Children from low-income backgrounds and those living in fragile, conflict-affected countries are twice as likely to be out of school. Furthermore, 129.2 million girls worldwide are denied an education due to gender discrimination and financial worries. Charities around the world are working tirelessly to ensure that every child has equal access to a good education so they can improve their lives. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight for education globally?

The best charities that fight for education globally are Save the Children and Care. Charities such as United World Schools and Childhood Education International empower teachers to improve the education system locally, and as a whole. 

Whether you want to ensure every impoverished child has access to education, make sure that every teacher has the equipment and knowledge they need to provide children with the best opportunities, or ensure the education system is free from prejudice and discrimination, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that fight for education globally are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Fight for Education Globally Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements. They operate all over the world, from North America to India, serving the educational needs of disadvantaged communities and their children. 

Many of the charities on this list focus their efforts on getting vulnerable children from impoverished communities into schools. Others focus their attention on providing employment skills training for adolescents and teachers. Yet they all share the same goal; to ensure every child has the right to a decent education. 

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Fight for Education Globally in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that fight for education globally (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities That Fight for Education Globally

Save the Children

Care

Plan International

Theirworld

United World Schools

World Education

Educate Girls

Asha for Education

Childhood Education International

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Save the Children: Providing Education Access and Support to Vulnerable Children

Save the Children was founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb to support starving children in the aftermath of World War 1. Today, the charity is a global organization working tirelessly to give every child the best possible start in life and access to a good education. 

Save the Children holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. 

“Every child deserves a future.”

Save the Children

Save the Children runs pioneering programs to reduce child suffering around the world and improve their access to an education. The charity works in America and around the world to reach children who are missing out on learning. They also help toddlers get ready for kindergarten by teaching them basic reading skills so they can read by the 3rd grade. Their School Health and Nutrition programs increase access to clean water, vision screening, and AIDS education to children across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Over a single decade, Save the Children has delivered quality education to over 273 million children, which is more than any other global development organization. Since 2000, they have reduced the number of out-of-school children by a third, resulting in 180 million more children getting an education. In 2019, the charity directly impacted 7.7 million children through their Global Education programs. 

You can donate directly to Save the Children through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing much-needed items from their online Gift Catalog or by volunteering.

Care: Leading the Way to a Better Life for Vulnerable Children and Families

Care was founded in 1945 by Arthur Ringland and Dr. Lincoln Clark to deliver food packages to World War II survivors in Europe. Today, the charity tackles poverty around the world through care packages, education programs, and equality advocacy.  

Care holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The charity also has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. 

“Working around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice.”

Care

Care increases access to quality education for vulnerable children, particularly girls, in poor or conflict-affected areas. Through their Education Sector Program, the charity provides capitation grants to address safety and security issues in Somali primary schools. Their Strengthening Opportunities for Adolescent Resilience (SOAR) program seeks to empower adolescent girls who never attended school by teaching them basic skills in literacy and numeracy. 

Since their founding, Care has reached more than 90 million people in over 100 countries. Through their Education Sector Program, the charity has helped schools in Somalia to enroll and retain 50,000 children. They have also trained 2,360 teachers and supported 600 schools through grants and the provision of learning materials. In addition, over 50 Syrian refugee adolescents were trained in filmmaking and technical skills training through their Azraq Film School. 

You can donate directly to Care through their website. You can also support the charity by setting up a Facebook Fundraiser.

Plan International: Advancing Children’s Rights

Plan International was founded in 1937 by John Langdon-Davies and Eric Muggeridge to provide food, shelter, and education to children affected by the Spanish Civil War. Today, the charity is a global organization working to advance children’s rights and equality for girls.   

Plan International holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equity for girls.”

Plan International

Plan International promotes free, equal access to education for every child by advocating for policy changes at both local and international levels. They also combat child abuse in homes and schools by providing training in child’s rights, positive discipline, and parenting techniques to families and communities around the world. In addition, the charity works with governments to improve access to financial support and employment skills training for young people.  

Today, Plan International works in 78 countries to advance children’s rights to education. For example, in 2021, their work reached 26.2 million girls and 24.1 million boys in 61,231 communities. Through their Education in Emergencies initiative, the charity responded to 136 disasters, reaching over 9.8 million children through 184 education and child’s rights programs.  

You can donate directly to Plan International through their website. You can also support the charity by Sponsoring a Child or by joining their Emergency Response Roster. 

Theirworld: Fighting to End the Global Education Crisis

Theirworld was founded in 2002 by Sarah and Gordon Brown to support scientific and community research to help the most vulnerable children access education. Today, the charity is a global organization dedicated to removing the barriers that keep children out of education. 

According to their financial report, Theirworld spent 99% of their expenditure on charitable activities and 1% on fundraising. 

“Committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation.”

