Eastern Africa
History
The foundation's Eastern Africa office in Nairobi opened in 1962 covering the wide geographic region. During this time, the eve of decolonization, the foundation played an active role in developing the civil service and higher education sectors primarily in Kenya and Tanzania.
From 1960 to 1980, our support focused on technical assistance for nation-building and economic development. With the failure of early post-colonial development and increasing international and national disillusionment with African governments, our grant making from 1980 to around 1995 shifted to support for structural adjustment programs.
Democratic Transition
From the mid-1980s to 1999, the foundation focused on assisting the region's transition to a more democratic environment through constitution-making and reforms of laws and state institutions. We also helped the poor and disenfranchised to gain justice and the information, skills and assets they needed to empower themselves and improve their lives.
Our key priorities included working with local philanthropies, non-state organizations and civil society institutions. Universities were also important grantees. This strategy led to further refinement of the foundation goals in Eastern Africa.
Responding to Current Needs
In 1999, we recognized our work should also respond to a number of emerging issues. As a result, our grant making began to reflect the importance of the safety, security and well-being of citizens; inclusion and participation of East Africans in the expansion of democratization; and the need to strengthen the capacity of local philanthropies and institutions, and build new partnerships for peace and social justice.
Today, our Nairobi office focuses on serving three countries—Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. We work to emphasize intra-office collaboration among program officers, target support to innovative initiatives often neglected by other donors, and strengthen civil society by building and supporting national and regional networks.
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