āto help ensure that those dedicating their lives to the pursuit of enhanced public knowledge, especially in the service of underrepresented peoples, have the means to do so to the best of their abilitiesā
The Trust in Public Knowledge
The Trust in Contributions to Public Knowledge was established to help ensure that those dedicating their careers and lives to the pursuit of enhanced public knowledge, especially in the service of often marginalized and underrepresented peoples, have the means to do so to the best of their abilities.
Conditions for Intellectual Work and Discussion
The Trust is acutely aware of the often difficult conditions for intellectual work and public discussion in Africa and much of its global diasporas, as well as the comparatively inadequate support for institutions that are essential to facilitating such activity.
Histories of Knowledge Production
These conditions are often as linked to global histories of knowledge production as they are to present economic, political and cultural impediments to the revealing study and discussion of Africa, its diasporas, the nature of global relationships between states and communities, and the detailed existence of the worldās most regularly marginalized and disenfranchised peoples.
Improving Shared Knowledge
The Trust is therefore especially attuned to the place, function, and status of studying certain regions, problems, and questions in service of the public interest, with a central mission to improve the range, rigor, depth, and quality of future contributions to local and global knowledge. Knowledge to be shared by and remain of benefit to the widest range of peoples and societies.
The Trustās Finances
The Trust in Contributions to Public Knowledge was established as part of the Declaration of Trust of the Chinyere and Chinelo Ikoku Charitable Trusts. It is therefore subject to the general fiduciary responsibilities outlined in the founding Declaration.
Annual Spending
These responsibilities include stipulations that limit appropriated spending in any given year to no more than 5% of the three-year average market value of the Trustās current principal.
Appropriated Spending I
The Declaration also stipulates that no less than half of such annual spending be dedicated to work on continental Africa.
Appropriated Spending II
It is also expected that such annual spending be overwhelmingly dedicated (greater than 75%) to being of direct benefit to low-income communities and individuals.
To Fund in Perpetuity
Such stipulations are in line with best practices to ensure that the Trust continues to exist in perpetuity and that it continues to have assets to carry out its charitable purposes during that time.
Reports: In Charts and Numbers
Reports: In Charts and Numbers
The Trustās Projects (Actual and Proposed)
We provide below access to a number of projects partly funded and conceived under the rubric of this Trust. Note that the operations of said projects are typically the purview of The Ikoku Foundations, and so the links will often guide you to their sites.
The Virtual Dais for Academic and Intellectual Sessions (DAIS)
The Report on Public Knowledge
The Report on Public Knowledge
The Fellowship in Public Knowledge
The Fellowship in Public Knowledge
The Grant in Public Knowledge
The Grant in Public Knowledge
The Newsletter on Public Knowledge
The Newsletter on Public Knowledge
The Trusts Areas
The Chinyere and Chinelo Ikoku Charitable Trusts hold and manage the donated assets of The Ikoku Foundations, with specified attention to areas of focus delineated in the founding Declaration of Trust. Below is access to further information in each of the Trusts Areas.
Education and Research
Agriculture and Sustenance
Civic Society and Governance
Contributions to Public Knowledge
Cultural and Technological Innovation
Energy and Infrastructure
Ethics of Research and Care
Human and Environmental Health
Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
Rights and Covenants
Youth Communities
Governace Suited to Local and Global Philanthropy
We have designed the governing structure of the Ikoku Foundations and Foundations in order to be attentive to needs and operations at the local and global level, as well as across the complex states and societies where our communities reside, living shared, interdependent lives.
With Respect Being Central to Our Ethics
At the core of our founding and governing Code of Ethics is a commitment to the most robust conceptions of respect and humanity, including and beyond what the law has protected and provided for, as we fulfill our twin mottos: to serve the public interest in Africa and its global diasporas; and to account for the past while ensuring a shared and just future.
To Ensure a Just and Shared Future for Many
We are inspired by peoples who have contributed to the foundations and development of their societies, despite a history of systemic difficulties. Who maintain an unyielding belief that the betterment of their human condition will foster the betterment of those living around them, and will enhance the futures of the regularly underserved, marginalized, disenfranchised. We draw from their example a vision of the public good and common community that is our hope and objective.
More About Us
The Ikoku Trusts
About Us ā¢ Founding & Overview ā¢ Governance ā¢ Policies ā¢ Press & Media ā¢ Careers at The Trusts and Foundations