Meet Cheruiyot: Leveling up LEA's capabilities in nonprofit resource mobilization

Spotlight on Cheruiyot Elkanah, Fundraising and Grants Coordinator at LEA Client Services.

Let's start with some very important facts

There are 11,624 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in Kenya alone. In 2020, these NGOs received KES 158 Billion in funding. While this sounds like a lot, most organizations still struggle to meet their financial obligations.

There is a lot of money out there, most organizations simply do not know how to get to it

Globally, grants account for 10% of all nonprofit funding. We have a theory that this relatively low fraction is because qualifying for grants is a little bit more complicated than simply appealing to people's altruistic nature. Grants are awarded on merit not need. Grants help non-profits facilitate urgent, positive, and lasting change across different communities. The journey to getting awarded requires an experienced and strategic partner.

Enter Cheruiyot, leading LEA's fastest-growing department

Cheruiyot joined LEA in April this year to set up the grants department. Why did it take us 6 years to establish this department? - That's another question for another interview. This article is about Cheruiyot. A 29-year-old young man who has already done his time in politics and retired. More public servants should be like Cheruiyot (LOL).

6 years ago, a few months after graduating with a BSc. in Disaster Management and International Diplomacy, Cheruiyot landed his first job as Fundraising & Partnership Administration Officer at the National Youth Senate. In this role, he acknowledged that despite being the largest demographic, Youth in Kenya are grossly under-represented politically, economically, and socially. He also realized that only youth can understand and act on youth-related problems.

Naturally, Cheruiyot's career took off in this government space, later working in the National Youth Council and thereafter the National Assembly of Kenya. In these government agencies, he managed empowerment programs and spearheaded policy developments and amendments that enhanced diversity and inclusion. One particular initiative Cheruiyot is proud of is an empowerment and peace program he spearheaded in Narok North Constituency. An area marred with the ethnic conflict between the Kalenjin and Masai communities propagated by political reasons.

Cheruiyot was the right pick for Grants and Fundraising Manager thanks to his obvious passion for impact coupled with strengths in resource mobilization, proposal writing, donor management, and leadership! His department has expanded the company's portfolio to include work promoting diversity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ and Special Needs communities.

Keep pushing!