About
Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative that grew out of the United Nations Foundation, the Washington, DC based charity created to support the work of the United Nations. Girl Up describes itself as a youth-led global movement for gender justice, focusing on equity for girls and women in spaces where they are unheard or underrepresented. In 2025 the initiative transitioned to the Global Fund for Children, a 501(c)(3) public charity, as its fiscal home, to strengthen its capacity to operate as a globally distributed, youth-led movement.
Mission
Girl Up envisions a more equitable and just world for girls and women, which benefits all people. It develops girls' leadership skills so that young changemakers can advance issues including gender justice, education, climate, gender-based violence prevention, and STEM access.
What they do
- Girl Up Clubs: a worldwide network of more than 6,800 school and community clubs where members organize, advocate, and lead
- Leadership development programming and an online community platform with advocacy tools
- WiSci (Women in Science) programming focused on STEM
- Teen Advisors, who help shape the movement's direction
- The Girl Up Alum Network for former members
- Global and regional leadership summits, including an annual Global Leadership Summit
History
Girl Up originated within the United Nations Foundation as an initiative that evolved into a global movement. Beginning in early 2024, Girl Up charted a new strategic vision toward a more decentralized operating model, and in 2025 it moved to the Global Fund for Children as its fiscal sponsor and host while continuing its programs worldwide.
Scale and impact
Figures published by Girl Up:
- Its network has impacted 430,000 girls and youth leaders in 155 countries and all 50 U.S. states
- More than 6,800 clubs operate worldwide
- Roughly one million supporters mobilize for gender justice globally
- Girl Up counts more than 300,000 Girl Up leaders whose actions have driven the movement's impact
Financials
Girl Up was long housed within the United Nations Foundation Inc (EIN 58-2368165). According to IRS filings compiled by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, the United Nations Foundation reported total revenue of about 113.4 million dollars and total functional expenses of about 127.5 million dollars for fiscal year 2023. Following the 2025 transition, donations to Girl Up are received through its fiscal sponsor, the Global Fund for Children.
