We are dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

The following values guide the work of our organisation:

• We seek to contribute to social change that endures beyond the life of the foundation.
• We believe that committing our resources over a limited life will maximise our impact.
• We believe we can best contribute to the amelioration of social problems by focusing on a limited number of issues, fields, and regions.
• We believe in taking calculated risks, in placing “big bets”, and in the power of quiet advocacy.
• We apply discipline and an entrepreneurial spirit to our work, and hold ourselves and our grantees accountable.
• We are respectful and candid with our grantees and each other.
• We evaluate our impact, learn from the results, and communicate our conclusions.
• We invest in the development of our people and are committed to fostering a family-friendly, well-balanced work environment.
• We operate as an international foundation, collaborating across programme, country and organisational boundaries.
• Our preferred operating style is to be understated, discreet, and unbureaucratic.