Non-profit

Rift Valley Institute (RVI)

Website:

riftvalley.net/

Type:

Nonprofit Research Group

Formation:

2001

Executive Director:

Mark Bradbury

Location:

Unit 107 Belgravia Workshops,

Marlborough Road

London, England

Budget (2022):

Revenue – £3,933,426
Expenses – £3,905,835

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The Rift Valley Institute is a nonprofit research organization headquartered in the United Kingdom. The organization was founded during the 1983-2005 civil war in Sudan, and operates in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, and South Sudan. 1 2

The organization receives most of its revenue from government grants and grants from private foundations such as the Open Society Foundations, Sigrid Rausing Trust, and Carnegie Corporation of New York. 3 4 5

Background

The Rift Valley Institute (RVI) is a nonprofit research organization founded in 2001 in Sudan. It studies and advocates on policy solutions to social and political issues within Central and Eastern Africa. 6

The organization was founded during the 1983-2005 civil war in Sudan, and its first project was centered around “war-related abduction and enslavement” during that time. RVI, alongside partner organizations, researches peace processes, elections, and the judicial systems of Sudan and South Sudan, as well as other countries in Africa. The organization operates in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, and South Sudan, although it is headquartered in the United Kingdom where it is recognized as a registered charity. 7 8

Financials

The Rift Valley Institute receives most of its revenue from contributions, gifts, and grants by private grantmaking foundations and government grants and contracts. RVI had a total gross income of approximately £2.6 million (around $3.2 million) in 2021, most of which came in the form of contributions, gifts, and grants from governments and other organizations, of which around £1.1 million (around $1.3 million) were from government grants. Just under £100,000 (approximately $125,000) came from government contracts. Rift Valley Institute’s total expenditure in 2021 amounted to just under £2.6 million (around $3.2 million), £2.3 million (around $2.8 million) of which was spent on charitable activities. 9

Rift Valley Institute’s total revenue increased dramatically in 2022 when its total gross income amounted to around £3.9 million (approximately $4.9 million). Out of its total income, most of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants, RVI received approximately £121,000 (around $152,000) from government contracts, and around £2.5 million (a little more than $3.1 million) from government grants. RVI’s total expenses amounted to approximately £3.9 million (around $4.9 million), £3.4 million (around $4.2 million) of which was spent on charitable activities. 10

Funding

The Rift Valley Institute receives most of its revenue from government contributions, gifts, and grants but it also receives funding from private grantmaking foundations. 11

The Open Society Foundations (OSF; formally Open Society Institute) is a private grantmaking foundation created and funded by billionaire financier and liberal philanthropist George Soros. OSF granted RVI $375,000 in 2012 to establish an office in South Sudan, and to strengthen RVI’s office in Kenya. OSF also granted RVI $130,000 in 2017 as part of its Open Society Fellowship to “provide support for a special fund for the executive director.” 12 13

The Sigrid Rausing Trust is a grantmaking organization that provides funding for several programs that support efforts towards defending human rights, protecting marginalized populations from violence and discrimination, and environmental advocacy. The organization granted RVI a total of £100,000 (around $125,000) between 2005 and 2007. 14 15

The Carnegie Corporation of New York is a left-of-center grantmaking organization created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911, although the organization has since deviated from his beliefs. The organization granted RVI $400,000 in June 2020. 16

References

  1. “About RVI – Rift Valley Institute.” April 29, 2024. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://riftvalley.net/about/.
  2. “RIFT VALLEY RESEARCH LIMITED (Rift Valley Institute).” Charity Commission. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5019178/governance.
  3. “Open Society Foundations – Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=rift+valley+institute&grant_id=OR2017-35529.
  4. “Grants Database.” Carnegie Corporation of New York. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.carnegie.org/grants/grants-database/?q=Rift%20valley%20institute&per_page=25.
  5. “Rift Valley Institute.” The Sigrid Rausing Trust. January 1, 2005. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.sigrid-rausing-trust.org/grantee/rift-valley-institute/.
  6. “About RVI – Rift Valley Institute.” April 29, 2024. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://riftvalley.net/about/.
  7. “About RVI – Rift Valley Institute.” April 29, 2024. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://riftvalley.net/about/.
  8. “RIFT VALLEY RESEARCH LIMITED (Rift Valley Institute).” Charity Commission. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5019178/governance.
  9. “RIFT VALLEY RESEARCH LIMITED – Financial History.” Charity Commission. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5019178/financial-history.
  10. “RIFT VALLEY RESEARCH LIMITED – Financial History.” Charity Commission. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5019178/financial-history.
  11. “Open Society Foundations – Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=rift+valley+institute&grant_id=OR2017-35529.
  12. “Open Society Foundations – Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=rift+valley+institute&grant_id=OR2017-35529.
  13. “Open Society Institute – Form 990-PF 2012.” Foundation Center. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/137/137029285/137029285_201212_990PF.pdf.
  14. [1] “Rift Valley Institute.” The Sigrid Rausing Trust. January 1, 2005. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.sigrid-rausing-trust.org/grantee/rift-valley-institute/.
  15. “What we do.” The Sigrid Rausing Trust. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.sigrid-rausing-trust.org/what-we-do/.
  16. “Grants Database.” Carnegie Corporation of New York. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.carnegie.org/grants/grants-database/?q=Rift%20valley%20institute&per_page=25.
  See an error? Let us know!