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ā€œto help ensure that a greater number of underrepresented communities throughout the world, and their full civic membership, know, enjoy, and are able to determine the rights afforded them by governing laws and international covenantsā€

The Trust in Rights and Covenants

Overview

The Trust in Rights and Covenants was established to help ensure that a greater number of under-represented communities throughout the world, and their full civic membership, know, enjoy, and are able to determine the rights afforded them by governing laws and international covenants.

Inspiration from Past Sucesses and Present Needs

The Trust draws its primary inspiration from the successes of civil rights and independence movements during the twentieth century and from the ongoing, urgent need to have resulting societies protect and fulfill the civic promises of such movements.

The Work of Extending Rights

The Trust understands this work to include essential support for efforts that help extend developing rights and principles to those within societies who remain underserved, disenfranchised, and marginalized. The primary substantive focus here is on Africa and its global diasporas, but with historically and structurally related communities firmly in mind.

Civic and Ethical Benefit to Entire Societies

In this way, the Trustā€™s work shall continue to confirm a belief variously re-articulated in the twentieth century and beyond ā€” that the securement and protection of civic rights for the marginalized of a given society is of enduring civic and ethical benefit to that society as a whole.

View from Below of Bridge Cables
Lekki Ikoyi Bridge, Lagos, Nigeria, February 2019 (Babatunde Olajide)

The Trustā€™s Finances

Overview

The Trust in Rights and Covenants 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 Trustā€™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

Actor in Macbeth Costume
Macbeth, Undated (New York Public Library)
Schoolgirl in Uniform at Doorway Looking Above
In Uniform, Liberia, March 2019 (Adrianna Van Groningen)
Girl Kneeling in Busy Street
Tibetan Girl, 2017 (Journey Yang)

The Trustā€™s Works

Overview

Provided below is access to further information regarding good works conceived and funded 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 on Rights and Equities

The Distribution in Rights and Equities

The Report on Rights and Covenants

The Report on Rights and Covenants

The Fellowship in Rights and Covenants

The Fellowship in Rights and Covenants

The Grant in Rights and Covenants

The Grant in Rights and Covenants

The Newsletter on Rights and Covenants

The Newsletter on Rights and Covenants

Woman Bending Down to Tend Crops
Sierra Leone, 2017 (Annie Spratt)
Child in Costume Looking at Camera
NiƱo, Cusco, Peru, 2018 (Ben Ostrower)
Woman Seated on Mat on Floor, Holding Fan
Seated, Kpone Katamanso District Assembly Office, Tema, Ghana, 2017 (Nathaniel Tetteh)
People Holding Peace Banner and Respect Sign
Women's March, Boston, USA, 2017, (Alice Donovan Rouse)

Also at The Trusts

As stated earlier, The Ikoku Charitable Trusts is dedicated to fostering philanthropy and good works concerning Africa, its global diasporas and a range of shared societies ā€” toward the betterment of lives across the globe. And so in accordance with the above, The Trusts provides the following:

I.

A Nonprofit Dedicated to Africa

An independent, private, non-profit organization that serves the public interest in Africa and its global diasporas ā€” by advancing education and research and by also supporting creative ideas, civic endeavors and emerging communities, organizations and societies.

II.

Support for a Global and Just Future

A founding mission and ongoing emphases of support for good works that help the public understand Africaā€™s essential place in a global future, one that is to be more knowledgeable, environmentally sustainable, equitable and of benefit across communities in just societies.

III.

A Vision of the Public Good

A vision of the public good that accounts for the past while ensuring a just and shared future. That draws inspiration from peoples who, despite a history of systemic difficulties, maintain an unyielding belief that the betterment of their human condition will foster the betterment of those living around them and will enhance the present and futures of the regularly disenfranchised, marginalized and underserved.

More About Us

The Ikoku Trusts

About Us ā€¢ Governance ā€¢ Policies