The Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) is one of the oldest foundations in the Philippines. It was founded by the late Senator Gerry Roxas in 1958 and was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 1967. GRF started as an educational trust for the poor youth in Capiz and paved the beginnings of what was later established as the GRF Youth Leadership Program in 1967. Since then, GRF has recognized more than 45,000 outstanding public and private high school students through the Gerry Roxas Leadership Awards.
In 1975, GRF began a partnership with the Philippine Jaycees in its search for outstanding professional Filipinos. It is now known as the Outstanding Young Men (and Women) of the Philippines award which has been recognized as one of the prestigious award-giving bodies for professionals.
The Foundation has worked with various government units and agencies, private organizations, and institutions to effectively carry out its plans and strategies and mobilize resources to expand its reach. Over the years, GRF has been a recipient of various financial and technical awards from local and international partners, notably the USAID. Since 1992, GRF received more than $40 million funding from USAID to help manage sub grants on enterprise development, governance, and peace and justice. Out of these grants, GRF has assisted in building the capacities of 77 CSOs consisting of academic institutions, people’s organizations, cooperatives and non-government organizations spread in more than 60 provinces nationwide.