Theirworld

Theirworld works with governments, businesses, youth, and like-minded nonprofits to develop solutions that will improve the worldwide education system. Their Small Grant Programs offer grants of up to $12,000 to registered charities that work with disadvantaged young people around the world, including South Africa, America, and China. They also connect and train over 2,000 young people and social entrepreneurs to campaign for better education equality through their Global Youth Ambassadors program.   

Since their inception, Theirworld has enabled more than 4 million children to go to school. They have also awarded over $1 million in small grants to nonprofits and schools around the world. Every year, over 1,000 new young people join their Global Youth Ambassador Network and they have now gained over 11 million campaign supporters. 

You can donate directly to Theirworld through the charity’s website. You can also support the charity by getting involved in one of their campaigns or by fundraising.

United World Schools: Every Child Deserves the Right to go to School

United World Schools was founded in 2009 by Chris Howarth after he worked as a teacher in Cambodia. He started the charity to improve the state of underfunded schools in remote regions by engaging them with students from UK and US schools. Today, the charity works tirelessly in hard-to-reach areas to improve access to quality, inclusive education.

United World Schools holds the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The charity has yet to be rated by Charity Navigator.

“Education is the key to a brighter future.”

United World Schools

United World Schools collaborates with local communities and global supporters to increase access to quality education for children in hard-to-reach areas in Cambodia, Madagascar, Nepal, and Myanmar. They do this by training local teachers, developing local primary schools in poor areas, and ensuring a diversity in language to make sure minority students don’t miss out on their education.   

Since their founding, United World Schools has reached 47,000 children, 1,260 teachers, and 270 schools through their education programs. They have also provided indirect benefits to 131,300 parents and communities. Thanks to the work of the charity, 81% of primary school students in Cambodia and Nepal go on to secondary school. 

You can donate directly to United World Schools through their website. You can also support the charity by taking part in one of their fundraising events or by giving a philanthropic gift. 

World Education: Educate. Engage. Inspire

World Education was founded in 1951 by Welthy Honsinger Fisher to provide literacy training to people in impoverished countries. Today, the charity is a global organization dedicated to strengthening equitable access to education and career opportunities for the most vulnerable. 

According to their financial report, World Education spent 82.4% of their income on charitable program expenses and 1% on fundraising. 

“Unlocking opportunity through education.”

World Education

World Education works across America and internationally to improve the availability, quality, and capacity of adult education programs. They particularly focus on removing barriers that prevent minority groups affected by racism and economic inequality from developing the skills they need to succeed. Their programs include reading, writing, and numeracy, distance learning courses and digital access, and education leadership for teachers. They also run training programs in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean to strengthen community engagement and reduce child labor. 

Since their founding, World Education has improved education prospects for people in 52 countries around the world. In 2021, the charity helped improve early grade reading skills for 101,000 students in Cambodia. They also set up 8 Community Colleges in America to support 15,000 parenting students. In the same year, they trained 10,000 new teachers and 825 support workers who reached 2,500 students in need of psychosocial support. 

You can donate directly to World Education through their website. You can also keep up to date with their work by following them on their social media pages. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities to work for World Education.  

Educate Girls: Girls Education can Change the World

Educate Girls was founded in 2014 by Safeena Husain to build awareness of the crisis in girls’ education across India. Today, the charity promotes and protects every girl’s right to a good education through direct support and advocacy. 

Educate Girls has a 71% Encompass score for finance and accountability from Charity Navigator. The charity also has a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“It is the right of every girl to be in school and learning.”

Educate Girls

Educate Girls runs door-to-door surveys to identify out-of-school girls in impoverished villages in India and enrolls them in local schools. Community volunteers then provide long-term support to enhance their learning. The charity also sets up village meetings to promote the importance of education and lead school improvement plans to reduce the number of dropouts. 

Since their founding, Educate Girls has enrolled over 950,000 out-of-school girls with the help of their 20,000 volunteers. Their community work has improved learning outcomes for 1.5 million students across 21 districts and trained 310,000 adolescent girls in valuable life skills. The charity now works in over 18,000 villages across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Their schools boast a 95% retention rate. 

You can donate directly to Educate Girls through their website. You can also support the charity by following their social media pages or you can contact the charity directly to volunteer. 

Asha for Education: Bringing Hope Through Education

Asha for Education was founded in 1991 by a group of students, including D. Gupta, to drive social and economic change in India through child education. Today, the charity identifies and funds education-related projects in India through their 50 worldwide chapters. 

According to their financial report, Asha for Education spent 91.7% of their expenditure on program services and 1% on fundraising. 

“To catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children.”

Asha for Education

Asha for Education provides education to underprivileged children in India by investigating, implementing, and funding volunteer-run education projects across the country. These include the establishment of a Learning Center for children with cerebral palsy in Melmalayanur and the Bharathi Trust Senchiamma School to support the nutritional and educational needs of young impoverished Irular children. 

