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From June 11th to 13th, 2025, KCDF took part in the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) Conference, which was held in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme “Agile Philanthropy: Adapting to Economic, Social, and Political Shifts.” The convening provided a strategic opportunity for the Foundation to amplify its ongoing efforts to shift the narrative from aid dependency toward financial independence and locally anchored giving.
This year’s gathering brought together over 520 participants from 32 countries, providing a rich platform for reflection, collaboration, and reimagining the role of philanthropy in a fast-changing world. At a time when traditional development aid is shrinking and the sector is being called to do more with less, the conference offered a timely space to interrogate how philanthropy can remain responsive, resilient, and relevant. It emphasised the urgent need for philanthropic actors to adapt to shifting funding landscapes while remaining rooted in the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.
KCDF participated in this pivotal convening and was represented by its Executive Director, Grace Maingi, Programmes Coordinator Hellen Kuria, and National Programme Officer Sandra Chivumbe. KCDF’s participation was deeply aligned with its core mission of entrenching local philanthropy and promoting financial resilience within community organisations.
As part of its engagement, KCDF hosted a thematic session titled “Aid Retrenchment and Shifting Global Priorities,” which drew considerable interest from attendees. The session examined the declining footprint of traditional development capital and highlighted the inherent fragility of grant-dependent models.
KCDF used this opportunity to present its innovative endowment fund model, an approach that has been central to its long-term sustainability strategy. Through the Financial Resilience Hub, KCDF supports community-based organisations to diversify their revenue streams through local resource mobilisation, endowment building, and social enterprise. The session sparked significant engagement, with several partners expressing interest in learning more about how to adopt and adapt KCDF’s financial resilience strategies in their contexts.
KCDF’s presence extended beyond its thematic session. The organisation’s booth attracted close to 200 participants and served as a hub for in-depth discussions, learning, and exploring KCDF’s financial resilience strategy. It provided a practical space for philanthropy actors to interact with KCDF’s work and explore collaborative opportunities.
In addition to these engagements, KCDF’s Executive Director, Ms. Grace Maingi, participated in two key sessions during the conference. In a panel discussion titled “Building Legitimacy through Trust, Community Power, and Shared Resources,” she discussed the importance of grounding philanthropic interventions in community voice and fostering trust-based relationships. She emphasised that legitimacy in philanthropy stems not just from funding, but from proximity, accountability, and respect for community leadership.
Ms. Maingi also contributed to a Masterclass conversation designed to surface strategic blind spots, explore sector tensions, and imagine new pathways for philanthropic practice. This forward-looking dialogue aligned with KCDF’s belief in continuously evolving to meet emerging challenges while staying rooted in community-led development.
KCDF’s participation at the 9th EAPN Conference reaffirmed its position as a leader and thought partner in the region, committed to promoting sustainable, homegrown philanthropy. The conference amplified KCDF’s ongoing efforts to shift the narrative from aid dependency toward financial independence and locally anchored giving. As the development landscape continues to evolve, KCDF remains committed to nurturing a robust ecosystem where communities are not only recipients of aid but active architects of their development through organised local philanthropy.
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