Transforming the lives of

CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES

Even Ground is transforming the lives of children and families in South Africa by partnering with community-based organizations driving high-impact education, health and nutrition, and youth development solutions.

We are changing the story for

YOUNG SOUTH AFRICANS

Even Ground is transforming the lives of children and families in South Africa by partnering with community-based organizations that drive high-impact education, health and nutrition, and youth development solutions. We achieve this by partnering with organizations who have the greatest potential for impact in the communities where they are based. Through increasing financial investments, capacity development, and knowledge sharing, we are able to build these organizations’ sustainability and amplify their impact. Together, we are working towards a South Africa where every child thrives.

Across our work, we are committed to the following

THREE PATHWAYS

Connecting
Changemakers

Sparking
Solutions

Changing
Lives

CONNECTING
CHANGEMAKERS

By connecting changemakers in the US with local changemakers in South Africa, we support the success of the children they serve.

Even Ground, a U.S. 501c3 non-profit organization, connects committed donors with a strong desire for change to grassroots initiatives in South Africa. Our partners are based within the communities they serve, allowing them to have a deep understanding of community needs and how best to approach the situation in a culturally relevant and respectful way.

This partnership paves the way for the greatest potential for local impact. Our role is to connect these local organizations and leaders, who have the highest potential for deep and meaningful impact in the historically disadvantaged communities where they are based, with individuals in the US who can help make this change possible.

By recognising and harnessing the power of financial resources and global networks and the power of community-led innovation, Even Ground is able to bring diverse changemakers together to inspire action and enable lasting impact.

By facilitating connections across continents, Even Ground enables you to become a part of these solutions on the ground.

SPARKING SOLUTIONS

Even Ground invests in hyperlocal,
community-driven solutions on the ground.

Our relationship with our partners is unique because we work together long-term to grow and support programs that catalyze change. Our goal is to support these organizations through increasing financial investments, capacity development, and knowledge sharing as they grow to build their sustainability and amplify their impact into the future.

By focusing on long-term support for a small number of partners, and identifying key initiatives and unique problems that need our support, Even Ground becomes a true partner in
dynamic, yet focused, long term community-led change.

CHANGING LIVES

Even Ground changes lives by investing in organizations that ensure children have adequate support from infancy to young adulthood – allowing them to grow and develop to their fullest potential.

EVEN GROUND

partners serve

children

and

families

PATHWAYS
FOR CHANGE

Investing in children as they grow and the families that support them:

Education Programs

Issue

By age five, 90% of a child’s brain is already developed, so ensuring that children attend a preschool for ages 3-5 is essential for supporting their learning development. Unfortunately, only 40% of children in South Africa have access to early childhood development (ECD) programs.

Vision for change

Even Ground supports projects that work to ensure high-quality ECD programs are within reach for all children and families in South Africa.

Success story

Even Ground and our partner organizations are supporting 2,043 children through preschool programs in 2023, ensuring they will be on track to start school.

Issue

South Africa has a chronically poor schooling system, ranking 139 out of 143 countries globally in quality of education. The legacy of apartheid continues to affect the education system as schools in historically disadvantaged areas often lack basic infrastructure and resources. Only 48% of South African children are able to read in any language by Grade 4, and only 40% of students who start Grade 1 finish their secondary education successfully.

Vision for change

Children are supported to build essential educational skills necessary to succeed – from childhood through to higher education.

Success story

Even Ground is supporting literacy interventions run through our partner organizations to help 1060 children gain basic literacy skills and develop a love of reading. At Thanda last year, children borrowed 12,414 books through their mobile library.

Health & Nutrition Programs

Issue

An estimated 27% of children in South Africa are reported to be malnourished or food insecure. This is linked to the country’s history of unequal development and its extremely high unemployment rates.

Vision for change

Children grow up with sufficient health and nutrition to support their development.

Success story

Our partners provide more than 200,000 nutritious meals to children every year.

Issue

In South Africa, more than half a million children with disabilities have been shut out of the country’s education system due to stigma, lack of supportive services, and economic and social inequalities.

Vision for change

Children with disabilities receive therapy, services, and support to enable their holistic development.

Success story

In 2024, Siyakwazi provided therapy and tailored specialized interventions to address the needs of 130 children with disabilities and their families.

Youth Development

Issue

South Africa’s youth unemployment rate is 62%, one of the highest in the world, and many young people lack the mentorship, support, and skills development opportunities to prepare them for employment.

Vision for change

Young people develop the agency and capacity they need to make healthy decisions and thrive, and are offered opportunities that enable positive pathways towards their future.

Success story

Even Ground partner BRAVE fosters a girl-led movement that has provided leadership training and skills development to more than 500 girls and young women.

OUR
STORY

Even Ground was founded in 2003 by a passionate group of students from the US and South Africa who recognized the transformative potential within South African communities. Initially founded to help address the educational, health, and social needs of children and families affected by HIV, the organization has expanded significantly over the last two decades to focus on education, health and nutrition, and youth development. The board members and project partners have grown and flourished, fostering valuable connections that continue to uphold the organization’s initial vision and mission.