Grootbos Green Futures Foundation

Our name is an Afrikaans word that translates as “large forest.” It is a reference to three ancient forests comprised primarily of endemic Milkwood trees (some of which are more than 800 years old) located on the Grootbos Reserve where we are based. The White Milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) species is widespread in coastal forests and thickets along the southern and eastern coastline of South Africa, but this particular formation type is restricted to the Stanford-Gansbaai-area, with the only protected patches being found on Grootbos itself.

Grootbos Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation, established in 2003. Our Grootbos Foundation vision is the conservation of the Cape Floral Kingdom and the upliftment of the communities therein. It is our mission to conserve the unique Cape Floral Kingdom in the Walker Bay Region which we call home, and to develop sustainable livelihoods and active citizens through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development and education.

We create sustainable project models which are replicable and scalable in order to assist surrounding communities. Many of our projects generate their own income and/or are partially self-sustaining. Our programmes address 13 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Our funding is well supplemented by income generated by our various projects, such as our on-site nursery and landscaping businesses, and the sale of produce from Siyakhula Organic Farm. All funds are invested through the Foundation into implementing our conservation, sports and development projects.

This charity has achieved a 10 Star rating on the Helpmore Trust Index, meeting 10 out of 10 trust criteria, including NPO registration, financial transparency, and independent governance.