The recent webinar hosted by the African Philanthropy Network (APN) and SGS Consulting showcased the role of community philanthropy in driving community-led development and mobilizing social justice resources in sub-Saharan Africa. Key questions explored included how community philanthropy actors leverage domestic resources to sustain their work, how they can influence and engage in advocacy for more social justice funds and a supportive policy framework, what opportunities exist for amplifying the recognition of community philanthropy as a key strategy for national development, and how community philanthropy actors (CPAs) can collectively contribute across the continent.
The panel of speakers included Dr. Ben Ocra from the Ghana Philanthropy Forum, Frank Kasonga from Mudzi Connect in Malawi, and Dr. Tendai Murisa from the SIVIO Institute, each bringing valuable insights and perspectives to the conversation.
Opening the discussion, Shaun Samuels, the Executive Director of SGS Consulting emphasized the necessity of community philanthropy as a key development strategy. He stated, “There is a role and a responsibility for philanthropy to challenge power and leadership.” He also stressed on the importance of involving youth in decision-making, stating, “Philanthropy has the potential to set a standard in having young people lead this kind of process.” He noted that the youth’s energy and innovation could be harnessed for local development, particularly in addressing issues like artificial intelligence.
Sharing practical examples of how community philanthropy can leverage domestic resources, Frank Kasonga, Executive Director of Mudzi Connect in Malawi, described a local grant-making program where community members determine the funding priorities. “Communities come together to give and donate their resources in order to solve the challenges that communities have at that particular time,” he explained. He emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying, “If we are able to do all this, why don’t we come together to fund school toilets, for example, or support agricultural initiatives within these communities?” This approach not only strengthens community ties but empowers individuals to take charge of their development. During a recent disaster, over $30,000 was raised by communities in Malawi to support each other, showcasing the power of collective action.
Historically, Malawi has engaged its youth in significant community efforts, such as the Youth Week program that mobilized young people to undertake community projects. Kasonga pointed out that this program was a chance for communities to come together to build health centers, schools, and roads, demonstrating the potential of community-led initiatives.
Dr. Tendai Murisa from the SIVIO Institute raised critical questions about the current state of philanthropy in Africa. He noted the tensions surrounding funding and compliance, stating, “The tension is around them having a need for more funding. But with more funding comes compliance challenges.” He elaborated, “We need to ensure that we are not converting what is happening in communities into new NGO structures that become dependent on external funding.” This calls for a shift in how funding is approached, ensuring that community organizations remain organically embedded within their communities without being overly dependent on external resources. Murisa emphasized the importance of understanding the local context, saying, “We are stronger together when we work together,” a sentiment in the African philosophy of Ubuntu.
In Ghana, Dr. Ben Ocra from the Ghana Philanthropy Forum highlighted the evolving landscape of community philanthropy. He mentioned the establishment of community foundations and the importance of visibility for philanthropic efforts. “Philanthropy is becoming more a household item,” he stated, reflecting the growing recognition of the role of community-led initiatives. He explained, “We have been promoting the community foundation concept to build inspiration and access within philanthropy spaces.” This shift toward a more localized approach is crucial for fostering a culture of giving and supporting community initiatives.
Ocra also pointed out the challenges faced by communities, stating, “When you go to communities to talk about money, there’s no money.” This emphasizes the necessity of building a supportive infrastructure for community philanthropy. He noted that there is often a “high dependency of some of these communities on external resources,” which hinders their ability to be self-sufficient. The Ghana Philanthropy Forum has been actively pushing the community foundation concept, which has seen the establishment of 20 community foundations across the country since 2019.
Looking ahead, Murisa emphasized the need for collective action to address the challenges facing community philanthropy in Africa. He remarked, “We need to create networks of community foundations to forge solidarity and have essential conversations with ministries of finance and philanthropic organizations.” By advocating for favorable policies and creating networks of community foundations, stakeholders can work together to create an enabling environment for philanthropy to thrive. Murisa stressed the importance of effectively communicating the impact of community philanthropy. “We must be able to sell our story properly,” he said, pointing out that community philanthropy and philanthropists have often struggled to articulate how they add value to the economy. He emphasized the need to showcase the significance of the sector in enhancing well-being, education, health, tourism, livelihoods, and employment—all of which contribute to broader development goals. “We have to demonstrate our work in a way that positions us as genuine contributors to society rather than mere noise makers,” Murisa added.
Ocra called for APN to develop an African Advocacy Agenda that stakeholders can rally around, suggesting that it should be a joint continent-wide advocacy strategy aimed at enhancing the enabling environment for local philanthropy. He also highlighted the need to strengthen infrastructure organizations that provide catalytic support to community philanthropy. He emphasized that for sustainability, discussions around capacity and capability must center on credibility, stating, “Credibility drives giving. It drives partnerships. Without credibility, there is no trust, and trust should be at the center of our solutions.”
Kasonga spoke about the critical need to cultivate strong actors within the community philanthropy space. “We must build individuals and organizations that are robust enough to carry on the essential work we are doing day in and day out,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of mentorship and knowledge transfer, noting that creating a pipeline of capable leaders is important for ensuring the sustainability of community philanthropy. “We need to invest in the next generation of leaders who can take this work forward, ensuring that our efforts are not only impactful today but also sustainable for the future,” he concluded.