Save the Children has launched a new Bitcoin Fund aimed at helping the organization stretch donations further and deliver aid more efficiently during emergencies. Developed in partnership with digital asset firm Fortris, the fund is built to hold, manage, and deploy bitcoin contributions when crises arise.
According to Thursday’s announcement, the fund allows Save the Children to hold donated bitcoin for up to four years. The goal is to give the charity more flexibility in timing conversions, which may help maximize the value of contributions. The fund will also serve as a testing ground for using bitcoin, stablecoins, and digital wallets to distribute cash and vouchers directly to families. The organization says this approach could speed up assistance, reduce costs, and improve transparency.
The move is the latest step in Save the Children’s decade-long exploration of digital assets. The group began accepting bitcoin in 2013, becoming the first global NGO to do so. Its Hodl Hope initiative has since raised millions in crypto donations for children affected by crises in regions including Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. President and CEO Janti Soeripto said the new fund reflects the need for creative solutions at a time when traditional foreign aid can fall short. She noted that blockchain-based tools offer speed and cost advantages that can strengthen both emergency relief and long-term development programs.
Antonia Roupell, who leads Innovation and Partnerships, said the Bitcoin Fund also responds to donor feedback. While many nonprofits accept bitcoin, she noted that few hold it for strategic use or leverage the technology behind it. Donors, she said, want the option to let their contributions appreciate before being spent.
Looking ahead, Save the Children plans to work with bitcoin application developers such as Fedi to explore community-based tools that support financial inclusion and digital literacy. The organization says the long-term goal is to pair its humanitarian expertise with emerging financial technology, converting digital value into meaningful support for families who lack access to traditional banking.
With the new fund, Save the Children is signaling that digital assets may play a growing role in how aid organizations operate — not just as donations, but as tools for delivering help more efficiently.
