E3 Initiative

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £459,479 (2023 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/relationship-based funding)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Southern Africa (South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini)

Contact Details

Website: www.e3initiative.org

Email: info@e3initiative.org

Phone: 01865 958463 / 07711705970

Address: Cornerstone, Fyfield Wick, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 5NB

UK Contact (Fundraising/Marketing): sarah@e3initiative.org

Overview

E3 Initiative is a UK-registered charity (No. 1092574) founded as iThemba AIDS Foundation by Dr. Monique Andersson and Andrew Davisson. With over 20 years of operation, the organization empowers local Christian partners to bring hope and enable sustainable development in communities affected by poverty and HIV in Southern Africa. In the financial year ending December 31, 2023, E3 Initiative had a total income of £349,620 and total expenditure of £459,479. The organization operates with exceptional efficiency, directing an average of 92.5% of expenditure to charitable activities on the ground in Southern Africa, with only 7.5% spent on operational costs. E3's approach centers on working exclusively through local churches and faith-based organizations, providing them with training, grants, resources, and ongoing support to address community needs sustainably.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

E3 Initiative makes grants to local church and faith-based partner organizations in Southern Africa. The organization does not publicly disclose specific grant amounts or funding tiers. Their grant-making is relationship-based rather than through open application processes.

Types of Support Provided:

• Core funding grants to partner organizations
• Sustainability loans for income-generating activities
• Training and capacity building (Emerging Leaders programme)
• Resources and project development support
• Monitoring and evaluation visits

Priority Areas

Emerging Leaders Programme: Training and mentorship for grassroots church and community leaders who lack access to effective support. Focus areas include HIV response, improving livelihoods, gender-based violence, and substance abuse. The programme includes “Pastors Connect” networks in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

HIV Support: HIV counselling and testing, medication and treatment adherence support, support groups for people living with HIV, and health clinics.

Education - Back to School: Support for orphaned and vulnerable children to access education (9,830 children supported in 2024).

Improving Livelihoods: Microfinance and Self-Help Groups empowering people living in extreme poverty, refugees, and people living with HIV to earn a living (6,870 people empowered in 2024).

Prison Ministry: Outreach in Zambian and Lesotho prisons providing spiritual support and practical essentials like toiletries, food, shoes, and Christian literature (5,456 inmates supported in 2024).

Gender-Based Violence Prevention: Community-based responses to gender-based violence (6,480 people reached in 2024).

Refugee Support: Addressing spiritual, social, and economic challenges faced by refugees through microfinance and education (1,844 refugees assisted in 2024).

Substance Abuse Intervention: Community-based substance abuse support (7,695 adults and children engaged in 2024).

What They Don't Fund

E3 Initiative does not fund:

• Organizations outside Southern Africa (specifically South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Eswatini)
• Non-faith-based organizations (they work exclusively with churches and Christian organizations)
• Organizations without transparent bookkeeping systems

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Governance and Leadership

UK Trustees

Trevor Finlay (Chairman): Financial services entrepreneur. Quote: “It is my personal hope that many more companies and businesses will support this vital work. Through E3, you have the opportunity to empower local people to transform their communities.”

Dr. Monique Andersson (Founder): Medical doctor specializing in virology and HIV medicine. Co-founded iThemba AIDS Foundation (now E3 Initiative) to provide an integral Christian response to HIV. Born and raised in South Africa, worked in both UK and South Africa.

Andrew Davisson (Treasurer): Founder and former Chairman of Entrust Foundation (now E3 Initiative). Former financial markets trader. Married to Monique since 1994.

Andy Fearon: Church leader with over 20 years involvement in different aspects of Christian leadership. First visited South Africa in September 2013.

Dr. Elisabeth Ling: Former GP who helped establish E3's work.

Richard Meryon: Former Royal Navy officer.

Tre Sheppard: Teaching and Associate Pastor of Causeway Coast Vineyard in Northern Ireland. Pastor and musician. Advocate and fundraiser for E3.

South African Leadership Team

Sinatra Matimelo (CEO, South Africa): PhD candidate researching migration and the church's role. Previously worked as a banker, church pastor, and school principal. Developed and leads E3's Emerging Leaders training programme.

