KCDF and STAR-Ghana Strengthen Ties to Advance Civil Society Sustainability
June 26, 2025
KCDF Participates in the 9th EAPN Conference: Advancing the Agenda for Local Philanthropy and Financial Resilience
June 26, 2025
KCDF continues to champion local philanthropy by equipping community-based organisations and NGOs with the skills and confidence to raise funds locally, strengthening community-driven development. Kenya remains one of the top countries recognised for a strong culture of giving, and KCDF, through the Change the Game Academy, supports organisations in tapping into this potential.
On June 16th and 17th, 2025, KCDF, with support from the Ford Foundation, hosted 37 participants from 22 partner organisations across Kenya for a two-day intensive training to sharpen their local fundraising skills.
Speaking at the training, Caesar Ngule, KCDF’s Programmes Director, urged partners to approach local fundraising intentionally. He emphasised the importance of understanding who you are asking for support and how you make that ask.
“Knowing how to engage those you seek support from is crucial. In local fundraising, the way you communicate, how you appeal to people’s emotions and how you make them connect with your cause, makes all the difference. While it might not seem easy initially, it’s important to remember that success is possible, and your fundraising goals are within reach,” he said.
The Change the Game Academy Masterclass, led by expert trainers, focused on action planning, team building, and real-world fundraising strategies, intending to develop local fundraising champions.
A key highlight of the training was the practical session, during which participants developed tailored fundraising action plans for their organisations. They were tasked with designing realistic strategies for causes they support, including setting budgets and mapping out how the funds would be raised. The proposed activities ranged from fundraising dinners and luncheons to social media campaigns and annual celebratory events.
Each group presented their plan, which was then evaluated by trainers and fellow participants for feasibility, creativity, and potential impact. Constructive feedback was shared to strengthen their ideas and increase the likelihood of success in mobilising the support needed to bring these events to life.
Key lessons included:
- Understanding donor mindset- Organisations must learn what motivates donors and align their approach to match donor expectations, values, and interests.
- Building strong, accountable teams- Successful fundraising requires well-structured teams with clear roles, shared goals, and mutual accountability to drive collective effort.
- Using emotional appeal- People give when they feel emotionally connected to a cause. Storytelling and real-life impact examples help build that connection.
- Building lasting relationships- Fundraising starts with building meaningful relationships. Networks, trust, and consistent engagement often lead to long-term support.
- Clear, concise pitching- Donors have limited time. Being brief, focused, and impactful when presenting your cause increases your chances of success.
- Planning, resilience, and reflection- Fundraising comes with obstacles. Persistence, adaptability, and a strong belief in your cause are vital to overcoming setbacks and staying the course.
Overall, the Master Class reinforced that successful local fundraising is built on clarity, connection, consistency, and commitment, key ingredients in driving community-owned development.
This training aligns with KCDF’s strategic commitment to community-led development by deepening the practice of local philanthropy and amplifying awareness of its power and impact.
By equipping organisations with the tools to mobilise resources from within, KCDF continues to support and promote a culture of giving that is rooted in communities, driven by local leadership, and built for lasting change.
#localfundraising #philanthropy #entrenchinglocalphilanthropy #communitygiving #communityleddevelopment
