Partners For Equity is an Australian nonprofit organisation established in 2015 to support local NGOs in disadvantaged communities globally. Backed by a consortium of Australian funders, including family, corporate, and community foundations, the organisation focuses on providing long-term funding and partnership to grassroots initiatives in sectors such as education, healthcare, human rights, and disaster reduction[2][5].

History

Founded in 2015, Partners For Equity operates with a model centered on direct collaboration with community-based organisations in developing regions, particularly in Africa and South Asia. Its approach emphasizes early-stage funding for local leaders, multi-year commitments, and capacity-building support to help partners scale their impact[1][4].

Activities and Impact

The organisation partners with NGOs to implement programs addressing systemic challenges. Examples include:

• LakeHub: Collaborated with France-based 01 Talent to launch tech training programs in Kenya, graduating 100 apprentices in its inaugural cohort[1].
• Food for Education: Supported school meal initiatives in Kenya, focusing on sustainability and scalability[1].
• One Heart Worldwide: Partnered to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare in rural Nepal through training and infrastructure development[1].
• Integrate Health: Assisted community health worker programs in Togo, emphasizing primary care access[1].
• CIYOTA: Funded a refugee-led secondary school in Uganda’s Kyangwali settlement, one of only two in the region[1].

Governance

Partners For Equity is led by directors including Marnie Rickards, Anubha Rawat, Mark Cubit, and Marcus Fazio, with oversight from a team based in Australia and Africa[2]. The organisation operates under a unique funding structure where 100% of donor contributions are directed to partners, while administrative costs are covered by founding family foundations[2][5].

Funding Model

The nonprofit channels all donor funds directly to its partners, distinguishing itself by covering operational expenses through separate foundation support[2][5]. This structure aims to maximize transparency and ensure resources reach frontline initiatives[4].

Sectors and Regions

Primary focus areas include disaster resilience, education, healthcare, sanitation, and human rights, with geographic emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia[4][5].

[1] https://partnersforequity.org [2] https://partnersforequity.org/who-we-are/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/b6b22868-3aaf-e811-a960-000d3ad24282/profile [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/b6b22868-3aaf-e811-a960-000d3ad24282/documents/7d23078f-cd29-e911-a979-000d3ad05ad0 [5] https://www.developmentaid.org/organizations/view/595263/partners-for-equity