Adsum Foundation

The Adsum Foundation, a Belfast-based charitable foundation established in 2008, is dedicated to breaking the cycle of extreme poverty in rural Madagascar's most deprived communities, particularly in the south and remote areas plagued by malnutrition, poor water access, sanitation issues, and climate insecurity. Initially supporting projects in various developing countries, it now focuses exclusively on Madagascar due to its acute under-representation in global aid. Core values—partnership, sustainability, empowerment, and long-term impact—guide its work through collaborations with locally embedded NGOs like Feedback Madagascar, Money for Madagascar, and TASC Madagascar, ensuring cultural relevance and enduring change. Uniquely, it channels 100% of public donations directly to projects, with administration funded separately.

It prioritises three thematic areas: education (school construction, resources, and access for children); health (water/sanitation infrastructure, malnutrition relief, disease prevention); and sustainable livelihoods (wells, resource management training, community self-sufficiency). Beneficiaries are marginalised rural children, families, and villages, with grants funding capital projects, targeted programmes, and capacity building for systemic improvements like water committees and school assessments.

Eligible partners are typically small to medium-sized UK-registered charities or Malagasy NGOs with proven grassroots operations in rural Madagascar; there are no income thresholds but a strong preference for those demonstrating sustainability and impact. Adsum does not accept unsolicited applications—instead, trustees proactively select and approach aligned organisations on an ad hoc basis, with no deadlines or fixed rounds. Grants range from £10,000 to £50,000 per project, excluding core costs, unrestricted funding, or non-Madagascar/emergency activities outside priorities. This invite-only, partner-focused model distinguishes Adsum through its hyper-local specialisation, rigorous partner vetting, and commitment to measurable, community-owned transformation in neglected regions.