Actis Acts Cio

Charity Number: 1176455

Annual Expenditure: £1.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Charity Number: 1176455
  • Annual Giving: US$1,170,000 committed (23 grants across 21 portfolio companies)
  • Geographic Focus: International (13 countries where Actis operates)
  • Grant Focus: Charitable activities linked to Actis investee companies
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via application form

Contact Details

Address: 2 More London Riverside, London SE1 2JT

Phone: 020 7234 5000

Email: actisacts@act.is

Website: www.act.is/people/actis-acts/

Overview

ACTIS ACTS CIO is the charitable foundation of Actis, a global sustainable infrastructure and private equity investment firm. Launched in 2018 and registered as a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1176455), the foundation was established to support charitable activities linked to Actis' investee companies, partnerships with charities operating in Actis countries, and local charities nominated by Actis offices. The foundation has committed US$1,170,000 across 23 grants to support projects in 21 portfolio companies spanning 13 countries. Actis Acts operates with a broad mandate covering themes including education, gender equality, skills development, entrepreneurship, capacity building, health, environment, financial inclusion, and provision of essential infrastructure, with a focus on leaving positive and sustainable impacts on communities surrounding Actis investments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with three primary funding streams:

  1. Charitable Activities Linked to Actis Investee Companies: Primary focus area supporting projects connected to companies in Actis's investment portfolio
  2. Partnerships with Charities in Actis Countries: Supporting established charities operating in regions where Actis has investments
  3. Local Charities Nominated by Actis Offices: Supporting community organizations nominated by Actis's regional offices

Application Method: Rolling basis via downloadable application form

Priority Areas

Actis Acts has a broad mandate to provide funding across multiple themes:

  • Education: Skills development and job readiness training
  • Gender Equality: Empowering women and girls
  • Health: Community health initiatives and pandemic response
  • Environment: Environmental sustainability projects
  • Financial Inclusion: Access to financial services for underserved populations
  • Essential Infrastructure: Basic services and community facilities
  • Entrepreneurship: Business development and capacity building
  • Community Development: Supporting marginalized and disadvantaged groups

The foundation places particular emphasis on projects that:

  • Have clear, measurable outcomes
  • Benefit underserved populations (marginalized groups, youth, women/girls, indigenous people)
  • Demonstrate engagement from Actis investee companies
  • Show potential for scale and sustainability
  • Make unique contributions that wouldn't happen without support

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus on Actis-linked activities suggests limited funding for:

  • Organizations with no connection to Actis operations or investee companies
  • Projects outside regions where Actis operates
  • Individual funding requests
  • Political activities
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Brian Chinappi (Chair): Partner and Head of Asia Real Estate at Actis LLP, joined Actis in 2018 through the sale of Standard Chartered Bank's Principal Finance Real Estate group
  • Davi Mota: Trustee
  • Murray Grant: Trustee (also noted as lead independent Trustee in some sources)
  • Natalie Kolbe: Trustee and Partner at Actis

The board composition reflects Actis's investment expertise and commitment to sustainable development in emerging markets.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review Application Materials: Download the Application Process document from the Actis website (act.is/people/actis-acts/)
  2. Complete Application Form: Fill in the Actis Acts Application Form (available as downloadable Word document)
  3. Submit Application: Send completed form to actisacts@act.is
  4. Queries: Contact actisacts@act.is for any questions about the application process

The application operates on a rolling basis - there are no fixed deadlines.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation evaluates applications based on six key dimensions that assess project impact.

Success Rates

With 23 grants committed across US$1,170,000 to 21 portfolio companies, the foundation demonstrates active grant-making. Specific success rates or total application numbers are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Six Key Selection Criteria: Actis Acts evaluates all grant applications across six dimensions:

  1. Intended Outcome: What is the desired impact? (e.g., improve health, empower females, provide job readiness training)
  1. Engagement of Investee Company: The level of monetary commitment and time/resources the Actis Portfolio Company is contributing toward the proposal
  1. Scale and Sustainability of Impact: Long-term potential and reach of the project
  1. Who Benefits: Focus on underserved beneficiaries including marginalized groups, disadvantaged populations, youth, women/girls, and indigenous people
  1. Unique Contribution/Additionality: What unique value does Actis Acts' contribution provide that wouldn't exist otherwise?
  1. Risk Assessment: Evaluation and mitigation of potential risks

Demonstrated Success Examples:

  • Food Lover's Market Partnership (South Africa): With Actis Acts funding and support, Food Lover's Market partnered with Food Forward food bank and the Kolisi Foundation to scale impact. By encouraging customers to buy donated food items matched by suppliers, they expanded from feeding 200,000 to 400,000 daily beneficiaries, feeding 7,350 people monthly.
  • COVID-19 Response Projects: Energy infrastructure platforms provided sanitation kits, water access in underserved areas, and training programs. Azura platform trained local people to make soap using local products, then package, market and sell it - creating both immediate health benefits and sustainable income.

Strategic Guidance:

The foundation seeks to “leave a positive and sustainable impact on the communities surrounding our investments,” indicating that:

  • Connection to Actis investee companies strengthens applications
  • Sustainable, long-term impact is valued over short-term fixes
  • Community-centered approaches that empower beneficiaries are preferred
  • Projects that combine immediate relief with capacity building are particularly attractive

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Actis Connection is Critical: The strongest applications will demonstrate clear links to Actis investee companies or operations in Actis markets. Contact Actis offices or investee companies about partnership opportunities before applying.
  • Emphasize Investee Company Engagement: Highlight monetary commitments, time, and resources that Actis portfolio companies are contributing. Joint applications or letters of support from investee companies strengthen proposals.
  • Focus on Underserved Beneficiaries: Clearly articulate how your project serves marginalized groups, disadvantaged populations, youth, women/girls, or indigenous people.
  • Demonstrate Sustainability and Scale: Show how the project creates lasting change and has potential to grow or be replicated.
  • Articulate Unique Value: Explain what wouldn't happen without Actis Acts funding - the “additionality” of the grant.
  • Use Rolling Deadlines Strategically: With no fixed deadlines, take time to develop a strong application and build relationships with relevant Actis offices or investee companies before applying.
  • Align with Actis's Sustainable Development Mission: Frame projects within broader themes of sustainable infrastructure, economic development, and community empowerment that align with Actis's investment philosophy.

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