A Culture of
Reciprocity™

1. About ACR

A Culture of Reciprocity™ ("ACR™") is a peer brotherhood and mutual support network registered in Nairobi, Kenya. ACR is not a bank, financial institution, charity, or investment fund. All references to "grants" refer to peer-funded, non-repayable contributions made within the membership collective, subject to the ACR Grant Framework.

2. Membership Eligibility

Membership is open to males aged 18 and above who reside in or have active professional ties to Nairobi, Kenya. Membership is subject to application review and approval by the ACR Founding Committee. ACR reserves the right to decline any application without disclosure of reason.

3. Membership Obligations

All members are required to: (i) pay monthly membership contributions as agreed upon joining; (ii) actively participate in brotherhood activities including Skill Labs and mentorship obligations; (iii) uphold the ACR Reciprocity Code at all times; (iv) maintain confidentiality of internal brotherhood discussions and member information.

4. The Reciprocity Code

Members agree to abide by the four laws of the ACR Reciprocity Code: No Debt, No Ego, No Free Riders, and If You Rise You Lift. Persistent violation of any of these principles constitutes grounds for suspension or termination of membership.

5. Founding Membership

Founding Membership is available exclusively to the first 100 approved applicants. Founding Members receive lifetime discounted membership rates locked at the time of joining, a Founders Badge, priority grant eligibility, and invitation to the Founding Strategy Dinner (March 2026). Founding Member benefits are non-transferable.

6. Grant Eligibility & Process

Grant eligibility is governed by the ACR Grant Framework. Grants are peer-funded from collective monthly contributions. Eligibility requires active membership in good standing for a minimum of one contribution cycle before application. Grant decisions are made by the membership committee by majority review and are final.

7. Confidentiality

Members agree not to disclose sensitive discussions, financial arrangements, or personal circumstances of other members beyond the brotherhood. Breach of confidentiality may result in immediate termination of membership and forfeiture of any pending grants or benefits.

8. Termination

ACR may terminate or suspend membership for violation of the Reciprocity Code, non-payment of contributions exceeding 60 days, or conduct deemed contrary to the values of the brotherhood. Members may resign at any time with 30 days written notice. No refunds of prior contributions are made upon termination or resignation.

9. Limitation of Liability

ACR provides a peer support and educational environment. ACR does not guarantee any specific financial outcome, business result, or career advancement. All decisions based on information shared within the brotherhood are the sole responsibility of the individual member.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Kenya. Any disputes shall be resolved through the Nairobi courts or such alternative dispute resolution mechanism as ACR may designate.

11. Amendments

ACR reserves the right to amend these Terms with 30 days' notice to active members. Continued membership after notice constitutes acceptance of amended terms.

Last updated: January 2026 · A Culture of Reciprocity™ (ACR™), Nairobi, Kenya · ACR™ and Men Rising by Raising Men™ are trademarks of A Culture of Reciprocity.

1. Data Controller

A Culture of Reciprocity (ACR) is the controller of your personal data. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information with transparency, care, and respect.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal data: (i) Identity data: full name, age; (ii) Contact data: email address, phone number, physical location/neighbourhood; (iii) Professional data: occupation, industry, business information; (iv) Application data: personal statements, business descriptions, and grant application content; (v) Usage data: how you interact with ACR communications and events.

3. How We Use Your Information

Your data is used to: process and evaluate membership and grant applications; communicate ACR announcements, events, and updates; facilitate mentorship matching; compile anonymised collective impact reports; fulfil legal and operational obligations.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your data on the basis of: (i) contract performance — to fulfil membership obligations; (ii) legitimate interests — to operate and grow the brotherhood effectively; (iii) consent — where you have explicitly agreed, such as for marketing communications.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. Your information may be shared within the ACR leadership committee for operational purposes, with service providers who assist ACR operations under strict confidentiality, and with regulatory authorities where required by law. Member profiles may be shared within the broader brotherhood community with your consent.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your membership is active, plus 3 years thereafter for record-keeping and legal compliance purposes. Grant application data is retained for 5 years. You may request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal retention requirements.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to: access your personal data; correct inaccurate data; request deletion of your data; object to or restrict processing; withdraw consent at any time (where processing is consent-based). To exercise any right, contact us via the details below.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure. Member data is stored on secured systems and access is restricted to authorised ACR personnel.

