founding story

In 1999, Principal Founder & CEO, Delfarib Fanaie and her husband, Farshid Samsami, traveled to their birth country of Iran, with the intent of adopting a child. Their travels took them to various orphan care centers in Tehran, where they witnessed first-hand the needs of many children.

In 2006, while adopting her oldest child, Delfarib met a young girl by the name of Sepideh who asked her, “why can’t you take me with you?” Stirred by this experience, with no way to respond to this sweet girl, Delfarib knew her life would never be the same. She became determined to inspire friends, family, and colleagues to help impoverished children.

In 2008, Delfarib’s friends, touched and inspired by Sepideh’s story, answered Delfarib’s call to action, and together they founded a volunteer-based non-profit charitable organization.

Mission

Moms Against Poverty is a global 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to lessen the incidence and effects of poverty for impoverished children around the world. This is achieved through our Education, Health Care & Wellness, Hunger Relief & Basic Provisions, Orphan Care, and Disaster Relief programs, enabling children to reach their fullest potential.

First, we address children’s fundamental needs. Then, we provide them with the tools and environment they need to thrive and become successful members of their community and the world at large. With a track record dating back to 2008, Moms Against Poverty has positively impacted the lives of nearly 3 million children and families across 18 countries, driven by its core programs. Moms Against Poverty has held a specific OFAC license from the U.S. Treasury since 2010. Under its current specific OFAC license, the Organization can, bi-annually, transfer up to $17,000,000 to Nikgaman Jamshid Charity Tehran. Nikgaman Jamshid Charity is an independent and award-winning organization known for its effective humanitarian projects, supported by Moms Against Poverty.

philosophy

We believe in empowering impoverished children while respecting their individuality and maintaining their dignity and self-esteem. Positive change and healing are not only possible, but probable, when these children are treated with compassion and provided guidance and support.

By empowering individuals and communities, we create a lasting impact and forge a path toward ending the cycle of generational poverty.

Learn More
2008

A Seed is Planted

2009

Building a Foundation for Lasting Impact

2010

Increasing our Presence in Asia

2011

Expanding Our Global Reach into Africa

2012

Building on a Strong Foundation

2013

Creating Lasting Impact Through Education

2014

A Community at Work

2015

The Impact Flourishes

2016

Expanding Our Global Reach in Mexico, Nepal and Vietnam

2017

A Pivotal Year of Expansion

2018

A Decade of Impact

2019

The Foundation Grows

2020

United in Crisis, Empowering Resilience

2021

A Year of Continued Service

2022

A Year of New Initiatives

2023

Celebrating 16 Years of Operations

history

2008 : A Seed is Planted

In 2008, a group of friends inspired by Delfarib Fanaie who also share the passion to end childhood poverty form a volunteer-based nonprofit called Moms Against Poverty. Moms Against Poverty hosts its 1st Fundraising Gala in a donated warehouse in Burlingame, CA, raising $61,000 to provide seed funding for the organization. Moms Against Poverty launches its mission and programs with a holistic approach toward ending childhood poverty, with focus starting in the U.S., Cambodia,, and Afghanistan.

2009 : Building a Foundation for Lasting Impact

In 2009, Moms Against Poverty built a foundation for lasting impact by launching its U.S. Nutrition Outreach Program in Virginia, which provides nutrition assistance for children living in food insecure homes. In December, Moms Against Poverty expanded its Nutrition Outreach & Basic Provisions activities, launching the Holiday Helping Hands Project in California and Virginia. This project helps less fortunate children in Virginia and California receive toys, gift cards, winter wear, and meals during the holiday season. Moms Against Poverty expands its reach by holding its 1st Fundraising Gala in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.

2010 : Increasing our Presence in Asia

Moms Against Poverty became the first organization to receive an OFAC License to work in Iran, allowing for Moms Against Poverty to launch its Orphan Care Program to renovate and equip Shahid Shojaie Orphanage in Tehran. The Moms Against Poverty Board of Directors conduct their first visit to Cambodia, which leads to the opening of Moms Against Poverty’s orphanage, HOPE Children’s Home. Moms Against Poverty expands its work in Afghanistan by supporting the “Read Afghanistan” Program in 12 schools.

