When Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, she was determined to use her global platform to continue to build peace in Liberia and beyond. In 2012, Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA) was formed in Liberia to provide outstanding education and leadership opportunities to women and youth as the next generation of peacemakers and democratic leaders. GPFA supports more than 100 Liberian students each year through scholarships, indirectly supports thousands more through its investment in a network of partnership schools across Liberia, and equips and resources the feminist peace movement in Liberia.

GPFA’s sister organization, Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa-USA (GPFA-USA) was formed in New York as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to build a global community of support around the programming of GPFA and to share the teachings of Leymah Gbowee, who has dedicated her life to women’s rights and peacebuilding. Since 2016, GPFA-USA has raised $3.1 million from US individuals and foundations to support education, leadership development and community programs in Liberia. GPFA-USA has also supported Leymah Gbowee’s advocacy in forums such as the UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Development Goals Advocates, G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, and the World Refugee Council.