What John Keells Foundation does

John Keells Foundation (JKF) is the corporate social responsibility entity of John Keells Holdings PLC, Sri Lanka's largest listed conglomerate. Established around 2005 and headquartered in Colombo, JKF operates as a philanthropic foundation rather than a commercial enterprise, channeling a minimum of 1% of JKH's annual profits into social impact programs organized across four focus areas: Education, Community & Livelihoods, Social Health & Cohesion, and Biodiversity. Its flagship programs include the English Language Scholarship Programme (17,700+ beneficiaries since 2004), Project WAVE (1.9 million persons reached on gender-based violence since 2014), John Keells Praja Shakthi community empowerment, and the Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project. JKF does not charge for its services and has no commercial revenue stream; it functions as a programmatic vehicle that consolidates funding, partnerships, and volunteer mobilization for the JKH group.

JKF's beneficiaries mirror JKH's corporate footprint, with community programs implemented in and around the locations of the parent group's 70+ operating businesses across 7 industry sectors, including Elephant House factories, Keells supermarkets, Cinnamon Hotels, and transportation hubs. Programs are delivered through a hybrid model combining direct community engagement, business unit–led initiatives, and strategic partnerships with government agencies (Ministry of Health, Forest Department, University Grants Commission), universities (University of Moratuwa, University of Visual and Performing Arts), NGOs (ChildFund Sri Lanka, Ruk Rakaganno, Sri Lanka Red Cross), and corporate partners (Deutsche Bank, Dialog Axiata, Union Assurance). The foundation claims no proprietary technology platform; its distribution leverage comes from the parent's physical network and partner ecosystem rather than software. Persona-led go-to-market motion is community-led, with brand credibility reinforced by 17+ consecutive years of LMD's Most Respected Entity ranking for the parent group.

Name

John Keells Foundation

Legal name

John Keells Foundation

Website

https://johnkeellsfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

John Keells Foundation is the CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC, running education, community livelihood, social health, and biodiversity programs across Sri Lanka funded by a minimum of 1% of the parent group's annual profits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Social Responsibility Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (BPAGABAK)

Keywords

• Corporate social responsibility
• Community development programs
• Education scholarships
• Biodiversity conservation
• Disaster relief services

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Social Responsibility Funding: John Keells Foundation operates as the dedicated CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC. The Group allocates a minimum of 1% of annual profit to social responsibility initiatives. As a foundation, it does not generate commercial revenue but distributes funds received from John Keells Holdings for social impact programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

John Keells Foundation is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) entity of John Keells Holdings PLC, implementing community-focused programs across four pillars: Education (English Language Scholarship Programme, Digital Learning Initiative), Community & Livelihoods (Praja Shakthi, Rural BPO, sustainable farming, women entrepreneurship), Social Health & Cohesion (Project WAVE against gender-based violence, substance abuse prevention, Project Vision cataract surgeries), and Biodiversity (Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, Marine Conservation, Plasticcycle, Project Leopard). The foundation also operates Disaster Relief programs for crisis-affected communities across Sri Lanka.

Product overview

John Keells Foundation is the CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC operating as a philanthropic organization rather than a technology product company. Its offerings consist of CSR programs organized under four focus areas: Education (including English Language Scholarship Programme, Digital Learning Initiative, and SKIP), Community & Livelihoods (John Keells Praja Shakthi, Kala Pola), Social Health & Cohesion (Project WAVE, health campaigns), and Biodiversity (Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, Marine Conservation, Project Leopard). The foundation also operates Disaster Relief as a core program. These are social impact programs, not commercial technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project WAVE: Working Against Violence through Education - initiative to combat gender-based violence and child abuse through education and awareness creation.
• John Keells Praja Shakthi
• Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project

Products and services

• English Language Scholarship Programme
• John Keells Praja Shakthi
• Project WAVE (Working Against Violence through Education)
• Digital Learning Initiative
• Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project
• Disaster Relief Programme
• Project Vision
• SKIP (Skill into Progress)
• Rumassala Nature Field Centre
• Project Leopard
• Rural BPO Programme
• Sustainable Farming Programme
• Marine Conservation Programme
• Plasticcycle Programme
• Substance Abuse Prevention Programme
• Chairperson's Awards for CSR

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 17,700 youth benefited from English Language Scholarship Programme since 2004
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deutsche BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2021Deutsche Bank partnered with John Keells Foundation for the Digital Learning Initiative, providing funding and support for distributing Samsung tablets and data packages to disadvantaged students preparing for public examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 50 tabs were distributed to O'Level students in Ranala.
• Dialog Axiata PLCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDialog Axiata PLC partnered with John Keells Foundation providing data packages for the Digital Learning Initiative to facilitate online learning for disadvantaged school children. The partnership enabled connectivity for tablet distribution to O'Level and A'Level students.
• John Keells Office AutomationcoreTechnology or IntegrationJohn Keells Office Automation partnered with John Keells Foundation for the Digital Learning Initiative, providing technical support and devices for disadvantaged students in Colombo 02 and Ranala.
• Ruk Rakaganno (The Tree Society of Sri Lanka)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuk Rakaganno partnered with John Keells Foundation to implement the Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, aiming to restore 50-59 acres of degraded land in the wet zone near Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The partnership involves volunteer mobilization, native tree planting, and biodiversity conservation.
• Forest Department Sri LankacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest Department Sri Lanka partnered with John Keells Foundation for the Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, providing regulatory support and expertise for reforestation activities in the buffer zone of Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
• Cinnamon Hotels & ResortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCinnamon Hotels & Resorts partnered with John Keells Foundation to launch the Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, engaging guests in conservation efforts and providing naturalist-guided visits to the project site.
• Central Environmental AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Environmental Authority partnered with John Keells Foundation for the Rumassala Nature Field Centre public-private partnership, supporting environmental education and biodiversity awareness for school children.
• ChildFund Sri LankacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildFund Sri Lanka collaborated with John Keells Foundation to develop social and emotional skills of youth in Colombo 02 through aesthetic workshops including theatre, music, drawing, and dancing. The program engaged over 70 youth aged 15-24.
• Colombo Municipal CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombo Municipal Council partnered with John Keells Foundation and ChildFund Sri Lanka for youth development programs in Colombo 02, providing community space at the Child & Youth Friendly Centre.
• University of the Visual and Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of the Visual and Performing Arts conducted aesthetic workshops for youth in Colombo 02, providing expert instructors for theatre, music, drawing, and dancing lessons to enhance social emotional learning.
• Academy of Design (AOD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademy of Design partnered with John Keells Foundation to upskill Hikkaduwa batik artisans, providing design training to create upmarket products under the 'HIKKA BATIKS' brand.
• Bar Association Sri LankacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBar Association Sri Lanka collaborated with John Keells Foundation to conduct WAVE (Working Against Violence through Education) training sessions for police officers on gender-based violence and child abuse awareness.
• The Grassrooted TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Grassrooted Trust partnered with John Keells Foundation for Project WAVE, providing expert trainers like Hans Billimoria to conduct awareness sessions on gender-based violence and online safety.
• 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Keells Group contributed LKR 100 Million to the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service in Sri Lanka to strengthen emergency medical services.
• Foundation Supporting a National Trauma Service - Project BEAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Keells Holdings partnered with Project BEAP funding a Rs. 26 million Platinum Sponsorship for the construction of a 6,202 square metre Accident and Emergency Treatment Unit at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.
• Ministry of Health Sri LankacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry of Health partnered with John Keells Foundation for multiple health initiatives including the Batticaloa A&E unit construction and school screening programs for vision care.
• National Dangerous Drugs Control BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Dangerous Drugs Control Board partnered with John Keells Foundation for the Shiksha School Based Drug Prevention Program, sponsoring awards for all-island art and essay writing competitions.
• Marine Environment Protection AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine Environment Protection Authority collaborated with John Keells Foundation and Cinnamon Hotels for beach clean-ups commemorating National Coastal and Marine Resource Conservation Week.
• Sri Lanka Red Cross SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lanka Red Cross Society partnered with John Keells Foundation for well cleaning initiatives in flood-affected areas, providing technical and ground support for cleaning wells in Galle and Kalutara Districts.
• Gateway Language CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGateway Language Centre partnered with John Keells Foundation for the implementation of the English Language Scholarship Programme since 2004, providing language instruction to over 17,700 beneficiaries.
• Walkers Tours and Whittall Boustead TravelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKIP (Skill into Progress) programme was piloted among chauffeur guides of Walkers Tours and Whittall Boustead Travel as part of supplier upskilling initiatives.
• University of MoratuwacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Moratuwa partnered with John Keells Foundation for the Transportation Sector's English scholarship programme for first-year undergraduates of Transport and Logistics Management, empowering over 726 students since 2006.
• University Grants CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Grants Commission approved John Keells Foundation's awareness sessions on gender-based violence for State Universities through Career Guidance Units.
• State Universities Career Guidance UnitscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer Guidance Units at State Universities partnered with John Keells Foundation to conduct gender-based violence awareness sessions, including Technology Faculty of University of Ruhuna and University of Sri Jayawardenepura.
• Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD SL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA-PAD SL collaborated with John Keells Foundation for disaster relief coordination and distribution of essential supplies to flood-affected communities.
• Capital Maharaja OrganisationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital Maharaja Organisation collaborated with John Keells Group for flood relief efforts, operating collection centres and supporting distribution of relief packs to affected areas.
• Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (Elephant House)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCeylon Cold Stores PLC partnered with John Keells Foundation for multiple CSR initiatives including the Ranala Praja Shakthi program, COVID-19 relief, and PPE donations to hospitals.
• Hikka Tranz by CinnamoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHikka Tranz by Cinnamon partnered with John Keells Foundation for the Hikkaduwa women's entrepreneurship program, supporting batik artisans with training and market access.
• JayKay Marketing Services (Keells supermarkets)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKeells supermarkets partnered with John Keells Foundation for crisis response programs, distributing essential provisions and supporting flood relief efforts through collection points and matching contributions.
• Cinnamon Hotels & ResortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCinnamon Hotels & Resorts partnered with John Keells Foundation for multiple initiatives including beach clean-ups, disaster relief donations, and rainforest restoration projects.
• Tea Smallholder Factories PLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTea Smallholder Factories PLC assisted flood-affected communities near their factories through dry ration distribution and temporary shelter provision during 2017 flooding.
• Union AssuranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion Assurance supported flood relief efforts by providing paid leave for branch staff volunteering and coordinating dry ration donations to affected persons in Matara.
• South Asia Gateway TerminalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Asia Gateway Terminals partnered with John Keells Foundation to support the establishment of a Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
• Melstacorp PLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelstacorp PLC collaborated with John Keells Foundation for COVID-19 relief efforts including the establishment of testing facilities.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tata Trusts: India's largest corporate foundation, established by the Tata Group. Comparable as a long-tenured conglomerate-affiliated foundation operating across education, health, livelihoods, and environment, providing a regional benchmark for scale and program maturity.
• Infosys Foundation: CSR arm of Infosys, India's IT services major. Comparable as a corporate foundation with strong education, rural development, and healthcare programs, offering a model for technology-led and skill-development initiatives.

