Overview
The Foundation for the Global Compact is based on the principle that public-private collaboration is essential to find lasting solutions to pressing global problems. Established in 2006, we are incorporated under the laws of New York State as a not-for-profit corporation. The Foundation provides vital financial, operational and programmatic support to the United Nations Global Compact and its activities around the world.
Learn more about the United Nations Global Compact
More than 80% of every dollar spent goes toward shaping a sustainable future.
Since 2000, corporate sustainability has increasingly entered mainstream decision-making. A vanguard of companies in all key markets is taking action, helped by activities of UN Global Compact activities at national, regional and global levels.
By supporting the Global Compact, funders play a crucial role in advancing sustainable business models and markets.
All Global Compact operations, programmes and activities are made possible by voluntary contributions from Governments to the UN Global Compact Trust Fund and from business and the private sector to the Foundation for the Global Compact.
Relationship with the United Nations
The Foundation is a non-profit entity incorporated under New York State law. It is authorized to fundraise in support of the Global Compact initiative. Its relationship with the United Nations is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
A summary of the main provisions of the MOU follows:
The Foundation's main functions are:
- Fundraising to support the Global Compact initiative
- Providing financial and programme support for the Global Compact initiative and its activities
- Promotion and advocacy of the Global Compact initiative and its principles.
The MOU provides that the Global Compact and the Foundation work together in the following ways:
- They collaborate in the planning and implementation of fundraising activities for the Global Compact initiative
- The Global Compact Office keeps the Foundation informed of its ongoing and planned activities
- The Global Compact Office invites representatives of the Foundation to relevant Global Compact meetings
- The Global Compact Office provides appropriate recognition and acknowledgement to the Foundation
The MOU gives the Global Compact Office the right, in consultation with the Foundation and under reasonable circumstances, to monitor and evaluate the progress and implementation of the activities and programmes of the Foundation in support of the Global Compact initiative.
The MOU also addresses matters such as the circumstances under which the Foundation may use the Global Compact's name and logos.
The Foundation is separate and distinct from the United Nations, including without limitation the Global Compact Office, it is not to be considered, for any purposes whatsoever, as being a United Nations entity or a part of a United Nations entity. The Foundation will consider the input of the Global Compact in connection with its fundraising, which will be conducted in a manner that respects the dignity, international character and status of the United Nations. The primary beneficiary of the contributions solicited or the grants received by the Foundation shall be the Global Compact initiative and activities in support of the Global Compact.
Leadership
Chair
Ms. Joan Rall
Joan is an experienced Accounting, Auditing and Consulting professional with 37 years with global professional services firm EY. As a Partner she served Fortune 100 clients with expertise in external and internal auditing, enterprise risk, information technology risk and controls, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity. She led an organization of over 200 risk professionals and presided over its explosive growth in revenue, profitability and reputation.
For many years she has advised an environmental and social justice not for profit to raise awareness of the crucial role of business in solving global environmental sustainability and social justice challenges. She has certifications in sustainability accounting and reporting and is an investor in socially responsible and impact businesses.
Joan serves on the boards of the Foundation for the Global Compact (Board Chair), The Town Hall Foundation (Trustee and Treasurer), Tridan Corporation (Audit Committee Chair) and is Treasurer of her NYC cooperative board.
Members
Mr. Stephen Amdur
Dr. Márcia Balisciano
Márcia is founding Chief Sustainability Officer at RELX Group, a global provider of information-based analytics, decision tools and events with 36,500+ people and operations in 40 countries. Working with colleagues throughout the business, she works to ensure RELX’s extra-financial performance furthers competitive advantage and stakeholder confidence.
Mr. Ollie Williams
Oliver Williams is a member of the faculty of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and is the director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business.
Mr. Chris Gray
Chris Gray is Vice President Sustainability at UnitedHealth Group. Chris reports into the Chief Sustainability Officer and is responsible for designing UHG’s strategies for a sustainable and modern health system as we partner across the enterprise to help drive those strategies and report on the impact and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
Mr. Henrik Madsen
Managing Director
Mr. Alex Stein
Alex Stein has over 25 years of experience of nonprofit leadership experience. He currently serves as the Managing Director of the Foundation for the Global Compact where he helps shape the vision and strategy of the UN Global Compact Initiative. He oversees all Foundation operations, including board relations, financial management, digital strategy, legal and contracts, HR, and facilities management. Under his leadership since 2011, the Foundation has transformed its business model, growing revenue from $7.3M in 2011 to over $40M in 2024 and managing a team of 110+ professionals.
Our Finances
The Foundation is committed to careful stewardship of the funds entrusted to it by all donors.
The Foundation accepts donations from any donor (whether corporate, foundation or an individual) provided that acceptance of the donation would not threaten the integrity of the Foundation, the UN Global Compact Office or the initiative as a whole. In general, it is expected that contributors to the Foundation will be participants or other stakeholders of the Global Compact.
Whether contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible will depend on the tax laws of your country. In many countries, contributions to charities, like the Foundation, are tax deductible as a business expense for companies.
The Foundation exists to support the work of the UN Global Compact Office and related activities. It does not accept unsolicited funding proposals or requests for funding. Contributions are only used to fund important activities of the Global Compact Office, such as events, publications and studies aimed at raising awareness of the UN Global Compact, its principles and how to implement them. To maximize the benefit that flows from donations, administrative costs are kept to a minimum.
© 2025 United Nations Global Compact |
All rights reserved
United Nations Global Compact
info@unglobalcompact.org