Amy Foundation Trust (formerly Amy Biehl Foundation Trust)

What Amy Foundation Trust (formerly Amy Biehl Foundation Trust) does

Amy Foundation Trust is a South African non-profit organisation (founded 1993, formerly Amy Biehl Foundation Trust) delivering youth development programmes in Cape Town township communities. It runs three core programmes: an After School Programme serving approximately 1,400 children aged 6-18 weekly across six township-based centres (Mimosa Primary, Cedar Primary, Bongolethu Primary, Siyazingisa Primary, St Mary's Primary, Bonteheuwel High School); a Youth Skills Development (YSD) Programme that delivers a three-month vocational course for NEET youth aged 18-35 in hospitality, sewing and design, beauty and wellness, and handyman/technical skills, operating from its own premises in Sybrand Park, Athlone since 2015; and a Vocational Skills Training Programme for grades 10-12 covering greening, debating, career guidance, and coding. The foundation has no proprietary technology product and does not deploy AI/ML; its core capability is in-person programme delivery, employer partnership management (12 Apostles Hotel, Vineyard Hotel, Protea Hotel, Cafe Frank, MLT Tours), and arts enrichment partnerships (UCT Dance, Jazzart, Zama Dance, Cape Town Opera, Norval Foundation).

Revenue is generated entirely from non-commercial, donation-led sources: individual and corporate donations accepted in ZAR via South Africa, USD via Chapel and York US Foundation, GBP via UK Fund for Charities, and EUR via Stichting Amy Nederland / Givengain; branded merchandise sales through a WooCommerce online shop at amyfoundation.co.za/shop (products R50-R400+); Amy Cultural Tours priced at R450-R600 per person for half-day, full-day, and bistro experiences; annual gala dinners (e.g., Rainbow Radiance Gala 2025 at Century City Conference Centre); and author-donated book sales (Kevin Chaplin, Aviva Pelham, Eric Jenkinson, Marchien Timmerman, Roxy Marosa). The foundation is governed as a Trust, led by Managing Director Kevin Chaplin (a former 26-year bank director who rescued the organisation from bankruptcy), with a Cape Town headquarters at 2 Dagbreek Street, Sybrand Park and a recently established international fundraising chapter, Stichting Amy Nederland, in Eindhoven (deployed 19 February 2025).

Name

Amy Foundation Trust (formerly Amy Biehl Foundation Trust)

Legal name

Amy Foundation Trust

Website

https://amyfoundation.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Amy Foundation Trust is a South African non-profit (founded 1993) running after-school enrichment, vocational training, and youth skills development programmes for ~1,400 children weekly and NEET youth across Cape Town townships, funded by donations, retail, tours, and an international fundraising chapter.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), After-School Enrichment & Activities Facilitation (Arts/STEM/Clubs) (HSAAAHAD)

Keywords

• Youth development programmes
• After school education
• Vocational skills training
• Nonprofit community services
• Township cultural tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The foundation raises funds from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and international supporters. It accepts donations via its website in South Africa, USA, UK, Netherlands, and via debit order globally. Bank details are provided for direct transfers.
2. Online Shop (Merchandise and Products): The foundation operates an e-commerce shop selling branded merchandise including bracelets, jewelry, keyrings, apparel (aprons, bucket hats), bags, wallets, books, wine, ointments, and placemats. Products are sourced from its own skills development programmes (e.g., sewing workshop products) and third-party authors/donors.
3. Amy’s Cultural Tour: The foundation generates revenue from township cultural tours — Half Day (R450/person) and Full Day (R600/person) — as well as lunch-only bistro experiences (R450 for 3-course, R350 for 2-course). A Amy Foundation bracelet is gifted to each attendee.
4. Book Sales: The foundation sells books (including titles authored by Kevin Chaplin, Eric Jenkinson, Aviva Pelham, Marchien Timmerman, and Roxy Marosa) through its online shop. Authors donate a portion of proceeds to the foundation.
5. Gala Dinners and Charity Events: Annual gala dinners (e.g., Rainbow Radiance Gala 2025 at Century City Conference Centre) and charity dinners (e.g., Amy Charity Dinner in the Netherlands) serve as major fundraising events, raising significant sums through ticket sales, auctions, and donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Amy Foundation Trust is a non-profit organisation that delivers youth development programmes to vulnerable children (ages 5–18) and unemployed youth (ages 18–35) in Cape Town township communities. Its core offerings include an After School Programme providing academic, arts, sports and life-skills enrichment to approximately 1,400 children weekly across six centres; a three-month Youth Skills Development vocational training programme covering hospitality, sewing, beauty and handyman skills; and a Vocational Skills Training Programme for high school students in grades 10–12. Revenue is generated through donations, an online merchandise shop, and township cultural tours.

