The Noel Foundation was founded in 1989 by businesswoman, Noel Irwin Hentschel. Inspired by working with Mother Teresa, she established the Foundation to create and fund projects to "help those most in need to help themselves", focusing on women and children.

The Foundation's longstanding partnership (since 1990) with the United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM) encourages and supports the advancement of women around the world through entrepreneurial and educational programs.

Additionally, The Noel Foundation funds programs that include: Missionaries of Charity who work with the "poorest of the poor" assisting homeless mothers and children and those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, adoption programs, supplies and meals for Skid Row families, healthcare for needy women and children, after school education and mentoring for disadvantaged children, specialized training for teachers in under-resourced schools, and cancer treatment and research programs.

The Foundation established "Education Through Travel," partnering with organizations including the Challengers' Boys & Girls Club, The Los Angeles Urban League and Rosa Parks Institute to take underprivileged children on motorcoach tours across America to experience our nation's cultural and historical heritage.

The Noel Foundation partnered in 2000 with City of Hope and established a Pediatric Critical Care Fund at the City of Hope to provide medical treatment for children with life threatening illnesses who are without insurance.