The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF

For over 50 years, George Harrison’s extraordinary generosity toward children in crisis has lived on through the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.

The Concert for Bangladesh commands the stage

During the vibrant music scene of the 1970s, world-renowned sitarist Ravi Shankar turned to his friend George Harrison to raise attention and funds for 10 million East Pakistani refugees. Displaced to India by famine, floods and civil conflict, millions of children’s lives had been disrupted.

In response, Harrison and Shankar quickly organized two concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Aug. 1, 1971. The Concert for Bangladesh's sold-out shows featured fellow Beatle Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan and many other rock luminaries. The event's proceeds and three-album recording have since generated millions for UNICEF’s work to create a more equitable world for every child. Further extending its influence, the event set the standard for future large-scale humanitarian benefit concerts. 

Listen to the entire Concert for Bangladesh on your favorite streaming platform. Every play benefits UNICEF directly.

More than 50 years later, The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF remains committed to supporting UNICEF programs in Bangladesh while expanding its reach to other countries where children are at risk, including Angola, Brazil, Haiti, India and Romania. 

Among recent projects, the Fund has supported relief efforts for Rohingya refugees fleeing devastating fires in Bangladesh’s Cox's Bazar in 2021 and education for children living near the U.S.–Mexico border.

I think young people are more conscious than ever and more compassionate than ever. Charitable work is a muscle. The more you do, the stronger it gets and it becomes part of your being." ~ Olivia Harrison

Learn more about The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.

Ability-Based Accelerated Learning Centers in Bangladesh

Since 1952, UNICEF has worked to improve children’s well-being in Bangladesh by partnering with its government and civil society organizations to build an inclusive and accessible education system. The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF has long been a generous advocate and supporter of UNICEF’s work to provide equitable access to quality education in Bangladesh.

Ability-Based Accelerated Learning (ABAL) Centers help out-of-school children ages 8 to 14 catch up and reach an equivalent level of primary school. The initiative, which is fully aligned with the national curriculum, targets children who have never been enrolled in formal educational programs or who have dropped out of school. 

The project has set the following goals: 

• Equipping 67 ABAL Centers with teacher training and professional development on ABAL techniques
• Enrolling 3,000+ out-of-school children from vulnerable communities, including children with disabilities
• Ensuring 2,850+ children complete primary education or mainstream into other educational opportunities, such as public schooling, after achieving the relevant grade competencies
• Engaging 5,000+ parents and community members on the value of education for children

The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF Clubs Challenge

The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF Clubs Challenge invites 900 high school and college UNICEF Clubs to host fundraisers and events to support UNICEF USA. The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF matches funds raised in a single academic year, up to $100,000, by UNICEF Clubs.

The generosity of George Harrison and his family continues to make a positive impact on UNICEF’s programs and humanitarian efforts. UNICEF USA is grateful for Harrison's vision, his dedication and the talent he shared to lift up the world’s most vulnerable children.

Learn more about The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.