History of MKFF
The Malmar Knowles Family Foundation grew out of two family histories — one that arrived through Ellis Island, one raised on a Mississippi farm — bound together by a belief in education, hard work, and opening doors for others.
Foundation story
Our parents, grandparents, and ancestors — the places and situations they came from — help create the fabric of our lives. These are the people behind The Kectil Program, and the road from their story to the Global Youth Index.
Family roots
The foundation's story runs through two families. The Malmar name was coined at Ellis Island, when a Swedish immigrant who spoke no English answered the officials with the name of his hometown, Malmö. The Knowles family raised their children on a Mississippi farm with no electricity and a one-room schoolhouse — and sent two of them on to Ph.D.s in chemistry. What both families passed down was the conviction that education and hard work open doors.
The foundation
MKFF is a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of Georgia, USA and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is the parent organization of The Kectil Program. The Malmar name stands as a tribute to the many people who, in their own ways, work to build a better life for themselves and their families.
The Kectil Program
Kectil — the Knowles Educational and Charitable Trust for International Leadership — was created to identify and nurture highly talented youth in developing countries who have the potential to be leaders and make a positive difference in their communities, their countries, and maybe even the world.
Global Youth Index
The Global Youth Index carries that mission forward. It publishes what youth in the Kectil community report — as aggregate, citable research — so their priorities can be heard far beyond the program itself.
Everyone has a story. Our stories are a reflection of our culture — beauty, love, challenges, successes, failures, hardships, and just… life. If you are a young person in a developing country, we would love to hear about your relatives and your community. You can reach us through the contact page.
