āto foster conditions that best enable underrepresented communities throughout the world, and their full array of civic persons, to participate more equitably in their governanceā
The Trust in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance
The Trust in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance was established to foster conditions that best enable underrepresented communities throughout the world, and their full array of civic persons, to participate more equitably in their governance.
On Fundamentals of Civic Society
The primary focus of the Trust is less on specific party or policy outcomes from political participation, debate, and governance than on the sound fundamentals of such civic activities, and on the practices that have perennially diminished the ability of persons to engage equitably.
A Geographic Focus that Extends
As with all the Trusts, there is a substantive focus on Africa and its global diasporas, but precisely with wider impediments to ethical governance in mind. Including those to be found in often structurally related settings that continue to produce global patterns of de jure and de facto underrepresentation.
Reducing Global Differences
In this way, the work and support of the Trust shall continue to function as direct attempts to reduce perennial differences in ethical, civic participation, within and across local and global communities, and thus be of direct benefit to the most regularly underserved, marginalized, and disenfranchised of the world’s communities.
The Trustās Finances
The Trust in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance 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 Database of Governance and Participation in Society
The Report on Civic Participation and Governance
The Report on Civic Participation and Governance
The Fellowship in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance
The Fellowship in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance
The Grant in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance
The Grant in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance
The Newsletter on Civic Society and Governance
The Newsletter on Civic Society and Governance
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