I manage RedCap, a corporate foundation in South Africa. Our projects are mainly focused on assisting schools, as our education system is failing. Although we receive 1% of post tax profits from the corporate organization, it is not enough to reach as many schools as are in need of assistance. How can we find international partners (corporations/foundations) interested in helping in Africa to assist us?
I thank you for your question. Perhaps the most effective method of assisting schools would be to partner with organizations and companies that already have a presence in South Africa. The offer that you'd make to these organizations is that RedCap has significant experience in improving education and can do the hard work of effectively implementing a program. For example, Room to Read is a US-based NGO that builds libraries around the world, including in South Africa. Perhaps there's a joint venture that you can do with that organization to help accomplish the goals of Room to Read and RedCap. If you give me a list of the types of services that you provide to schools, I may be able to come up with a list of foundations and companies that should have an interest in RedCap's work.
One other possibility is to tap into the microlending area by having entrepreneurs associated with specific schools get loans through Kiva to start small, self-sustaining businesses that benefit the entrepreneur and the school. Kiva is doing quite well at recruiting lenders in the US but is having challenges finding entrepreneurs in places like South Africa. Perhaps RedCap can help in this area.
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