Uweza Foundation

What Uweza Foundation does

Uweza Foundation is a community-based nonprofit organization founded in 2008 and headquartered in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya, with a US mailing address in New York. The organization delivers integrated youth empowerment programming through five core offerings: the Sponsorship Program (602 cumulative school years for 102 students since inception, including 21 first-generation university attendees), Bright Futures (support for young mothers including financial literacy, vocational training, and the Female Fundis initiative training women in non-traditional trades), Golden Girls Power (girls' empowerment with safe spaces and life skills), Uweza Art Gallery (artist development and sales of Kibera-based artwork), and Uweza Soccer Academy (sports-based life skills and mentorship for boys and girls). All programs are designed and implemented by Kibera residents and delivered primarily through the Uweza Community Center (launched 2011) and the recently opened Hazina House facility.

The foundation's revenue model relies on donations, institutional grants from a small set of named partners (including Junior League of Evanston-North Shore, Project Kenya, Super Cosmetics, and corporate donors such as Kofisi Africa, Kuzi Trading Company, and Naivas Supermarket), and modest earned income from the Uweza Shop e-commerce storefront (uwezashop.com) selling original artwork and artisan products. Marketing and donor engagement are driven through social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), email newsletter, the WordPress website, virtual and in-person events, and earned media coverage in outlets including Vogue, Daily Nation, and NTV Kenya. The organization has no proprietary technology platform, no mobile application, and no disclosed API or digital infrastructure beyond standard web and social channels; it maintains an academic research partnership with Utrecht University (seven Master's interns hosted since 2019) for impact evaluation.

Name

Uweza Foundation

Legal name

Uweza Foundation

Website

https://uwezakenya.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Uweza Foundation is a community-based nonprofit founded in 2008 in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya that empowers children and youth through education scholarships, arts, soccer, girls' programs, and economic empowerment for young mothers, funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Foundation/NGO & Philanthropic Scholarships (EDAIAOAH), Education Partnerships for Equity, Inclusion & Gender (EDADALAF), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• Youth empowerment programs
• Community development
• Educational scholarships
• Arts and sports training
• Girls empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Uweza Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization generating revenue primarily through donations from individuals, organizations, and institutional grantmakers who support its youth empowerment programs in Kibera, Kenya.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Uweza Foundation delivers integrated youth empowerment programs for children, youth, and young mothers in Kibera, Kenya, across five pillars: academic scholarships (Sponsorship Program), young mothers' financial independence (Bright Futures), girls' empowerment (Golden Girls Power), soccer-based life skills (Uweza Soccer Academy), and artisan art training and sales (Uweza Art Gallery). Programs are delivered in person at the Uweza Community Center and Hazina House, with an online Uweza Shop selling artwork from Kibera-based artists.

Product overview

Uweza Foundation operates a multi-program youth empowerment organization in Kibera, Kenya. The organization offers five core programs: Bright Futures (supporting young mothers with financial independence through business support, scholarships, and vocational training), Golden Girls Power (girls' empowerment with life skills and mentorship), the Sponsorship Program (academic scholarships for 102 students across 602 school years), Uweza Art Gallery (artistic training and sales platform for Kibera artisans), and Uweza Soccer Academy (sports program providing education and mentorship opportunities). These programs are delivered through the Uweza Community Center and Hazina House facilities, all focused on empowering children and youth to pursue better futures through talent development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Uweza Soccer Academy: Soccer program providing opportunities for education, life skills, mentorship, and sports participation for children and youth in Kibera
• Uweza Art Gallery
• Bright Futures
• Golden Girls Power
• Uweza Shop

