History
In the early 1990's, concerns emerged in Kenya among local leaders in the development sector and donor organizations that externally funded projects often failed to continue once funding ceased. This lack of sustainability appeared to be related to insufficient skills and capacity of those involved in the implementation of projects, as well as a superficial level of community participation. Apparently, it was not just lack of money, but rather lack of resources (human, financial and material).

When the Ford Foundation Regional Office for Eastern Africa undertook an assessment of community based organizations (CBOs) in 1994, a number of possibilities for addressing the existing state of affairs were explored. Discussing the assessment, an idea began to take shape. If communities would take the leadership in identifying needs and approaching donors, rather than depending upon donors to establish the priorities for funding support, and if these communities developed the necessary skills related to project planning governance, management and implementation, sustainability would be enhanced.

In October 1995, the CEO of a U.S. community foundation that was working to empower rural and other communities and a representative of the Ford Foundation visited Kenya. They pointed out that a community foundation -- whose primary purpose is to build endowments that generate grants to strengthen community projects and institutions in perpetuity, might be a model through which the planners could begin to achieve their objectives without losing the broader goal to promote community development.

The idea of the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KDCF) began to take shape. Within two years an Advisory Committee had enlisted the co-sponsorship of the Aga Khan Foundation (Kenya), another organization with a deep interest in and strong track record of supporting community development. The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) agreed to take on KCDF as one of its "projects," to serve as its fiscal agent and to lend its credibility and legal status to the new venture.*

Initiated in January, 1997, KCDF was originally funded by the Ford Foundation and CIDA-Canada through the Aga Khan Foundation. It operated as a project of the Aga Khan Foundation until its registration on 15th August, 2001.

During the early years, KCDF program activities focused on grantmaking for organizational and community capacity building. This strategy helped to give the fledgling organization experience in grantmaking, first hand knowledge about community development needs throughout Kenya, and recognition by community development organizations as a credible Kenyan grantmaker. The year 2000 was identified by the organization as a year of affirmative action for asset development, and, since that time, KCDF has attempted to balance its major functions of grantmaking and asset development, as illustrated in the butterfly described below

The KCDF Butterfly

The key elements of the foundation are illustrated by the butterfly. The butterfly captures the organization’s unique niche in Kenya’s development space, and helps us to balance the major components of our mission, “to effectively mobilize resources for building permanent funds for grant-making towards the development of communities.”

Management, Structure & Governance – The management and governance function of KCDF is central to all of our activities. The board takes authority to make decisions, and to ensure through appropriate supervision that the organization’s management is effective, transparent, and accountable to the Kenyan community on the organization’s activities. The KCDF Trust on its part is responsible for the management of the endowment, including the appointment of the fund’s investors, custodians and administrators.

Asset Development – KCDF strives to serve Kenya by meeting today’s urgent needs without neglecting the future. Consequently, the Foundation’s goal is to build an endowment through a variety of permanent funds at the same time accepting pass through grants to meet more immediate needs. The endowment is composed of a variety of funds representing two broad categories. Proceeds from the unrestricted endowment are used at the discretion of KCDF for running costs or grantmaking to meet needs that may not fit into the other funds. The use of restricted endowment funds is determined by the donor.

Grantmaking – The right wing of the butterfly represents grantmaking. Good grantmaking is not only KCDF’s most valuable tool in achieving our vision of equitable development, but it is also the most visible aspect of what we do, attracting donors and stimulating the growth of our endowment fund. KCDF makes grants for various sectoral fields of interest, to development agencies, to communities, and for capacity building. Pass through grants are made as a service to donors.

Equitable Development -- This is achievable as the two wings of the butterfly further enable KCDF to reach out and involve all Kenyans in giving and building permanent resources to be passed on to needy communities.
Communication and Research -- These remain important tools for learning and sharing to best meet our goal. Through research, KCDF aims to understand and remain relevant to the communities we serve – their needs, strengths, and resources. Sharing about our work helps both to create awareness on development issues among all sectors of society, and also to raise required support for the organization and its programs.

KCDF Beliefs and Values
Beliefs
As a Foundation and in tackling the questions of poverty eradication, and development, we believe that:

• Every human being has the potential to make a positive difference in their own lives and those of others around them.
• People’s participation, ownership and control is key to equitable and sustainable development.
• Every community has assets to use towards its own well-being as well as for national development.
• Meaningful development focuses on people, brings freedom, space, creativity and transformation.
• The poor are capable of achieving long-lasting improvements in their lives.
• Civil society has potential to influence social, economic and political change.
  Values
• Dignity and rights of every human being: We attach great value to the dignity and rights of every human being regardless of ethnicity/race, religion, gender, age, physical and mental disposition.

Our Values:

• Working with others: We value committed to quality and broad participation and collaboration with other like minded individuals or organizations.
• Commitment to Social Justice Philanthropy: We are committed to philanthropy that promotes social justice, integrity and respect for others in order to uphold the public trust and secure the rights of poor people.
• Honesty and Transparency: We value and promote transparency, honesty and efficiency in our dealings with others irrespective of their social standing.
• Learning and Innovation: We value reflection, learning and innovation and strive to evolve, promote and share best practices with others.
• Equity: We strive to promote and address equity in all our endeavours in pursuing the goals and objectives of the Foundation.

Dr. Mohamed Said Abdullah is the Chairman of the KCDF Board. He is a specialist physician at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi and is a past chairman of the Kenya Medical Research Institute

Mr. Aleke Dondo is Vice-Chairman of KCDF and Deputy Managing Director, Kenya Rural Enterprise Programme (K-REP), a Kenyan non-governmental organization specialising in small-scale credit and micro-enterprise development. He is also a member of KCDF Trust.

Mrs. Elvina Mutua is a training consultant specialising in community-based programmes and micro-enterprise development. She was founder and Executive Director, Tototo Home Industries, a Kenyan NGO based in Mombasa that focuses on improving the quality of life of women.

Mr. Arthur Namu is the African region Special Advisor to the Chairman of Audit Control and Expertise (ACE), SA, an international risk management and credit support organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. He is also Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs and Trustee and Vice-Chairman Wanjiru Kunyiha Asthma Fund.

Ms. Atia Yahya is a Director of APA Insurance and currently the Chairman of KCDF’s Asset Development and Communication Committee.

Mr. P. S. Shah is a Chartered Accountant with over 46 years post qualification experience in India, England and Kenya. He is a specialist in cost control in various industries and community initiatives.

Mrs. Jane Kiano has held various leadership positions as chairperson or president in various organizations, the most notable being the nationwide Maendeleo Ya Wanawake (Kiswahili for Women’s Development) Organisation (MYWO) and the National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK). Her interest is to work with disadvantaged members of the society and she is a strong believer in gender equality.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar Rawal has long standing experience and participation in community work and philanthropy. He is the current director of Abacus Computer Systems Ltd. and a past Director of Universal Group of Colleges.

Mr. Elkanah Odembo is the Executive Director, Ufadhili Trust - Centre for Philanthropy and Social Responsibility and a past Chairperson of the National Council of NGOs.

Ms. Charity Kabutha is development consultant and has broad experience in a variety of areas including community empowerment, integration of gender in development planning and education.

Janet Mawiyoo is the Chief Executive of KCDF and an ex officio member of the Board.

The KCDF Trust
The KCDF Trust was set up to be the manager of the Endowment Fund and to facilitate its secure custody.

Click here to access information on our Board of Directors