The State of Institutional Philanthropy in East Africa - 2021 study, focused on uncovering the perspectives of institutional givers, their sources of giving, their priority constituents, and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. It also explored partnership building and accountability as tenets that support the enabling environment of giving in East Africa.
The study targeted institutions that are and continue to promote local giving practices. From community-based entities, family-owned ones, and private social entities. The study demonstrates the growing wealth of information and knowledge on local giving in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
From the study, the following observations and recommendations are shared with both practitioners and strategic partners in their role of growing philanthropy in the East Africa region.
There is a need to establish a guideline at the East African level that informs the national legal frameworks on giving practices. This will enhance recognition of and collaboration in the philanthropy sector.
The growth of philanthropy capital depends on:
Moving towards long-term investments and focusing on impact
Tapping into the growing potential of individual giving.
Exploring flexibility in innovation and partnerships that promote systemic change.
Technology plays a critical role in emerging giving practices.
Growing local ownership is recognizing:
The future of philanthropy is in communities – but requires the capacity to anchor, mobilise resources and nurture alternate leadership.
Reviewing the partnership model for special interest groups from “recipients of support” to “partners bringing change”.
Building a local support base, building a local constituency for civil society action, and getting people to think, engage with, and care about a cause. Philanthropy must explore the ecosystem of community mobilisation of resources continually.
The growth of community philanthropy is the future of changing society.
Philanthropy leadership and governance must seriously consider maximizing local skills and talents.
Philanthropy must invest in partnerships and collaborations.
As an effective way for organizations to increase their impact and engage a broader audience on a key issue.
As a vehicle to drive innovative strategies and improve the alignment of investments to enhance collective impact around a shared mission - promoting partnership with the private sector, government, or even another foundation.
These recommendations further reveal an opportunity to grow knowledge and research on local giving practices and their contribution to social change and development in the region.
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