From Park Avenue to East Africa: Why Egmont Trust Is Redefining Smart Philanthropy

With Camille Jalandoni and Jonathan Imperial

There are fundraisers, and then there are movements. Last night, I found myself amidst the history and grandeur of the Racquet and Tennis Club in NYC for the Egmont Trust gala. The vibe was immaculate, but what struck me most wasn't the setting. It was the substance.

The following day, we continued the conversation at the Yale Club with Claire Evans. Over coffee, she pulled back the curtain on how Egmont operates, and honestly, it is a masterclass in how modern charity should work. It is not just about "giving back." It is about strategic investment in human potential.

Locally Led, Not Prescriptive

In a world where many organizations try to copy-paste solutions from the West, Egmont is refreshingly different. Claire explained that they don’t prescribe a specific methodology. Instead, they respect and rely entirely on local expertise.

The partners they choose are already embedded in the communities they serve. These are places often deeply impacted by HIV and poverty. Because these partners are locals, they have the deep networks necessary to find the most vulnerable people who might otherwise slip through the cracks.

The "Venture Capital" Approach to Aid

What I love about their model is that it feels almost like venture capital for social good. They do not just hand out massive checks to unproven entities. They utilize a "graduated grant structure". Investments typically start small, usually around £15,000 for a one-year project. As partners prove their ability to complete projects successfully, they unlock greater funding.

This is not easy to get into, either. Their selection criteria are incredibly rigorous. In fact, more than 90% of applicants are unsuccessful. They are looking for working models, significant results, and leaders with absolute integrity.

With our friend Desiree Almodovar

Transparency and "Proving It"

We often worry about where donation money actually goes. Egmont seems obsessed (in the best way) with transparency. They work directly with partners to scrutinize financial controls to ensure funds are used transparently. They rely on a combination of regular data reporting from partners and actual site visits by Egmont staff and Trustees to see the projects in action.

The numbers speak for themselves. Over the past twenty years, they have committed £13.2 million to local partners, supporting 465 locally owned projects. That investment has reached a staggering 1.06 million people.

A Hand-Up, Not a Hand-Out

The philosophy Claire drove home is that this is about sustainability. The goal is to challenge partners toward exit plans, ensuring that the most vulnerable are provided with a "hand-up and not a hand-out". Whether it is using the power of football to teach health information to adolescents or providing solar panels so children can study at home, the solutions are tailored to the specific community.

Leaving the Yale Club, I felt energized. Egmont Trust is not just fighting poverty. They are building an ecosystem of trusted, capable local leaders who are changing their own nations from the inside out. If you are looking for a place where your support yields real, measured, and permanent change, this is it.