PACOS Trust
PACOS Trust is a Sabah-based NGO registered in 1997 that supports approximately 40 indigenous tribes across 19 districts through community organizing, land rights advocacy, early childhood education, youth vocational training, and social enterprises including a kindergarten, nature farm, and cafe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersDonggongon, Penampang, Malaysia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What PACOS Trust does
PACOS Trust is a community-based non-governmental organization registered under Chapter 148 of the Trustees Ordinance in Sabah, Malaysia, formally established in 1997 and operating in indigenous community development since 1987. Its functional mission is to organize, educate, and economically empower approximately 40 indigenous tribes across 19 districts and 27 geographical areas of Sabah, with selected programming also reaching Sarawak through a network of 20 active Community Learning Centres. Core activities span community organizing and capacity building over 24-month cycles, customary land rights (NCR) advocacy, sustainable natural resource management (including the traditional tagal fish conservation system), early childhood education, youth vocational training, nature farming, and cultural preservation of traditional knowledge.
The organization's core "products" are operational programs rather than technology platforms: Guwas Koposizon Centre (GKC) delivers a 2-year SEEDS experiential entrepreneurship and agriculture program for marginalised youth aged 15-25; Kivatu Nature Farm (KNF) acts as a model farm, seed bank, and composting training site; Sinaran Ria (Suausindak) Kindergarten delivers preschool education under the National Preschool Standard Curriculum (KSPK) and has graduated over 1,295 students in 27 years; Hinompuka Cafe promotes traditional Sabah cuisine; and 20 active Community Learning Centres serve as kindergarten, library, and community hub infrastructure. PACOS Trust does not develop proprietary technology; its digital footprint (website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, quarterly Makitaak newsletter, and free-downloadable publications) is used for communications and storytelling rather than as a technology product surface.
The business model is donation and grant funded, supplemented by modest social-enterprise revenue. Primary revenue is contributions from volunteers, individual donors, and institutional funders from within and outside Malaysia, including the EU-funded EN V Fund and Asian regional bodies such as AIPP and NTFP-EP. Secondary revenue streams are unit-priced retail transactions: Hinompuka Cafe (RM6-RM17 per meal set; catering bookings) and Kivatu Nature Farm composting training (RM70-RM85 per participant; RM100-RM200 trainer fees). The GKC SEEDS program and community capacity building are provided free of charge. The organization has approximately 15 employees and ~80 local volunteers, no parent company, no institutional investors, no funding rounds, and no patents or trademarks. It was recognized with the Star Golden Hearts Award 2023.
PACOS Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PACOS Trust
- Legal name
- PACOS Trust
- Website
- https://pacostrust.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PACOS Trust is a Sabah-based NGO registered in 1997 that supports approximately 40 indigenous tribes across 19 districts through community organizing, land rights advocacy, early childhood education, youth vocational training, and social enterprises including a kindergarten, nature farm, and cafe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PACOS Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)
Keywords
Where PACOS Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Donggongon, Penampang
- HQ country
- Malaysia
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
PACOS Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Financial contributions come from volunteers themselves, individuals, and funders from within and outside the country. These funds finance the implementation of PACOS Trust's programs and activities, including community organizing training, CLC operations, socio-economic development projects, and land rights advocacy.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Set A — 2 types of kuih-muih + 1 type of hot drink |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Set B — 3 types of kuih-muih + 2 types of hot drink |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Set C — 5 types of kuih-muih + 3 types of hot drink |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Breakfast — Fried Rice or Mee + 1 dish |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Lunch/Dinner buffet — steamed rice, 2 vegetables, 2 dishes, fruit, syrup or orange juice, sky juice |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Tea Break — 1 type of hot drink |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Composting Training at Kivatu Nature Farm (KNF) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Composting Training outside KNF (Penampang/Kota Kinabalu area only) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
PACOS Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PACOS Trust is a community-based non-governmental organization that supports indigenous communities in Sabah, Malaysia through community organizing, capacity building of community organisations, early childhood education, youth entrepreneurship training, nature farming, customary land rights advocacy, and social entrepreneurship. It operates affiliated programs including the Guwas Koposizon Centre (GKC) for youth training, Kivatu Nature Farm (KNF) as a model farm and learning centre, Sinaran Ria (Suausindak) Kindergarten, Community Learning Centres (CLCs), and Hinompuka Cafe.
Product overview
PACOS Trust is a community-based organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs supporting indigenous communities in Sabah. The organization operates several core programs: Guwas Koposizon Centre (GKC) provides non-formal entrepreneurship and agriculture training for youth; Kivatu Nature Farm (KNF) serves as a model farm and learning center; Sinaran Ria (Suausindak) Kindergarten offers early childhood education; Hinompuka Cafe promotes traditional cuisine; and Community Learning Centres (CLC) provide educational and community spaces. Supporting these are the Makitaak Newsletter and various publications documenting indigenous knowledge. The organization was registered under Chapter 148 of the Trustees Ordinance (Sabah, Malaysia) in 1997 and has been actively involved with indigenous community development since 1987.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Guwas Koposizon Centre (GKC) SEEDS Program A non-formal education centre offering 2-year (with 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year options) experiential and entrepreneurship development training for marginalised youth aged 15-25, covering eco-friendly agriculture, livestock farming, communication, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The program is free of charge and recruits through outreach programs and referrals.
