The Sterling One Foundation

The Sterling One Foundation (SOF) is a private foundation founded in 2018 and operates mainly in Nigeria. The foundation is an initiative of the Sterling Bank, though operates as an independent body with its own structure and board of trustee. In 2022, it partnered with the United Nations in Nigeria to host the 2023 Africa Social Impact Summit in Lagos, Nigeria. It has also collaborated with the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria to launch the 2023 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.

Background and mission

The foundation commits to itemizing the various challenges facing Africa and propel solutions and methods in addressing them in a way that it would drive social impact across five sectors of the economy which include health, education, food security, gender equality and climate action. In 2021, with the creation of the first free crowdfunding platform in Africa known as giving.ng, it was given a CSR award in recognition of its role in social impact contribution to society.

History

The foundation was established in 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria with a mission to enhance healthcare access, increase education access, fight climatic change, empower women, and improve food security. Through its initiatives, the NGO has supported about 3,000 NGOs across Africa through capacity-building initiatives. In 2019, the foundation launched the crowdfunding platform, Giving.ng to help raised funds to support Nigerian NGOs. Through the Giving.ng platform, the NGO has over the years raised funds to support Nigerian NGOs, directly impacting the lives of over 2,000 individuals. In 2020, the foundation introduced the Health Workers Fund and initiated various other projects. These efforts have positively impacted over 1,000 lives, including 154 families. Moreover, the foundation has reached over 15 million people through its online and offline activities. In collaboration with the Nigerian Network of NGOs and Sterling Bank, the foundation in 2020 introduced Sterling CARES, Africa’s first free banking solution designed exclusively for the non-profit community. Currently, more than 150 organizations across Nigeria benefit from this free banking service. In 2020 and 2021, the foundation forged partnerships with over 21 organizations, collectively striving for positive change. These collaborations involved numerous dedicated volunteers and encompassed short-term, medium-term, and long-term projects. These initiatives focused on providing essential food and nutrition to families and less privileged, supporting the nation’s healthcare sector in its battle against the deadly Coronavirus, and designing and executing water, sanitation, and hygiene projects to benefit communities. In 2021, the NGO also provided essential support for the 26th edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit, themed ‘Building Partnership for Resilience.’ This event engaged more than 6,000 decision-makers from across Nigeria, both online and offline. In 2023, the organization announced partnership with the United Nations to host the 2023 Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) that held on 1t0h and 11th August in Lagos, Nigeria. The summit ushered in the UN and other stakeholders including leaders of NGOs, heads of government parastatals, international investors, private equity firms, as well as members of the general public who have deeply invested in the growth and progress of Africans. In 2024, the NGO also partnered with the UN and the Lagos state government to launch the ASIS summit in the state. In partnership with the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and other stakeholders, the foundation convened for the 10th annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality/Closing Gong ceremony hosted at the Nigerian Exchange Group on March 8 2024. The convention was to address the multifaceted challenges hindering Nigerian women from realizing their full potential while spotlighting existing opportunities for women to grow and thrive.