Our story

Founded with a mission to improve the lives of children, this commitment remains central to our work.

Introduction

CIFF (pronounced ‘Sif’) was established in 2002 with the goal of supporting bold ideas to solve some of the world’s most difficult issues that affect children.

Over the subsequent decades CIFF has grown into one of the world’s leading independent philanthropies, and the largest foundation dedicated to improving the lives of children. We believe philanthropy can mobilise resources more quickly than private and public bodies. This means we can work alongside other partners to help accelerate progress.

CIFF supports the projects and people who are accelerating solutions to the world’s interlinked challenges: tackling climate change, improving health and nutrition, and promoting opportunities and choice for women and girls.

About Sir Chris Hohn

Sir Chris Hohn is a committed philanthropist and successful hedge fund manager. He is considered one of the most generous people in Britain, frequently leading The Sunday Times Giving List.

Sir Chris is both the founder and the chair of CIFF.

“The 'why' of philanthropy is simple – every child deserves to be healthy and happy. I stay motivated because it brings me a huge amount of joy to see children flourish."

Sir Chris Hohn
Founder and Chair

How we are funded

In 2002, Sir Chris Hohn gifted CIFF an endowment, from his hedge fund The Children’s Investment Fund (TCI), founded in the same year. Over time, CIFF’s endowment has grown and is now structured to be separately held from TCI, and CIFF is an independent organisation.

CIFF’s endowment continues to be managed by TCI. Sir Chris and TCI continue to make gifts to CIFF that support our endowment. Approved CIFF programmes are funded from our endowment and in some cases, restricted gifts from Sir Chris and TCI.

CIFF currently has over $4 billion in active charitable grants. To meet the global need for climate and development finance, we also work to catalyse further private and philanthropic investment, build partnerships and secure co-funding for projects.

Key moments at CIFF

2002

CIFF is founded with a mission to improve the lives of children through programmes focusing on health and education, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa.

A young child receiving schistosomiasis medicine during a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign in a school in N’dounga Tarey, Niger. Credit: Speak Up Africa

2008

CIFF begins working in India, creating programmes which can be scaled in partnership with national and state governments.

Young girls receive skill training as part of the Rajasthan government-led Project Manzil in India. Credit: CIFF

2009

CIFF opens its office in Kenya.

CIFF begins making grants in climate, understanding that the climate crisis is one of the greatest threats to children’s futures.

Offshore wind turbine farm operating off the coast of England. Credit: Kapook2981

2010

Grant disbursements reach $74 million

2015

CIFF’s first multi-year partnership with the Government of Rajasthan launches for cross-sectoral interventions in the state.

The official signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding with the Rajasthan Government. Credit: CIFF.

2015

Grant disbursements reach $285 million.

2019

CIFF opens offices in Ethiopia and China, strengthening partnerships and programmes across Africa and East and South East Asia.

A mother of four is committed to feeding her family nutritious food. Through the CNF programme in Ethiopia, she is receiving support from health workers on how to care for her and her family. Credit: UNI479086/ Bethelhem Assefa

2020

Grant disbursements reach $349 million.

2024

CIFF scaled its grant making to $923 million in approved charitable investments and increased grant disbursements to $631 million, helping partners accelerate progress toward global development goals.

CIFF annual grant disbursements from 2020 to 2024