The East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN), and the Kenya Philanthropy Forum (KPF) endowment convening poster.
The East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN), in partnership with the Kenya Philanthropy Forum (KPF) and ICEA LION Asset Management, has announced a one-day strategic exchange on “Endowment Thinking in Kenya: Building Long-Term Capital for Social Impact.”
The convening will take place on 16th October 2025 at Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi, running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The gathering comes at a critical time for the philanthropy and civil society sectors in Kenya.
Despite the significant growth of philanthropic activity across the region, many institutions continue to face vulnerabilities due to reliance on short-term donor funding, annual fundraising cycles, and limited financial buffers.
The event aims to tackle these systemic challenges by promoting endowment thinking as a pathway toward institutional resilience, independence, and sustainability.
Focus of the Exchange
The convening will bring together a cross-section of stakeholders, including philanthropic institutions, civil society leaders, fund managers, legal experts, and governing boards.
Participants will engage in in-depth discussions on the legal, financial, and governance dimensions of building endowments, while also addressing readiness, risks, and regional relevance.
Importantly, the exchange will contribute to the early development of a national endowment guide tailored to Kenyan realities.
Such a guide would provide practical direction for organizations seeking to establish or strengthen endowment funds, ultimately fostering permanence in a sector where financial fragility has often undermined long-term impact.
The Role of EAPN
The East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) has been at the forefront of promoting collaborative philanthropy across the region.
Established as a membership-based network, EAPN provides a platform for philanthropic actors to share knowledge, build partnerships, and influence policy.
Its work spans capacity strengthening, evidence generation, and advocacy for an enabling environment that recognizes the strategic role of philanthropy in development.
Through initiatives like this strategic exchange, EAPN continues to push for innovation in how philanthropy is practiced.
By positioning endowment thinking as part of a wider conversation on sustainability, the network is highlighting the importance of shifting from dependency-driven models to approaches that secure autonomy and long-term social impact.
The Role of KPF
The Kenya Philanthropy Forum (KPF), a key partner in this initiative, complements this regional vision by advancing a national agenda for philanthropy.
The Forum provides an organized space for philanthropic institutions and individuals to interact, exchange insights, and collaborate on joint efforts.
Beyond convening, KPF is committed to raising the visibility of philanthropy in Kenya’s national development agenda, ensuring that the sector’s contributions are acknowledged and strengthened within the broader policy and economic landscape.
By co-hosting this strategic exchange, KPF is helping ensure that Kenyan institutions are not only part of the dialogue but also central in shaping solutions that resonate with local realities.
A Step Toward Capital Permanence
The October 16th convening reflects a growing recognition that philanthropy in Kenya and across Africa must evolve to remain impactful.
While donor funding and annual appeals remain important, they cannot guarantee stability in a changing economic and social landscape.
Endowments and the mindset shift they require offer a way forward.
By gathering diverse voices to discuss governance structures, investment models, and legal frameworks, the event promises to chart a practical course for organizations seeking to embrace permanence.
The outcomes are expected to influence both institutional strategies and sector-wide practices in the years ahead.
About the Organizers
The East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) is a membership network that brings together philanthropic organizations and stakeholders across the region to build knowledge, strengthen practice, and amplify the role of philanthropy in sustainable development.
The Kenya Philanthropy Forum (KPF) is a national platform that convenes institutions and individuals in philanthropy to interact, share, and collaborate, while also elevating the sector’s recognition in national development efforts.
Together with ICEA LION Asset Management, a leading financial services group with expertise in investment and wealth management, the partners are creating a unique opportunity to rethink the financial foundations of Kenya’s philanthropy sector.
