Global Grassroots

Mission

Global Grassroots is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports social innovation for the wellbeing of women genocide survivors worldwide. First, we train grassroots women’s groups to use social entrepreneurship as a tool to address their social ills. Second, we invest in the start-up of their social ventures. We then offer 12 months of high-engagement support for these change leaders to initiate their ideas. Last, we engage in campaigns to raise awareness of critical women’s issue

Programs

In 2005, Global Grassroots launched its work in the refugee camps of Eastern Chad among refugees from Darfur, Sudan. In 2006, Global Grassroots expanded its program among widowed genocide survivors and sexual assault victims with HIV in Kigali, Rwanda. We are currently investigating potential partnerships in Northern Uganda for the beginning of 2009.

Current Projects on GlobalGiving

Rwanda Conscious Social Change Program

Personnel Overview

Gretchen Steidle Wallace - President and Founder
Gretchen graduated from the University of Virginia in 1996. Until 1999 she worked in international project finance for PMD International. In 2001 she received an MBA at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. She then joined Ashoka, an NGO working to advance social entrepreneurship and in 2002 became director of Youth Venture, its sister organization. She founded Global Grassroots in 2004.

Allison Huggins - Rwanda Program Manager
Allison graduated from Dartmouth College in 2002 and received a Masters in Development Studies from The London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005. She has been working in Rwanda for two years, researching gender-based violence and women’s rights issues for African Rights, Women Waging Peace and Sisters of Rwanda. Allison currently provides support services to our Rwanda Projects.

Gillian Porcella - Global Program Associate
Gillian graduated from Hampshire College in 2006 with a concentration in African and Gender Studies. She spent time in Uganda working with Action for Development facilitating workshops on domestic violence and worked in Ghana in 2004. Gillian provides support for Global Grassroots’ staff in New Hampshire and abroad.

Personnel Statistics

Gretchen Wallace,
President & Founder
Founded in 2004
Employees: 6
Volunteers: 15

Financial Statistics

Budget (2008): $ 417,000
Budget (2007): $ 223,000
Overhead: 7 %
Other funding sources: Humanity United, J.A. Clark Charitable Trust, Rapidan Foundation, St. James Trust, The ReSource Trust, Samueli Foundation, Sewell Family Foundation, HOPE Artists Inc., Obey Giant Art Inc.
Religious Affiliation: