“to help ensure that a wider array of humanists, in craft and study, have access to conditions needed to best develop and deepen their contributions to our societies”
The Trust in Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Trust in Humanistic Inquiry and Expression was established to help ensure that a greater array of humanists, in craft and study, have access to conditions needed to best develop and deepen their contributions to our societies.
Conditions for Humanistic Work
The Trust arose out of a deeply informed understanding of the comparatively under-resourced and often perilous conditions for humanistic work in Africa and in much of its global diasporas, as well as perennially insufficient levels of support for institutions essential to facilitating such activity.
Global Histories for Art and Culture
These conditions are more often than not linked to global histories of artistic and cultural production and to the place, function, or status often allotted to the arts and cultures of Africa and its diasporas, as well as to communities that are intimately and structurally related, and regularly underrepresented or misrepresented in form, content, and value.
Representation and Self-Representation
The Trust therefore sees part of its work as addressing issues of representation and self-representation in future efforts in the humanities, with a central mission to improve their range, rigor, depth, quality, and contributions to shared societies.
The Trust’s Finances
The Trust in Humanistic Inquiry and Expression 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.
Portal for the Arts, Languages, and their Study (PORTALS)
The Report on Funding for Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Report on Funding for Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Fellowship in Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Fellowship in Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Grant in Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Grant in Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Newsletter on Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
The Newsletter on Humanistic Inquiry and Expression
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