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About us

For more than 75 years and in 130 countries and territories, SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest organization focused on ensuring that children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it grow up with the care, relationships and support they need to become their strongest selves. 

Our mission & impact

We provide family-like care and loving homes for children and young people living without adequate parental care. We strengthen families to prevent separation and empower the support systems around children. And we ensure the successful transition into adulthood so that young people have what they need to become their strongest selves. 

Our 75 years of experience shows that when children are able to thrive in spite of  trauma, they're more likely to contribute positively to their communities and, if they have children, to be good parents themselves. The work made possible by our donors and partners not only impacts hundreds of thousands of children and young people today, it also helps to ensure a brighter future for generations to come. 

Our impact

Our history

One person can make a difference. 

Following the devastation of World War II, Hermann Gmeiner, a child welfare worker, saw the suffering of children who were orphaned by the war. He founded SOS Children’s Villages and raised money to build the first village in Imst, Austria, in 1949, as a place where children could grow up in a stable, family-like setting with a supportive community. 

More than 75 years later, SOS Children’s Villages now works in 138 countries and territories, operates more than 540 villages and has impacted an estimated 13 million people.

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Our approach

Over the past seven decades, SOS Children’s Villages has expanded its village-based model to include a fully comprehensive approach of helping children, families and communities succeed long-term. We strengthen families to prevent child abandonment, provide loving homes for children who lack parental care, educate and empower children to reach their full potential and advocate for children’s rights so their voices can be heard.

Powered by our supporters, we have a long history of building effective partnerships with governments, international organizations and community-based partners to provide individualized support to families so they can give their children the best possible start in life.

Learn more about our programs

Our team

Board of Directors

Careers

For millions of vulnerable children around the world, you are the answer. Change a child’s life today!

Awards & recognition

Over the last 75 years, SOS Children’s Villages has received a multitude of international awards and honors, including:


2011

Nobel Peace Prize nominee


2009

Save the World Award


2008

Mother Teresa Gold Medal


2002

The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize

Our work

Partner with us

Emergency response

Financial transparency

SOS Children’s Villages USA has four-stars—the highest rating— and a 97% score from Charity Navigator. We guarantee the responsible use of donations, holding ourselves to the utmost level of accountability with internal and external control systems and transparent financial reporting. SOS Children’s Villages USA is also highly recommended by GuideStar, CharityWatch and the Better Business Bureau.

Financial statements