[3] It was formed in 2010 by Indian businessman Sunny Varkey, GEMS chairman.

Its stated intention is to impact 100 impoverished children for every child enrolled at GEMS schools.

[5][6][7] Bill Clinton was involvement at the official launch of the foundation.

[13] Bill Clinton gave the inaugural keynote address at the 2013 summit.

In order to raise the status of teaching, at the second annual Global Education and Skills Forum in March 2014, the foundation launched the Global Teacher Prize, an annual $1 million award to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.