Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation with a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status.

At its inception in 2004, the Foundation set out its mandate to improve education and grow small Black-owned businesses. It determined that education and small business development are catalytic to improving the quality of life of South Africa’s people and to develop an inclusive and empowered society.

Over its 21 years, the Foundation has piloted and implemented dynamic models relevant to national and global development objectives. With its implementing partner entities, it works for ever-increasing access to the economy and a fulfilled society through basic education, higher education and training, small business development, and socio-economic development.

The Foundation realises its mandate through programmes implemented by its partner entities as follows:

• Basic Education - Adopt-a-School Foundation and KST
  
• Higher Education and youth development - Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET)
  
• Women and children - Thari Programme;
  
• Entrepreneurship and small business development - Black Umbrellas.

Adopt-a-School implements a Whole School Development model that aims at improving the governance, academic, infrastructural and social environment in some of the least resourced and marginalised schools in the country.

The Foundation’s school-based Thari Programme, which is implemented by its partner entity, Adopt-a-School, supports vulnerable children and women in school communities in Botshabelo in the Free State. The programme aims to provide schools and communities with a safe environment that is free from violence, is academically effective, inclusive, and gender-sensitive, while promoting health and well-being for all.
KST is a collaboration between Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and Kagiso Trust. It leverages the strategic, technical and best practices of each organisation’s Whole School Development programme to address school infrastructure, curriculum support, social welfare and school leadership on a district-wide basis to produce systemic change.

Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) implements a holistic bursary support and youth development programme. Students with potential from disadvantaged backgrounds are supported for higher education study and vocational training, and enabled with mentorship and psychosocial support; career guidance and work-readiness development, including driver training; work experience opportunities; and development as socially conscious and committed members of society.

Black Umbrellas supports the growth and sustainability of small Black-owned businesses, driving job creation and social and economic empowerment. Black Umbrellas provides training and mentorship and facilitates access to financial services, and access to markets.