The Foundation

The Community Foundation for the Western Region of Zimbabwe

The Community Foundation for the Western Region of Zimbabwe (CFWRZ) is a non-governmental organization formed in 1998.
It arose from a community collective savings programme known as Qogelela. The Foundation was launched with a small endowment from Qogelela contributed by over 50 000 community members in the Western Region of Zimbabwe. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life of the economically disadvantaged communities mainly in Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Midlands provinces.

The CFWRZ is the first grant-making Community Foundation in Zimbabwe. It supports and mobilizes resources for development initiatives coming from the rural communities. CFRWZ operates in three of the country’s least developed provinces of Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and the Midlands with a combined population in excess of three million. However, the provinces, though in need of accelerated development programmes, are rich in the cultural heritage of their peoples and have untapped potential as investment hubs. The provinces are endowed with mineral and natural resources that are ideal for selected agricultural production, livestock rearing and a wide range of manufacturing activities.

Realising the importance of building bridges between the communities we work with and the donors who support them, the CFWRZ is involved in fulfilling its mandate of enabling disadvantaged communities better themselves through the following services:

• Resource Development - The CFWRZ mobilizes resources with the aim of building adequate permanent reserves to serve all members of the community. Hence it places a high priority in raising endowment funds, receiving, administering and investing them prudently.
• Donor Agency - The CFWRZ provides services tailored to meet humanitarian needs and interests of donors who are keen to contribute towards the betterment of communities.
• Grant Making - The CFWRZ gives grants to community-based organizations to support community-based initiatives meant to close the gap in the delivery of essential services such water, education, shelter and health care.
• Community Leadership - The CFWRZ serves as a community facilitator for joint action on all community projects to attract the participation of national and international donors.