2011 : Expanding Our Global Reach into Africa

Moms Against Poverty continues its program expansion into West Africa by renovating a school in Sierra Leone and sponsoring the education of 150 children. In March, Moms Against Poverty supported its first relief effort by providing basic provisions to the victims of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. In October, Moms Against Poverty celebrated 3 years of impact by moving its 4th Annual Benefit Gala to San Francisco, hosting 1,100 guests.

2012 : Building on a Strong Foundation

Moms Against Poverty continues providing quality education to children in Sierra Leone, constructing two schools for children living in the villages of Svanpur and Dayangar. Moms Against Poverty also continues supporting orphans in Asia by expanding its Orphan Care Program to include maintaining a girls’ orphanage in India. Moms Against Poverty closes 2012 by responding to two Natural Disasters: Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, U.S. and an earthquake in the Azerbaijan province of Iran.

2013 : Creating Lasting Impact Through Education

Moms Against Poverty builds its 1st school in Iran as part of the Azerbaijan Earthquake Reconstruction efforts. This state-of-the-art girls’ high school will provide the opportunity for generations of girls to pursue higher education. In Iran, we establish a one of a kind vocational training center for disabled children in Kerman. This center provides vocational training for hundreds of handicapped orphans and impoverished children. Moms Against Poverty’s Education Program launches in East Africa by constructing a school in Kenya.

2014 : A Community at Work

Moms Against Poverty continues its efforts to empower children living in the U.S. by expanding its Nutrition and Education Programs into Hawaii. In India, Moms Against Poverty establishes a boys orphanage in Mukundapur and three learning centers, which provide free education to over 150 children living in slums. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our donor community and 150 volunteers, we reach a $500,000 revenue milestone!

2015 : The Impact Flourishes

As part of Moms Against Poverty’s commitment to making education accessible to children from all walks of life, Moms Against Poverty launches its Roostah Mahd Project in Iran, with the goal to establish 100 daycare centers/pre-schools in remote villages of Iran. Additionally, Moms Against Poverty’s development work in Africa continues by constructing its 1st school in Senegal. The hard work and commitment of everyone at Moms Against Poverty helps 150,000 children receive life altering support in eight countries, including the U.S., Iran, Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

2016 : Expanding Our Global Reach in Mexico, Nepal and Vietnam

Moms Against Poverty begins work in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, by providing basic provisions and shelter for children and families living in extreme poverty in the Gardenia Projects. Moms Against Poverty’s Orphan Care and Education Programs expand to Vietnam by constructing and establishing a library at Sunflower Orphanage. Moms Against Poverty builds two learning centers in Nepal to support the victims of a devastating earthquake.

2017 : A Pivotal Year of Expansion

Moms Against Poverty expands its efforts in Iran by establishing its firsta private girls’ orphanage in Kerman and providing relief and reconstruction efforts to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Kermanshah. Moms Against Poverty’s relief efforts continue by providing support to the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Florida. Thanks to the immense support of our community of donors and volunteers, Moms Against Poverty reaches $1M in total revenue.

2018 : A Decade of Impact

Moms Against Poverty celebrates its 10th anniversary. Since 2008, Moms Against Poverty has impacted over 200,000 children in 14 countries through its Hunger Relief & Basic Provisions, Education, and Health Care Programs. Moms Against Poverty expands its work in Guatemala by providing daily meals to 400 impoverished children in San Marcos.

