Rooted in Africa
Rooted in Africa is a private foundation focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Mount Pleasant, SC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $56K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $88K.
Rooted in Africa at a glance
In short: Rooted in Africa gave $88K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $88,000
- +37.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $29,333
- +37.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $55,591
- -7.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (73% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Rooted in Africa funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Masiphumelele Corporation ($34K). Together the top 3 received $88K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 12 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Rooted in Africa gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $24K (2021) to $94K (2022). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $88K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Masiphumelele Corporation Charlestown, MA | Education Services and Supplies | $34,000 |
| Church of the New Jerusalem Cambridge, MA | Education Services and Supplies | $30,000 |
| Friends of Ithemba Ninety Six, SC | Education Services and Supplies | $24,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $55,591 | $85,000 | $89,770 | $88,000 | 3 | $89,770 | $2,930 |
| 2024 | $60,241 | $80,000 | $65,647 | $64,000 | 3 | $65,647 | $2,110 |
| 2023 | $45,838 | $63,000 | $41,550 | $40,000 | 2 | $41,550 | $1,062 |
| 2022 | $24,238 | $63,000 | $95,484 | $94,000 | 2 | $95,484 | $635 |
| 2021 | $56,572 | $54,800 | $25,250 | $24,000 | 2 | $25,250 | $1,140 |
| 2020 | $26,572 | $26,001 | $36,617 | $35,793 | 2 | — | $1,019 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rooted in Africa reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Rooted in Africa is led by Bernico Booysen, CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bernico Booysen
CEO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Booysen
CFO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Rooted in Africa
How much does Rooted in Africa give each year?
Rooted in Africa gave $88K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $64K across 3 grants.
What is Rooted in Africa's typical grant size?
Rooted in Africa's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $29,333, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Rooted in Africa give grants?
Rooted in Africa gives mostly in Massachusetts: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Carolina (27%).
Does Rooted in Africa give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Rooted in Africa's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education Services and Supplies" (3 grants).
How large is Rooted in Africa?
Rooted in Africa reported $56K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $90K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Rooted in Africa?
Rooted in Africa is a private foundation focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Mount Pleasant, SC. It holds $56K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Rooted in Africa's EIN?
Rooted in Africa's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1749217. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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