Cida Foundation UK

CIDA was built on innovative ideas put into practice to create solutions for things most people thought impossible. And no offer is too small –we are looking for people to help us with everything from pitching in to pay for a student's education, to finding the capital to buy and build facilities. So how can you or your company help? Here are some ideas, but it doesn't stop there. Why not tell us yourself how you think you could help?

Volunteer your time and have the time of your life

CIDA is a wonderful place to work and to learn. We have professionals from all over the world come to give master classes, seminars and guest lectures. You or your staff could give so much to people by giving them real-life perspectives on areas such as business, IT, marketing, human resources and personal development. You'll find you leave having learned a lot yourself.

Build for the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs

CIDA is very lucky to have received capital donations of an overwhelming range. But we have grown so much since our beginnings in 2000 that we need to find funding for more residences to house students, we need to build more classroom space and we need to cover running costs. If you have big vision, talk to us.

Help us grow by improving our resources

Incredibly kind people have donated everything from campus buildings and switchboard equipment to paper and suits for students to wear to interviews. You could make a huge difference by donating or funding things such as computers, broadband access or audio-visual equipment.

Teach one, teach one thousand

At CIDA all students participate in our community outreach programme, "Extranet". That means they go back to their communities during holidays and teach at a local school. In this way thousands of people learn about money management basics, small business creation and HIV/AIDS health awareness. You can help make sure CIDA can afford to run this programme.

Sponsor the Life Skills Programme. Reach into a life

Every year CIDA gets thousands upon thousands of applications it has to turn away because some students simply are not up to taking on the degree offered. To address this, CIDA has created a 6-month training programme where students are taught basic vocational and academic skills, allowing some to attend the University the following term, and some to go straight into a vocational profession. With your help, we can give these students a chance too.

Contribute to the Venture Capital Fund.

In 2006 CIDA opened the doors of the Branson School of Entrepreneurship at CIDA, designed to produce entrepreneurs and leaders at CIDA. All students now have to start businesses, and some will go on to specialise in entrepreneurship. Those who develop a promising business plan will have access to incubator space and guidance so that they can actually get their businesses up and running in their final year at CIDA, with support after they graduate as well.

CIDA has a Seed Fund to provide capital-- small amounts for first year students and larger amounts to students in the incubator. While the Seed Fund already has around £500,000, we still need your support to sustain it.