Over 1,500 participants were moved to invest in long-term solutions that improve the quality of life for communities worldwide at the annual Aga Khan Foundation Walk - Los Angeles held at the Santa Monica Pier. The event was an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to raise awareness and funds for programs that work with communities around the world to build better futures.
This year's Walk raised more than $510,000, reflecting the enthusiastic outpouring of support from participants and sponsors across the metro area, including national sponsors, The Coca-Cola Company and Pioneer Finance. All net proceeds from the event go directly to projects supported by the Aga Khan Foundation.
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, not-for-profit international development organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in some of the poorest regions of the world. The Foundation helps communities around the world to build better futures by creating institutions like hospitals, making long-term investments to the most innovative programs, and cultivating strong local leadership.
The charity event attracted a range of participants who want to help communities in some of the poorest areas of Africa and Asia improve their quality of life. Bela Bajaria, President of Universal Television, was a keynote speaker at the event and noted, “The Aga Khan Foundation has a sustainable strategy … it's been amazing that they built partnerships that include public and private enterprises, and community leaders to empower communities with a hand up, not a hand out, thereby strengthening communities.”
Contributions make a tremendous impact in creating locally driven opportunities for girls in Afghanistan to attend school, farmers in Mali to feed their families, and mothers in India to lead healthy lives. With 200 projects in 30 countries, Aga Khan Foundation cultivates deep partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, governments and community leaders to harness the best from people of all walks of life. Working with partners, they make long-term commitments to innovative programs that improve the quality of life, from early childhood education to green space preservation. Visit their blog to learn more about what they do, at www.akfusa.org.
- Submitted by Sasha Rawji, Marketing & Media Manager
