The Kairos Foundation (Stichting Kairos) was founded in 1970 as a support group for the Christian Institute in South Africa, whose general secretary was anti-apartheid activist Dr CF Beyers Naude. Kairos, a Greek word, means 'time is running out'. Until 1990 most of Kairos' attention focussed on violations of human rights in South Africa and mobilisation of support in the Netherlands for sanctions and disinvestment.

In the 1970s and 1980s the organisation focused on the causes of apartheid with campaigns aimed at Dutch firms active in the apartheid economy. Other campaigns were aimed at forced removals, detentions, torture in detention, the death sentence, children, conscription and the activities of the security forces

Kairos' work was supported by many of the Dutch churches and there was co-operation from church circles in Southern Africa. Extensive contacts were made with black South African clerics studying in the Netherlands. Kairos mobilised attention on the disempowered and influenced public opinion through campaigns and publications

Through Kairos, many South African organisations channelled information to international organisations and the media. From 1996-1997, Kairos researched the assault and torture of political prisoners in the 1960s and 1970s for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

After 1990 attention shifted to the consequences of apartheid and support for the reconstruction of the country. Youth development was given considerable attention with training, conferences, support and specialist input from experts in various fields to organisations involved in the development of the youth.

In 2002, the Kairos Foundation closed its doors. Its resource and research material was then donated to the University of the Witwatersrand.