Testimonials
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When the Kenyan-based ILINA Program launched in 2022 to build Africa's AI safety research capacity, they had talented researchers, strong local partnerships, and clear vision for training the next generation of African AI safety scholars. What they didn't have was access to the international funding infrastructure to enable their ongoing success.
Many major grantmakers in the U.S. require 501(c)(3) status or foreign equivalent, which Kenyan organizations could not directly obtain. The alternative would be establishing a separate U.S. nonprofit entity, requiring months of incorporation paperwork and ongoing compliance overhead, all of which would divert attention from the actual research and education work.
BERI provided comprehensive fiscal sponsorship instead, giving ILINA immediate access to 501(c)(3) benefits, including allowing them to receive grants from major U.S. funders. BERI handles grant administration, expense management, accounting, and U.S. tax compliance, so ILINA's team can focus entirely on building Africa's AI safety research community.
The Multiplier Effect
ILINA's work seeks to fill a significant gap in the current AI safety and governance landscape. As AI governance becomes increasingly global, African perspectives and researchers need to be part of the conversation. The program has trained dozens of early-career researchers who are now contributing to AI safety work across the continent and connecting African institutions to the broader safety community.