VerifiedThe Allan Gray Orbis Foundation invests in the education and development of people with entrepreneurial potential in Southern Africa. The foundation believes one responsible, high-impact entrepreneur can change the reality of a city, or even a country, by creating jobs and solving problems.
- Registered name
- Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
- Type
- Non-profit foundation (entrepreneurship and education)
- Fields funded
- High school scholarships and university funding for learners with entrepreneurial potential
- Website
- allangrayorbis.org
- Phone
- 021 481 5400
The foundation’s results so far
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation reports that more than 200 Allan Gray Fellows have gone on to create businesses that together employ over 800 people. That figure explains what the foundation measures: not only degrees completed, but businesses started and jobs created by the people it funded.
The foundation’s vision describes an empowered, prosperous and productively engaged African citizenry thriving in ethical societies, and the foundation says it tackles poverty by investing in entrepreneurs and leaders.
Two stages of support
The foundation supports young people at two points. A high school programme offers entrepreneurial scholarships to learners, and the foundation’s website currently promotes a Grade 6 High School Scholarship Opportunity. At university level, Allan Gray Fellows receive entrepreneurial development support and access to funding for their studies.
The 2027 scholarship round has closed
The high school scholarship round for 2027 closed on 15 September 2026 at 17:00 South African time. Families who miss the round should watch the foundation’s website from mid-2027 for the next one.
Researching the foundation before applying
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation selects for entrepreneurial potential, not only marks. Before applying, look for real examples of initiative in the learner’s life, such as a small business, a school project that solved a problem, or leadership in a club. The foundation’s about page describes its values in detail; read it with the learner and talk about how those values show up in their own experiences.
Parents should check the grade requirements for each round carefully, because the high school scholarship targets learners at a specific stage. Contact the foundation’s team through its website if you are unsure which programme fits. Contact the foundation on 021 481 5400 for questions.
The foundation and the Allan Gray investment company share a founder but operate separately, so applying has nothing to do with investing with Allan Gray.
See our high school bursaries list for other scholarships.