UN SDGs Foundation Funds
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Bright Funds has expanded its Fund model to include all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), goals initially developed by the United Nations. These UN SDGs act as a shared blueprint to move towards a world where there is peace and prosperity for both people and the planet. In an effort to offer companies and individuals the option to center their philanthropic giving around global impact towards the UN SDGs, Bright Funds has created 17 Funds featuring nonprofits whose work moves the needle towards achieving each specific goal. Together, we can help achieve the ultimate goal of the UN SDGs: end poverty and other deprivations by 2030.
History of UN SDGs
First adopted in 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) were developed to be a shared blueprint for multiple stakeholders to move towards a world where there is peace and prosperity for both people and the planet. These Goals are meant to be universal, calling for all countries to mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
While the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals. However, governments cannot do this alone. The implementation of these SDGs depend on multiple stakeholders: governments, civil society, the private sector, and others need to contribute to reach the ultimate goal: achieving a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.
Progress made towards the UN SDGs is monitored in multiple ways: through global indicators set by the UN, national indicators set by governments, indicators set by statisticians from Member States, an annual progress report from the Secretary-General, and an annual meeting of the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UN SDG stand for?
UN SDG stands for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Why were Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created?
In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations developed and adopted a plan for a better, more sustainable future for all by 2030. As part of this plan, they identified 17 goals, known as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The SDGs build upon the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were centered around reducing extreme poverty by 2015. The SDGs have broadened this scope to include all countries, and all forms of deprivations from poverty to gender inequality. It is a call for a global effort to ensure that we protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.
Why should companies care about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is a great way to support your company’s commitments to social, environmental, and sustainable practices. By positioning your company alongside SDGs, you can attract and retain more employees while investing in a better world for all.
Studies have shown that by 2025, 75 percent of the workforce will be comprised of Millennials. 76 percent of these Millennials consider a company’s social and environmental commitments before deciding where to work, and 64 percent won’t take a job unless their potential employer has strong corporate responsibility practices. Highlighting your company’s commitment to the SDGs is one major way you can help ensure your workplace supports the values of its employees.
Last but certainly not least, governments can’t reach these goals by 2030 alone. It’s no longer the responsibility of solely the government nor the nonprofits to move the needle. Companies can also act as a catalyst for its employees, educating them about the existence and importance of the SDGs so that their employees can help make an impact. If the recent pandemic has shown us anything, it’s shown us the groundbreaking impact that we all can have when we all work together towards unified goals.
Where can I learn more about SDGs?
How many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are there?
There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
1. No Poverty: end poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. Zero Hunger: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Good Health and Well-Being: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Quality Education: ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Gender Equality: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7.Affordable and Clean Energy: ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
10. Reduced Inequalities: reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Climate Action: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
14. Life Below Water: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Life On Land: protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Partnerships For The Goals: strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Why are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) important?
While progress is being made in many places and in many forms, it’s simply not enough. We need an organized, collective effort in order to reach these Goals by 2030. These goals aren’t meant for governments alone. They require action from the private sector, from individuals, from anyone and everyone to participate.
Moreover, the recent COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented wake up call, revealing deep inequalities from social to economic inequalities, further emphasizing the need for additional action on these goals.
To learn more about why each specific goal is important, we recommend visiting: United Nations Sustainable Development – Why SDGs Matter.
How did Bright Funds choose the nonprofits to feature for each UN SDG Fund?
The nonprofits were identified by harnessing CharityNavigator’s research on UN SDG goals, as well as independent research by the Bright Funds Nonprofit Services Team.
Hear From Nonprofits Supporting UN SDGs
“Ending hunger is one of the critical United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and WhyHunger is proud to support this mission in partnership with the Bright Funds Foundation. A donation to WhyHunger through Bright Funds’ SDG Fund #2 (Zero Hunger) strikes directly at hunger’s root causes including systemic racism, poverty and economic injustice, and strengthens grassroots movements to create long term change. The goal of our work is to further the human right to nutritious food by shifting away from band-aid solutions and addressing the institutional forces at play in the global hunger crisis. We believe ending food insecurity for good is possible by supporting and strengthening community-based initiatives and social movements to regain control of their food systems.”
– Noreen Springstead, Executive Director of Why Hunger
“We are honored to be included in the Bright Funds UN Sustainable Development Goal Fund #5 (Gender Equality). Every year we ask girls around the world to solve problems that align to the global sustainable development goals using technology, and every year we are blown away by the innovative solutions girls come up with for incredibly complex problems. These young women care deeply about eradicating poverty, eradicating hunger, increasing health for all, providing quality education to all, especially during COVID, working towards gender equality which took such a hit during COVID when women bore the brunt of the pandemic, and caring for our planet.Donor support makes it possible for us to reach more girls and introduce them to coding and entrepreneurial thinking. In turn, girls use those skills to serve and strengthen their communities. Inclusion in Bright Fund’s SDG Funds will mean we can better support those girls as they start their technology journeys, develop their agency, and step into leadership roles. We are deeply grateful.”
– Tara Chklovski, Founder & CEO of Technovation
“On behalf of the millions of people we will reach with safe, sustainable water and sanitation across nine countries this year, Water For People is thrilled to be included in Bright Funds’ SDG fundraising efforts. Investing in SDG 6 – clean water and sanitation for all – is a foundational investment in much more than just water, but also in health, hygiene, economic development, and the opportunity for people to truly prosper.”
– Eleanor Allen, CEO of Water For People
“Working towards achieving SDG goals is critical to improve the lives and living conditions of people across the world.Acadia Center is excited to be selected for inclusion by Bright Funds Foundation in their important SDG Funds effort. Working for a climate safe planet that brings the benefits of a clean energy, low polluting future to all people, is instrumental in making progress towards clean air, affordable and reliable options, improved public health and more equitable societies. We are honored to be considered part of this effort.”
– Daniel Sosland, President of Acadia Center
Contact us for questions or more information about our SDG Funds
