The Schooner Foundation

Our 4th cohort of +1 Food Security awardees is here, and we can't wait to see the incredible projects they bring to life. Join us and our co-funders— Sall Family Foundation, Shockwave Foundation, Tarsadia Foundation, The Schooner Foundation —in giving these awardees a warm welcome. Learn more about their amazing work: https://lnkd.in/dCfQdPMp ?????? A Hand For A Refugee? AgriEn Network Agrihive Garden AGROFENOU BENIN Alliance de la ASC SUN RCA Child Relief And Support Fund City Shamba e Agro Eco Bristo GREEN FARMLANDS Imagine Afrika Opulence Malawi South Sudan Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance Vermi-Farm Initiative Wakulima Agri-Food Company #foodsecurity #Changemakers #SustainableDevelopment #InnovationInFood #GlobalImpact #FoodJustice #CommunityEmpowerment #SocialEntrepreneurship

Bridging Gaps in Healthcare, One Community at a Time! Excited to share Wandikweza’s 2024 Annual Report, highlighting our unwavering commitment to transforming maternal and child health care delivery and empowering communities through Proactive Doorstep Care (PDC). This year, we’ve made incredible strides in ensuring distance, cost, and lack of awareness no longer stand in the way of quality healthcare. Our Nurses on Bikes (NoBs), Community Health Workers (CHWs), and Mobile Clinics have played a crucial role in bringing primary healthcare directly to families, ensuring safer pregnancies, healthier children, and stronger communities. These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated and inspirational leadership of Mercy C. Kafotokoza , staff, partners and communities who believe in health equity and community-driven solutions. The Schooner Foundation is proud to support their journey. Join us in celebrating Wandikweza’s progress and exploring our 2024 Annual Report—because every step forward brings us closer to a healthier, more just world. https://lnkd.in/eME8hMMQ Read the full report here! #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth #CommunityHealth #HealthEquity #PrimaryHealthcare #GlobalHealth #NursesOnBikes #CommunityEmpowerment #MobileClinics #HealthcareInnovation #Wandikweza #ProactiveDoorstepCare

Empowering Women Affected by War—Creating Lasting Change! Cynthia Ryan and I have the incredible opportunity to visit African Women Rising (https://lnkd.in/ehbeJGrP) this week in Northern Uganda, and are deeply inspired and impressed by their impact. Seeing firsthand how women—many of whom have endured the hardships of war—are reclaiming their futures through microfinance, education, and regenerative agriculture is nothing short of transformational. Since 2006, AWR has been equipping women with the tools, knowledge, and financial resources to break the cycle of poverty and rebuild their lives. Their programs amplify women’s resilience and leadership, ensuring they become the driving force behind their own development. ?? Proven Impact: ? 241% average increase in savings ? 95% of participants double their savings ? 179% increase in households eating three meals a day ? 98% can now afford healthcare ? 70% can pay for school fees Women farmers in Northern Uganda are on the frontlines of both war and the climate crisis. AWR is empowering them with regenerative agriculture techniques that restore soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce carbon emissions—ensuring sustainable food security and economic independence. ?? For the farmers: ?? Larger, healthier, and more diverse crops ?? Sustained productivity all year long ?? Protection against droughts and floods ?? For the environment: ?? Reduced carbon emissions ?? Increased carbon sequestration ?? Less pressure to deforest land ?? 15,906 farmers trained in regenerative agriculture ?? 150,000+ trees planted in 2024 These women are not just surviving—they are leading, innovating, and transforming their communities. Their strength is a reminder that when we invest in women, we create a ripple effect of change that benefits everyone. The Team and communities are incredible! If you’re looking for a model of sustainable development that is truly making a difference, get to know African Women Rising (https://lnkd.in/eWTNx-kv) The Schooner Foundation Photo credits: African Women Rising #AfricanWomenRising #WomenEmpowerment #WomenSurvivorsOfWar #Resilience #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateAction #SustainableDevelopment #Microfinance #EducationForAll #girlseducation

