About us
Help For Children is committed to the prevention and treatment of child maltreatment.
In partnership with the Alternative Investment industry, HFC identifies and funds organizations that use evidence-based methodologies for the prevention & treatment of child maltreatment. At the same time, we remain committed to learning, evolving, and investing in strategies that propel us toward a world where children feel safe, supported, and heard.
2025 New York Charity Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
our mission
One Industry,
One Mission.
In partnership with the Alternative Investment industry, Help For Children prevents and treats child maltreatment by funding programs that use evidence-based methodologies.
our history
From Vision
to Global Impact
Rob Davis, Founded Help For Children in 1998
Help For Children (HFC), founded in 1998 as Hedge Funds Care by financial executive Rob Davis, raises funds to prevent and treat child maltreatment. After consultation with leadership at Columbia University School of Social Work, the HFC model was created. Today, this model employs Academic Consultants in all locations that guide grant-making. HFC’s grant committees, made up of finance industry professionals, work in conjunction with the Academic Consultants to fund the most innovative and effective programs.
HFC's New York Gala in 2018 held at American Museum of Natural History.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Perform at HFC Rocks 2021 held at Sony Music Hall!
HFC (UK) Gala 2022
Initially starting with a fundraising gala in New York City, HFC has expanded globally, hosting events like galas and golf outings that also serve as networking opportunities for the Alternative Investment industry. To date, HFC has invested millions of dollars in child abuse prevention and treatment programs, impacting millions of lives worldwide. To learn more about our impact, visit our impact page here.
Currently, Mr. Davis serves as Chairman Emeritus of the organization and remains deeply committed to helping children and families heal from the trauma of maltreatment.
our Team
The People Behind Our Mission
Dean is the Chairman of Global Prime Brokerage of Goldman Sachs.
Rob is a Partner at Capricorn Investment Group, and the former founding partner at Greentech Capital.
Glen is the Managing Member of Glen Capital Management. Prior to that he was the Managing Director and Head of Prime Brokerage at Jefferies & Company.
Natalie is a Partner/Deputy Vice Chair of Ernst & Young LLP US.
Ali Hackett is a Senior Global Financial Services Executive
Basil is a Partner and Co-Chair of the Financial Services Practice Group at Winston & Strawn LLP.
Beth is the Partner-In-Charge of CBIZ’s Alternative Investment Group. They provide audit, tax and consulting service to the fund industry.
Chris is the Chief Financial Officer and a managing director at the D. E. Shaw group. He oversees the firm’s accounting, tax, and financial operations units.
David is co-head of Seward & Kissel’s Family Office Group as well as a partner in the Investment Management Group at the Firm.
Eric currently has a private law practice. Prior to opening his own practice in 2013, Eric was a Senior Partner in the law firm of Gersten Savage LLP.
Eugene is Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of v17 Advisors, LLC
Jay is currently the Head of Fund Services and Managing Director at Citco.
Joel formed Press Management LLC to provide consulting services specializing in succession planning, compensation, and business strategy, for hedge funds.
John is Senior Counsel in Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management Group. John has practiced at the Firm since 1979, and became a partner since 1988.
Jonathan is President and Portfolio Manager at Luminus Management, LLC.
Joe is a Senior Lead Partner in KPMG’s Alternative Investments Management Practice. He has over 26 years of experience in serving clients in the capital markets.
Joe is a Managing Director, Private Markets at SS&C Technologies.
Kara Friedenberg is a Tax Partner in PwC’s Asset Management practice and provides tax compliance and consulting services to hedge and private equity funds.
Karl is a Co-Managing Partner at Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP.
Lance A. Zinman is a Partner and Global Co-Chair of the Financial Services Practice at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.
Mark is Partner, Head of Sales & Marketing at TrustServe, a professional services fund administrator dedicated to alternative investment funds and family offices.
Michael is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ellington Management Group.
Mikael serves on the Global Investment Management practice leadership team of KPMG and leads the Firm’s effort to focus its resources in the hedge fund market.
Rhonda is Managing Director at IQEQ. She has over 25 years of experience in the alternative investment fund sector. Recently, she’s expanded into fintech, blockchain, and digital assets.
Rob founded Help For Children in 1998 while working in the prime brokerage industry. He served as Chairman for ten years and currently serves as Chairman Emeritus.
Rob is a partner at K&L Gates. He has represented hedge funds and their managers for over 30 years.
Rob is the principal of National Practice Leader – Asset Management Tax at BDO.
Tery is a senior executive at Kensico Capital Management.
Christina is the Project Coordinator for the Child Welfare Scholars (Title IVE) Program at University of California Berkeley.
Professor Clifton Emery leads research on child and community wellbeing at Charles Sturt University. He specializes in the global study of violence, power disparities, and the role of social networks in preventing abuse.
Dr. Lance is in direct practice as a School Social Worker. Her interests include advocacy with children and families and child abuse prevention.
Kristine Langhoff is a Social Work professor at the University of Sussex focusing on trauma and sexual violence. She has extensive experience developing interventions for survivors of exploitation and extra-familial harm.
Dr. Bussey is a research consultant and adjunct social work faculty at the University of Denver. Her fields of interest are trauma, substance use and mental health.
Ovita is the Associate Director of Field Education for Family, Youth and Children Services at Columbia University School of Social Work.
Professor Ramona Alaggia holds the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Chair in Child and Family at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on trauma, resilience, and the societal impacts of gender-based violence and child sexual abuse.
Dr. Robin Perry is a social work professor at Florida A&M University specializing in child welfare and domestic violence. He is an award-winning educator and researcher with over 25 years of professional experience.
Dr. Rzepnicki is the David & Mary Winton Green Professor at the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.