Products and services

• Bright Futures A Uweza Foundation program supporting young mothers in Kibera with financial independence and self-sustainability through entrepreneurship support, scholarships, daycare assistance, and vocational training (sewing, electrical repair, plumbing, mechanics).
• Golden Girls Power A girls' empowerment program providing safe spaces, life skills, mentorship, and educational opportunities designed to address challenges faced by girls in Kibera including early pregnancy, peer pressure, and limited educational opportunities.
• Sponsorship Program Academic scholarship program that has provided 602 cumulative school years for 102 students since 2008, supporting education from primary through university level for sponsored students in Kibera.
• Uweza Art Gallery Art program and gallery showcasing Kibera-based artisans, selling original artwork, prints, and printed products while providing artistic training and income opportunities.
• Uweza Soccer Academy Sports program using soccer as a vehicle to provide education, life skills, mentorship, and opportunities for youth in Kibera, with both boys' and girls'/women's teams.
• Uweza Shop Online and physical shop selling Uweza Art Gallery artwork and artisan products, featuring Kibera-based artists such as Kelvin, Bahati, Murrel (art pots), LooksLike Avido (fashion), and Millionah Arts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of scholarship participants expressed positive emotions in their current situation through drawings, annotating 'hopeful with a good plan' and 'happy'
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Saskia (Award-winning Photojournalist)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Award-winning photojournalist and creator of photography workshops that bridge divides and support healing. Facilitated Phase 2 of mindfulness photography training over three weekends with photo walks through Kibera.
• Vanessa KastnerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Documentary photographer based in London who facilitated Phase 1 of the mindfulness photography workshop for Bright Futures program participants. Introduced photography as a tool for mindfulness, observation, and personal storytelling.
• Kuzi Trading CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023A Kenyan company passionate about African products. Uweza artists Kelvin, Bahati, and Murrel created a limited edition line of art pots. Kuzi donates all proceeds from sales to the artists and Uweza's programs. Available at Kuzi's website and Village Market shop.
• Kofisi AfricaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Kenyan co-working space company that has purchased more than 200 pieces of Uweza artwork to decorate their spaces around Nairobi. Hosted Paint & Sip teambuilding events featuring Uweza artists. Featured in a Kofisi Africa film about Uweza.
• Novozymes KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Hosted a Paint & Sip teambuilding event led by Uweza's artists at their Kenya office, combining painting activities with dining and engagement with Uweza artists.
• OAM StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Partner for the second Paint & Sip event held at Kofisi Africa's Karen location, supporting Uweza artists and art programming.
• Naivas SupermarketminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Kenyan supermarket chain that donated sanitary pads distributed to Uweza's Golden Girls, Bright Futures, and girls soccer program participants on Menstrual Hygiene Day.
• Girl Aid FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Partnered with Uweza to donate sanitary pads for distribution to women and adolescent girls at Uweza on Menstrual Hygiene Day.
• Lookslike Avido (David Avido)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Fashion designer and Kibera-based artisan David Avido, known as Lookslike Avido, creates fashion pieces and has collaborated on free mask distribution (11,663 masks) featured in Vogue magazine. Featured in Uweza's virtual art show and Uweza Shop.
• Super CosmeticsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Invested in Uweza's education programs by supporting sponsored students through their educational journey.
• Millionah ArtsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2020Kibera-based artisan collective featured in Uweza's virtual art show and available through Uweza Shop. Products sold in the USA via the Uweza website.
• Safe Hands Kenya (Tiba Ni Sisi)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2020A COVID-19 response coalition focused on distributing free hand sanitizer, soap, face masks, and surface disinfectants. Uweza participated in door-to-door soap distribution to soccer players' families and coordinated with 11 partner organizations to distribute 1,870 bars of soap across Kibera.
• FieldtalkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2020Made a generous rice donation enabling Uweza to distribute food to 36 men's and women's senior soccer team players and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Project KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019Supports the Bright Futures sewing and tailoring course taught by fashion designer David Avido. Three-month courses for young mothers and women's soccer team members covering sewing basics with products sold locally and abroad to generate income.
• Junior League of Evanston – North ShorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019A US-based women's volunteer organization that partners with Uweza's Bright Futures program to support the Female Fundis initiative, providing vocational training opportunities for young women in trades not traditionally 'feminine' such as electrical repair, plumbing, and mechanics. Also supported the Business Accelerator program.
• Utrecht UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Since 2019, seven Master's students have interned at Uweza, conducting research on program impact and the situation of youth in Kibera. Research covers areas such as empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, and art program contributions to youth development. Findings have been published in academic papers and inform program improvements.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ubuntu Life Foundation: Community-based Kenya/UK nonprofit supporting education and economic empowerment of children and mothers. Comparable to Uweza's Bright Futures and sponsorship approach.
• Moving the Goalposts: Kilifi-based Kenyan NGO using soccer as a vehicle for girls' empowerment, health education, and economic opportunity. Closely comparable to Uweza Soccer Academy and Golden Girls Power.
• Kakenya's Dream: Kenya-based nonprofit focused on girls' education, leadership, and health in rural communities. Directly comparable for the Golden Girls Power program and girls' sponsorship model.
• Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO): Kibera-based nonprofit operating schools, health clinics, and economic empowerment programs for slum residents. Most directly comparable peer given shared geography, integrated service model, and youth/women focus.
• African Education Foundation: Africa-focused education nonprofit funding scholarships and school infrastructure for underprivileged youth. Comparable to Uweza's Sponsorship Program model.
• Carolina for Kibera: Founded in 2001, CFK runs youth sports (soccer leagues), education scholarships, and health programs in Kibera. Strongly comparable for the Uweza Soccer Academy and Sponsorship Program overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Plan International Kenya: Global NGO with active Kenya country office running girls' rights, education, and youth programs. Comparable beneficiary focus but as a much larger incumbent.
• Free The Children / WE Charity: Large international youth-empowerment organization with education and development programs including Kenya. Comparable mission and donor base but much broader scope and global footprint.

Emerging players

• Grassroots Soccer: International nonprofit using soccer to deliver health and life-skills education to adolescents. Comparable sports-as-platform model to Uweza Soccer Academy, but globally distributed rather than single-settlement focused.

Regional players

• Kibera Community Development Agenda: Local Kibera community-based organization running youth empowerment and livelihood programs in the same settlement as Uweza. Relevant peer for local competitive context, though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UwezaKenya
• Facebookfacebook.com/uweza
• Instagraminstagram.com/uwezakenya
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uweza-foundation

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 Uweza Foundation