The Global Fund for Children (GFC) has selected John Hecklinger to serve as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 6, 2017.

John comes to GFC after 12 years at GlobalGiving, where he was instrumental in developing what is now the world's largest global crowdfunding community. As part of GlobalGiving's leadership team, John guided the organization's evolving strategy, which now links corporations, foundations, and individual donors to locally led organizations through a system that fosters novel solutions to complex problems.

"John's belief in the importance of strong, local organizations working as engines of change was a key factor in his appointment as our next President and CEO, said GFC Board Co-Chair Gunjan Jain. "His commitment to GFC's unique innovative model of finding, funding, and strengthening small, innovative grassroots organizations that serve children makes him the ideal candidate to expand upon that model and introduce new strategies for building and linking children's organizations around the world."

"I'm proud of what we accomplished during my tenure at GlobalGiving, and have considered it a privilege to be part of such a strong, entrepreneurial team," John stated. "I'm looking forward to drawing on that experience and building on The Global Fund for Children's 20 plus years of success in identifying emerging local organizations that improve children's lives. I hope to contribute to greater success as GFC enters a new phase of discovery, innovation, and change."

The Global Fund for Children currently supports 179 community-led organizations in 54 countries to provide programs and services to at risk-children and youth in four key focus areas: education, gender equity, youth empowerment, and freedom from violence and exploitation.

John previously served as Global Giving's business development director where he led the group's corporate partnership efforts. He received English degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Florida and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bangui, Central African Republic.

About The Global Fund for Children

The Global Fund for Children is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, working to advance the dignity of children worldwide by strengthening innovative, community-based organizations that support vulnerable children and youth. Since 1997, GFC has invested in 646 grassroots organizations, improving the lives of more than 10 million children and youth worldwide.