The George Harrison Fund For UNICEF Clubs Challenge

Four young men walk across a crosswalk. Single file. There is a white VW bug in the background.

Does this image sound familiar? If you're a music fan, then you've probably seen it hundreds of times.

The image is of the Fab Four aka: The Beatles!

Even if you haven't heard of The Beatles or can't sing along to a few of their worldwide hits like Here Comes The Sun and Let It Be - you'll still want to keep reading, because The Beatles have something to do with YOU, your UNICEF Club, and a special prize. We know how much you love a good challenge, especially one that helps kids, so we're excited to bring you The George Harrison Fund For UNICEF Clubs Challenge.

First, some background on the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF:

In 1971, George Harrison, member of The Beatles, held the Concert for Bangladesh -- the first benefit concert of its kind. It raised millions of dollars for UNICEF's lifesaving work. This type of benefit concert was something completely new, as no rock musician had engaged in humanitarian work in this way. One can still hear through the live recording of George Harrison's song Bangla Desh, that something out of the ordinary, possibly unrepeatable happened in Madison Square Garden, nearly 50 years ago. Even many years after the concert, The George Harrison Fund For UNICEF (GHFU) continues to honor George Harrison's vision to raise funds to save children's lives worldwide. 

So, what about the Clubs Challenge? 

Launching #GivingTuesday 2019 and lasting through the 2022 academic year, building up to the 50th anniversary of The Concert for Bangladesh, the UNICEF Clubs Challenge aims to highlight the powerful role that young people play in helping the world's children. The Clubs Challenge asks high school and college students to host fundraisers and events in support of UNICEF USA each academic year. In return, the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF will match up to $100,000 of all the funds raised by UNICEF club members and UNICEF USA will recognize the top three winners.

2021 - 2022 Clubs Challenge kicks off after Labor Day!

Starting September 7th, 2021 through June 1st, 2022, all funds raised by student members of a UNICEF Club will count towards this year's Clubs Challenge. At the end of the academic year, the top three fundraising UNICEF Clubs will receive an award and a special opportunity on behalf of UNICEF USA for their efforts!

Funds raised and submitted by student members of a UNICEF club by June 1st, 2022 for this academic year, will be matched up to $100,000 by GHFU.

Follow these five easy steps to get started: 

1. Register your UNICEF High School or Campus Club.
2. Brainstorm your fundraising idea!
3. Fill out the Fundraiser + Event Application with your proposed idea at www.unicefusa.org/fundraiser.
4. Host your virtual fundraiser/event.
5. Submit your funds online at unicefusa.org/clubsremit or via check using our Clubs donation transmittal form.

Are you up for the challenge? If yes, then Come Together (pun intended) with your fellow club members and show us what you've got. Winners will be announced this summer, so make sure to follow us on our UNICEF Clubs' social media channels. Good luck! For questions, visit unicefusa.org/fundraiser or email hello@unicefusa.org. 

Collaboration, networking, and creativity...meet our 2020 - 2021 winners:

Congratulations to our 1^st place winners – The University of Michigan Ann Arbor UNICEF Club!

The UNICEF club at the University of Michigan has been working on campus in Ann Arbor, MI for over six years. This past year, the club collaborated with various student organizations on campus including to host their most successful fundraiser of the year – Students for Yemen – a project that helped raise thousands of dollars for the children of Yemen through an online fundraising campaign.

Despite a challenging year, Sinit Hota Lijam, the Club’s Marketing Chair shared: “I think it was inspiring how UNICEF UM used these unprecedented circumstances to grow as a club and come up with new events in an online format.”

Congratulations to our 2^nd place winners – The Stockdale High School UNICEF Club

In just its second year, the UNICEF Club at Stockdale High School landed 2^nd place in our fundraising competition largely by hosting a successful online fundraising campaign in support of UNICEF’s work with COVID-19 in India. Relying on personal connections and networking, the club members shared the campaign with friends, family, and the local community – like healthcare professionals.

"Our [fundraising campaign’s] success blew us away and showed us that even in a pandemic, UNICEF Clubs as a whole can achieve great things. As we begin to return to normalcy, I'm excited to see what else our clubs and other clubs can achieve,” noted Alor Sahoo, Club President.

Congratulations to our 3^rd place winners – Fiorello H Laguardia High School UNICEF Club

Lag UNICEF is a high school club in NYC that worked diligently and passionately during its inaugural year as a club. Despite COVID-19 related obstacles, its board and club members spent hours advocating and fundraising on behalf of UNICEF, organizing fun events like an April Climate Competition. Using innovating ideas, the club relied on its collective creativity to design a fun competition amongst its members to help raise vital funds through different events.  

Rohan Menon, Club President exclaimed: "UNICEF has empowered me to make a change in the world, and has given me a community of friends and activists that support me throughout.” 

2019 - 2020 Clubs Challenge Winners

Shout out to the 2019 - 2020 Clubs Challenge winners: College Preparatory School of America UNICEF Club, Washington-Liberty High School UNICEF Club, and Detroit Country Day High School UNICEF Club! Well done!