The Children's Investment Fund Foundation (uk)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $631 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 15-20 weeks (concept to approval)
• Grant Range: Not specified - operates at scale with multi-million commitments
• Geographic Focus: Developing countries globally, with Sub-Saharan Africa receiving largest share

Contact Details

• Website: www.ciff.org
• Email: info@ciff.org
• Phone: 020 3740 6157
• Offices: London, Addis Ababa, Beijing, Nairobi, New Delhi

Important: CIFF does not accept unsolicited proposals - operates on invitation-only basis.

Overview

Founded in 2002 by Sir Chris Hohn and Jamie Cooper-Hohn, CIFF is the world's largest philanthropy focused specifically on improving children's lives. With assets of £5.2 billion ($6.6 billion), it ranks as the 5th largest global development philanthropy by annual disbursements. Under CEO Kate Hampton (since 2016), a key architect of the Paris Climate Agreement, CIFF has evolved into a data-driven organization employing over 130 professionals across five countries. The foundation disbursed $631 million in 2024, representing a strategic increase in their charitable investments. CIFF is recognized as the world's second-largest private funder of reproductive health and environmental protection globally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CIFF operates through strategic, invitation-only funding rather than open grant programs. Their portfolio includes:

• Multi-year commitments: Typically substantial, often in millions
• Strategic partnerships: $500 million pledged to gender equality over five years
• Climate investments: $500 million committed to climate action over five years
• Application method: Invitation-only, two-stage process (concept note → investment memo)

Priority Areas

• Adolescents' sexual and reproductive health: HIV/AIDS prevention, unwanted pregnancy reduction
• Child health and nutrition: Maternal health, low birthweight prevention, severe acute malnutrition
• Child protection: Ending child labour and sexual exploitation
• Climate change: Driving systemic change for climate-safe future for children
• Education and deworming: Large-scale educational interventions

What They Don't Fund

• Projects in developed countries (except climate-related work)
• Unsolicited proposals from any organization
• Work outside their core focus areas of children's welfare and climate
• Small-scale, local projects without systemic change potential
• Organizations without robust evidence base and measurement frameworks

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Governance and Leadership

CEO: Kate Hampton (since March 2016) - Former head of CIFF's Climate Change team and key architect of the 2016 Paris Agreement. Hampton serves as chair of the European Climate Foundation and holds advisory roles with Observer Research Foundation (India) and China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development.

Key Leadership Quote: "As CEO of the world's largest philanthropy focused on children and young people, I am determined to ensure that our programmes and partnerships practically improve the agency of girls and young women in choosing their own futures." - Kate Hampton

Previous Leadership: Jamie Cooper-Hohn (until 2013), followed by Michael Anderson as CEO before Hampton's appointment.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• No unsolicited proposals accepted
• CIFF identifies opportunities through their own research and networking
• When invited, two-stage process: concept note (2 pages) → investment memo
• Must align with strategic priorities and demonstrate transformational impact

Decision Timeline

• Average timeline: 15-20 weeks from concept note to approval
• Stage 1: Concept note review by Executive Team
• Stage 2: Investment memo preparation and Board of Trustees review
• Due diligence: Intensive collaborative process with Evidence, Measurement and Evaluation team

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed, but highly selective given invitation-only approach and rigorous evidence requirements.

Reapplication Policy

N/A - operates on invitation-only basis rather than open applications.

Application Success Factors

CIFF's Core Requirements:

• Transformational impact: "We're looking for ways to catalyse systemic change – through new policies, new large-scale programmes, innovative delivery, sustained behaviour change, or dynamic business models"
• Evidence-based approach: Robust data and evidence base required for all investments
• Clear theory of change: Must demonstrate pathway to large-scale, measurable impact
• Cost-effectiveness: Strong understanding of social return on investment

What CIFF Values:

• Scale and sustainability considerations
• Collaborative approach to program development
• Robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Multi-year strategic thinking

Recent Strategic Focus: Climate-health nexus, gender equality, and systemic approaches to child protection in developing countries.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship building is essential: No open applications - must be identified and invited by CIFF
• Think big and systemic: CIFF seeks transformational change, not incremental improvements
• Evidence is crucial: Data-driven organization requiring robust measurement frameworks
• Geographic focus matters: Developing countries only (except climate work)
• Long-term partnerships: CIFF provides multi-year support and works collaboratively on strategy
• Scale requirements: Must demonstrate potential for large-scale, sustainable impact
• Collaborative approach: If invited, CIFF works closely with partners to develop proposals

References

• CIFF Official Website: ciff.org
• CIFF Grant-making Process: https://ciff.org/grant-portfolio/our-grant-making-process/
• CIFF About Us: https://ciff.org/about-us/
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1091043
• Kate Hampton CEO Profile: https://ciff.org/team/kate-hampton/
• OECD Development Co-operation Profiles: Children's Investment Fund Foundation
• Wikipedia: The Children's Investment Fund Foundation