Direct Grants to Local Communities

Group of smiling children holding a sign that says "Education is a Power!" in front of a school building.

Ethiopia has made remarkable strides in poverty reduction and economic growth since Glimmer’s founding in 2000. Despite these gains, the nation continues to face challenges of poverty, inequality, and access to essential services, particularly in its rural regions. Recent years have seen compounding crises, from a deadly conflict in Tigray, the global pandemic to persistent drought. Amidst these challenges, there lie opportunities for transformative change.

Glimmer provides direct grants to local initiatives that address rural Ethiopia’s most pressing needs, supporting the most vulnerable communities and ensuring that progress is locally anchored and enduring.

GliMmer’s pillars

COMMITMENT TO THE MOST VULNERABLE

A Glimmer of Hope was born in 2000 with the mission to improve lives in Ethiopia. A few months later, the Berbers found themselves in a position to do a great deal more than they had originally planned. Donna's husband, Philip, sold his Internet brokerage company, and the couple decided to invest a significant portion of the earnings into Glimmer.

LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE

Donna and Philip visited Ethiopia to understand how to effectively support the most vulnerable, informing their plans for a new way to give with more efficiency and transparency. At that time, there was little support for those struggling in the rural areas. It was important to the Berbers to reach the most remote and vulnerable communities with the greatest need.

AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO ENDING POVERTY

Powered by Donna's vision and Philip's business acumen, Glimmer's new model for community development took shape. With an endowment to fund all operations, they established Glimmer with the promise that all donor funds would go directly to projects and programs. Since 2000, Glimmer has grown tremendously—impacting the lives of more than 5 million people.

RETURN TO GLIMMER’S ROOTS

In 2024, building on the organizations work in Ethiopia, Glimmer is investing in local initiatives through grants funded from the Foundations endowment. It now focuses on Single Women Headed Households and their children living with critical basic needs. As the country continues to endure the ongoing impacts of war and drought, Glimmers new direction allows more direct funding to conflict affected areas.

Meet the Team