LETTER FROM THE FOUNDATIONWe are finding ourselves at a truly unprecedented time in history, with the threat toour democracy, COVID-19?s devastating impact, especially on those mostvulnerable, and the pervasive systemic racism in our country. At a moment like this,we are called to affirm our commitment to doing the important, long-term work ofadvancing human rights initiatives in its many forms both domestically and globally. Inthese challenging times, we continue to be inspired daily by our partners workingtirelessly and selflessly on the frontlines, and are filled with hope as they make adifference in the lives of others.Since the Foundation?s inception in 1998, we have invested over $80 million towardsprotecting human rights, improving access to quality health care, and providing themost vulnerable populations with education and economic opportunities. In 2019, theFoundation granted $7.2 million to over 90 organizations in 14 countries. We addedeleven new exciting grantees to our portfolio, renewed our support to fiveorganizations with multi-year commitments, and continued to refine our focus andimpact. We invested in 7 new global grants to organizations working in Sudan, Nepal,Democratic Republic of Congo, Ireland and Turkey to name a few. We also renewedour support to key organizations including the Fund for Global Human Rights,expanding our global reach to serve over 300 grassroots organizations around theworld, and we leveraged $1.2 million through ten challenge matching grants. With agrantee-centric, hands-on approach, we work with our portfolio partners to not onlyoffer financial support, but to amplify their work and catalyze impact.As we reflect on over twenty years of the Foundation, we understand that there is stillso much more work to do. We know that the path forward is rarely linear, and werecognize our responsibility and unique position as a Foundation to act, listen to,support, and amplify the voices of our partners. As you read the following highlightsfrom 2019, we hope you feel a renewed sense of commitment to the Foundation?smission and efforts.In partnership,Vin RyanPresident, SchoonerJulia PettengillExecutive Director4
ABOVE: The Fund for Global Human Rights has been a Schooner Grantee since 2008 and supportslocally-rooted organizations in over 20 countries. "There is real heart and purpose is in the way theSchooner Foundation has supported us over the years," says Regan Ralph, CEO and President ofFGHR. "From the start, it felt like a collaboration, not a traditional donor-grantee relationship. Schoonerpushed us to think big and take risks - it?s freeing and transformative when donors take this approach."5
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