Publications

Reports on African fundraising and philanthropy issues and topics

Global Philanthropy: A Comparative Analysis with Focus on South Africa

2026 | Next Generation Consultants

This report examines philanthropic practices across major regions, with specific relevance to South Africa. It identifies best practices, common pitfalls, and emerging trends that will define giving through 2030.

From Fragility to Fortitude – Building Resilient African CSOs in the Wake of the US Government Funding Collapse

2025 | @AfricanNGOs & EPIC-Africa

This report documents the impact of the US government funding freeze on African civil society organisations. It highlights how the freeze disrupted critical services and initiatives, leaving vulnerable communities without essential support. It also showcases CSOs’ resilience and adaptation strategies and calls for a reimagined, African-led approach to sustainable financing.

Partnering for People Power: The Philanthropy Support Ecosystem for Social Movements in Africa and Latin America

2025 | WINGS

This report highlights the critical role of an ecosystemic approach to movement funding, which includes domestic and international philanthropy, individual giving platforms and the support organisations that create the connective tissue between these actors.

The Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2025

2025 | Trialogue

This 28th edition of the handbook focuses on the theme ‘The power of measurement in driving social impact.’ It explores the critical role of monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement in enhancing corporate social investment and responsible business practices in South Africa.

Challenging the Myths: Individual Giving for African Civil Society Organizations

2025 | EPIC-Africa

This report challenges long-held assumptions about philanthropy in Africa, documenting for the first time how individual giving is a primary funding source for civil society organisations. It reveals a vibrant culture of giving that transcends traditional boundaries and challenges Western narratives.

How African NGOs Grow

2024 | The Bridgespan Group

African NGOs are deeply rooted in their communities and deliver important impact. This report explores how they’ve secured funding to grow and sustain their organisations despite historical barriers that impede their full potential.

Local Giving in Africa

2024 | West Africa Civil Society Institute

This report documents how African civil society organisations understand and apply local giving practices. It explores lessons from grassroots resource mobilisation, emphasising indigenous practices of giving and sustainability.

Philanthropy Ecosystem in Africa: Assessing the Philanthropic Landscape in Africa to Strengthen Localisation, Identify Intermediaries and Transform Grantmaking

2024 | Oak Foundation

This report analyses Africa’s philanthropic ecosystem, trends in localisation, the role of intermediaries, and strategies to shift power in grantmaking toward African-led organisations and sustainable resource mobilisation.

Scanning the Philanthropy Ecosystem in Nigeria

2024 | African Philanthropy Forum

This report highlights philanthropic giving trends, motivations, and practices in Nigeria. It provides valuable data and context on who gives, how, and with what impact, offering empirical grounding for understanding local philanthropy and resource mobilisation.

Strength in Numbers: Philanthropic Collaborations in Africa and Their Unique Potential

2024 | The Bridgespan Group

Philanthropic collaboration across Africa is robust and complex. Donors participate in over 130 collaborations, of which more than half work exclusively in Africa. Fueling this growth is the continent’s burgeoning prosperity and donors’ growing recognition that they must work together to develop innovative approaches to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.

The Changing Landscape of Large-Scale Giving in Africa by Non-African Philanthropists

2024 | The Bridgespan Group

This report highlights the changing nature of large-scale giving in Africa, with more large gifts from non-African funders predominantly going to African NGOs, a stark contrast to the longstanding history of funders directing capital to non-African organisations operating on the continent.

The Impact of COVID-19 on African Civil Society Organizations – Ongoing Uncertainty and a Glimmer of Optimism

2021 | @AfricanNGOs & EPIC-Africa

This report examines the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on African CSOs while highlighting the essential work they perform. It calls on governments, funders and other stakeholders to recognise, partner with and support African CSOs whose actions are critical to driving a comprehensive response to COVID-19.