At Segal Family Foundation, we believe in a world where development is steered by grassroots leaders and power is shifted into the hands of communities.
We work across Sub-Saharan Africa and strive to be true partners to our grantees. We want to change the power dynamics inherent in traditional philanthropy and prove that a new, more equitable, and responsive approach is not only more fair, but more effective.
Our Values
Be bold. We dream big and punch above our weight.
Build community. We create a space to inspire each other and celebrate one another.
Fight for fairness. We use our platform because we have power but others who are deserving do not.
Learn and innovate. We challenge the status quo…including our own.
Trust. We believe in one another.
History
After 40 years as the CEO and founder of the roofing materials company Bradco Supply, Barry Segal wanted to do something new. He retired from his successful business career and began exploring philanthropic opportunities.
Barry attended the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in 2006 and became excited about the opportunities available to do good. President Clinton encouraged Barry to narrow his focus in order to be most effective and influential with his funding.
Shortly afterwards, Barry traveled to Africa for the first time, visiting Rwanda in 2007. During the trip, he made a few key observations, which continue to guide the work of SFF:
- He saw really talented people who lacked opportunities. He wanted to give opportunities and appropriate resources to people in rural Africa, allowing them to change their communities for the better.
- He observed that many organizations in Africa are working to solve similar problems with little collaboration. He believed he could make an impact by investing in grassroots organizations run by talented leaders and by encouraging organizations to work together.
Segal Family Foundation began to support community-based organizations with the localized knowledge needed to create sustainable change in their communities. Over the years, SFF built a team based in the U.S. and Africa, involved a board of directors, and now supports over 250 partners across Sub-Saharan Africa. Watch this video to see how Barry Segal influenced the values and mission of SFF.
