The K.I.N.D. Fund
Kids in Need of Desks
An inspiring partnership between UNICEF USA and MS NOW supports quality education in Malawi by providing kids in need with the desks and scholarships they need to continue to learn and build bright futures.
Empowering Education in Malawi: The K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund
Education is transformative, yet many children in Malawi face daily barriers that make learning a challenge. The K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund, a long-standing partnership between UNICEF USA and MS NOW, addresses these obstacles by equipping classrooms with desks and offering scholarships to girls in Malawi. Since its launch in 2010, the K.I.N.D. Fund has delivered over 420,000 school desks, reaching more than 1.6 million learners across Malawi, and provided more than 52,000 scholarships to help girls complete secondary school. Join us, and you can help students in Malawi learn, thrive and pursue their dreams.
What a K.I.N.D. Desk Means for Students in Malawi
In Malawi schools, over half of all students' classrooms have no desks or chairs. Children learn sitting on the floor, struggling to concentrate, write legibly and participate, which is especially tough for girls, who often skip school during their periods rather than sit on the classroom floor. K.I.N.D. desks, which come with attached seating, make all the difference. Schools report increased attendance, higher retention among girls and improved participation. Donate school desks to help even more students in Malawi learn.
- $158 can provide a school desk for 2 to 3 students
- $316 can provide 2 school desks for 4 to 6 students
- $474 can provide 3 school desks for 6 to 9 students
- $632 can provide 4 school desks for 8 to 12 students
- $4,740 can provide desks for an entire classroom
- $47,400 can provide 300 desks for an entire school
A $230 Donation Gives a Girl a One-Year Scholarship
In Malawi, primary and secondary education is free, but the costs of boarding, transportation, uniforms, textbooks, learning materials and other essentials can still put high school out of reach. When families can't afford to send all their children to high school, they often prioritize boys. Many girls drop out, increasing the likelihood of early marriage. The K.I.N.D. Fund Scholarship Program gives girls a chance to continue their education by covering the added costs and providing mentoring and psychosocial support to help them succeed and graduate with confidence. Your donation can help change a girl's future.
- $230 can fund 1 year of high school for 1 girl
- $460 can fund 2 years of high school for 1 girl
- $690 can fund 3 years of high school for 1 girl
- $920 can fund a girl's high school education for all 4 years
Donate to the K.I.N.D. Fund and Make a Difference for Kids
You can support the K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund by donating to provide desks or scholarships for girls. Make a single gift or help MS NOW and UNICEF USA grow this vital program by becoming a monthly K.I.N.D. supporter. Monthly gifts provide the sustained support needed to reach more children and keep pace with the changing needs of Malawi’s students and teachers. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps create a brighter future for children in Malawi, ensuring they have the tools they need to learn, grow and succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund? Everything you need to know
The K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund is a philanthropic initiative established by Lawrence O'Donnell and UNICEF USA. The collaboration provides desks and scholarships to children in Malawi, aiming to improve the quality of education and create better learning environments.
How can I donate to the K.I.N.D. Fund?
Your donation, big or small, can make a real difference in the lives of children in Malawi.
You can contribute to the K.I.N.D. Fund through several options:
- Online donations: Make a secure online contribution: give a K.I.N.D. desk here or a K.I.N.D. scholarship here or via the buttons at the top of this page.
- Mail contributions: Send checks or money orders to K.I.N.D. Fund, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, 10038.
- Recurring donations: Set up monthly contributions to support the cause consistently. When you give a K.I.N.D. desk or a K.I.N.D. scholarship, you can choose to make your K.I.N.D. donation a monthly gift.
How does my donation help children in Malawi?
Your generous contributions support two primary objectives. You can:
- give a K.I.N.D. desk: Many schools in Malawi lack basic infrastructure, including desks and chairs. Your donations help provide desks to children highly motivated and inspired to learn. K.I.N.D. desks, with attached benches, help children focus on their studies and do their best work.
- give a scholarship to a girl: K.I.N.D. Fund scholarships cover essential education-related costs for girls in Malawi, removing the financial constraints that keep so many girls from reaching their potential. Your gift covers room and board, transportation, uniforms, learning materials and more.
What is the impact of providing desks to Malawian schools?
A desk profoundly enhances students’ comfort and concentration, making it much easier for instructors to engage their students. Here’s how:
- desks are not just furniture: They are the foundation of a comfortable learning environment designed to help students develop the knowledge they need for their futures. Desks let students sit comfortably and maintain better posture, improving concentration and academic performance.
- desks help increase enrollment and student retention: Schools with desks are comfortable places to learn, where students can fully engage with their teachers and classmates and do their best work.
- desks support teachers: A well-equipped classroom helps instructors inspire their students to learn the skills that will set them up for success.
What does a K.I.N.D. scholarship cover?
A K.I.N.D. scholarship empowers young girls to take control of their lives. In Malawi, less than half of the nation's girls graduate from primary school due to widespread poverty and considerable additional expenses. A K.I.N.D. Fund scholarship removes those barriers by providing comprehensive support, including:
- school supplies: essential materials such as notebooks, pens and textbooks
- uniforms: proper attire is required for school attendance.
- mentoring and psychosocial support: to help girls stay in school, succeed in the classroom and graduate with confidence
- personal hygiene supplies: K.I.N.D. Fund scholarships help girls meet their menstrual hygiene needs so they can attend class worry-free and focus on what matters.
Can I choose whether my donation goes to desks or scholarships?
Yes! When donating, you can decide how you would like your funds allocated. You can give a K.I.N.D. desk gift and K.I.N.D. scholarships. You also have the option when donating desks or scholarships to make your donation to the K.I.N.D. Fund a monthly gift. Monthly gifts provide ongoing operational support for the K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund initiative.
Can I make a recurring donation to the K.I.N.D. Fund?
Absolutely! Setting up a recurring donation is a great way to provide ongoing support to the K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks) Fund. You can sign up to give monthly on the K.I.N.D. desk or K.I.N.D. scholarship donation forms, or via the buttons at the top of this page. When you donate monthly to K.I.N.D., you provide the sustained support Malawi's students need to transform their lives through education.
Is my K.I.N.D. Fund donation tax-deductible?
Yes, donations made to UNICEF USA to support the K.I.N.D. Fund are tax-deductible. Upon making a contribution, you will receive a receipt that you can use for tax purposes.
How can I stay updated on the progress of the K.I.N.D. Fund?
To stay informed about the progress and impact of the K.I.N.D. Fund, you can:
- connect on social media: Keep track of the latest news and stories by following UNICEF USA and Lawrence O'Donnell on social media.
Supporting the K.I.N.D. Fund helps transform the lives of children in Malawi by providing the resources they need to succeed through education. Whether through donating desks or scholarships, every contribution can make a world of difference to children and girls who want nothing more than to learn.