We first began making charitable grants in 2002 and established the Vitol Foundation in 2006. In 2017, we supported 148 projects in 72 countries around the world, making 96 new grants.
Since inception, the focus has been on enabling children living in deprivation to escape the cycle of poverty and reach their potential in life. To this end, the Vitol Foundation supports projects that fall under four programme areas that are critical to a child’s development: Health, ‘WASH’ (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods. It also responds to humanitarian emergencies with trusted partners.
The Vitol Foundation considers its grants as investments and looks for programmes with the potential to generate a social and economic return in a sustainable way. It supports initiatives globally and independently of business activities. It does not accept unsolicited applications.
For further information please contact us at Foundation@vitol.com
The Health Portfolio prioritises projects that support Universal Healthcare Access with a focus on improving equitable access to quality primary healthcare in the public sector, without excluding the role of the private sector in healthcare delivery where appropriate.
We target projects that:
In 2017 the Foundation supported 36 health projects in 29 countries and made 21 new grants. Of the health budget, 81% was spent in Africa, 10% in Asia, 7% in Europe and North America and 2% in Latin America.
Our WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Programme focusses on countries with low access to safely managed water and sanitation services, and low uptake of safe hygiene practices. The overall aim is to improve the coverage, equity and sustainability of safe WASH services and practices.
We target projects that:
In 2017 the Foundation supported 30 WASH projects in 36 countries and made 21 new grants. Of the WASH budget, 60% was spent in Africa, 15% in Asia, 13% in Latin America, 5% in the Middle East and 2% in the Pacific.
Our Education Programme includes early years, primary and secondary education. We support projects that strengthen the education sector and promote access to quality education.
We target projects that:
In 2017 the Foundation supported 28 Education projects in 17 countries and made 22 new grants. Of the Education budget, 75% was spent in Africa, 18% in Asia, 4% in Europe and 2% in Middle East.
Our Enterprise & Livelihoods portfolio aims to break cycles of poverty by supporting interventions that strengthen market systems, promote enterprise development and create employment.
We target projects that:
In 2017 the Foundation supported 32 livelihoods projects in 40 countries and made 21 new grants. Of the Livelihoods budget, 70% was spent in Africa, 13% in Asia, 13% in the Middle East and 3% in Latin America.
Our Emergency Programme supports communities in the aftermath of natural disasters and human conflict. Our ability to release funds almost immediately has set the Vitol Foundation apart over the years.
We aim to:
In 2017 the Foundation supported 12 new emergency grants. Of the Emergencies budget, 21% was spent in Africa, 24% in Asia, 53% in the Middle East and 2% in Europe.
In addition to direct support from the Foundation, Vitol Group employees have raised significant funds for large-scale emergencies and we are extremely proud of the commitment and support of Vitol staff around the world.
The Vitol Foundation supports a number of initiatives that encourage staff to become more involved with philanthropy, including:
We regularly communicate to staff on Foundation investments and encourage staff to visit projects and suggest new charity partners.
The Vitol Group and Vitol Foundation are proud sponsors of the Street Child World Cup, which is taking place in Moscow in 2018, following on from Rio in 2014. Every office supported a street child country team to help them prepare and travel to the tournament in Moscow and, most importantly, to sustain legacy programmes that will transform the lives of many more street children back home for years to come.