About GAC

Global Action for Children is a nonpartisan, results-oriented coalition dedicated to advocating for orphans and vulnerable children in the developing world.

As our slogan suggests, we believe in starting little and growing big at GAC. Since our formation in 2003, we continue to progress and have tall hopes for what we can achieve for orphans and vulnerable children with your support.

Our main campaigns at the moment are:

Please act and grow with us to help reach our goals and make our campaigns a success for every child.

Action Strategies

Global Action for Children’s (GAC’s) current priorities are to build political will, promote sound policies, and mobilize resources in support of (1) an expanded, comprehensive response to the crisis of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); (2) accelerating universal basic education and the elimination of school fees; and (3) increasing the commitment of the U.S. and other wealthy nations to issues that affect children, including malaria, child survival, and early childhood development. Success in meeting these goals is critical to enable children to develop to their full potential and contribute to the future stability and economic development of their countries.

Global Action for Children utilizes the following action strategies to advance our advocacy goals:

Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Credible, well-researched policy analysis and aggressive, nonpartisan advocacy are central to GAC’s work. GAC pursues an entrepreneurial, results-based approach that seeks to achieve real political impact and secure concrete benefits for orphans and other vulnerable children. GAC is committed to persuading policymakers to allocate the resources needed to implement on-the-ground programs that include access to essential health care, education, food and nutrition, and social protection. Such programs help ensure the well-being of children and allow them to develop to their fullest potential.

Media Outreach and Public Education

By getting the facts straight and taking a principled stance, GAC is establishing itself with major national and international media and other opinion leaders as a credible source of policy analysis and recommendations. GAC’s media outreach activities include (1) timely press releases strategically distributed to key opinion makers; (2) briefing documents to ensure accurate coverage of global OVC and HIV/AIDS crises; and (3) placing op-eds in national and local media. As occasions arise, GAC hosts press conferences and organizes Capitol Hill briefings and speaker tours featuring OVC and education experts.

Coalition Building

Coalition building is a central part of GAC’s efforts to mobilize a comprehensive response to the OVC crisis. Bringing together a broad range of groups from across the political spectrum lets policymakers know that everyone can unify behind the common cause of supporting children.

Grasstops and Grassroots Mobilization

Through its Leadership Council, GAC is well positioned to translate public support into an activist constituency by strategically linking targeted grasstops and grassroots mobilization with media and public education outreach. Ultimately, grasstops and grassroots activism will be critical to creating and sustaining the political momentum needed to achieve GAC’s advocacy goals.

Track Record

To ensure orphans and vulnerable children would always have a voice and dedicated advocates, these organizations created Global Action for Children as a coalition of faith-based, nongovernmental, and student groups. GAC has made significant progress since its inception:

