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Around the world, millions of girls are married before the age of 18, putting their health and wellbeing at risk. We champion community-led efforts to ensure that girls and young women can create their own futures.

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We bring together donors to fund community-based organizations that are working on the front lines to stop the practice of child marriage and early unions. Join us. Together, we can ensure that all girls have the opportunity to realize their full rights and potential.

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What Is Child Marriage?

Each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18. That’s 23 girls every minute. Learn more about why it happens, what the repercussions are, and how we can end this practice together and let young women decide if, when, and whom they marry.

Understand The Issue

Our Partners

The Girls First Fund is designed to support and advance girl-centered and gender-transformative work taking place at the community level, primarily through community-based organizations. Find out more about our process, funding criteria, and timing.

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By the Numbers

Since our inaugural grants were made in 2019, here's how we’ve supported efforts to ensure that all girls have a bright future:
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$10.3 MILLION COMMITTED TO GRANTEES
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142 ACTIVE GRANTEE PARTNERSHIPS
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86% OF GRANTS MADE TO YOUNG WOMEN- AND WOMEN-LED ORGANIZATIONS
See More of Our Impact

News & Events

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Girls First Fund Featured in Inside Philanthropy
The publication profiles our grassroots push to end child marriage.
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The Girls First Fund Hosts Learning Convenings
These in-country gatherings provide an opportunity for our grantees to share their insights and gain new knowledge.
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The Fund Gives $3 Million to Grantees
For our first granting cycle, we will disburse over $3 million to community-based organizations.
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New Fund Director Appointed
Fanta Toure-Puri will lead the fund as we shape the agenda during our inaugural granting cycle.
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Goalkeepers Accelerator
We were selected in 2018 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a Goalkeepers Accelerator for our ability to bring together diverse partners to end child marriage and drive progress toward the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
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Two Indian Girls Talking on Bicycles