Terry Baugh

Terry Baugh is a prominent figure in the nonprofit sector, best known as the co-founder and former president of Kidsave International, an organization dedicated to connecting orphaned and foster children with families and caring adults. Her journey into this field began in 1993 when she traveled to Russia to adopt a child. The experience of witnessing the dire conditions in orphanages profoundly impacted her and motivated her to take action on behalf of older, often overlooked children in such institutions.123

Background and Career

• Early Life: Terry Baugh grew up in Logan, Utah, where she initially worked in her family's jewelry business. She later established a public relations firm focusing on health and social issues before fully committing to Kidsave.3
• Founding Kidsave: In 1997, alongside her colleague Randi Thompson, Baugh founded Kidsave after recognizing the urgent need for programs that would help older orphans find families. They were inspired by a successful initiative that allowed children from foreign orphanages to spend summers with American families, which led to many adoptions.23

Mission and Impact

Kidsave's mission is to create change so that older or forgotten orphanage and foster children can grow up in families and connect with caring adults. Since its inception, the organization has aimed to give one million children families or lifelong connections by 2020. Through innovative programs like Summer Miracles and Weekend Miracles, Kidsave has successfully facilitated numerous adoptions and foster placements.14

Leadership Role

As co-founder, Terry Baugh played a crucial role in shaping Kidsave's strategies and outreach efforts. She has been instrumental in raising awareness about the plight of older orphans and advocating for systemic changes to improve their circumstances.23 Under her leadership, Kidsave has transformed the lives of nearly 3,000 children by connecting them with loving families.1

Current Involvement

Though she has stepped back from day-to-day operations, Baugh remains an influential figure within the organization as part of its honorary board. Her ongoing commitment to child welfare continues to inspire many within the nonprofit community.4