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Mapping Funders in the Violence Against Children (VAC) Sector
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Prepared by Kate Matheson and Swatee Deepak, Closer Than You Think
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The below includes the methodology for this mapping
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Overview
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This funder mapping intended to identify and profile key organisations and funding streams, including child protection, violence against children (VAC), and education. The process utilised publicly available data, data from existing sector research and mappings shared by partners, and the consultant team’s sector-specific expertise, with iterative refinements to produce a broad-based dataset for strategic planning. The methodology ensures transparency in data collection and estimation, acknowledging limitations due to the timing of the project, and irregular data sets due to reporting delays and the absence of 2024 financial data as of July 2025.
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DISCLAIMER - Due to the availability of data and capacity contraints on the team, this data may not be accurate and is only updated briefly twice a year. If you have any comments on the data, please email hello@closerthanyouthink.co
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Scope of the Mapping
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Funder Type: Includes source funders (organisations deploying their own capital) and intermediaries (organisations channeling funds), not limited to direct funders only.
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Geographic Scope: Global coverage, targeting government donors, philanthropic foundations, multilateral organizations, and major private donors funding programs that directly or indirectly contribute to the prevention of violence against children (VAC).
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Time Frame: Limited to funders with financial commitments post 2020.
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Data Collection
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Data was gathered between April and July 2025 through desk-based research using a structured approach:
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Primary Sources: Official websites of governments, foundations, and multilaterals; annual reports and financial statements; press releases and strategic documents (e.g., country strategies)
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Secondary Sources: Reputable open access databases including OECD DAC Creditor Reporting System, Foundation Center/Candid, and UN reports; academic and think tank publications (e.g., Brookings, ODI).
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Thematic Validation: Cross-referenced with VAC sector reports (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, End Violence), INSPIRE strategy supporters, and regional frameworks (e.g., African Partnership to End VAC).
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Partner Data: Incorporated data from existing relevant sector mappings shared within the sector to enhance coverage and avoid duplication of efforts (e.g. To Zero.org; Panorama Strategy Fundraising Guide for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, on behalf of Oak Foundation)
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Expert Input: The team’s expertise in the sector supported data interpretation and gap filling.
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Funder Classification
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Funders were categorized into five groups:
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Private Philanthropy: Organizations providing direct funding
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Intermediary Funders: Organizations channeling funds from others.
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Bilateral Donors: Government donors
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Funding Mechanisms: Structured funding vehicles or platforms.
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Other Key Stakeholders: Includes research and advocacy institutions, coalitions, nonprofit organizations, networks and partnerships, academic institutions, regional inter-governmental organizations, and multilateral agencies. Each was verified for their funding role, including intermediaries.
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Financial Estimation
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Due to the absence of complete 2024 financial data from reporting lags, estimates were derived using a practical approach:
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- Based on 2023 data where available
- Adjusted using data from press releases and strategic documents
- Applied historical averages or sector benchmarks from databases, reports, and partner-shared mappings
- Relied on rapid reviews and sector knowledge for conservative estimates, prioritizing lower ranges as more time is required to acquire more data accuracy.
- The most challenging aspect was obtaining clear VAC-specific data due to untagged budgets, multi-thematic programs, and inconsistent reporting
- Where exact figures were unavailable, proxy estimates used child protection budget lines, grant portfolios, or sector report commitments
- Validation drew on official disclosures (e.g., USAID, FCDO) and triangulation with OECD DAC codes and GPPi tools, noting figures as disbursements, commitments, or estimates
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Validation Process
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Excluded organizations that are solely implementers (unless funders with endowments).
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Confirmed active sector involvement within the last 3–5 years.
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Limitations
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Financial Accuracy: Estimates may vary due to reliance on limited data, with more time required to acquire more data accuracy affecting validation depth. The process was desk-based, relying on available information, where many datasets were irregular, and a significant portion of the data was based on proxies and best guesses.
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Data Gaps: Some regional funders lack transparency, and VAC funding is often bundled with broader categories like child protection.
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Timing Constraints: Given the project’s timing limitations, we applied the best possible approach; however, further investigation would yield better results.
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Recommendations
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Reader is advised to verify figures with 2024 funder reports, expected by late 2025.
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Consider direct engagement with major funders or partnering with organizations (e.g., Development Initiatives, OECD) for a deeper analysis.
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Final Refinements
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The mapping was iteratively reviewed to enhance accuracy, address gaps, and include additional funders. Key personnel were sourced from 2023/2024 data, with roles verified via LinkedIn or 2025 updates.
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Conclusion
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This methodology leveraged a structured, expertise-driven approach, enhanced by partner-shared mappings, to deliver a practical funder mapping despite 2024 data constraints. The conservative estimates, rooted in historical trends and benchmarks, provide a reliable foundation, with notes for further validation. The inclusion of key personnel and iterative reviews ensures its effectiveness for strategic decision-making.
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