The Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF) was founded in 1997, as a platform through which it’s founder, Dr. Christopher Kolade, would make contributions to the development of Nigeria. Guided by an enduring legacy of integrity, professionalism, professional ethics and continuous learning that Dr. Kolade is known for, the Foundation will focus on Education, as it’s key strategic initiative. Particular attention would be given to promoting Girl-Child Education, Leadership and Governance Education, Christian and Theological Education and Education in Inter-faith Relations. The Foundation also aims to make contributions in improving public education and literacy levels in Nigeria. OUR VISION is one of contributing to the attainment of educational excellence, ethical leadership and interfaith harmony in Nigeria. OUR MISSION is to deliver and support programs that improve education and literacy; promote good leadership and governance; and facilitate the achievement of interfaith harmony and the development of the Christian Faith. The Foundation is committed to making careful, thought leading, high impact, high value social investments in targeted areas. The Foundation is adopting an innovative approach to programme design, implementation and fundraising. We will periodically evaluate our programs and initiatives to measure our impact and refine strategies as needed to ensure that our efforts lead to effective solutions. OUR VALUES
• Service: We apply the best of standards and high personal commitment towards fulfilling the mission of the organization; we act in consideration and respect for others
• Excellence: We challenge ourselves to continuously improve our approaches and results, and hold our partners to the same standard of ongoing improvements
• Integrity: We make decisions transparently and in line with our mission and values, and exemplify the highest possible standards of conduct and professional ethics
• Innovation: We believe in the potential of creative and new approaches to transform the lives of people and build stronger communities. We strive to focus on and develop innovative ways to design and deliver programmes and to raise funds.
• Faith: While respecting and embracing the differences between religions, we believe firmly in the tenets of the Christian faith and that all human endowments derive from God the creator
• Impact: Our target is for our work to have an impactful change in our communities and we assess our performance in this regard
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Girl-Child Education: Among children not attending school, there are twice as many girls than boys, and among non-literate adults there are twice as many women than men. Education appears to offer some of the clearest examples of discrimination women suffer today and as such should be a critical area of empowerment for women (UNICEF). CKF’s work in girl-child education will give focus primarily to increasing the girl child’s participation and proficiency in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Music and Agriculture (STEMMA), most of which are growing fields critical to the global economy. Addressing the relatively low participation of girls in these fields will help expand their career horizons and provide cascading benefits to families and communities. Leadership & Governance: CKF’s Leadership and Governance Initiatives seek to strengthen community infrastructure by improving leadership and governance practices in Nigeria. Leadership development is currently a capacity building priority in many regions, especially in Africa where there are no want of examples of failures of leadership. The Foundation is committed to investing in the development of capacities, competencies and confidence of future leaders of our institutions and country. Promoting the values of reliability, predictability, accountability, transparency and participation will lay the Foundation for people-oriented public service. Christian & Theological Education: Through it’s Christian and Theological Education Initiative CKF would contribute to theological inquiry and scholarship (especially the training of clergy) and inspire people to make a difference in the world through Christian communities. Interfaith Harmony: CKF’s Interfaith Initiative seeks to promote understanding among diverse religious groups and advance interreligious dialogue in Nigeria. HOW WE WORK
CKF operates as a grant making as well as an operating Foundation. As an operating Foundation staff will direct major programs and conduct some work in-house. As a grant making Foundation we will provide financial resources for other carefully selected civic organizations to implement program activities in line with our goals. We leverage the expertise and network of our patron and board members to build strong partnerships that maximize our resources and optimize our reach and impact. The Foundation accomplishes its goals through Direct Service, Grants, Fellowships/ Scholarships, Research, and Endowments. CKF’s programs and initiatives give priority consideration to economically disadvantaged, physically challenged, and the programs that service them
