Community Investments

The number of books in the home has been shown to be the most powerful predictor of a child's future academic success, no matter where a child comes from or their socio-economic status. (Evan et al 2010)

Book Dash aims to flood South Africa with storybooks for very young children to address the nation's critical literacy crisis. The innovative Book Dash model harnesses creative volunteers to make high-quality African storybooks over a 12-hour sprint. The books are then translated, printed and distributed directly to children and parents across South Africa through partner organisations.

Since 2014, Book Dash has created 117 original, engaging African picture books and printed and distributed 430 000 copies to children across the country. Their immediate goal is to reach a million books distributed by the end of 2020.

Dreamer Education is the brainchild of Kurt Minnaar, a South African maths teacher and choreographer whose alternative approach to teaching mathematical concepts is empowering students around the country.

Using rap he transforms the classroom into a motivational and dynamic dance space that promotes participation, learning and fun. His teaching methods have students understanding and appreciating a subject in which they have previously not felt empowered to excel.

The organisation designs and implements supplementary education resources and training for students, teachers and parents alike.

Founded in 2003, LEAP Science and Maths School is the only privately funded maths, science and technology school in South Africa.

It aims to transform disadvantaged communities throughout the country via education initiatives focused on mathematics and science and partners with specific communities to provide their children with the opportunity to gain access to tertiary study opportunities, to be successful in their chosen career path and to develop as socially responsible citizens of South Africa.

LEAP currently relies on private funding and donors. Foord identified the school’s need to establish an endowment fund to provide ongoing, long-term financial support. To this end, Foord contributed seed capital and makes ongoing annual donations to an endowment fund that Foord manages on behalf of LEAP in Foord's flagship multi-asset portfolio, the Foord Flexible Fund. The objective of this initiative is to create an endowment fund of considerable scale, thereby creating a sustainable income source for the LEAP School, reducing its dependence on third party donations.

The Mitchell's Plain Chess Club was established in 1990. The club aims to promote and foster the game of chess while contributing towards the improvement of social and cultural standards in the community. Over the past 25 years, the club has grown the sport significantly in the community – teaching, mentoring and supporting children, teenagers and adults alike.

South Africa's first chess Grandmaster, Kenny Solomon, is a product of the Mitchell's Plain Chess Club and an inspiration to the members of the club, the community and Foord.

For over 10 years, Foord has been a proud and committed sponsor of this community initiative.

The Financial Services Consumer Education Foundation is a public benefit organisation run on a non-  profit basis.

Its main objective is to promote the education of potential users of financial products and services provided by financial institutions. Its mandate includes consumer education focused on the investments and savings industry.

The Foundation was formed in terms of a fund settlement by the Financial Services Board. The Financial Services Board funds the staff costs of the 12 full-time employees of the Foundation as well as its other operating costs. All donations received from industry organisations, including Foord Asset Management, are thus used to fund the educational initiatives and none of the running costs of the Foundation.

The ASISA Foundation aims to initiate and implement meaningful consumer financial literacy and education initiatives targeting South Africa’s most vulnerable groups on behalf of the savings and investment industry.

Foord sponsors South African students’ participation at various maths Olympiads around the world, most recently Hong Kong, Bulgaria and Thailand Olympiads.

As long-term stewards of our clients’ wealth, we understand the power of compounding. Education, especially in mathematics and investments, is a critical element in ensuring that people retire with sufficient capital to meet their financial obligations in their later years. Through our sponsorship of the IMO students, we aim to raise the profile of the importance of maths education in South Africa.