Philanthropy

The philanthropic journey of Allan and Gill Gray began in 1979 with the establishment of a charitable trust aimed at supporting organizations addressing social and economic challenges in South Africa. This commitment expanded with the founding of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation in 2005, created to combat poverty and unemployment by educating and nurturing high-impact South African entrepreneurs. Its sister non-profit, Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy South Africa, was later established to further strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem through grantmaking and the incubation of targeted social ventures.

In 2015, the establishment of the Allan & Gill Gray Foundation marked a significant milestone, providing a global platform for the philanthropic activities pursued under the Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies banner.

The Philanthropies provide targeted support to organizations working toward human dignity, equitable opportunity, and the public good. Their approach to evaluating purposeful leadership and long-term thinking among prospective grantees and partners is informed by principles from the investment management sector, alongside a deep appreciation for the human and personal nature of philanthropic work and its impact.