“to foster cultural and technological innovation for underserved communities throughout the world, and enhance the public’s ethical approach to developing, adopting, and sharing such innovation”
The Trust in Quality of Innovation
The Trust in the Quality of Cultural and Technological Innovation was established to foster innovation in culture and technology for underserved communities throughout the world, and to also enhance the public’s understanding of ethical approaches to developing, adopting, and sharing such innovation, including their ability to help with or advocate reasonable regulation.
Effective and Ethical Innovation
The Trust is primarily interested in conducting work and supporting recipients who successfully do both of the above simultaneously. For the aim here is not simply an increase in effective innovation in and for Africa, its global diasporas, and structurally related communities. It is also an increasingly robust ethics regarding the quality, need, influence, and regulation of any given innovation, produced for and deployed in said communities.
Histories of Technological Advancement
Such coupled emphasis is in keeping with the Trust’s concern regarding ongoing, global histories of technological advancement that have benefited the few, often located outside the aforementioned communities.
A Future of Equitable and Humane Innovation
It is also in keeping with the Trust’s intention to work toward a possible future where the costs and benefits of innovation are more equitable, humane and transformative.
The Trust’s Finances
The Trust in Quality of Cultural and Technological Innovation 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 Distribution of Public Innovation
The Report on Public Innovation
The Report on Public Innovation
The Fellowship in Public Innovation
The Fellowship in Public Innovation
The Grant in Public Innovation
The Grant in Public Innovation
The Newsletter on Innovation
The Newsletter on Innovation
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