2019 : The Foundation Grows

Moms Against Poverty opens its first office in San Francisco and hires 3 full-time employees to address growing organizational needs. The alumni of Moms Against Poverty’s Music Wellness Program in Cambodia—Doch Chkae band—perform at the Wacken Music Festival in Berlin. Moms Against Poverty raises $1.9 million to support and advance its programs in the U.S., Iran, Cambodia, India, Senegal, and Guatemala. To date, Moms Against Poverty has positively impacted over 800,000 impoverished children in 14 countries by providing them with food and basic provisions, health care and education as a pathway to break the cycle of poverty. We achieve a major milestone when a prominent U.S.-based charity with a global impact entrusts us with managing its grants for Iran. This partnership marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting benefits for the impoverished children of Iran.

2020 : United in Crisis, Empowering Resilience

As COVID-19 spreads globally, we take swift action to address the urgent needs arising in the U.S., Iran, Cambodia, Nepal, Senegal, Afghanistan, Ghana, India, and Sierra Leone. We mobilize our dedicated network of existing donors and welcome new supporters, who together contribute generously toward critical initiatives. Through their support, we provide hunger relief and essential provisions for vulnerable communities, expand access to remote learning resources for students, and coordinate large-scale distribution of PPE and hospital equipment to help combat the virus. This collective effort is crucial in supporting Iran’s healthcare system and ensuring vital assistance reaches those most affected by the pandemic.

2021 : A Year of Continued Service

Moms Against Poverty makes remarkable strides, reaching an additional 300,000 people in Iran, the U.S., Senegal, and across the globe, despite the ongoing pandemic and devastating natural disasters in vulnerable regions. From building and equipping schools to providing meals and critical aid after catastrophic flooding, our efforts bring relief and renewed hope to those in need. Our Orphan Care Programs expands to the Philippines through partnership with a local orphanage, and we open our first orphanage in Gilan for children aged 3-6 and one for girls aged 13-18 in Kerman, Iran. We continue to provide hospital equipment and supplies to combat COVID in Iran. We go back to India to add an additional story to an existing school in an impoverished community.

2022 : A Year of New Initiatives

Moms Against Poverty reaches new milestones, impacting over 2.6 million lives across 17 countries through its core programs. Following the pandemic, hunger relief becomes an even more significant focus, as the need for basic provisions surges. Moms Against Poverty responds to natural disasters in Iran, bringing critical aid to affected communities and expanding its support through essential services. The year also marks the commencement of our nomadic student breakfast program and our workshops for female heads of households and youth, empowering them with skills for economic stability. Alongside tens of school constructions in underserved areas and educational initiatives like STEM programs for Afghan refugee girls in the U.S., each effort exemplifies our dedication to fostering resilience and hope​. And as a special recognition, our impact is honored with the Jefferson Gold Award for Public Service in 2022, shining a spotlight on the dedication of our entire Moms Against Poverty family.

2023 : Celebrating 16 Years of Operations

Moms Against Poverty expands its impact, reaching a milestone of 2.8 million lives touched across 18 countries. By now, we have constructed 94 educational facilities worldwide. We continue to deepen our commitment to orphan care by operating multiple orphanages, including a newly renovated facility for girls aged 7-18 in Tehran, Iran. In response to natural disasters and growing needs, we provide relief services to victims. We bring restroom and bathroom facilities to nomadic villages of South Khorasan, Iran. We continue to build healthcare centers and equip under-resourced hospitals serving the needy in Iran. We commence the construction of our first-ever maternity clinic in rural Senegal. We are selected by the OBAMA FOUNDATION to participate in the Girls Opportunity Alliance program, a collaboration with organizations that have made significant commitments to supporting adolescent girls' education around the world. We envision a future where our sustainable programs continue to provide vital resources and empower communities, enabling them to break the cycle of poverty and build lasting resilience for the next 16 years and beyond.

Our history

Our Philanthropy
Partners

We believe that dynamic partnerships are critical to solving global challenges around childhood poverty.

Our philanthropy partners – from corporations and businesses to foundations, individuals, and entrepreneurs – are committed to developing and supporting socially responsible initiatives that build stronger communities in the developing world. Together, we help build a world of opportunities for impoverished children globally.

To join our Philanthropy Partner Program, please email info@momsagainstpoverty.org.