Phumzile Zuma (Programmes Coordinator): Social Auxiliary Worker focusing on Back to School programme and gender-based violence support. Previously worked with survivors of gender-based violence.

Emmanuel Stambuli (Administrator, Part-time): Master's in Agriculture, PhD student. Passionate about food security.

Gloria Pele (Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Part-time): Former Back to School programme beneficiary with Honours Degree in Agricultural Sciences.

UK Staff

Sarah Smith (Marketing and Fundraising, Part-time): Background in charity marketing, develops communications and fundraising strategy.

Note: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity has no employees earning over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

E3 Initiative does not have a public application process. The organization states on their website: “We are not able to fund any new partner projects at the current time.”

E3 works through existing relationships with local church and faith-based partner organizations in Southern Africa. Their grant-making operates through trustee discretion and pre-existing partnerships rather than open solicitation.

Partnership Requirements

For organizations that do become partners, E3 requires:

• Transparent bookkeeping systems must be in place prior to funding
• Regular reporting once partnership is established
• Willingness to participate in monitoring and evaluation through site visits
• Alignment with E3's Christian faith-based approach

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available due to the relationship-based nature of their funding.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since E3 Initiative does not accept unsolicited applications and is not currently funding new partner projects, the following reflects their documented partnership approach:

Faith-Based Requirement: E3 works exclusively with local churches and Christian faith-based organizations. They believe local churches understand community needs and can respond sustainably.

Local Knowledge and Sustainability: E3 seeks partners who “understand the needs in their communities and can respond in a sustainable way.” Their approach centers on empowering local leaders rather than imposing external solutions.

Transparent Financial Management: Partners must have “transparent bookkeeping systems in place prior to funding.” This is a non-negotiable requirement.

Commitment to Sustainability: E3 provides sustainability loans and helps partners “find ways to become sustainable and resilient so they are no longer dependent on outside help.” Example: The Pastors' Economic Empowerment Project in Zambia achieved self-sustainability and no longer needs E3 financial support.

Capacity for Impact: In 2024, E3 partners directly supported over 46,913 people and impacted the lives of over 198,675 others. This demonstrates the scale of impact E3 expects from partners.

Training and Development Participation: E3's approach includes training through the Emerging Leaders programme and “Pastors Connect” networks. Partners must engage with capacity building, not just receive funding.

Accountability and Reporting: “Regular reporting and site visits ensure that the money continues to be well used.” Partners must be prepared for ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No current opportunities: E3 is not accepting applications for new partner projects at this time
• Faith-based only: E3 works exclusively with churches and Christian faith-based organizations in Southern Africa
• Relationship-based funding: Grants are made through existing relationships and trustee discretion, not open applications
• Exceptional efficiency: 92.5% of funds go directly to charitable activities, demonstrating strong financial stewardship
• Long-term partnership model: E3 provides ongoing support including training, resources, monitoring, and sustainability loans—not just one-off grants
• Sustainability focus: Partners are expected to work towards self-sufficiency through income-generating activities
• Geographic limitation: Only funds organizations operating in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Eswatini
• Financial transparency required: Transparent bookkeeping systems must be in place before funding begins

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales, E3 Initiative (Charity No. 1092574), Register of Charities. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3990679 []
• E3 Initiative website, “Contact us” page. Available at: https://www.e3initiative.org/contact-us []
• E3 Initiative website, Home page. Available at: https://www.e3initiative.org/ []
• E3 Initiative website, “Meet the team” page. Available at: https://www.e3initiative.org/meet-the-team []
• E3 Initiative website, “UK charity” page. Available at: https://www.e3initiative.org/uk-charity []
• E3 Initiative website, “Corporate partnerships” page. Available at: https://www.e3initiative.org/corporate []
• E3 Initiative website, “Emerging leaders” page. Available at: https://www.e3initiative.org/emerging-leaders []
• Charity Choice, “E3 Initiative | Climate Change - Environment Charities.” Available at: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/e3-initiative-11803 []
• Stewardship, “E3 Initiative.” Available at: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/e3_initiative []