The US Fund
From 1998, The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund (US) provided grants for a variety of organisations across the US who are working on the front line with youth at risk. More than 40 organisations benefited from the funding, much of which was provided early on from the generous contributions of US citizens when the Princess died.
Beneficiaries include groups working with marginalised young people, including disabled young people, teenage parents, those with HIV/AIDS, gay, lesbian and transsexual young people and others particularly at risk of bullying, hate crimes or self harm, and Native Americans.
More recently, the US Fund devoted its staff and financial resources much more intensively on a smaller number of youth-led initiatives, and also to encourage networking among them and a process of empowerment by which young users themselves would remain in the lead, inspire and help each other, and find an assertive public voice.
The US Fund has now completed its mission and no longer exists as an organisation, but it has left behind some significant lessons, inspiration and continuing streams of work which are in themselves a fitting tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. A continuing network of youth-led organisations, the Youth Speak Out Coalition, carries forward the values and goals encouraged by the US Fund's work.
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