Our purpose
We create educational and economic opportunities that enable children and young people to realise their potential. We do this through a combination of financial and hands-on support, underpinned by our belief in the role of business in supporting communities to thrive.
We believe in opportunity
We know it’s possible for children to break the cycle of dependence and welfare to become enterprising and fulfilled members of their communities. Our work is to unleash their capacity through investment in education and economic development.
We align ourselves with those who believe that people in privileged positions have a responsibility to give back to those less fortunate, and that doing so will unlock compassion and empathy. In every act of giving there is the experience of receiving which is critical to changing the world.
Our experience has shown that collaboration is the key to positive change. We believe that bringing organisations and communities together with a common goal results in sustainable, long-lasting improvements.
Today we work alongside our founding Corporate Partner, Kain Lawyers, and five long-term Community Partners to create opportunities for children and young people to become socially and economically independent. We currently focus our efforts on two long-term projects, based in Salisbury High School and schools across Uganda’s Lwengo and Masaka Districts, offering children and young people the opportunity and support needed to fulfil their potential.
We are also in the process of expanding our activities to Sydney and Melbourne in addition to Adelaide, following the success of Kain Lawyers which has now established offices in both cities.
We are a public ancillary fund with deductible gift recipient status.
Our history
In 2005, the Kain Foundation was established by South Australian business owner John Kain based on the premise that while working toward changing the circumstances of people in poverty, it was critical those assisting were empathised by their experience. Over the years we have strengthened this mission to put children and young people at the heart of what we do.
The Foundation has progressed a great deal since its inception; from humble beginnings, bringing together business employees to volunteer their time at the local soup kitchen to 2017 when the Foundation successfully completed its eighth Uganda Project trip, to launching an innovative and award winning 4-year program for Salisbury High School students in 2020.
To date we have raised over $2million in funds to support projects and facilitated thousands of hours of hands-on support to projects.
