FIRELIGHT FOUND ATION

TREASURER’S NOTE
The Firelight Foundation awarded nearly $1.2 million in grants during 2004, contributing to a five-year cumulative total of just
over $3 million in grants. We continue to pursue a strategy of conservative portfolio management, low overhead, and active
fundraising in order to maximize our grantmaking dollars.
FUNDRAISING
The Firelight Foundation committed to a greater focus on fundraising in 2004. Individuals, businesses, and other foundations
contributed a total of $450,150. The number of donations we received increased 40% over FY 2003. Firelight’s unique
ability to apply 100% of all donations to grantmaking, as our endowment covers all other expenditures, continues to be very
attractive to donors. A full-time Development and Communications Officer was hired in at the end of FY 2004 to manage and
expand our future fundraising efforts.
GRANTMAKING
In 2004, Firelight awarded 109 grants to organizations in 10 African countries and the United States totaling $1,186,900. We
awarded $825,400 in grants from donations and our endowment. The remaining $361,500 was funded through the Firelight
Foundation Donor Advised Fund at the Tides Foundation.
Some individuals contribute to Firelight through our Donor Advised Fund at the Tides Foundation. Grant awards made
through the Donor Advised Fund are recommended by the Firelight Foundation Board of Directors and approved by the Tides
Foundation Board of Directors. The Firelight staff manages the due diligence and application process for these grants. Staff
also visit, support, and receive reports from Tides grantees. This report provides a complete list of grantees and the level of
support they received through the Firelight Foundation Donor Advised Fund.
FUTURE GRANTMAKING
With an anticipated increase in donations and the continued health of the endowment, Firelight plans to award more than
$1.35 million in grants in 2005.
FINANCIALS & ABOUT US