Mott Foundation Visit to KCDF projects
October 28, 2024
PBO Technical Working Group Consultative Meeting
October 28, 2024
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, KCDF was privileged to host a delegation from the Ford Foundation to reflect on our long-standing partnership that began in 1996. As KCDF’s first major funder, the Ford Foundation has played a pivotal role in supporting numerous developmental projects.
The Ford Foundation delegation included Ms. Jessica Horn, East Africa Regional Director; Ms. Victoria Dunning, BUILD Initiative Program Officer; Ms. Esther Ngoda, Grants Manager; and Ms. Margaret Mliwa, Grantmaker & Strategic Program Specialist. On behalf of KCDF, participants included Ms. Grace Maingi, Executive Director; Mr. Caesar Ngule, Programmes Director; Ms. Purity Murugu, Head of Partnership and Resource Development; Ms. Emilly Omudho, Team Lead for Environment and Natural Resource Management; Ms. Hellen Kuria, Programme Coordinator for Community Voices & Philanthropy; Mr. Kennedy Odera, Programme Coordinator for Capacity Building and Systems Strengthening; and Ms. Mary Mwangi, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Coordinator.
From 1996 to 2010, the Ford Foundation provided KCDF with an Institutional Building Grant, which laid the groundwork for many of our initiatives. They also helped establish our Endowment Fund and supported the Institutional Strengthening and Sustainability Program to ensure the growth of this fund. Additionally, the Ford Foundation launched the inaugural Education Scholarship Fund during its 40th-anniversary celebration, further cementing its commitment to empowering communities.
Currently Ford Foundation is funding the the East Africa Financial Resilience Resource Hub (FRRH), a five-year programme that incorporates KCDF, the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) in Tanzania, and CivFund-Africa, Uganda; to establish a hub that will support civil society organizations to strengthen their capacities, reaffirm their visions, and develop a South-based network of financial resource hubs.
The Ford Foundation partnership has been instrumental in KCDF’s growth, sustainability, and our collective ability to drive community development.
During this recent meeting, both organizations explored potential areas for future collaboration, reaffirming our shared commitment to supporting communities through sustainable programs. The gathering reinforced the strength of our enduring partnership and our joint vision to tackle pressing societal challenges with innovative and lasting solutions.
