Annual Report 2024 — 3rd Creek Foundation

*Photo Credit: Action For Environmental Sustainability*

Dear Friends,

What a year 2024 was. Towards the end of the year, we witnessed growing uncertainty over the future of international aid which came to a head with the closure of USAID in February of this year.

While we stayed hopeful, we knew that this would mean significant changes to the funding landscape, impacting many of the areas where 3rd Creek partners work. While the majority of our partner programs have not been directly affected, they are witnessing the loss of critical aid in their communities and are stepping up to fill the gap. Take Development in Gardening (DIG), who have expanded their hospital-based nutrition programmes as these hospitals can no longer access Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods for children suffering from malnutrition.

The ability of our partners to respond quickly to changing needs on the ground reflects the strength of working with smaller, more agile organizations. At 3rd Creek Foundation our philosophy means partnering with organizations that aren’t (yet) eligible for large federal funding or development institutions like USAID. This funding can be catalytic; by demonstrating our commitment to smaller organizations, they can leverage funding elsewhere.

Our partners are nimble and look inward for solutions. Many have income generation activities that boost their budgets. Anza, for example, is a Tanzanian NGO supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises in key social sectors and earns income through leasing co-working spaces to freelancers, students and small businesses. Action for Environmental Sustainability, a local NGO in Malawi supporting food security and income generation among smallholder farmers, manages a farm training center which doubles as a source of income generation for the organization.

Our partners also commit their time to building a diverse community of funders, and in this way, they ensure they are sustainable. We know fundraising is hard work, so we do what we can to support our partners in their fundraising activities beyond the grant contribution.

In these challenging times, we want to celebrate our partners for their resilience and dedication to their communities.

Thank you for your continued support in this mission,

Gwen Straley

Executive Director

2024 Impact at a Glance

*Data shown for job creation and lives reached only includes grants

Total Impact

Represents total impact since 2012

New Partners

Grant Partner - Safe Inclusion

This year we welcomed new a grant partner, Safe Inclusion, our first partner based in Burundi.

With this partnership, Safe Inclusion is setting up 10 savings and loan groups, where members can save small amounts and access loans to launch or grow small businesses or to support with family emergencies. This work is already having a ripple effect.

We heard about Ntakirutimana Daphrose, who took out a loan of 50,000 Burundi Francs (about $17) to start a small shop. Once her loan was repaid, she took out a larger loan of 100,000 Burundi Francs (about $34) to buy pigs and hens.

She now has 8 piglets and has been able to rent a 16-acre field where she grows corn. Ntakirutimana shared that her children are dressed well, they eat well, and she feels financially stable. Safe Inclusion has already welcomed 250 members into the savings groups and we’re looking forward to seeing their businesses grow.

Investment Partner - East Coast Agritech

In Tanzania smallholder farmers maximise every possible inch of space to grow crops for use in the household and to sell at market to bring in much needed income, but often this isn’t enough to sustain their families.

Based in Tanzania, East Coast AgriTech supports farmers to boost their incomes through egg production. East Coast AgriTech sets the farmers up with everything they need; laying hens, hen houses, feed, water and medication.

ECA buys the eggs from farmers and sells them on to wholesalers, restaurants and hotels up and down the coast of Tanzania.

For just a couple of hours work per day, these farmers can boost their incomes by $40 a month. In a region where smallholder farmers often live on less than $2.15 per day, this is a huge contribution to earnings.

Eggs are only the beginning, East Coast AgriTech will introduce other non-seasonal farming activities as the company grows. We’re excited to be supporting them to bring on new farmers in 2025.

Investment Partner - Mtindo

In Northern Uganda, employment opportunities for women are few and far between and the apparel industry is largely untapped. Mtindo is changing things up, with the launch of a tailoring factory to create opportunities for women by equipping them with the skills needed for a career in fashion.

Through Mtindo Academy, women can join a training program that combines hands-on technical instruction with personal development, a model that has already reached over 200 women.

We’re proud to be part of Mtindo’s growth, looking ahead, Mtindo aims to train 700 more women over the next three years and provide 300 of them with direct employment in its professional tailoring studio.

Investment Partner - Nature’s Nectar

In Zambia, honey is a vital source of income to many rural households, but traditional beekeeping practices are tough on the environment, often harming indigenous trees and stressing bee populations. Nature’s Nectar is changing this; by shifting beekeepers to a new style of hive and using modern practices, the local ecosystem is protected, and beekeepers can boost their incomes by as much as 28%!

We’re thrilled to support Nature’s Nectar as they expand their reach, they’ve already empowered over 2,500 beekeepers.