OUR STORY
The Dame Hilary Cropper Foundation, a UK-registered charity, was established by Dame Hilary and her husband, Peter, in 2004. They set up an endowment fund to benefit young, disadvantaged
South Africans, thanks to their love of the country and its people
Dame Hilary was a successful businesswoman, who, as head of one of the fastest-growing and most successful companies in the Information Technology sector in the 1990's, more than earned her impressive reputation. As Chief Executive of Xansa plc, she led the company to a successful flotation on the London Stock Exchange and pioneered an innovative approach to outsourcing, including the first UK acquisition of an Indian technology company.
She served as a director of Barclays Bank and the Post Office, and her accomplishments were recognised in the award of her Damehood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2004. Sadly, she died shortly afterwards following a brave fight against cancer.
THE STORY SO FAR
Established in 2004, the Foundation initially provided financial and strategic support to local organisations (NGO’s) throughout the country. We have worked closely with a small number of like-minded partners and our support has helped to empower disadvantaged children, teenagers, and young adults by providing care, shelter and education. Typically providing funding for a minimum of a three-years, our financial contributions have been supplemented with practical support from the Trustees to help each organisation achieve its goals to the greatest effect.
Through our strong relationships with NGOs and many years' experience working with their beneficiaries in the South African context, the Trustees gained a genuine insight into two of the key challenges faced by young people: the struggle to gain a worthwhile education and the barriers they face in accessing employment once they have completed their studying. As a result, the Trustees have fine-tuned their strategy and now direct their efforts towards youth development as a focal point for the Foundation's activities.
As part of that journey, in 2012 the Foundation established the Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA), dedicated to addressing the skills and personal development needs of young South Africans in the Cape Winelands.
More recently, whilst continuing to support PYDA, the Foundation has returned to its roots, supporting a small number of hand-picked organisations doing amazing work to improve the lives of disadvantaged young South Africans.
With our focus on improving the lives of young South Africans by giving them the means to be financially self-sufficient, our activities will help to launch talent for the future and make a real difference to those who need it most.