Empowering youth for a brighter future! Wezesha Impact Impact equips young people with the skills and tools needed for entrepreneurship and employment, enabling them to start, sustain, and grow businesses—ultimately improving employment outcomes. The Schooner Foundation had the privilege of visiting Wezesha Impact in Gulu, Northern Uganda, to learn more about their impactful work. During our visit, Cynthia Ryan and I met Acayo Winnie Tracy, a Wezesha Impact alumna and the entrepreneur behind Tarsha Beauty Parlour. Winnie provides hairdressing services, sells hair products, and trains young women in her community, helping them develop valuable skills in hairdressing. Through her business, she has achieved remarkable milestones—purchasing a plot of land, supporting her three children’s education, and achieving financial independence. A recent external impact evaluation of the Wezesha Impact program revealed: ? 88% of graduates are actively participating in the labor force ? 76% increase in women’s wages ? $300 annual income growth for graduates A huge thank you to Executive Director Solomon Kayiwa Mugambe, James Katumba, and the entire Wezesha Impact team for your dedication and transformative work. We look forward to further collaboration to enhance employment outcomes for youth across Africa. #YouthEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #WezeshaImpact #EconomicGrowth #WomenInBusiness #SkillsDevelopment African Visionary Fund Imago Dei Fund Mollie Van Horn

Excited to share my recent article in #AllianceMagazine about our work through the #1GlobalFund and the reality of navigating #polycrisis. Alongside our partners-- #shockwavefoundation, #sallfamilyfoundation, #tarsadiafoundation, #schoonerfoundation, #judithneilsonfoundation, and others-- we're embracing more integrated, systemic approaches to supporting our grantees in an era of multiple, intersecting and increasingly complex crises. Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/ggE-8GdJ #systemschange #collaboration #funding #socialimpact

We've been calling SURVIVOR MADE by FreeFrom the holiday documentary we all need this year! It really is. A film by survivors for survivors, a film about joy, community, and solutions. Please join them for a screening! Official SURVIVOR MADE trailer: https://lnkd.in/eB34DUpF The Schooner Foundation's incredible partners at FreeFrom just turned 8 years old! When we think of the number 8, we think of infinity. An unbreakable, unstoppable force. That's what Sonya Passi and FreeFrom built over the last?8 years. Since the beginning, they've been focused on building a multi-pronged strategy that could weather any obstacles outside of their control. Visit their website to learn more!

Congratulations to Dr Joseph Rhatigan as the inaugural Paul Farmer, MD, PhD Endowed Chair in Global Health Equity leading the Brigham and Women's Hospital Hiatt Global Health Equity Residency! The Residency is not merely a training program - it is a living testament to the vision and passion of trailblazers, Dr. Paul Farmer, Dr. Howard Hiatt, and Dr. Marshall Wolf who dedicated their lives to serving marginalized communities around the globe. It stands as a symbol of dignity, access, innovation, and transformative change in global healthcare. Last week, The Schooner Foundation was pleased to celebrate Dr Joseph Rhatigan as the Paul Farmer, MD, PhD Endowed Chair in Global Health Equity. Dr Joe Rhatigan is the ideal leader to carry forward Paul and Howard's legacy, guiding this vital work into the future. Their work together is reflected in everything Joe brings to the position. From the outset, The Schooner Foundation approached and invested in the Hiatt residency as an incubator that produces the next generation of exceptional global health leaders. The impact of the program has been profound: Over 70 alumni have gone on to lead careers in global health, primary care, and health policy. They have founded 8 health equity organizations (and counting), and many have assumed prominent health leadership roles, such as the US Global Malaria Coordinator of USAID and the inaugural Chief Medical Officer of New York's Department of Health. Dr Paul Farmer often spoke of the "multiplier effect" that comes from investing in people. Residents trained here do so much more than provide direct care: They educate, innovate and inspire others -- creating ripples of change that extend from individual patients to entire communities and countries. To sustain the work The Schooner Foundation has supported the Residency for over 15 years (and counting). We have also supported alumni-led initiatives including UCSF HEAL Initiative founded by Sriram Shamasunder and Phuoc Le, MD MPH, Possible/ Nyaya Health Nepal co-founded by Duncan Maru, and Equal Health co-founded by Michelle Morse. In addition, our advocacy efforts with Cate Oswald and Vincent Lin are driving increased federal support for global and rural health residencies and fellowships. Dr, Joe Rhatigan, we are very proud of you and honored to have contributed to ensuring the work continues. The Schooner Foundation is committed to accompanying you to sustain the work and the global health equity movement. Thank you for your commitment and vision for this vital work! Ophelia Dahl David Walton, MD MPH Louise Ivers MD, MPH Jennifer Kohn Goldsmith

