U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit
3 programmatic countries in 2024–2025
Who we are
Local roots. Regional vision. Community-led change.
Diar Foundation is a women-led, U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose grassroots work began in 2003 at Mayo IDP Camp in Khartoum, Sudan, under the name Diar for Rehabilitation and Development Association (DRDA). The U.S. organization was registered in February 2012. Today, we connect an international headquarters in Colorado with locally rooted leadership, programs, and partnerships across East Africa.
Our goal is not simply to deliver activities. We help people strengthen the knowledge, skills, productive resources, leadership, relationships, and opportunities needed to shape and sustain their own futures.
Vision
A future where every child can learn, every family can thrive, every woman can lead, every young person can realize their full potential, and every community can build a prosperous, resilient, and self-reliant future.
Mission
To empower people and transform communities by closing the gap between development actors and the communities they serve, expanding access to education and opportunity, strengthening local capacity and leadership, and advancing community-led solutions that address the root causes of poverty. We equip individuals, families, and communities with the knowledge, skills, resources, voice, and economic opportunities needed to become active participants and owners of their own development—moving from poverty and dependency toward dignity, productive livelihoods, economic participation, resilience, prosperity, and long-term self-reliance.
Mandate
To be a socio-economic empowerment platform for vulnerable members, particularly women and youth, in the countries where we work.
Values
These values guide how we work with communities, partners, and one another.
2024–2025 impact at a glance
Program work is reported in South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya. Regional engagement also connected partners in Sudan.
From vulnerability to capability, ownership, and self-reliance
Our work begins by listening to communities and understanding local realities. We then strengthen knowledge, confidence, leadership, practical skills, and readiness before connecting people to productive opportunities, enterprise, agriculture, savings, markets, and locally appropriate resources. Mentoring, monitoring, learning, and accountability continue as communities take increasing responsibility for sustaining progress.
Listen and assess
Empower and educate
Build skills and leadership
Connect to productive opportunity
Mentor and measure
Strengthen ownership
Advance self-reliance
Integrated solutions for lasting change
Poverty and vulnerability are interconnected. Our programs, therefore, connect social protection, human development, economic opportunity, local leadership, and resilience, rather than treating each challenge in isolation.
Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
Seeds, skills and food security so families can feed themselves
Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment
Entrepreneurship, business skills, savings, and livelihood diversification.
Women’s Leadership & Gender Equality
Skills, safety, and economic independence for women and girls.
Education & Youth Development
School, protection, and a safe path out of poverty for children.
Child Protection & Family Well-Being
Safety, care, and family support so children can grow and learn.
Climate, WASH & Community Resilience
Land, water, and community practices that protect livelihoods as the climate shifts.
Peacebuilding & Social Cohesion
Dialogue, inclusive participation, and peaceful coexistence.
Institutional Strengthening & Local Capacity
Leadership, governance, and organizational effectiveness with local partners.
Where we work
Diar Foundation combines a U.S. institutional base with locally rooted implementation and partnerships in East Africa. Our 2024–2025 programmatic work is reported in South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya, with regional engagement and partnership connections in Sudan.
South Sudan
Programmatic
Food security, agriculture, livelihoods, child protection, community resilience, and the 21-farm network.
Uganda
Programmatic
Women farmers, livelihoods, enterprise pathways, family well-being, child protection, and community development.
Kenya
Programmatic
Aquaculture, nutrition, farmer organization, livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and regional coordination.
Sudan
Regional Engagement
Regional forums, displacement and recovery perspectives, and partnership development.
United States
Headquarters
Colorado HQ: governance, fundraising, partnerships, communications, and organizational growth.
South Sudan Will Never Starve Again
South Sudan remains central to Diar Foundation’s long-term food-security and community-development vision. Our network of 21 farms is being developed as more than a production platform: the farms are intended to serve as practical hubs for farmer learning, youth engagement, food security, enterprise, local production, and community resilience.
Partnership makes locally led change possible
Throughout our history, Diar Foundation and its predecessor structure have worked with institutional partners, governments, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, private-sector actors, and development agencies. These relationships have supported food security, livelihoods, child protection, youth opportunity, women’s empowerment, community assets, and local capacity.
Trust is built through accountability
Diar Foundation is strengthening the governance, financial management, safeguarding, monitoring, learning, reporting, and institutional systems needed to manage partnerships responsibly and sustain community-led impact across countries.
One Story
A story of change
Community action for women and girls
Diar Foundation works with women, girls, and families to turn solidarity into education, safety, and livelihoods. This is one picture of that work—neighbors, partners, and communities choosing action.
See community-led change
A short film from the field. Official video will appear here.
Video coming soon
Help communities build a future they can own
Partner with Diar Foundation to connect resources, expertise, and opportunity with locally led solutions that strengthen dignity, resilience, economic participation, and long-term self-reliance.
Give
Invest in community-led change. Help people build skills, livelihoods, and the capacity to shape their own future.
Partner with us
Foundations, churches, companies, and institutions: program funding, technical support, and co-investment.
Diar Foundation is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3). EIN 45-1320226.
