Advocates Urge Congress to Support UNICEF in FY2027 Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON D.C. (April 17, 2026) – This week, advocates from across the country gathered at the United States Capitol to meet with their Senators and Representatives to urge them to support the U.S. Government's contribution to UNICEF's core resources.
Advocates from 10 states - Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas - met with 27 priority Congressional offices to share their personal experiences with UNICEF and stories about how this funding makes a difference for children.
For nearly 80 years, the U.S. Government has made a voluntary contribution to UNICEF. This funding has long enjoyed bipartisan support to ensure tangible, proven results for children globally. With the partnership of the U.S. Government, UNICEF has helped reduce global child mortality by 50% since 2000, ensures the vaccination of nearly half the world's under-five children every year, and provides support to kids in more than 300 crisis areas annually.
"For decades, UNICEF has had broad support from the American people, which has translated to strong bipartisan support here in Washington," said UNICEF USA President and CEO, Michael J. Nyenhuis. "That support not only saves countless children's lives but returns economic benefits in the U.S.: In 2025, UNICEF procured $756 million of goods and services from American businesses across 37 states. We're here on Capitol Hill to emphasize how our nation's investment in UNICEF supports the world's children while also strengthening communities here at home."
"Humanitarian support reflects human decency, global stability, care and both global and domestic safety and economic prosperity. These are things we all deserve and have the right to live in. I cannot emphasize enough how important these meetings and conversations were. I am leaving with a sense of hope,” said Iliana Alvarenga Prato, a NextGen Leadership Council member from Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District. “There is still real opportunity to shape the kind of world we want to live in. It requires paying attention, showing up and engaging. The stakes are too high. People's lives depend on all of us showing up. It cannot be just a few people. It has to be all of us.”
UNICEF USA is advocating for a continued, bipartisan investment from the United States Government of at least $137 million – consistent with Fiscal Year 2026 funding – to UNICEF’s core resources. Core resources are flexible funds that allow UNICEF to stay and deliver in fragile contexts, sustain critical programs where other funding is scarce, and provide long-term support beyond crises.
###
ABOUT UNICEF USA
UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information please contact:
Michaela Johnson, UNICEF USA, 301-848-9048, MJohnson@unicefusa.org