  • In 2003, GAC partners and others recognized the dire need for increased funding for orphansand vulnerable children and convinced key policymakers to propose an earmark in The United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-25). The earmark dedicates 10 percent of total U.S. global AIDS spending for the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children. The UK and Ireland followed the U.S. lead by committing 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, of their AIDS funding for OVC.
  • In 2004 and 2005, GAC worked with Congressional allies to pass into law the Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act, P.L. 109-95, the first-ever comprehensive legislative response to the global OVC crisis.
  • From 2005 to 2007, Congress appropriated $15 million annually to help poor countries eliminate school fees.This was largely due to advocacy by GAC and its partners.
  • In 2006, to ensure a comprehensive approach to implementing the aforementioned OVC legislation, GAC convened more than 30 key OVC stakeholders to develop a series of joint recommendations for ensuring the Administration develops a strategic plan for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring OVC programs.
  • In late 2006, GAC’s work on behalf of OVC was recognized by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. A grant of $1 million from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation enabled GAC to establish independent, non-profit status, set up an office, and hire a full-time staff to carry out a children’s advocacy agenda.
  • In early 2007, as in other years, GAC galvanized 30 child-focused NGOs behind watchdog efforts, including meetings on Capitol Hill and a sign-on letter, calling on Congress to provide the full 10 percent of overall HIV/AIDS funding for orphans and vulnerable children in 2008, which is estimated to be $415M. This would be an increase from $213M spent in FY06 and $288.9M spent in FY07.
  • In March and April, 2007, GAC had several meetings with the White House and State Department, urging increased funding for orphans and vulnerable children and U.S. support of international basic education through the World Bank’s Fast Track Initiative. President Bush subsequently pledged funding to cover an additional 5 million children, and pledged an additional $5.25 million for international basic education over five years.
  • Later that spring, GAC and partners convened an OVC guidance meeting, providing implementers in Africa the opportunity to tell the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator what their critical issues were. This led to changes in U.S. policy and improvements for children on the ground.
  • In August, 2007 GAC and partners in the AIDS Free Generation Coalition led a multifaceted advocacy effort, ultimately increasing the UNAIDS resource needs assessment from $1.2 to $4.5 billion to cover 19 million orphans from 2008-2015.
  • Throughout the fall of 2007, GAC, the International Center for Research on Women, and U.S. Fund for UNICEF met with dozens of key members of the House of Representatives to bring attention to the negative health and human rights implications of child marriage. GAC has assisted in securing a total of 35 cosponsors for The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Marriage Act (H.R. 3175).
  • GAC appeared in more than 50 news stories in 2007 in outlets such as The Boston Globe, Washington Post, People, Parade, MSNBC.com, Access Hollywood Georgetown University Public Policy Institute’s Policy Perspectives magazine. Letters to the Editor by Executive Director Jennifer Delaney were published in The Washington Post and The Christian Science Monitor. Delaney was an invited speaker at the Global Health Council Conference, Georgetown University, Saddleback Church’s AIDS Conference, and the United Methodist Church AIDS Conference.
  • By the end of the 2007, GAC achieved official 501 (c) (3) status, established a Board of Directors and Advisory Board, set up offices, hired a full time staff of four (and several high quality interns and volunteers), and completed strategic planning for 2008-2010.
  • In the spring of 2008, GAC cosponsored Northern Uganda Lobby Day, the Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse Race, and World AIDS Orphan Day in May. These efforts – aimed at educating policymakers on issues affecting orphans and vulnerable children – included media outreach, grass tops and grassroots efforts, briefings and hearings on Capitol Hill, press conferences, lobby visits, and public policy.

 Click here for GAC’s Organizational Milestones

Jobs/Internship

Global Action for Children is currently hiring for the following positions. Scroll down to view detailed descriptions of each:

Communications Manager

This is a leadership opportunity to put your PR skills to work to help children around the world. GAC seek proactive, dynamic, innovative, and creative team player with excellent, PR/Media skills to manage GAC’s overall communications strategy.  The Communications Manager will be responsible for developing a coherent communication strategy to include indentifying strategic opportunities to further GAC policy objectives, media outreach, branding and marketing, including website and e-advocacy.

Responsibilities include:

  • Develop working relationships with members of the press at national and regional media outlets, freelance journalists, bloggers, and other traditional and non-traditional media outlets. Author media advisories and press releases, external materials, articles for website,etc…
  • Write and place op-eds, LTEs, and articles placement to further GAC’s policy objectives
  • Develop and manage overall communications strategy including innovative outreach, branding and marketing
  • Develop targeted and creative PR strategies to drive awareness of GAC brand and children’s issues
  • Maintain fresh current website with regular updates, online press kit, and bi-monthly e newsletter and additional outreach to members via email and new media
  • Maintain a consistent messaging and style to enhance brand identity
  • Seek out new and innovative avenues for communications, branding and marketing

Summary of Qualifications:

  • Bachelors Degree in Communications or related field required.
  • Proactive highly motivated professional able to work effectively independently with ability to see project though to fruition
  • Demonstrated track record in writing and placing op-eds, LTEs and articles
  • Strong PRskills and experience working with high profile individuals
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment
  • Exceptional creativity and storytelling capability
  • 3-5 years of demonstrated strategic communication experience
  • Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills with attention to detail
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships
  • Ability to prioritize, balancing multiple projects and meeting deadlines
  • Strategic vision of how to brand and market GAC
  • Understanding of U.S. Congress and political system
  • Track record of successfully managing multiple concurrent projects and consistently delivering with high quality
  • Desire and commitment to help children around the world
  • Ability to work under pressure during peak workload periods and occasionally work flexible hours

Salary: Commensurate with skills and experience

Policy Associate Position

Position Summary:

Global Action for Children is currently hiring for a Policy Associate to work closely with GAC’s Policy Director on  issues affecting children in the developing world including: orphans and vulnerable children issues, child survival, basic education, child sexual abuse and children in conflict issues. Ideal candidate will be a self starter with 2-4 years policy experience. Hill and/or advocacy experience preferred and strong commitment to the issues necessary.