Since their founding, Asha for Education has invested around $32.3 million in over 1,000 education and wellness projects that support underprivileged children in 24 states across India. They now work with over 1,500 volunteers and 400 project partners. In 2021, the charity funded the Girl’s Empowerment program that supports more than 1,600 adolescent girls in 60 villages across the Durg and Balod districts. 

You can donate directly to Asha for Education through their website. You can also support the charity by volunteering or by Supporting a Child.

Childhood Education International: Innovative Solutions to Education Challenges

Childhood Education International was founded in 1892 by a group of passionate teachers to promote kindergarten education in America. Today, the charity is committed to ensuring that every child around the world has access to quality education. 

Childhood Education International holds the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The charity also has a 99% Encompass rating for finance & accountability from Charity Navigator.  

“Elevate education and learning as the foundation of all aspects of human development and world progress.”

Childhood Education International

Childhood Education International designs and implements programs, professional development courses, and consulting services to empower education leaders in primary schools. Through their Center for Education Diplomacy, the charity shares resources to support and inform teachers that wish to transform their leadership skills. Their Global Schools First initiative supports schools that educate their students to be active global citizens. 

Since their founding, Childhood Education International has implemented their training courses in over 40 nations around the world. They now have over 50,000 educators and child activists in their network. In 2020, the charity reached educators in 184 nations with their flagship Childhood Education Innovations magazine which explores cutting-edge solutions to education challenges worldwide. 

You can donate directly to Childhood Education International through their website, You can also support the charity by applying to join their Consultant Directory or by subscribing to receive their education publications.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that fight for education globally. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to education globally – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

• Global Partnership: Education Data Highlights
• Save the Children: Home page
• GuideStar: Save the Children
• Charity Navigator: Save the Children
• Save the Children: Education
• Save the Children: Where we work
• Save the Children: School Health and Nutrition
• Save the Children: Global Education
• Save the Children: Donate
• Save the Children: Gift Catalog
• Save the Children: Volunteer
• Care: Home page
• GuideStar: Care
• Charity Navigator: Care 
• Care: Education Sector Program Implementation Grant
• Care: Strengthening Opportunities for Adolescent Resilience
• Care: Our Work
• Care: Azraq Film School
• Care: Donate
• Facebook: Fundraisers
• Plan International: Home page
• GuideStar: Plan International
• Charity Navigator: Plan International 
• Plan International: Education
• Plan International: Protection from Violence
• Plan International: Skills and Work
• Plan International: Annual Review 2021
• Plan International: Our History
• Plan International: Donate
• Plan International: Sponsor a Child
• Plan International: Join our Emergency Response Roster
• Theirworld: Home page
• Theirworld: About us
• Theirworld: Annual Accounts 2020
• Theirworld: Small Grants Programme
• Theirworld: Global Youth Ambassadors
• Theirworld: Our impact
• Theirworld: Donate
• Theirworld: Take Action
• Theirworld: Ways to fundraise
• United World Schools: Home page
• GuideStar: United World Schools
• United World Schools: Cambodia
• United World Schools: Madagascar
• United World Schools: Nepal
• United World Schools: Myanmar
• United World Schools: Meet Moh Moh Lwin: Our 1000th Teacher
• United World Schools: Why do we teach in local languages?
• United World Schools: Our impact
• United World Schools: Donate
• United World Schools: Take on a challenge
• United World Schools: Philanthropic gifts
• World Education: Home page
• World Education: Annual Report 2021
• World Education: Advancing equity through education
• World Education: Reading, Writing & Numeracy
• World Education: EdTech, Distance Learning, Digital Access, and Skills
• World Education: Adult Education Leadership and Teacher Effectiveness
• World Education: International
• World Education: Donate
• World Education: Work for Us
• Educate Girls: Home page
• Charity Navigator: Educate Girls
• GuideStar: Educate Girls
• Educate Girls: What We Do
• Educate Girls: Information Brochure
• Educate Girls: Donate
• Educate Girls: Contact Us
• Asha for Education: Home page
• Asha for Education: About
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• Asha for Education: Projects
• Asha for Education: Asha Trust – Learning Center for CP/MR children
• Asha for Education: Bharathi Trust – Senchiamma School
• Asha for Education: Projects of Asha for Education
• Asha for Education: Annual Report 2021
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• Asha for Education: New Volunteer Form
• Asha for Education: Support a Child
• Childhood Education International: Home page
• GuideStar: Childhood Education International
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• Childhood Education International: Our Work
• Childhood Education International: Leadership
• Center for Education Diplomacy: Skills Resources
• Childhood Education International: Global Schools First
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• Childhood Education International: Donate
• Childhood Education International: Consultant Directory Application
• Childhood Education International: Subscribe