The boardrooms and banking halls of I&M Group have long been associated with financial growth, but five years ago, the institution made a calculated investment in a different kind of currency: social capital. This week, the I&M Foundation, the Group’s philanthropic arm, returned its dividends, not in cash, but in powerful human stories, at a celebratory event at Strathmore University marking its fifth anniversary.
The event was less a corporate presentation and more a living tapestry of impact. The real headlines weren’t in the speeches, but in the faces of the young beneficiaries who stood as testament to the Foundation’s mission. Their stories gave life to the four strategic pillars—Environmental Conservation, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Enabling Giving—transforming them from concepts into lived reality.
The Ripple Effect of a Promise
Founded in 2020 with a commitment to dedicate 2% of I&M Bank Kenya’s annual profit before tax, the Foundation embedded a core tenet of sustainability into its business model. This wasn’t to be sporadic charity, but a strategic, long-term investment in Kenya’s future.
One of the most poignant threads in this tapestry was woven by scholarship recipients. Students, who once saw higher education at institutions like Strathmore University as a distant dream, shared their journeys from aspiration to achievement.
In another session, the spirit of entrepreneurship, nurtured through partnerships with The King’s Trust International and Asante Africa Foundation, took center stage. Young entrepreneurs didn’t just talk about business plans; they spoke of newfound confidence, self-reliance, and the ability to become job creators in their own communities.
More Than Trees: Planting Legacy
Beyond empowering youth, the Foundation’s vision extends to the very environment Kenyans live in. A standout initiative is ‘Project Imarisha Ngong Forest,’ a multi-year partnership with the Kenya Forest Service.
This project moves beyond simple tree-planting to a holistic mission of restoring and developing a crucial urban green space, ensuring a healthier ecosystem for generations to come. It’s a physical manifestation of the Foundation’s pledge to build lasting, sustainable change.
For Mr. Eric Kimani, Chairman of the I&M Foundation, the anniversary was a moment for both reflection and recommitment. “True impact isn’t about handouts; it’s about hand-ups,” he shared. “Our model has always been to work through strategic, on-the-ground partnerships. This ensures our initiatives are not imposed but are community-led and community-owned. We don’t want to just be a funder; we aim to be a catalyst.”
This sentiment was echoed by the Head of the Foundation, Mr. James Gatere, who looked firmly to the future. “The stories we heard today are our most valuable metric. They are the proof of a philosophy that believes in deep, meaningful impact. Our work is far from over. We are doubling down on our efforts to conserve our environment, equip our youth with future-ready skills, and foster economic resilience across the nation.”
As the celebrations concluded, the message was clear: the I&M Foundation’s first five years were about proving a concept—that corporate Kenya can be a powerful engine for social good. The next five will be about scaling that proof, weaving its threads even deeper into the fabric of the nation, empowering communities to build their own legacy of positive change.