Philanthropy highlights blog

The 8th East Africa Philanthropy Conference in 2023, themed ‘Systems Transformation: Catalyzing Collective Action’, was convened from June 28th to June 30th in Zanzibar, Tanzania. This gathering united local charitable trusts, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations, both from within and beyond the African continent. The conference aimed to foster collaboration, explore systems transformation, co-create solutions for collective philanthropic action, inspire innovations, and share best practices within the international development sector.

Despite achieving nearly 100% school enrollment in Uganda, there remains a significant challenge—approximately 60% of enrolled children do not complete primary school. Even more alarming, over 83% of children aged 10 and under in Uganda cannot read and comprehend what they read, a situation classified by the World Bank as ‘learning poor’.

We once had a conversation with our colleagues that drifted into the decolonization movement and how we as Africans are perceived; our style of dressing, how we wear our hair, and how our languages are influenced by colonialism and more recently, pop culture trends. While referring to one of our female colleagues who was wearing an African print shirt and has short, close-cropped natural hair, there was a shared perspective within the group that more “enlightened Pan-Africans” tend to wear “traditional” African print clothes and natural hair as a resistance to Western styles that have come to represent a stereotypical version of professionalism. 

CivSource Africa has for the past year walked the journey of researching, activating, and enabling community philanthropy through a philanthropic vehicle known as a community foundation. Community Foundations are designed to pool donations and resources into a coordinated investment and grant making facility dedicated primarily to serving the development and social needs of people and groups in a given locality. This model is relevant even more in this day and age as we shift the power back to communities, that are well-able and knowledgeable about their needs and can garner resources from within and without to address these needs.

On 26th July 2023, Porticus Kenya paid CivSource Africa a visit. Porticus Kenya is a part of global philanthropic organization which operates with a mission to strengthen the resilience of communities and empower individuals to take charge of their destinies. CivSource Africa, on the other hand, is an independent advisory organization which seeks to refine the practice and footprint of philanthropy in Africa through authentic civic engagement and stewardship of entrusted resources.

Strategic conversations have been a core aspect of how we refine the practice of philanthropy in Uganda. It is in these conversations that statistics are reduced to narratives; compelling stories that ignite action and enable us address the challenges premised in the field of philanthropy and civil society.

The East African Philanthropy Network (EAPN) in partnership with CivSource Africa and Philanthropy Forum for Uganda convened an in-person forum for philanthropy practitioners in Uganda under the theme, “Reimagining Philanthropy, Envisioning the Future.”

Moky Makura once said, "If you want real impact, giving shouldn't start with what is best for the giver, but it so frequently does." Unfortunately, this sentiment is all too common in the world of philanthropy, particularly regarding aid for Africa.

At CivSource Africa, our mission is to refine the practice of philanthropy and civil society's impact in Africa. In order to do so, we must first reflect on how philanthropy has been done in the past.

CivSource Africa participated in the recently concluded African Philanthropy Forum conference held on 24th and 25th October 2022. The Conference was hosted in Kigali and attended by over 190 philanthropic stakeholders from 29 countries. The event was held under the theme, “African Philanthropists Closing the Gender Gap.”

A VISIT FROM THE CS MOTT FOUNDATION

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. It was found that there was no database of community foundations, their functionality remained unclear and there was a research gap on these institutions.

When fun and philanthropy meet.

CivSource Africa took part in the first Corporate Spelling Bee, held by Enjuba Foundation, on June 18, 20222. The spelling bee was a networking event that brought together adults from the private sector and other business organizations in a fun-filled endeavor to improve communication, collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities.

15 participants from private businesses and civil society based in Mbale participated in the conversation on strengthening giving partnerships between the two sectors. The conversation was organized by CivSource Africa with support from the USAID/Civil Society Strengthening Activity. It took place on 24th May 2022 at Mbale Resort Hotel.

On the 26th of May 2022, CivSource Africa held the fourth meeting between private businesses and civil society organisations. This activity was conducted with support from the USAID/Civil Society Strengthening Activity. The meeting took place at Hotel Kakanyero in Gulu with 13 participants from both sectors.

The second meeting between private corporations and civil society organizations was hosted on May 26, 2022, by CivSource Africa. This activity was conducted with support from the USAID/Civil Society Strengthening Activity. The meeting took place at Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja with 15 participants in total i.e., 7 private businesses and 8 civil society organisations.