Community Foundations Development in Uganda

While building a body of knowledge on African philanthropy in Uganda, CivSource Africa undertook its maiden research on the landscape of local philanthropy in Uganda. The study presented evidence of community foundations in Uganda. Driven by these findings, in 2021, CivSource Africa in partnership with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation undertook a research study examining Community Foundations; their self-identification, their roles, their successes, challenges and recommendations to harness their potential.

Community foundations are local nonprofits that pool resources from individuals, families, and businesses to support community projects within a defined area. They serve as philanthropic hubs that mobilize local resources and promote sustainable, community-led development. However, in Uganda, according to our research, the model is still emerging; there is no national database, limited understanding of their operations, and significant capacity gaps. The study further highlighted the need to strengthen leadership, strategy, governance, and fundraising to build resilient and sustainable community foundations.

To build on this potential and address these gaps, CivSource Africa launched the Community Foundations Incubation Program, an initiative supporting leaders and organizations to establish or strengthen locally owned and driven foundations. At its core, the program seeks to nurture a generation of community-rooted philanthropic institutions, equipping leaders with the skills, strategies, and networks to mobilize both financial and non-financial resources within and beyond their communities. Through a structured blend of mentorship, masterclasses, and hands-on practice, participants learn to shape sustainable institutions capable of addressing community challenges with community-driven solutions.