Product overview

Amy Foundation is a non-profit organization (NPO) focused on youth development and empowerment in South Africa. The organization offers a portfolio of programmes and services: the After School Programme providing enrichment activities for children ages 5-18 from vulnerable communities; the Youth Skills Development Programme offering 3-month vocational training courses for NEET youth aged 18-35; and the Vocational Skills Training Programme for high school students in grades 10-12. The Foundation also operates an Online Shop selling handmade crafts, books, accessories, and merchandise to fund its initiatives, and provides Cultural Tours of the townships. The programmes include disciplines in hospitality, sewing and design, beauty and wellness, and handyman/technical skills, delivered through various centres in Cape Town townships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• After School Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,400 children served weekly across all after-school programmes
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sponsors of Rainbow Radiance Gala 2025coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 November 2025Key sponsors and partners for the November 8, 2025 Rainbow Radiance Gala Dinner and Auction at Century City Conference Centre included Century City Conference Centre, Multi-Media, Peninsula Beverages, Druk My Niet, MLT, Photobooth Inc., Rosy's, 4 Every Event, Spier, Spur, and KFC.
• Norval FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025The Norval Foundation in Tokai, Cape Town, hosted art museum visits for Amy Foundation learners from Bonteheuwel in July–August 2025. Over 800 learners (ages 11–15) from multiple primary and high schools experienced art exhibitions, sculpture gardens, and cultural enrichment. This partnership is part of the foundation's holistic youth development approach.
• Stichting Amy NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2025Amy Foundation Netherlands (Stichting Amy Nederland) was officially established on February 19, 2025, in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Its purpose is to raise funds for Amy Foundation South Africa projects. Alger Vissers is chairman; Herman Matheij is secretary. Charity dinners organized by this chapter have raised significant sums (e.g., €7,765 auction at May 2025 dinner; €19,886 total raised at April 2026 dinner).
• Delta Air LinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Delta Air Lines partnered with Century City Conference Centre and The Amy Foundation during Mandela Month (July 2024) to prepare 1,500 meals for disadvantaged youth participating in the After School and Youth Skills Development programmes. This was an in-kind support partnership providing food and volunteer effort.
• Century City Conference CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Co-partnered with Delta Air Lines and The Amy Foundation during Mandela Month 2024 to prepare meals. Serves as the primary venue for the annual Rainbow Radiance Gala Dinner and Auction. Listed as a key sponsor of the gala.
• UCT School of DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCT School of Dance lecturer Maxwell Rani provides African Contemporary Dance lessons to 30 Amy Foundation learners every Saturday. This arts partnership enriches the After School Programme's performing arts offerings.
• Jazzart Dance StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJazzart Dance Studios offers masterclasses and performance opportunities to Amy Foundation learners as part of the After School Programme's arts and culture offerings.
• Cape Town Opera / UCT College of MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCape Town Opera provides Amy Foundation learners with opportunities to attend final dress rehearsals of opera productions. UCT College of Music provides related musical enrichment as part of the performing arts programme.
• South African Schools Shakespeare FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe festival allows Amy Foundation learners to perform a play each year and provides workshops for drama facilitators. This supports the drama component of the After School Programme.
• Zama DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZama Dance provides ballet lessons to Amy Foundation learners three days per week, supporting the ballet component of the arts and culture programme.
• Eric Jenkinson (Management Solutions Ltd)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEric Jenkinson, Principal of Management Solutions Ltd (global consulting firm with offices in Bermuda and the UK), is a brand ambassador and long-standing supporter of the Amy Foundation. He authored the book 'Moving Horizons' sold through the foundation's shop. He has organized and led a Sports Academy for township children.
• Aviva PelhamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviva Pelham, a renowned South African opera singer, has directed the Amy Foundation's annual Fundraising Gala for 16 consecutive years. She authored 'My Musical Odyssey' (15% of all book sales donated to the foundation) and assists music classes, especially the choir. She co-directed the Rainbow Radiance Gala 2025.
• 12 Apostles Hotel and SpacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner12 Apostles Hotel and Spa is a key development partner providing internship and employment opportunities for Amy Foundation graduates. Alumni placed here include Akhona (Employee of the Year 2016), Sisipho (front office), Avuyile (housekeeping), and others. The hotel also assisted alumnus Akhona in obtaining hearing aids.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: South African non-profit focused on bridging the gap between unemployed youth and employer demand through skills training, soft skills, and job matching. Directly comparable to Amy Foundation's Youth Skills Development Programme, though operating at much larger national scale.
• IkamvaYouth: South African non-profit providing after-school tutoring, mentorship, and career guidance to learners from under-resourced communities. Operates across multiple townships including Khayelitsha, Nyanga, and Gugulethu — the same communities as Amy Foundation — making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Afrika Tikkun: South African non-profit offering integrated youth development programmes (early childhood development, after-school care, skills training, and entrepreneurship) for vulnerable children and youth. Its cradle-to-career model closely mirrors Amy Foundation's integrated pipeline.
• Salesian Life Choices: Cape Town-based youth development non-profit providing life skills training, vocational programmes, and youth camps for at-risk youth from similar Cape Town township communities, with comparable youth development and employment-readiness programming.
• The Silulo Foundation: South African non-profit providing ICT skills training, entrepreneurship, and life skills to unemployed youth and township entrepreneurs. Comparable to Amy Foundation's vocational training focus, particularly for NEET youth.

Emerging players

• Room to Read: International non-profit focused on literacy, girls' education, and youth skills development across multiple low-income countries including operations in South Africa. Comparable in youth education and life skills focus, though at significantly larger geographic and operational scale.

Broad incumbents

• SOS Children's Villages South Africa: Established international non-profit operating in South Africa providing family-based care, education, and youth empowerment for vulnerable children. Comparable in mission but operates at much larger national scale across multiple care modalities.
• Save the Children South Africa: International NGO with South African operations supporting children's rights, education, and youth development. Comparable in beneficiary focus and education/youth development mission, with significantly larger institutional scale.

Regional players

• Ray of Hope: Cape Town-based non-profit supporting children, youth, and families through education, feeding schemes, and skills programmes. Operates in similar Cape Town township geographies with overlapping beneficiary profiles.
• Baphumelele Children's Home: Cape Town-based non-profit supporting vulnerable children through residential care, early childhood development, and community outreach. Operates in similar Cape Town townships with overlapping youth beneficiary profiles.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/amybiehl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCO5offeJ_8lZh4gyLFwGM3Q/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/216282421728038
• Instagraminstagram.com/amyfoundationsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amyfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Amy Foundation Trust (formerly Amy Biehl Foundation Trust)