Direct peers

• MAS Foundation: CSR arm of MAS Holdings, one of Sri Lanka's largest apparel manufacturers. Comparable in operating an enterprise-linked foundation focused on education, environment, and community livelihood programs across Sri Lanka.
• Hemas Holdings Foundation: Sri Lankan corporate foundation of Hemas Holdings, operating CSR programs across education, health, and community development. Most direct peer as another major Sri Lankan conglomerate-affiliated foundation with similar thematic focus areas and partnership model.
• Dialog Foundation: CSR arm of Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka's largest telecommunications company. Comparable as a corporate-affiliated foundation with strong education and digital inclusion programs, and also an active JKF partner.
• Brandix Foundation: CSR entity of Brandix Apparel, one of Sri Lanka's largest apparel exporters. Directly comparable as a corporate-affiliated foundation running education, community, and environmental initiatives tied to a major conglomerate's business footprint.
• Hayleys Foundation: Corporate foundation of Hayleys PLC, a diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate. Directly comparable as another large conglomerate-affiliated CSR entity running education, environment, and community programs in Sri Lanka.

Emerging players

• A-PAD Sri Lanka: Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Sri Lanka, a humanitarian coalition. Directly comparable through overlap with JKF's Disaster Relief program and documented partnership via flood relief coordination.
• UNICEF Sri Lanka: UN agency operating in Sri Lanka across child protection, education, and gender-based violence. Comparable in operating programs (e.g., Project WAVE overlap) that address similar beneficiary segments and could compete for donor funding and partnerships.
• Sri Lanka Red Cross Society: National humanitarian organization with overlapping programs in disaster relief, health, and water/well sanitation. Comparable as a disaster relief and social health partner/peer with which JKF actively collaborates (e.g., well cleaning initiatives).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/johnkeellsfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/JohnKeellsFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/johnkeellsfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about John Keells Foundation