We envision a more equitable future
where ALL youth are empowered
to live healthy, productive lives.
2024 Youth Leaders Mpumalanga Summit. Photo by Shen Scott
We support transformative, locally-led change by partnering with community-based organizations that support young people, their sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender-based violence prevention.
The long-term partnerships we develop are based on mutual respect and trust. This approach plays an integral role in our work, as does the power of sharing stories, convening, and a commitment to continuous learning. Since those closest to the issues are the ones who are best suited to create transformative and sustainable change, we support community catalysts. Our support is responsive, driven by what our Partners say are the greatest needs.
We seek relationships with organizations across sectors—private, public, and nonprofit—to leverage our strength in numbers and mobilize more resources to support local solutions.
Our collective challenge
Sexual and reproductive health
Only an estimated 5% of South African schools provide comprehensive sexual health education.
South Africa’s National Strategic Plan, 2017–2022
Gender-based
violence
In Eastern & Southern Africa
42% of women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes.
World Bank, 2023
Education
Only 14 out of 100 grade 1 learners in South Africa will access university
Spaull, Nic. “Priorities for Education Reform (Background Note for Minister of Finance 19/01/2019)”
HIV/AIDS
Only37% of young people in Sub-Saharan South Africa know about HIV prevention and transmission
UNESCO, 2024
Supporting community-driven change
Grantmaking
We provide flexible, multi-year grants and capacity strengthening support to community-based and community-engaged organizations that support local solutions.
Convening
We organize rejuvenating, healing, connecting, and creative spaces for Program Partners and young leaders to explore their collective wisdom in driving social change.
Storytelling & Advocacy
We use the power of story. We amplify the voices and experiences of young people and CBOs to build human connection and inspire action.
Youth Leaders
We support the next generation of changemakers through a Scholarship and Fellowship program for youth served by Program Partners.
CTAOP centers trust, care, and responsiveness in all pillars of our work. We mobilize our unique resources, experience, and diverse relationships to support the work, strengthen the capacity, and respond to the self-determined needs of our Program Partners.
Making an impact since 2007
Over4.1M young people reached by CTAOP-supported programs
Over$14M in grants awarded
Nearly88% of current Program Partners receive flexible, multi‑year grants
Our history
CTAOP was created in 2007 by Charlize Theron, Academy Award® winning actor and UN Messenger of Peace, with the hope of making a difference in the lives of young people in her home country of South Africa.
CTAOP commits to a values-driven approach. CTAOP puts PEOPLE first and shares in our interconnectedness as humans through the spirit of Ubuntu: ‘I am because you are.’
Although the geographic scope of CTAOP has expanded, South Africa remains the primary focus of the foundation’s work. Through the years of working with our incredible Program Partners, we have learned that transformative change comes from within communities themselves.
Major milestones
2023
Charlize recognized for her work with CTAOP at the Town & Country Philanthropy Summit.
2022
CTAOP surpasses $10M in grants to Southern Africa.
2021
CTAOP partners with the Ford Foundation to provide funding and advocate for vaccine access and equality.
2020
Charlize and CTAOP commit over $1M to Covid response efforts.
2020
CTAOP partners with EIF and CARE to launch the #TogetherForHer campaign to prevent gender-based violence.
2019
CTAOP expanded grant portfolio to include Rwanda, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
2018
The Youth Leaders Scholarship program was launched as a mechanism to support exceptional youth from our Program Partners.
2017
Community leader, Aya, inspires the creation of the Youth Leaders Scholarship program.
2016
Charlize gives the opening remarks at the International AIDS Conference in Durban
2015
CTAOP co-founds the #GenEndIt coalition
2014
The CTAOP advisory council has its first year in action.
2012
CTAOP participates in the first ever #GivingTuesday, the global day of giving.
2011
CTAOP reaches $1M in grants to support youth in Southern Africa
2010
CTAOP breaks ground on ‘Home Field Advantage’ project, which provided clean water sources, soccer fields, community gardens and environmentally friendly toilet blocks to 4 secondary schools in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
2009
CTAOP partners with TOMS
2008
UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, designates Charlize as a UN Messenger of Peace.
2007
CTAOP’s official launch held in KZN, South Africa
Reflecting on an inspiring 2023…
CTAOP supported 16 organizations across South Africa, Zambia, and Rwanda, reaching nearly 590,000 young people.
Alongside co-funders DG Murray Trust and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, CTAOP launched Sukuthula! Unmute & Act, a participatory grantmaking initiative.
CTAOP’s Youth Leaders Scholarship now has 6 graduates and continues to support another 22 Scholars.
“Ubuntu is the recognition of common humanity – the belief that we are all bound to one another – ALL of us. It’s a powerful force . . . more powerful than anything that seeks to divide us.”
~ CTAOP Team
Frequently asked questions
What types of programs does CTAOP fund?
CTAOP supports locally-led community-based organizations that work directly with young people and focus on sexual reproductive health and rights and/or the prevention of gender-based violence.
Our Program Partners approach their work in a holistic way, considering the whole young person—taking into consideration the health, education, and safety of young people, and the community systems and structures within the community that support youth.
We are particularly focused on supporting organizations that bring community-driven solutions forward for social change.
How does an organization become a CTAOP Program Partner or apply for funding?
Currently, CTAOP is not exploring partnerships with new Program Partners, but if your work falls under the types of programs we fund (above), please take our survey to share more about your community-based/locally-led organization and how your organization’s work invests in the health, education, and safety of youth living in Southern Africa, and/or on the prevention of gender-based violence (with a focus on young people).
How can someone apply for the CTAOP Youth Leaders Scholarship program?
At this stage the CTAOP YLS program only accepts applications from candidates who have been nominated by CTAOP Nominating Partner organizations and does not accept applications from the general public.
How can I tell if I’m engaging with the legitimate CTAOP or Charlize Theron social media accounts?
Unfortunately, there are many scammers on social media and the Internet pretending to be or to represent CTAOP or Charlize Theron.
PLEASE BE WARY OF ANYONE ASKING TO BE SENT FUNDS—this is an immediate red flag as we would never do this.
Please note that Charlize Theron’s only social media accounts are verified with the blue checkmark on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She has no other accounts.
Charlize does not contact fans over social media, nor on Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal, Gmail, or any other messaging or email platform.
CTAOP’s only social media accounts are also verified with a blue checkmark on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
CTAOP created an FAQ Instagram Stories highlight reel on our Instagram to warn our and Charlize’s followers and give more information on who not to engage with.
