The Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children Inc.

Based in the United States of America, the Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopian Children is a non-profit charitable trust established to raise funds for causes concerning children and youth in Ethiopia. Its projects range from emergency relief programs to educational and health initiatives.

The Haile Selassie Fund reflects the reality that most of Ethiopia's disadvantaged citizens, like most of the world's poor, are women and young people. In most societies, even wealthier ones like the United States, the segment of the population that remains underdeveloped in terms of social, economic and educational opportunities is under the age of eighteen. This is a relative observation, of course, since Ethiopia's poorest children face challenges more difficult than those encountered by children in many other nations --challenges like famine, war and inadequate national health care. Over the years, the Fund has sought to address some of these problems.

Each year, the Fund awards ten scholarships for study at La Roche University in Pennsylvania. Encompassing study in various fields --including computer science, business administration, engineering, communications, and water resource management-- the scholarships cover full tuition, room and board for four years.

European Delegation

The European Delegation of the Imperial Crown Council of Ethiopia (also known as "Ethiopia-Europe") was founded in 1999 with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Delegation exists to represent the Imperial Family in gaining tangible support, in European countries, for Ethiopian charitable, educational and cultural activities, and sustaining European support for these important initiatives over time. Its main purpose is fund raising for Ethiopian relief programs, providing such things as medical equipment and other aid which makes its way directly to the people of Ethiopia.

Her history is glorious, but today Ethiopia is one of the world's poorest countries. The European Delegation's humanitarian efforts are undertaken with the sole purpose of rendering tangible assistance to Ethiopia's people. The Delegation's activities have no political scope. While the Delegation is not affiliated with the Ethiopian government, its work is conducted within Ethiopia's existing social and governmental framework. Whenever possible, the European Delegation cooperates with other organizations having similar goals to work together toward bringing better living conditions and opportunities to Ethiopians.

The European Delegation of the Imperial Crown Council of Ethiopia has representatives in most European countries. Each national representative acts under the authority of the European Delegate, who in turns answers directly to the Crown Council.

While the European Delegation represents the culture of the Imperial Family in Europe, it is primarily a charitable organization (and the sponsor of this website). Membership in the Delegation, extended by invitation of the Crown Council, entails a tangible duty rather than a merely honorary position. The Delegation publishes an annual report of its activities, and accepts contributions from members as well as other supporters.

In many larger relief organizations, it is normal for a relatively small portion of financial contributions (sometimes less than half) to reach the people for whom they are intended, while a substantial percentage of funds received are spent on salaries, public relations and other related costs. The European Delegation of the Ethiopian Crown Council is different because it is administered by entrepreneurs, executives, advertising professionals and others who volunteer their time, services and financial support. Therefore, administrative costs are minimal and substantial assistance (equal in value to about eighty-five percent of monies received) reaches Ethiopia.