CivSource-Africa
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Where Philanthropy and Civil Society Meet

Business + Intellectual Property Attorneys

Our Identity

CivSource–Africa is an independent Advisory Firm that seeks to refine the practice and footprint of philanthropy in Africa, for authentic civic engagement. We are pioneers in the space where philanthropy and civil society meet and seek to foster an environment that nurtures mutually beneficial relationships and stewardship of entrusted resources. We provide thought leadership on strategic financing models for effective philanthropy and civic engagement. We also facilitate open and informed conversations pertaining to philanthropic giving and civil society organizations.

Civ

Is short for civil society. Funding civil society strengthens their human rights work as critical partners in advancing good governance and development. Civ also ensures that our focus and that of funders remains the people and not the money.

Source

We are a source of information and advice to funders on a spectrum of issues such as human rights, socio-political context, and other areas. To civil society we are a source of support to advance their potential.   

Africa  

Is the way we define the geographical, cultural and ideological space within which we operate, and it also speaks to our roots and grounding in our continent. 

Our work

Featured
Executive Directors' Retreat

In January 2019, we organised a retreat for Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and Executive Directors (EDs) to connect and reflect on their leadership journeys. The 3-day retreat was attended by 19 CEOs/EDs. Here some of them reflect on the impact that had on their personal and professional lives.

2019: New Year, New Heights

Happy New Year our friends, partners and colleagues!

We are already in the 3 rd week of the New Year and we know most of you have hit the ground running. At CivSource, we’re focusing on 3 Cs in 2019. More

Merry Christmas And Happy New Year 2019!

From all fo us at CivSource to all of you our friends, partners and allies! We wish you the very best this holiday season and we pray for a fruitful 2019! More

Mission

Refining the practice and footprint of philanthropy for effective civic engagement in Africa

News

Featured
Funding African movements? Philanthropic revolutions needed first.
Funding African movements? Philanthropic revolutions needed first.

Each of these, however, have played or continue to play fundamental roles in mass -based action demanding political, civic and socio-economic rights. Each of these is based on the African continent. Yet not a single one, or any of the other multitudes of African-based movements, is referenced in any of the literature on philanthropy and social movements to the best of my knowledge. More

The coming of hope: A 2019 vision for philanthropy
The coming of hope: A 2019 vision for philanthropy

Darren Walker, the President of Ford Foundation says there should be loud “shouts” of ‘glorious tongues at the coming of hope’ for philanthropy in 2019.

In the era of great challenges that this crucial sector faces, such as the “undemocratic nature of wealth and philanthropy”, structural racism in many parts of the world and a “rigged economic system” that strengthen the economic and social structures that separate the haves from the have-nots..More

Amplifying African diaspora voice and expertise in philanthropy advice
Amplifying African diaspora voice and expertise in philanthropy advice

In the March 2017 issue, Alliance magazine associate editor Andrew Milner’s article “Shading in the blanks on the philanthropy advice map” explored the how the US and Europe might be exercising a distorting influence in the field of philanthropic advisory services. He also looked at those locations around the globe in which the sector has yet to develop. However, I would respectfully add to that analysis a failure to intentionally engage donors of colour of wealth, particularly those from the African Diaspora.

Deciding Together: Shifting Power and Resources Through Participatory Grantmaking
Deciding Together: Shifting Power and Resources Through Participatory Grantmaking

One benefit of participatory grant-making reflected on in the guide, is how it builds connectivity among grantees and strengthens social movements. Nadia van der Linde of the Red Umbrella Fund says participants continually emphasise how much they learn from their participation. “They connect with other organisations or people in the movement and see the benefits of solidarity and learning from peers. More

Reclaiming And Creating Civic Space
Reclaiming And Creating Civic Space

Oxfam just published a paper on the ‘shrinking civic space’ around the world. In the Paper “Space to be Heard: Mobilizing the power of people to reshape civic space” Oxfam notes that there is a relentless squeeze in dozens of countries on the activities of civil society organizations (CSOs) and activists. More