Duties include:

  • Work with GAC Policy Director and ED to determine strategy for policy campaigns, including message development, coalition outreach, and policy/advocacy planning.
  • Organize and coordinate coalition meetings and conference calls.
  • Initiate and assist in liaison activities with other organizations and key Hill staff.
  • Represent GAC at meetings, functions and public events.
  • Coordinate policy related events and briefings hosted by GAC.
  • Educate policymakers, media, and the public on OVC issues.
  • Write policy briefs, articles for website and publication, and grassroots support materials.
  • Write Bi-Weekly Policy Newsletter
  • Assist in management and dissemination of information via list serves.
  • Monitor and help produce action alerts.
  • Support targeted grassroots campaigns.
  • Assist with other projects as needed.

Desired skills and qualifications:

  • Excellent writing editing and research skills.
  • Commitment to advocating on global health and children’s issues
  • Experience with/interest in advocacy coalitions
  • Master’s degree or at least 2+ years work experience.
  • Hill and/or advocacy experience.
  • Strong Interpersonal skills- Flexibility and a sense of humor.
  • Ability to take initiative and see project though to fruition.
  • Sharp attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work product.
  • Excellent organization and multi-tasking skills.
  • Ability to interact well with a wide range of people, from local grassroots activists to national powerbrokers, from civic associations to faith-based alliances. .
  • Knowledge of/interest in legislative process, basic policy and political dynamics.
  • Ability to motivate self and mobilize others.
  • Demonstrated commitment to social change, political activism and non-partisanship.

Development & Administrative Associate (PT)

The Development & Administrative Associate will report directly to the Director of Development. The position is a part time position at 20 hours per week (Mon-Thu).

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Development & Administrative Associate will assume a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including:

  • Managing the organization’s contact database – including developing policies and procedures related to computer operations; generating reports and mailing lists; and training staff for database competency (data entry is an integral part of the position);
  • Conducting research on prospects, including individuals, corporations and foundations identified by staff as potential sources of funds;
  • Assisting in drafting and editing requests for funding, such as letters of inquiry, concept papers, proposals, and grant applications to foundation, corporate, and individual funding sources;
  • Creating and disseminating development materials for GAC as needed;
  • Remaining current with events and trends among local, national and international development and philanthropy activities;
  • Participating in the formulation of fund-raising strategies as directed by the Development Director;
  • Maintaining up-to-date record keeping of all hard-copy files;
  • Acknowledging donations;
  • Overseeing intern activities;
  • Assisting Development Director with event planning; and
  • Assisting Development Director and Executive Director with other cultivation tasks

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree required;
  • 1-3 Years experience in development and/or business administration required; experience working in advocacy/policy fundraising preferred;
  • Familiarity working with 501(c)3 organizations preferred;
  • Proficiency with fundraising database systems, Microsoft Office Suite programs, and familiarity with web based communication and networking tools;
  • Proactive highly motivated professional able to work independently and as a part of a team;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills with attention to detail; and
  • Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to work on a variety of tasks at the same time.

INTERNSHIPS

Duties & Responsibilities:

Starting immediately Global Action for Children seeks smart, hard-working students who can commit 15 + hours a week to support a broad range of activities for no less than six months. Responsibilities including the following:

  • Manage Google Grants, a Google search optimization technology.
  • Assist with the creation of public education materials, including newsletters, advocacy briefs, and press releases.
  • Answer website correspondence, draft thank you notes to donors, answer phones, and handle other administrative tasks.
  • Conduct research in support of GAC’s policy analysis and advocacy, media and public education, grassroots organizing, and coalition-building activities.
  • Assist with GAC’s media outreach, including distributing press releases and press briefings, arranging press conferences, making follow-up phone calls, drafting email action alerts, arranging teleconferences and meetings, etc.
  • Assist with GAC’s fundraising efforts, including researching prospects, maintaining donor database, coordinating mailings, etc.
  • Assist in developing and posting website content.

Qualifications:

  • Outstanding organizational skills required. Strong writing and editing skills and experience doing internet research essential. Knowledge of MS Word and Excel required. Knowledge of HTML and content management systems desirable. Some database experience preferred. Must be willing to provide administrative support.
  • GAC’s internships are unpaid.

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To Apply: Applicants should send a (no more than one page) cover letter, resume and two-page relevant writing sample to [email protected]. No calls please.

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