Ark (charity)

Ark, formerly ARK (Absolute Returns for Kids), is an international children's charity based in the United Kingdom.

Ark is a registered charity under English law and is based in London. In 2013–14 it had a gross income of £12.95m.

Ark was co-founded by a group of hedge fund financiers including Paul Marshall and Ian Wace of Marshall Wace and Arpad Busson of EIM Group, who is founding chairman of its board of trustees.

Founded as Absolute Returns for Kids in 2002 by a group of businessmen in the alternative investment industry to improve the life chances of children, by creating high returns on philanthropic investment. Since 2014, the charity has been known as Ark.

Ark's programmes and goals focus on Health (sub-Saharan Africa), Education (UK, US, India) and Child Protection (Eastern Europe). In 2012, Ark began taking part in public-private partnerships in education in Africa.

The charity claims to apply robust development principles and sound business disciplines to all its programmes, including setting targets and emphasising close and evaluation to ensure high impact. Ark's trustees and patrons cover central and administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to deliver Ark's programmes for children.

Ark works in the areas of Education, Health and Child Protection.

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