
Copy of Where Philanthropy meets civil society
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Our Identity
CivSource–Africa is an independent non-profit advisory organization 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
Earlier this year, over 150 HR professionals gathered in Cape Town for the 4th Annual Africa HR Professionals Strategy Boot Camp, exploring how people-centered leadership can thrive in a tech-driven world. With themes ranging from mental wellness and gender inclusion to predictive analytics and AI, the event showcased how African HR leaders are reimagining the workplace with empathy, innovation, and strategy. The conversations sparked here are shaping a people-first, future-ready vision for organizations across the continent. Are you curious how HR is transforming in Africa?
#AfricaHR #FutureOfWork #HRLeadership #PeopleFirst #TechAndPeople #InclusionAtWork #HRInnovation #HRStrategy #AfricanWorkplaces #HRBootCamp2025
With urgent reflections like “the house is on fire,” the conversation cut through speculation to focus on action, how to rebuild with intention, equity, and local leadership at the center. From calls for radical solidarity to the importance of language and partnership, the dialogue emphasized one thing: the future of development lies in community-driven, collaborative, and context-aware systems.
Among the leading voices was Jacqueline Asiimwe, CEO of CivSource Africa, who passionately called for a shift from individualism to collective strength. Rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, "I am because we are", Jacqueline emphasized the power of local giving, community-led philanthropy, and re-centering African agency in development. Her insights reminded us that long before external aid, African communities had systems of resilience, generosity, and growth that sustained them, and those systems remain vital today.
Read more about the highlights HERE:
Watch full conversation HERE:
Mission

Refining the practice and footprint of philanthropy for effective civic engagement in Africa
News
Aliko Dangote, recently honored as one of TIME Magazine’s top 100 global philanthropists, has pledged to expand his already impressive philanthropic investments through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which spends around $35 million annually to uplift communities across Africa. Speaking at the TIME100 Impact Dinner in New York, Dangote emphasized investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment to build a brighter future for Africans, citing initiatives from fighting malnutrition to supporting higher education and eradicating polio.
Image: L-R: Chief Executive Officer, TIME, Jessica Sibley, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations (DIL), Fatima Aliko Dangote and Managing Director/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, attending TIME100 Impact Dinner, at One World Observatory in New York City.
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Do you want to see how African philanthropy is scaling impact?
Read more and be inspired to give back.
#Dangote #AfricanPhilanthropy #ImpactInvesting #GivingBack #SocialChange #AfricaRising #TIME100 #AlikoDangoteFoundation #PhilanthropyLeadership
Image: Dr. Samora Otieno.
As foreign aid to Africa continues to shrink, Dr. Samora Otieno of CorpsAfrica argues that it is time for Africans to reclaim African philanthropy and invest directly in their own communities. Highlighting how external donor priorities often miss the mark, he calls for local resource mobilization as a moral and practical imperative to drive long-term, community-owned solutions. With the upcoming CorpsAfrica All-Country Conference in Nairobi bringing together 1,000 stakeholders, there is a clear momentum to empower African citizens to fund and lead their own development journeys.
Are you curious about how this shift is unfolding?
Read more and get involved in supporting African-led change.
#ReclaimPhilanthropy #AfricaByAfricans #HomegrownSolutions #LocalGiving #SustainableDevelopment #CorpsAfrica #AfricanPhilanthropy #ShiftTheNarrative
Image: Almaz Negash, founder and executive director of African Diaspora Network. (Photo: ADN)
As US aid declines, African diaspora leaders are pioneering a new philanthropic investment model unveiled this week in Washington, DC. The approach aims to move beyond traditional remittances, instead directing funds toward African and African diaspora social entrepreneurs to drive long-term social sector growth and sustainable development.
Are you curious how this bold shift could reshape giving?
#AfricanDiaspora #Philanthropy #ImpactInvestment #SocialEntrepreneurs #SustainableDevelopment #Remittances #DiasporaGiving #InnovationInGiving #AfricaRising #FutureOfPhilanthropy
At the Elevate Prize Foundation’s Make Good Famous Summit in Miami Beach, renowned activist and philanthropist Abigail Disney called on donors and foundation leaders to lean into courageous giving. Speaking boldly, Disney challenged the philanthropic sector to speak up, take risks, and act, especially as fear and silence grip many in the wake of political and social upheaval.
As traditional development systems collapse, a new call to action emerges: give differently, partner better, build locally. At Humentum’s webinar “Global Development is Crumbling”, leaders like Jacqueline Asiimwe and Andrew Julius urged a shift from charity to collective responsibility, rooted in Ubuntu, local leadership, and radical solidarity.
“The house is on fire,” said Ali Al Mokdad. The future? It’s locally led, equity-driven, and powered by community wisdom.
Read more:
#GivingDigest #UbuntuInAction #ReimagineAid #LocalLeadership #CollectiveGiving
Bill Gates has announced that the Gates Foundation, the world’s largest private philanthropy, will sunset in 2045, committing to give away $200 billion over the next 20 years. The funding will accelerate work in global health, vaccine development, HIV prevention, education, and maternal and child health. Gates, now the sole chair, says:
“I want to see the impact of this work in my lifetime.”
#PhilanthropyDigest #GatesFoundation #GivingWhileLiving #GlobalImpact
As nonprofits face mounting pressure from funding freezes and executive orders under the Trump administration, many are asking: where are the foundations?
Read more HERE:
#PhilanthropyNow
The public lecture by Binaifer Nowrojee, featuring H.E. Mrs. Graça Machel, Dr. Naledi Pandor, and Nicolette Naylor, sparked powerful discussions on philanthropy, human rights, and development. With over 650 participants joining in person and online, the conversation left a lasting impact on academics, practitioners, and business leaders. Missed the event?
Watch the recording CLICK HERE
Read the summary CLICK HERE
Philanthropy in Asia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, moving beyond traditional charitable giving to high-impact strategies that address systemic challenges. With an estimated $701 billion in untapped philanthropic potential, foundations like Shiv Nadar and Tencent are setting bold goals, investing sustainably, and forging powerful partnerships to create lasting change. The question is: how are they doing it?
Read more about Asia’s philanthropic revolution and the practices driving impact:
William Asiko, Vice President of The Rockefeller Foundation’s Africa Regional Office, emphasized, “Africa’s leadership is paving the way for a sustainable energy future on the continent and around the world.”
Learn more about how these initiatives are driving sustainable energy innovation.
As COP29 approaches in Baku, philanthropy has an essential role in driving ambitious climate action. From supporting civil society in negotiations to hosting impactful side events, philanthropy can bridge the gap between global commitments and local realities. Together, we can create a resilient and equitable future for all.