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Camila decided she wanted to work with vulnerable children and young people when she herself was just nine years old. She dedicated her life to “honouring” vulnerable children by showing them they were worthy of love and care. Even after Kids Company shut in 2015, Camila continued to work tirelessly from her small flat, counselling children and young people, fundraising for programmes and initiatives, and advising clinicians and charity leaders on how to have the greatest impact. She remained committed to alleviating the pain and suffering caused by Britain’s failing child protection system. Camila knew that so much remained to be done.

In memory of her colourful and impactful life, Camila’s family and friends have established a foundation in her name. The Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation will be the continuation of Camila’s unique legacy as well as the legacy of the staff, volunteers, and children who made Kids Company such a remarkable organisation. The Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation will be the embodiment of Camila’s “unrelenting love” for children and young people.

Your support is essential as we seek to continue Camila’s ground-breaking work in child protection. Anchored by a gift from the Batmanghelidjh family, the foundation will make grants while initially operating as a collective fund under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund, a registered charity (no. 1099682).

Donations to the collective fund can be of any size. Your donation will not only honour Camila’s memory, but it will also enable the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation to fulfil its mission. Donations can be made at this link.

Should you wish to support Camila’s legacy with a major donation, please contact Esfandyar Batmanghelidj at yar [at] camilabatmanghelidjh.org in order to discuss your goals as a patron and necessary arrangements.

The mission of the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation will have three pillars, inspired by Camila’s innovative and sensitive approach to child protection:

1. Fund programmes that provide care to vulnerable children and young people

2. Support research and advocacy on the clinical and social importance of “unrelenting love”

3. Empower charities in Britain to adopt innovative approaches to child protection

The foundation is led by a volunteer steering committee comprised of Camila’s immediate family and colleagues who worked closely with Camila. In the first half of 2024, this steering committee will consult with clinicians, charity leaders, and young people and their families to determine how the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation can best fulfil its mission. Based on these consultations, the steering committee will then establish a roadmap that sets out how the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation will solicit grant applications, evaluate those applications, and award grants from its collective fund.

The Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation is led by Ardi Batmanghelidj, Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Michael Kerman, and Deepti Patel. The volunteer steering committee brings together extensive management, legal, and clinical expertise.

Ardi Batmanghelidj is chief executive of a software company. Esfandyar Batmanghelidj is chief executive of an economic think tank. Michael Kerman is a child psychotherapist and the former Clinical Director at Kids Company. Deepti Patel qualified as a lawyer and was the former Head of Child Rights at Kids Company.

Our aim is to establish the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation as a registered charity. But this is a lengthy process. Using a collective fund will enable the foundation to receive donations immediately and to make its first grants by the end of 2024.

A collective fund is a restricted account held by a specialised charity which acts as the fund administrator. Anchored by a gift from the Batmanghelidjh family, the Camila Batmanghelidj Foundation will make grants while initially operating as a collective fund under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund, a registered charity (no. 1099682).

This website will serve as the home of the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation. As the foundation prepares its roadmap and opens itself to funding applications, information about those processes will be posted here. The foundation will also post information about the awarded grants and grantees will be obligated to provide impact reports on how funds were used which will also be available for review. We expect the first grants to be made in the fourth quarter of 2024. We also encourage you to join our mailing list.

Yes, US persons can make tax-deductible donations. To do so, please contact Esfandyar Batmanghelidj at yar [at] camilabatmanghelidjh.org.

Should you have further questions about how you can support the Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation, please contact Seran Craig-Best at seran [at] camilabatmanghelidjh.org.