9. Contact

For any privacy-related queries or to exercise your rights, please contact: [email protected] · A Culture of Reciprocity, Nairobi, Kenya.

Last updated: January 2026 · A Culture of Reciprocity, Nairobi, Kenya

The Reciprocity Code — Extended

The ACR Code of Conduct operationalises the four laws of our Reciprocity Code into specific behavioural standards that every member must uphold.

1. Respect and Dignity

All members are to be treated with dignity regardless of their financial position, education, or stage of life. Condescension, public humiliation, or weaponisation of another member's vulnerability within ACR spaces is grounds for immediate suspension.

2. Financial Integrity

Members must maintain honesty in all financial declarations made to the brotherhood, including grant applications and contribution status. Misrepresentation of financial information is a zero-tolerance violation.

3. Participation Standards

Membership is active, not passive. Members are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of available Skill Labs, contribute to at least two mentorship engagements per quarter, and participate in collective decision-making processes.

4. Confidentiality Standard

What is shared inside the brotherhood stays inside the brotherhood. Members must not share, publish, or disclose any personal information, business ideas, financial disclosures, or challenges shared by fellow members in any ACR space — physical or digital.

5. No Exploitation

ACR creates a trust environment. Members must not use their position within the brotherhood to solicit, recruit, or commercially exploit other members for personal gain outside of transparent, disclosed, and mutually agreed business relationships.

6. Conflict Resolution

Disputes between members must first be raised with the ACR Conduct Committee. Public airing of internal ACR disputes on social media or public forums is considered a violation of this Code. ACR will provide mediation for all reported disputes.

7. Enforcement

Reported violations are reviewed by the ACR Conduct Committee within 14 days. Outcomes range from formal caution, suspension of grant eligibility, temporary suspension, to permanent membership termination depending on the severity and frequency of violations.

Last updated: January 2026 · A Culture of Reciprocity, Nairobi, Kenya

Overview

ACR Micro-Grants are peer-funded, non-repayable contributions drawn from the collective membership pool. They are not loans. They carry no interest, no collateral requirement, and no formal repayment obligation. Recipients are, however, bound by the Reciprocity Code to actively lift others as they rise.

Grant Pool Structure

A fixed percentage of all monthly membership contributions is directed to the ACR Grant Pool. The pool is managed transparently and balances are reported quarterly to the membership. Founding Members receive priority access to the first grant cycle.

Eligibility Criteria

• Active ACR member in good standing for at least one contribution cycle
• No outstanding dues or contribution arrears
• Clear and documented use-of-funds plan
• Demonstrated alignment with ACR values and the Reciprocity Code
• Commitment to mentorship obligations post-award

Application & Review Process

Applications are submitted via the ACR grant application form. Each application is reviewed by a three-member Grant Committee drawn from senior brotherhood members. Review criteria include: business viability, personal character, community impact potential, and contribution history.

Grant Amounts

Grant amounts vary based on pool availability and the assessed needs of the cohort. Founding cohort grants range from KES 10,000 to KES 250,000+. All grants are subject to pool availability and committee discretion.

Post-Award Obligations

Grant recipients are required to: submit a 90-day impact report; complete a minimum of two mentorship sessions for other members within six months of award; participate in at least one Skill Lab per quarter for the subsequent year.

Transparency

All grant awards are disclosed to the full membership on an anonymised basis to maintain trust and accountability within the brotherhood. Amounts and recipients are visible to ACR leadership only.

Last updated: January 2026 · A Culture of Reciprocity, Nairobi, Kenya