• Save the Children Bitcoin fund speeds up emergency aid by using crypto’s peer-to-peer technology to avoid banking delays.

• The fund holds donations in Bitcoin and stablecoins for flexible conversion, maximizing donor impact during crises.

• Since 2013, Save the Children has raised millions via crypto for conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, with over $1 billion in crypto donations reported globally in 2024.

Discover how the Save the Children Bitcoin fund revolutionizes humanitarian aid with crypto. Learn about its role in emergencies and donor benefits—explore now for insights on blockchain in nonprofits.

What is the Save the Children Bitcoin Fund?

The Save the Children Bitcoin fund is an innovative cryptocurrency holding initiative launched by the international nonprofit to accelerate cash assistance during emergencies. It allows the organization to accept and retain donations in Bitcoin, stablecoins, and other digital assets for up to four years, developed in partnership with digital-asset firm Fortris. This approach circumvents traditional banking delays that often hinder swift aid delivery in disaster zones or conflict areas.

How Does the Bitcoin Fund Enhance Humanitarian Aid Delivery?

The Save the Children Bitcoin fund addresses key challenges in humanitarian operations by leveraging blockchain’s speed and efficiency. Traditional funding transfers can take days or weeks due to international banking restrictions, especially in crisis-hit regions. With this fund, donations in volatile assets like Bitcoin can be held until optimal conversion times, ensuring maximum value for aid programs.

Antonia Roupell, Save the Children’s innovation and partnerships lead, emphasized in a statement: “Many nonprofits accept Bitcoin today, but few hold these donations or leverage the asset’s underlying peer-to-peer technology in their operations. Our Bitcoin donors asked for the flexibility to choose when to convert to maximize the impact of their generosity, and this fund delivers exactly that.”

Supporting data from The Giving Block’s 2025 annual report highlights the growing trend, noting over $1 billion in cryptocurrency donations worldwide in 2024. This fund builds on Save the Children’s prior success with its “Hodl Hope” initiative, which has mobilized millions in digital assets for children impacted by conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan since the organization’s first Bitcoin acceptance in 2013.

Janti Soeripto, president and CEO of Save the Children U.S., added: “Out-of-the-box solutions are essential to ensure we continue to be there for children when they need us most, especially when traditional foreign aid funding falters.” The initiative integrates blockchain’s cost-efficiency and financial inclusion to bolster both emergency responses and long-term global programs, providing agility when conventional pathways fail.

While specifics on governance, conversion decisions, and volatility management remain undisclosed, the fund’s structure promises to streamline operations. It enables quicker deployment of resources in hard-to-reach areas, reducing administrative bottlenecks and enhancing overall impact. Experts in the crypto-philanthropy space, as referenced in reports from organizations like The Giving Block, view such integrations as pivotal for modern nonprofits adapting to digital finance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted Save the Children to launch the Bitcoin fund?

Save the Children launched the Bitcoin fund to overcome delays in traditional banking during emergencies, such as natural disasters and conflicts. By holding crypto donations, the nonprofit gains flexibility to convert assets at optimal times, ensuring faster and more effective aid delivery to vulnerable children worldwide, as stated by its leadership.

How has cryptocurrency donation trended in humanitarian efforts recently?

Cryptocurrency donations to humanitarian causes have surged, with over $1 billion donated in 2024 according to The Giving Block’s 2025 report. This growth, seen in responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and aid for Ukraine’s 2022 conflict, underscores crypto’s role in enabling rapid, borderless support for global nonprofits like Save the Children.

Key Takeaways

• Accelerated Aid Delivery: The Save the Children Bitcoin fund uses blockchain to bypass banking hurdles, speeding up cash assistance in crises.
• Donor Flexibility: Holders can retain Bitcoin for up to four years, converting when it maximizes impact for children’s programs.
• Growing Crypto Philanthropy: Builds on billions in 2024 donations, enhancing financial inclusion and efficiency in humanitarian work.

Conclusion

The Save the Children Bitcoin fund represents a forward-thinking step in humanitarian finance, integrating cryptocurrency in nonprofit operations to deliver timely aid amid global challenges. By partnering with firms like Fortris and drawing on blockchain’s strengths, the organization sets a model for others in the sector. As crypto adoption in philanthropy continues to rise, this initiative promises greater resilience for emergency responses, urging donors to consider digital assets for lasting impact on children’s lives worldwide.