Funding to UNICEF
Every child we reach is thanks to voluntary contributions
From governments and foundations to businesses and individuals, this collective generosity powers UNICEF’s mission to protect children’s rights and reach those most at risk.
Guided by our shared commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and our Strategic Plan, we design efficient, results-driven funding arrangements that make contribution count.
To show clearly how support is used, UNICEF groups funding into three main categories:
- Core Resources (unrestricted)
Core Resources, also referred to as Regular Resources (RR), form the backbone of UNICEF’s mission.
Flexible and responsive, they allow us to act wherever and whenever children need us most – in crises, in overlooked communities and in long-term programmes.
Driven by equity, urgency and opportunity, these funds accelerate action and ensure UNICEF stays and delivers for every child, everywhere.
- Thematic Funding (flexible, softly earmarked)
Thematic Funding is pooled, multi-year support that boosts progress in key areas including health, education, protection, nutrition and WASH.
Also referred to as Other Resources Thematic, it balances flexibility and focus, advancing innovation today while strengthening the systems that children will rely on tomorrow.
- Restricted Funding (fully earmarked)
Restricted Funding supports specific programmes or countries, raised from public and private partners.
Also referred to as Other Resources Non-Thematic, it’s essential for scaling proven solutions when national systems are ready to expand impact.
UNICEF implements these programmes only when aligned with government priorities and children’s rights.
The power of combined funding
Core Resources and Thematic Funding sit at the heart of UNICEF’s mandate and long-term results for children.
When combined strategically with earmarked support in a portfolio approach, they enable UNICEF and our partners to deliver impact at scale, in both humanitarian and development contexts.
Your support powers UNICEF’s promise to stay and deliver for every child no matter what.
UNICEF income1 by type of resource partner, 2016-2024
In 2024, total contributions to UNICEF were US$8.26 billion. The public sector contributed the largest share: US$6.07 billion from government, inter-governmental and inter-organizational partners, as well as Global Programme Partnerships.
Our top three resource partners in 2024 (by contributions received) were the Governments of the United States of America (US$1,118 million), Germany (US$679 million) and the European Union (US$550 million).
Private sector contributions (from National Committees, corporations, individual donors, NGOs and foundations) amounted to US$1.4 billion. The Japan Committee for UNICEF (US$145 million), United States Fund for UNICEF (US$137 million) and Korean Committee for UNICEF (US$ 85 million) were the top three private sector partners. With this support, UNICEF delivered life-changing outcomes for children across the Sustainable Development Goals.
1 Contributions received in cash and in kind.