On December 11, 2025, Save the Children, one of the world’s leading international nonprofits dedicated to children’s rights and welfare, announced the launch of its groundbreaking Bitcoin Fund. Developed in partnership with digital asset platform Fortris, this initiative marks a significant evolution in how humanitarian organizations handle cryptocurrency donations. Unlike the standard practice of immediately converting crypto to fiat currency, Save the Children will hold (or “hodl”) Bitcoin donations for up to four years, potentially allowing contributions to appreciate in value while serving as a testing ground for innovative blockchain-based aid delivery.
This move builds on Save the Children’s long-standing pioneering role in crypto philanthropy. Back in 2013, during the response to Typhoon Haiyan, the organization became the first international NGO to accept Bitcoin donations. Over the years, campaigns like “Hodl Hope” have raised millions in digital assets for crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and beyond. Now, the Bitcoin Fund takes this commitment further, responding directly to donor feedback and the pressing need for faster, more efficient aid in an era of shrinking traditional funding.
Why Hold Bitcoin? Maximizing Impact in a Volatile World
The core innovation of the Bitcoin Fund is its long-term holding strategy. As Antonia Roupell, Save the Children’s Head of Innovation and Partnerships, explained: “Our Bitcoin donors asked for the flexibility to choose when to convert to maximize the impact of their generosity, and this fund delivers exactly that.”
By retaining Bitcoin rather than liquidating it instantly, the fund aims to:
- Capture potential appreciation: If Bitcoin’s value rises over the holding period (up to four years), the same donation could fund more lifesaving programs.
- Provide donor control: Contributors can influence timing of conversion, aligning with their belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value.
- Diversify funding sources: Amid cuts to foreign aid and institutional grants, this approach reduces reliance on traditional donors.
This “hodl” strategy contrasts sharply with industry norms. Platforms like The Giving Block, used by over 1,000 nonprofits, typically convert crypto donations to USD immediately to mitigate volatility. While this protects against downside risk, it also caps upside potential—something Save the Children is now willing to embrace for greater impact.
Blockchain for Faster, Transparent Aid Delivery
Beyond holding assets, the Bitcoin Fund serves as a platform for piloting blockchain tools in humanitarian operations. Save the Children plans to experiment with:
- Bitcoin and stablecoins for direct cash transfers.
- Digital wallets to empower families in crisis zones.
- Voucher assistance programs that bypass slow banking systems.
Traditional aid transfers often face delays of days or weeks due to intermediaries, high fees, and bureaucratic hurdles—especially in regions with collapsed financial infrastructure. Blockchain technology promises near-instant, low-cost, peer-to-peer transfers with full traceability.
The organization is collaborating with developers like Fedi to build community-based tools that promote financial inclusion and digital literacy. In pilots, families could receive aid directly on mobile wallets, learning to manage digital assets safely while gaining economic resilience.
This aligns with broader trends: Crypto donations surged in recent years, exceeding $1 billion globally in 2024 according to The Giving Block’s reports. Yet, operational use of blockchain in aid remains rare.
A Pioneer Among Peers: Why So Few Nonprofits Follow Suit
Save the Children’s approach is bold—and rare. While many major charities now accept crypto (e.g., American Red Cross, United Way, St. Jude’s, and even 70% of Forbes’ Top 100), most convert immediately. Exceptions include UNICEF’s CryptoFund (launched 2019), which holds and disburses ether and bitcoin for investments in blockchain startups.
Barriers for others include:
- Volatility risk: Bitcoin’s price swings could erode donor funds, raising fiduciary concerns under laws like UPMIFA.
- Regulatory uncertainty: Evolving rules on AML, KYC, and taxation complicate holding crypto.
- Operational challenges: Secure custody, cybersecurity, and expertise requirements deter smaller organizations.
- Reputational issues: Some view crypto’s energy use or speculative nature as misaligned with charitable missions.
Save the Children mitigates these through its Fortris partnership for secure custody and its proven track record since 2013.
The Road Ahead: Potential and Challenges
As global crises intensify—from conflicts to climate disasters—the need for innovative funding is urgent. Save the Children’s Bitcoin Fund could inspire a wave of crypto-native humanitarian strategies, proving that decentralized technology can deliver real-world good faster and more transparently.
Yet challenges remain: Market downturns could reduce fund value, and scaling blockchain aid requires education and infrastructure in recipient communities. The organization emphasizes safeguards, including irreversible transaction risks and fraud prevention.
Interested donors can contribute via bitcoin@savethechildren.org or the official donation page. As Roupell noted, this is more than a fund—it’s a “bitcoin-powered humanitarian solution” unlocking peer-to-peer technology for children in need.
In a world where traditional systems often fail the most vulnerable, Save the Children’s bold experiment with Bitcoin offers hope: blending financial innovation with unwavering commitment to the world’s children.