Gatsby is an engaged funder, proactively looking for opportunities and partnerships in areas of interest rather than funding proposals from others.

We have a small, professional team based in London, and employ a number of staff in East Africa on specific programmes.  We frequently use specialists and experts in different fields in both the planning and implementation of activities.

We have a business-like culture and our active engagement with programmes means we can quickly respond to changing circumstances and focus on delivery and results.

While we have traditionally based programmes on grant finance, more recently we have also started considering loans and equity where such approaches are more suitable for achieving our development objectives.

We work closely with local institutions.  We have founded six independent institutions across Africa over the past two decades, giving us a wide and experienced network of African Trustees and professional staff who are key to guiding our programmes and navigating local issues.  We also work with and through other legitimate local institutions, building their capacity to sustain activities after Gatsby’s involvement ends.

All our programmes benefit from the direct involvement of Gatsby settlor David Sainsbury.  Lord Sainsbury brings vast experience from both the private and public sector, and his time as the UK’s Minister of Science and Innovation has given him an understanding of the role of government in catalysing growth, in addition to providing Gatsby with political access and support across East Africa.