Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

“From our perspective, locally led development and targeted funding is just good donorship." Our President and CEO Peter Laugharn spoke with Nonprofit Quarterly about the philanthropic sector's ongoing commitment to locally led development, an imperative amid shrinking development budgets.   "It tends to be less expensive, it tends to be more sustainable, and it builds local capacity," he explained. Laugharn, along with other philanthropic leaders, underscores the value of investing locally and invites donors to embrace this approach to reach those most in need. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gtMYAazS

Angeline Murimirwa was among just 5% of girls in her community to complete school, an achievement made possible through the support of CAMFED - Campaign for Female Education. Today, she leads the organization as CEO. In 2021, CAMFED was honored with the #HiltonPrize for expanding education and leadership opportunities for girls and young women across Africa. At the 30th Anniversary Prize Event, Angeline encouraged her fellow Prize Laureates and all humanitarians to rise above the current moment of overwhelm and division, reminding them: “Lean on each other, lean on the collective. It’s only us doing this together that we succeed.”   Watch the recap of the 30th Anniversary Hilton Prize event: https://lnkd.in/giFhkFHU

The third annual Sisters’ Anti-Trafficking Awards (SATAs) honored three Catholic sisters for their exceptional courage and committed service in protecting communities from human trafficking. The #SATAs amplify calls for systemic change and reinforce protection for at-risk individuals, victims and survivors.   Join us in congratulating this year's recipients: · Sr. Benjamine Nanga Kimala, SMC (Chad) · Sr. Margaret Ng, RSJ (Australia) · Sr. Martha Pelloni, CMT (Argentina)   Sr. Jane Wakahiu, head of our Catholic Sisters initiative, opened the ceremony, sharing:   "Faith-inspired leadership, commitment, and collaborative action are indispensable tools in confronting human trafficking. Tonight we honor those who embody this mission, while reflecting, sharing insights, and strengthening our collective resolve to build a world free from exploitation and violence."   On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we honor Catholic sisters worldwide who work quietly and tirelessly to restore dignity, offer protection, and bring hope to those who have endured violence and exploitation. Their example reminds us that we all share responsibility to protect women and girls. #SATAs2025 #16Days #NoExcuse Learn more from our anti-trafficking partners: TAKUZA: https://takuza.org/ UISG - International Union of Superiors General: https://www.uisg.org/en/

For the first time, our partners from six countries across Africa and Latin America came together for an international convening of our Early Childhood Development and Refugees initiatives. The collaborative space aimed to reimagine early childhood development in a rapidly changing world. Global experts and changemakers shared ideas and strategies to strengthen child care systems, with a clear focus on solutions that are locally led. Senior Program Officers Maniza Ntekim and Barri Shorey shared key insights from the convening in a joint blog: https://lnkd.in/gU-XGFck

Zainab Salbi honored the quiet sacrifices of humanitarians who devote their lives to serving humanity during the 30th Anniversary Prize Event. In 2006, as founder of Women for Women International, Zainab accepted the #HiltonPrize on behalf of the organization, the first women’s organization to be recognized with this award. Today, she serves on the international independent jury that selects each year’s #HiltonPrize recipient, celebrating humanitarian work and spotlighting the organizations changing the world for good. She joined her fellow jurors at the 2025 Hilton Prize event to talk about the importance of recognizing humanitarian excellence. Watch the event recap: https://lnkd.in/giFhkFHU

The Opus Prize Foundation has announced that Sr. Juunza Mwangani and Sr. Rosalia Sakayombo of the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Mazabuka, Zambia are the 2025 Opus Prize Laureate!   Their congregation will receive the $1 million award in recognition of their groundbreaking social enterprise, the Emerging Farmers Network. This initiative blends academic education, eco-friendly integrated farming, hands-on training, and entrepreneurship literacy for women and girls to build skills, ensure food security, and become financially independent.    Since 2023, our Catholic Sisters initiative has supported this the Sisters Blended Value Project, managed by Sr. Juunza. We are thrilled to see their vision and innovation honored on a global stage.   Learn more about how these sisters are transforming the lives of women and youth in Zambia: https://lnkd.in/d9XsR5Px

A trusted adult can open the door for young people to pursue their greatest dreams. As the grandmother and caregiver of three grandchildren, Ms. Jimmie Brown turned to Friends of the Children New York for dedicated mentors who could help guide her family through life’s obstacles.   With chapters nationwide, Friends of the Children promises children facing unique challenges a mentor for 12 years, so they always have someone by their side.

The Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA is helping to shift how young adults are portrayed on screen, beginning by understanding what young people want to see in entertainment media. Learn more from their latest 'Teens and Screens' report: https://lnkd.in/gFiQZaPV

Sarah Smith, director of Legacy Initiatives at the Hilton Foundation, recently moderated a panel at the World Economic Forum’s Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Frontier Markets Impact Meeting.   The #HRI initiative goes beyond traditional aid by channeling private sector investments into frontier markets. These are developing regions where vulnerable communities face ongoing crises.   As a proud #HRI partner, we’re working together to unlock impact investing opportunities that reduce dependency and foster long-term economic stability. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQeHQ54i

Our Catholic Sisters initiative recently convened a powerful international gathering in Mexico City, uniting representatives from the Vatican, Catholic sisters, philanthropic organizations, and leaders across civil, private and public sectors. The event, titled “Embracing a Shared Vision: Strengthening Communities of Hope to Promote the Common Good,” brought together partners committed to serving vulnerable communities.   Catholic sisters in Latin America face unique challenges in reaching those most in need. Often serving with few resources, sisters remain steadfast in their commitments to serve and protect human dignity. This convening provided a platform for sisters to share their experiences, articulate their needs, and exchange best practices, strategies and opportunities to advance collective solutions for the common good.   Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, joined a panel alongside representatives from Vatican Dicasteries. She emphasized the Church’s shared responsibility to listen to the voices of the poorest and to support the Catholic sisters who dedicate their lives to serving them.   Learn more about how our Catholic Sisters initiative is supporting transformative work around the world: https://lnkd.in/enVwWrmf