Healthcare on Wheels! In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where healthcare resources are often scarce, Plan A Health is transforming access to quality, affordable care for underserved communities. This inspiring partner of The Schooner Foundation goes beyond traditional healthcare models, bringing their mobile clinic directly to at-risk populations. Focusing on essential services—like family planning, HIV/STI testing, and pregnancy testing—Plan A ensures that no one is left behind, regardless of their income or insurance status. For many in the Delta, the barrier to quality healthcare isn’t just cost; it’s also accessibility. Plan A’s mobile clinic breaks down this barrier, reaching remote communities that struggle to access even the most basic healthcare. The flagship clinic in Louise, MS, provides ongoing support in primary care and specialized women’s healthcare, creating a safe and consistent space for those who need it most. With an unwavering commitment to health equity, Plan A is not just delivering medical services—they’re building trust, supporting healthier futures, and redefining what it means to have access to care. And, they have now expanded their services to Georgia! To learn more, please visit https://lnkd.in/e3VxCzUN #healthcareforall #communityhealth #plana #healthequity #accesstocare #publichealth Caroline W.

Transforming lives on and off the court! Crossover Mission is creating a pathway to success for students who do not deserve to be sidelined and a space in a community where racial justice, educational equity and economic opportunity is on the scoreboard. The Schooner Foundation is a proud partner of Crossover Mission, a nonprofit in Vero Beach, Florida, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024. Founded by Antoine Jennings, a powerful local basketball coach who navigated the challenges of crime and gang activity in his community, and Cathy De Schouwer, a mother with a global business background, Crossover Mission emerged from their sons’ shared love of basketball. By prioritizing education and athleticism, Crossover Mission aims to empower youth from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and resilience in the face of systemic challenges. Crossover mission partners with local volunteers who contribute 7,000 academic mentoring hours annually and they forge heartfelt relationships that fuel a 71% retention rate for boys and girls starting in 5th grade and through high school, college and their careers. A decade of impact is based upon skills on the court, grades in the classroom and character in the community. Crossover Mission has had a 100% high school graduation rate for the past 4 years, 100% of their students are testing negative for drugs and alcohol in their Elite Training Program, 98% of students remaining free of the juvenile justice system, 93% of students with at least a 2.0 GPA, and 77% of these students on the Honor Roll in the 2023-24 school year. Join us in supporting Crossover Mission and learn more about their most recent impact by visiting their website (https://lnkd.in/e69WGeQ6) #education #humanrights #buildingcommunity #youthempowerment #basketball #crossovermission #schoonerfoundation #10yearsofimpact Isabel Vinson

Empowering Rural Nepal through Innovative Healthcare Training! The Schooner Foundation is proud to partner with One Heart Worldwide (OHW) in advancing maternal and neonatal healthcare in Nepal. Through the Simulation-based mentorship program, One Heart Worldwide is revolutionizing how rural healthcare providers are trained, helping reduce maternal mortality and improve birth outcomes. Since 2020, this program has equipped Skilled Birth Attendants with the hands-on skills and confidence necessary to address complications in childbirth and neonatal care, particularly in remote regions. Nepal has made significant strides in maternal healthcare, yet challenges remain—especially in rural areas. Though 80% of births now occur in healthcare facilities, the quality of care remains inconsistent, particularly in remote areas where SBAs often lack opportunities for skills enhancement. To address this, One Heart Worldwide, together with support from The Schooner Foundation, introduced the program, the first of its kind in Nepal. The Simulation-based mentorship program, BMP offers low-dose, high-frequency training using simulation labs equipped with medical manikins. These labs provide healthcare workers with realistic, hands-on experience in managing emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal resuscitation, improving both skills retention and confidence.? To date, One Heart Worldwide has reached 51 birthing centers, trained 34 Master Trainers, and impacted 153 rural healthcare providers across four pilot districts. Results have been overwhelmingly positive, with significant improvements in skills (51%), knowledge (23%), and confidence (11%). This pioneering approach has gained national attention, with the Government of Nepal adopting it into the country’s training curriculum. Through our continued collaboration with One Heart Worldwide, we are committed to scaling this life-saving initiative across Nepal, helping to meet global maternal health goals and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns. #maternalhealth #sustainabledevelopment #healthcareinnovation #oneheartworldwide #schoonergoundation #nepal #globalhealth Surya Bhatta David Murphy Sibylle Kristensen Isabel Vinson