In a significant move aimed at enhancing humanitarian response efforts, Save the Children has launched a new Bitcoin fund designed to hold donations for up to four years. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the digital asset firm Fortris, aims to facilitate quick access to funds during crises by accepting donations in Bitcoin, stablecoins, and other digital currencies.
The organization has pointed out that prolonged delays in transferring humanitarian funds are a major hurdle to providing timely aid. Traditional banking channels often falter or become inaccessible during disasters and conflicts, which can hamper aid delivery. The introduction of this fund is positioned as a solution to circumvent such challenges.
Antonia Roupell, the innovation and partnerships lead at Save the Children, noted the demand from cryptocurrency donors for flexibility in managing their contributions. “Many nonprofits accept Bitcoin today, but few hold these donations or leverage the asset’s underlying peer-to-peer technology in their operations,” she explained. The new Bitcoin fund aims to grant donors the option to decide when to convert their contributions into traditional currency, thereby maximizing the impact of their generosity.
Since first accepting Bitcoin in 2013, Save the Children has actively engaged in cryptocurrency fundraising through initiatives like “Hodl Hope,” which has successfully garnered millions in digital assets to support children affected by conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. The organization asserts that this fund provides critical financial agility when conventional aid mechanisms falter.
Janti Soeripto, president and CEO of Save the Children U.S., emphasized the importance of innovative funding solutions, stating, “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.” She highlighted the benefits of integrating blockchain technology in emergency and long-term programs to improve speed, cost-efficiency, and financial inclusion.
While the promise of the fund is enticing, the announcement raises several operational questions. Details regarding the governance structure, decision-making processes for converting volatile assets to fiat currency, and strategies for managing extreme price fluctuations remain unclear. Save the Children has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these details.
This initiative emerges at a time when cryptocurrency donations are gaining recognition, with several nonprofits like the American Red Cross, United Way, and GiveDirectly also accepting digital currencies. The crypto sector has a notable history of contributing to global causes, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and in response to the humanitarian crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which saw an influx of over $50 million in cryptocurrency donations.
According to The Giving Block’s annual report for 2025, more than $1 billion worth of cryptocurrency was donated in 2024, highlighting the growing trend of digital philanthropy. The innovative work being done by Save the Children reflects a broader shift in how organizations are leveraging technology to ensure timely support to those in need amid global challenges.
