ABOUT US
GK1 World Foundation doing business as Gawad Kalinga USA (GK USA) is a lead mission partner of the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GKCDFI) in creating a sustainable template to end poverty.
Founded in 2009, GK USA is a duly registered 501c3 corporation working independently, but in conjunction with GKCDFI, a Philippine-based non-profit movement that aims to end poverty by building caring and sharing communities. It employs an integrated and holistic approach with values formation and leadership development at its core.
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Gawad Kalinga translated in English means “to give care." Its approach to attacking poverty began with building a cluster of homes in communities. Residents go through a values formation program that focuses on restoring dignity and self-worth. GK raises funds to help the marginalized build permanent homes with the latter contributing their sweat equity. GK opens access to education, more secure employment or livelihood opportunities and health and well-being.
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GK USA has contributed significantly to enable GK to build over 3,000 communities across the Philippines. Such presence has placed Gawad Kalinga in a position to know the lives of the poor intimately, and offer an effective, multi-faceted solution to poverty.
Local and international government agencies, other nonprofits, academic institutions, corporations and individuals are engaged to design and implement scalable interventions rolled out through its wide volunteer network and workers, and with the help of community members themselves.
These platforms focus on the multiple solutions to alleviate poverty: shelter and land security, health and well-being, child and youth development, family productivity, and community resilience.
Programs include home-building and community development; an anti-hunger program currently feeding over 100,000 hungry children on school days; a school for social entrepreneurship as an education-based solution to rural development; community health interventions piloted and scaled with the help of local and international agencies, universities and volunteers.
Gawad Kalinga has been recognized by local and international organizations for its work, such as: Ramon Magsaysay Award (the Asian equivalent of Nobel Peace Prize), Skoll Foundation, Nikkei Asia Prizes and Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Award among others.
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Prospective volunteers, fundraisers, student interns and corporate donors can get involved by reaching out to us at contact@gk-usa.org and we will connect you to the Area Directors listed below. GK USA is also eligible for employee matching programs and grants from institutions who share our mission and vision.
GK USA is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
TAX ID NO.: 352361640
© 2018-Present by GK 1 World Foundation dba GK USA
GK USA Earns Candid’s Gold Transparency Award
We are proud to announce that GK USA has received the Gold Transparency Award from Candid, a platform dedicated to promoting nonprofit transparency. This prestigious recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to openness and accountability.
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The Gold Transparency Award is given to organizations that provide clear, accessible, and accurate information about their financials, governance, and overall impact. By meeting Candid's highest standards, GK USA demonstrates our dedication to transparency and responsible management of resources.
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This award is a testament to the trust we’ve built with our donors, partners, and the communities we serve. We remain committed to being transparent in every aspect of our work as we continue to help build a better future for those in need.
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Thank you for your continued support!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FRANCIS DE LOS REYES III, PHD
Chairman
CARLOS CAPATI, MD
Board Member
JOSE RAFFINAN, JR., MD
Board Member
MARICEL VILLANUEVA
Board Member
MYLENE SUPAN- RIVAS
Board Member
CAROL TULUD
Executive Director / President
MARILYN BELLO
Board Member &
Chief Financial Officer
JOSIE DISTERHOFT
Board Member
JEFFREY HOPPE
Board Member
FRANCIS MIRANDA
Board Member
DONNA REYES
Board Member, Marketing & Communications
NATIONAL OFFICERS
CAROL TULUD
Executive Director / President
MARIA MERCEDES AMANTE
Operations/Finance
ELEANOR FIGUEROA
Finance
ARMANDO AMANTE
Operations/ IT
AREA DIRECTORS
Volunteers, fundraisers, interns, and corporate donors can reach us at contact@gk-usa.org to connect with the Area Directors below
NORTHEAST
Boston: Jose Belarmino
New York: Carol Tulud
New Jersey: Carol Tulud
CAPITAL
Washington DC: Philip Ortiz
Virginia Hampton: Guia Caliwagan
Virginia Richmond: Rudy Bolipata
WEST PACIFIC
Los Angeles: Dulce Matias
Santa Clarita: Marilyn Bello
Orange County: Laarni Diamse
San Diego: Tina Balch
Sacramento: Teresita Poling
Antelope Valley: Carol Tulud
San Jose: Eleanor Figueroa
Riverside County: Tony Pascua
Washington State: Jinkee Braza
NORTH CENTRAL
Chicago: Leslie Tiquia
Missouri: Ranel Sarmiento
South Dakota: Jesus Gonzales
SOUTHEAST
Tampa : Roque Barrido
Miami: John Jarin ( AD Lead)
North Carolina: Irene Alivio
Alabama: Dolores Cook
SOUTH CENTRAL
Texas: Ceferino Amores
SOUTHWEST
Nevada: Louis Gosioco
Colorado : Sheila Deforest