The Hope Foundation USA was established to raise awareness about, and funds for, projects operated by The Hope Foundation (Ireland) working with street – connect children and vulnerable communities in Kolkata, India.
All funds raised in the USA are restricted and transferred for specific projects. Donors received financial and narrative reports on the projects they support.
HOPE USA is a member of Guidestar, a nonprofit organization that connects people and organizations with information on the programs and finances of more than 1.8 million IRS-recognized nonprofits.
As an organization, The Hope Foundation is open and transparent. HOPE implements international best practice in governance. We recognise our responsibility to you, our donors, sponsors, volunteers and fundraisers.
HOPE is committed to safeguarding children. We implement best practice guidelines and provide child protection training and capacity building for all staff who work directly with children and vulnerable adults.
Our membership of representative organisations ensures that we are supported in keeping up-to-date on procedures, legislation and developments that impact on our work. Some examples of best practice in Governance include:
Details of HOPE USA’s tax filings can be found on the IRS Database of Tax Exempt Organizations – CLICK HERE
Comhlámh’s Code of Good Practice is a set of standards for Irish Volunteer Sending Agencies facilitating international placements. The Code is based on a vision of volunteers working in solidarity for a just, equitable and sustainable world. It promotes responsible and responsive volunteering to ensure a positive impact for the overseas project and community, the volunteer and the sending agency.
The Code promotes development education, which enables people to more deeply understand the world around them and to address the root causes of inequality and poverty. Every Volunteer Sending Agency, which is party to the Code of Good Practice, commits to the implementation of the Code’s five values that underpin the work of international volunteer programs. These are solidarity, respect, social justice, ecological sustainability and integrity. Full details of the Code are here.
Comhlámh is a member organization that works to mobilise for an equitable and sustainable world. As the Irish association of development workers and volunteers, Comhlámh promotes responsible international volunteering and development work. We support people in their journey of working for social justice. We work with returned volunteers, partner organizations and member groups to foster just, inclusive societies, through progressive grassroots activism in Ireland and internationally.
More details of Comhlámh work can be found here.
Through Dóchas, Irish Development NGOs and others come together to share their experiences, and to use those experiences to advance more effective ways to end all forms of poverty and injustice.
HOPE subscribes to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages.
Find out more about Dóchas here.
The Wheel is an authoritative and trusted voice for the charity sector, and are enthusiastically committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of practice and governance.
Find out more about The Wheel here.
The Cii was formed from the merger of ICTR and Fundraising Ireland in 2016 and adheres and implements the ICTR ‘Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising’. We have been awarded ‘Triple Lock’ membership by the Cii, demonstrating our commitment to best practice in all aspects of transparent reporting, ethical fundraising and governance.
Maureen Forrest
Honorary Director
Maureen has over 30 years’ experience in development work. Maureen obtained a Diploma in Development Studies from University College Cork and, before founding The Hope Foundation, she gained development experience in war-torn, impoverished communities in Rwanda, Swaziland and Somalia.
Since setting up The Hope Foundation in 1999, Maureen has overseen the charity’s operation and development.
MeiMei Fox
Chairperson
Sheila Geraghty
Treasurer
Maura Lennon
Secretary
Maura joined HOPE staff in Ireland in November 2017 bringing more than 32 years of overseas humanitarian experience with her. Qualified as a paediatric and general nurse and holding a degree in social science, Maura’s life long work in relief and development started in Ethiopia in January 1985 and since then she has worked in over 15 countries across Africa, Asia and Central America in a variety of front line and senior management roles and across a range of programme sectors. She is currently the CEO for International Operations for HOPE and was appointed as Secretary to the Board of Directors of HOPE in May 2018.
Shane McCarthy
Board Member
Gloria Starr Kins
Board Member
Malynda Vigliotti
Board Member
A self-proclaimed eyebrow queen, Malynda Vigliotti went to the Fashion Institute of Technology, trained as an esthetician, and is a top brow educator. She knows the importance of education and has committed to helping others learn and become empowered through being a part of the beauty industry. Malynda believes in seeing the beauty in all things and the importance of human connection. It is such a gift to help people feel worthy and beautiful. A beauty school education will help others to keep spreading the love! Malynda is the owner of Boom Boom Brow Bar in NYC, the first walk in brow bar. Malynda (aka Boom Boom) empowers others to celebrate their own beauty in a positive environment in a bustling, busy city. Boom Boom’s Brows are affordable, convenient, fun, and Philanthropic! $1 for every brow service goes towards the Beauty School Program for the Hope Foundation in Kolkata, India. Brow Power to the People!
Greg Zlevor
Board Member
Greg is a prominent figure in the realm of leadership development renowned as a thought leader in his field. With his extensive expertise and innovative insights, he reserves he serves as a catalyst for transform change with organizations worldwide. As a highly sought after speaker and consultant Greg captivates audiences at events and conferences, offering invaluable perspectives on effective leadership strategies and organizational growth. As the founder of HopeMakers, he champions a vision of unity of empowerment, inspiring individuals to embrace their potential and enact positive change within their communities. Through these three distinct roles as a speaker, leadership development expert and founder HopeMakers, Greg continues to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of leadership in person development