Michele Jackson founded the Global Orphan Foundation in 2007. After traveling the globe witnessing the plight of orphaned and vulnerable children, and placing hundreds of orphaned children from around the world in permanent homes, Michele sought to create an avenue that would serve the adopting family, advocate on behalf of the children who remain, and respond with action to provide holistic care for orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide. Today GOF operates in three distinct areas:
- The foundation supports the adopting family through the Camie’s Hope Adoption Assistance Grant. Grants average $1,000 and are distribute twice yearly – in January and June. To date, the foundation has distributed over $500,000 in adoption grants and assisted over 100 families with expenses, helping bring 200+ children home.
- GOF provides support to orphanages around the world through support grants and service trips. We strive to help orphanages meet the physical, medical, nutritional and emotional needs of the children they serve.
- In 2013 GOF launched our keystone project, The Pebble Project . The first phase consists of an intensive nutrition program in orphanages in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our long-term goal is to build and operate a holistic village, providing children in DRC with consistent access to education, medical care, vocational training, and emotional and spiritual care all within a safe and vibrant community.
A hard-working and steadfast Board of Directors, as well as an Advisory Council of experts for the Pebble Project, governs Global Orphan Foundation. Our funding comes mainly from generous private donors, committed to making a difference in children’s lives.
How are Global Orphan Foundation and MLJ Adoptions connected?
GOF and MLJ Adoptions were both founded by Michele Jackson. While both organizations were born out of Michele’s desire to provide for the orphaned and vulnerable children of the world, they each have very different functions and operate entirely separate from one another both operationally and financially.
Because of our shared goal of orphan care, GOF does collaborate with MLJ Adoptions from time to time, benefiting from each other’s expertise, but each company maintains separate finances, staff, boards and missions. I can’t speak highly enough about the MLJ team and the work they do on behalf of families – you would be hard-pressed to find a more passionate and dedicated group of people. The MLJ staff members often volunteer their time and resources to GOF and MLJ Adoptions has been one of our largest donors in the past.
How can I get involved?
There are a variety of ways to give back through GOF:
- Join us for Fall Fest on October 25th: We’d love to see you at our fall fundraiser, a family friendly evening with dinner, games, a silent and live auction and of course good company!
- Volunteer for a Global Advocacy Journey: We lead a minimum of one service trip per year – often to Nicaragua or Mexico – where we work in tandem with orphanages and communities in need.
- Share your story: Have you been a recipient of a GOF grant? We would love to hear from you and see pictures and videos of your family!
- Donate: No organization can function without financial support, and even small donations go a long way at Global Orphan Foundation. $35 pays for one month of food for a child in a DRC, $75 purchases deworming pills for 100 children, $150 buys 20 bed nets, $500 pays for medical care for one month for an entire orphanage, and $1,000 provides a grant to an adopting family.