- Kivatu Nature Farm (KNF) A model farm, learning centre, and seed bank that practices and transmits traditional and innovative nature farming knowledge to children, youth, and adults. Offers composting training packages on-site at KNF (RM85/pax) and off-site in Penampang/Kota Kinabalu area (RM70/pax).
- Sinaran Ria (Suausindak) Kindergarten A community kindergarten providing preschool education to children aged 4-5 years following the National Preschool Standard Curriculum (KSPK) with integrated traditional knowledge and Kadazandusun cultural programs. Recruits children through the local community and has graduated over 1,295 students in 27+ years.
- Hinompuka Cafe A cafe and catering service located at Taman Flash Gordon, Donggongon, that promotes and preserves traditional Sabah ethnic cuisine using organic ingredients. Offers unit-priced meal sets (RM6-RM17) and catering bookings for events.
- Community Learning Centres (CLC) Community-established educational centres providing kindergarten education for children aged 4-6, as well as functioning as libraries and venues for community meetings, workshops, and relief activities. Operates 20 active centres across Sabah and Sarawak.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 3,000 students graduated from community kindergartens, many now pursuing education at colleges and universities in Malaysia
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PACOS Trust
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
PACOS Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
PACOS Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- JoasminorJoas is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- TonibungminorTonibung is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- Forever SabahminorForever Sabah is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- KLFminorKLF is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- COACminorCOAC is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- SAVE RIVERSminorSAVE RIVERS is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- SASOFminorSASOF is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- SADIAminorSADIA is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- AIPP (Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact)minorAIPP is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section. AIPP is a regional alliance of indigenous peoples' organisations in Asia.
- NTFP-EP (Non-Timber Forest Products — Exchange Programme)minorNTFP-EP is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
- EN V Fund (EU-funded)minorEN V Fund, funded by the EU, is listed as a partner organisation on PACOS Trust's website partner section.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PACOS Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP): Regional alliance of indigenous peoples' organizations across Asia. Comparable as an indigenous rights and capacity-building network; PACOS Trust is a listed partner organization.
- Non-Timber Forest Products - Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP): Asia-wide network supporting community forestry and indigenous NTFP enterprises. Directly comparable in indigenous community-based natural resource management, and a listed PACOS Trust partner.
- Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS): Sabah-based research and community development institute focused on sustainable development and indigenous livelihoods in Borneo. Comparable as a Sabah-based community development and natural resource organization with similar rural community focus.
Direct peers
- Forever Sabah: Sabah-based sustainability platform working on conservation, climate, and community resilience. Closely comparable to PACOS Trust as both operate in Sabah with indigenous and community-led sustainability programs, and Forever Sabah is a listed partner of PACOS Trust.
- SAVE Rivers: Sarawak-based network advocating for indigenous rights and protection of rivers against mega-dams. Direct peer in indigenous rights advocacy and community organizing in Malaysian Borneo, and a listed PACOS Trust partner.
- Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS): National network of indigenous peoples' organizations in Peninsular Malaysia. Directly comparable as a pan-Malaysian indigenous rights advocacy network; PACOS Trust is a listed partner through JOAS.
- TONIBUNG: Sabah-based social enterprise and NGO promoting renewable energy and sustainable livelihoods with indigenous communities. Comparable as a Sabah-based community-led social enterprise with overlapping volunteers and partners.
- Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC): Peninsular Malaysia-based NGO focused on Orang Asli (indigenous) rights, customary land, and community organizing. Comparable mission and advocacy profile to PACOS Trust's work in Sabah, and a listed partner.
Emerging players
- Partners of Community Organizations (PACOS) Foundation, Philippines: Philippine-based NGO focused on indigenous peoples' rights in Mindanao, sharing the same 'PACOS' acronym and origins. Directly comparable mission and explicit inspiration for PACOS Trust's 'Guwas Koposizon Centre' ('Source of Life' model).
- Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM): Malaysian NGO working on environmental education, conservation, and community engagement. Comparable as a Malaysian NGO with environmental and community-education programming overlap, though national rather than Sabah-focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PACOS Trust social profiles
Digital presencePACOS Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PACOS Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
PACOS Trust subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
PACOS Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PACOS Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PACOS Trust
What does PACOS Trust do?
PACOS Trust is a community-based non-governmental organization that supports indigenous communities in Sabah, Malaysia through community organizing, capacity building of community organisations, early childhood education, youth entrepreneurship training, nature farming, customary land rights advocacy, and social entrepreneurship. It operates affiliated programs including the Guwas Koposizon Centre (GKC) for youth training, Kivatu Nature Farm (KNF) as a model farm and learning centre, Sinaran Ria (Suausindak) Kindergarten, Community Learning Centres (CLCs), and Hinompuka Cafe.
Is PACOS Trust a public or private company?
PACOS Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PACOS Trust founded?
PACOS Trust was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PACOS Trust based?
PACOS Trust is headquartered in Donggongon, Penampang, Malaysia, in the Asia region.
How does PACOS Trust make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are PACOS Trust's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Non-Timber Forest Products - Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) and Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS). Direct peers are Forever Sabah, SAVE Rivers, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), TONIBUNG and Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC). Emerging players are Partners of Community Organizations (PACOS) Foundation, Philippines and Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM).
Does PACOS Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for PACOS Trust.
What industry is PACOS Trust in?
PACOS Trust's product category is Community Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAC, Land Trusts & Protected Areas. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8600.