“to provide essential support so that a wider cross-section of the world, and their local communities, may more accurately understand the ways our civic and political societies are functioning, and thus engage in more transformative conversation”
The Trust in Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Trust in Rigor of Public Opinion and Civic Discourse was established to provide essential support so that a wider cross-section of the world, and their local communities, may more accurately understand the ways our civic and political societies are functioning, and thus engage in more transformative conversation.
Need for Analysis and Education
The Trust understands the perennially pressing need for investment in both fact-based analysis of public opinion and civic discourse and highly effective public citizen education regarding the civic operations of the state.
A Geographic Focus that Extends
The Trust are committed to enhancing both modes of investment across Africa and its global diasporas and in a wide range of societies linked to the most underserved, disenfranchised, and marginalized of world communities.
Reducing Global Differences in Civic Dialogue
And such support has as one of its primary aims an increase in the likelihood and occurrence of accurate and transformative dialogue among civic citizens, with the reduction of national and global inequalities in mind.

The Trust’s Finances
The Trust in Rigor of Public Opinion and Civic Discourse 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 Trust’s 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 Trust’s 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 Public Opinion and Discourse
The Report on Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Report on Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Fellowship in Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Fellowship in Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Grant in Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Grant in Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Newsletter on Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
The Newsletter on Public Opinion and Civic Discourse
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 • Founding & Overview • Governance • Policies • Press & Media • Careers at The Trusts and Foundations