water and sanitation programs. For every dollar raised, a child will have clean drinking water for 40 days. All funds raised support UNICEF’s efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

Created, inspired and powered by kids since 1950, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has empowered generations to make lasting change in their global community.

By Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF, kids learn the importance of helping others in need. Explore the Trick-or-Treat section of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF site for resources to support kids' efforts and show them they can make a difference through this beloved Halloween campaign.

To learn about more U.S. Fund for UNICEF Campaigns, please click here.

To volunteer, donate, or advocate on behalf of vulnerable children worldwide, visit The U.S. Fund for UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org.

To view all Angel Organizations of the Month, please click here.