Over 40 Years of Hope Across the Atlantic
Since 1985, we've been building bridges between Boston and Limerick, creating opportunities for children who need them most.
Education and Special Needs Support
The Southill Children's Fund is committed to ensuring that every child has a future brimming with hope and opportunities. We focus on education and supporting children with special needs in Ireland and Boston.
We believe that education is the key to overcoming hardship. Through our programs, we provide educational resources, support special needs preschools, and fund youth athletics programs that build character and community.
Billy Higgins
Billy Higgins founded the Southill Children's Fund in 1985 after discovering an immediate connection to the Southill community on Limerick's south side. What started as a personal mission quickly became his life's work.
Growing up in a Boston housing development and experiencing family separation at age 12 created a deep empathy for Southill's circumstances, making his commitment deeply personal and authentic.
Between 1986 and 1990, Billy organized transformative exchange programs, bringing approximately 300 children from Southill to Boston. These visits included three-week stays with host families and educational visits to Boston University—helping young people recognize opportunities beyond their immediate circumstances.
“I think I was put here for a reason.”— Billy HigginsRead Billy's Full Story →
100% Volunteer. 100% to Children.
Unlike most nonprofits, we have no paid staff, no overhead, and no expense accounts. Every dollar you donate goes directly to the children we serve.
100% Volunteer-Run
No payroll. No expense accounts. Our entire team donates their time because they believe in our mission.
Every Dollar to Programs
100% of your donation goes directly to children's programs. Not 80%. Not 90%. Every single dollar.
40 Years of Impact
Since 1985, we've maintained the highest standards of transparency and accountability as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
View our full impact timeline →Community-Driven
Our board comprises representatives from Boston's diverse neighborhoods, connected by a shared commitment to children.
How We Operate
The Southill Children's Fund operates as a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws, with full 501(c)(3) status.
Our Board of Directors comprises 5 to 15 active members, representing Boston and its diverse neighborhoods. Directors serve two-year terms and meet at least three times annually to ensure proper governance and oversight of all programs.
The board elects a President and Secretary-Treasurer every two years, ensuring continuity of leadership while maintaining fresh perspectives on how best to serve the children of Southill.
By-Laws
Southill Children's Fund operates as a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
The name of this organization shall be the Southill Children's Fund. The address of the organization is 47 Farragut Road, Boston, MA 02127.
The purpose of the organization shall be to provide educational, and athletic exchange programs for the children of Ireland and for the children of varied neighborhoods of the City of Boston. The mission of the organization shall be to offer programs assistance to break down barriers of poverty, ignorance, and despair for both groups of children, domestic and foreign. Further, to support and at times continue the exchange program between the children of The City of Boston and Ireland.
The Board of Directors shall be composed of representatives of the communities of Boston and its diverse neighborhoods. Citizens from Ireland shall also participate but in a limited way due to geographic separation.
The Directors shall be elected to the Board every two years and serve a two year term. There shall be a minimum of five and a maximum of fifteen active Directors. Each Director shall have one vote at each of the meetings of the Board of Directors.
Other members of the Board of Directors may be known as Honorary Directors and Associate Directors. These members of the Board do not have any voting power, and are designated as Directors of a different type such because of their interest in the Fund and their commitment to the ideals of the Fund.
The Board of Directors shall meet at least three times a year. One of those meetings will be held in June and shall be known as the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, board members shall be elected for their term of office.
The quorum necessary for the conducting of business shall be two thirds of the total Board membership. In the event that there is not a quorum at least two meetings each year, the President, Treasurer and one Director are empowered to act as the Executive Committee in order to conduct business necessary for the operation of the Fund.
The powers of the Directors shall be considered to be in accordance with the powers of directors as stated in the provisions of Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws. (The law governing non-profit corporations)
The Board of Directors shall once every two years elect a President and Secretary – Treasurer for the organization at the Annual Meeting as well. The President shall preside at Board of Directors meetings and perform such duties as are customarily pertaining to the office of President of a non-profit corporation.
The Secretary – Treasurer shall keep all financial records, correspondence and minutes to the Board and any committee meetings. He or she shall prepare an annual statement of disbursements and expenditures during the fiscal year.
The President is empowered to authorize all contracts or expenditures, and the Secretary – Treasurer in his/her absence.
Directors and Officers may be removed from their position or office by majority vote of the Board of Directors with or without cause.
There shall be a Clerk of organization to maintain the legal documents and records of the organization. He or she shall be retained by a vote of the Board of Directors.
The fiscal year for the organization shall be from January 1 to December 31 of each year.
These By-Laws may be amended, added to or repealed by the vote of the majority of the Board of Directors at a Board Meeting only after proper notification and discussion.
Join Our Mission
Your support helps us continue building bridges of hope between Boston and Limerick. Every donation makes a difference.