The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) is Evans Okinyi.pjoto courtesy
The East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) is a pivotal membership association connecting trusts, foundations, and philanthropic organizations across East Africa.
For over two decades, it has worked to strengthen the region’s philanthropic ecosystem, not merely facilitating financial support, but nurturing a culture of giving rooted in local communities a culture that drives lasting and meaningful change.
With a membership of more than 200 organizations and a broader partnership base of over 5,000 institutions globally, the EAPN operates primarily in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Its commitment to home-grown philanthropy positions it as a critical actor in regional development, amplifying traditional forms of community solidarity, such as Kenya’s Harambee, while providing the structure, resources, and influence needed to shape the future of giving in East Africa.
From Conversations to a Movement
The story of the EAPN began in 2001, amid growing recognition that local philanthropy had untapped potential but was also constrained by fragmentation and limited visibility.
A 1999 study highlighted over 60 local grantmaking trusts operating across East Africa, yet these entities were largely disconnected and absent from regional development discussions.
In response, eight indigenous philanthropic groups came together to form the East Africa Foundations Learning Group with support from the Ford Foundation.
These initial meetings, designed to share experiences and strategies, laid the groundwork for the formal creation of the East Africa Association of Grantmakers (EAAG) in 2003, which would later evolve into the EAPN.
The timing coincided with a period of regional integration under the East African Community, creating momentum for cross-border collaboration.
This initiative sought to challenge the prevailing notion that impactful philanthropy could only originate from outside the region, highlighting the potential of locally driven giving.
Centering Local Giving and Self-Determination
A defining feature of the EAPN’s work is its emphasis on community-led, self-determined development.
The network recognizes that resources alone are insufficient to create sustainable impact; organization, knowledge sharing, and collective influence are equally critical.
The EAPN seeks to strengthen the infrastructure of the philanthropic sector itself, rather than focusing solely on the capacity of individual organizations.
Through this approach, it brings together a broad spectrum of members, from large corporate foundations to smaller family trusts, uniting them under a shared goal: to create a resilient, collaborative giving ecosystem.
This diversity ensures that multiple perspectives and strategies contribute to the network’s mission, fostering innovation, adaptability, and inclusivity across the region’s philanthropic landscape.
A Strategic Approach to Change
The EAPN organizes its work around three main objectives, each reinforcing the other:
1. Influencing the philanthropic ecosystem: The network conducts research, produces thought leadership, and advocates for supportive legal and policy frameworks. By providing evidence-based insights, it helps shape an environment in which philanthropy can thrive.
2. Enhancing philanthropic practices: Through communities of practice, knowledge management platforms, and strategic alliances, the EAPN promotes effective and informed giving.
It encourages collaboration and ensures that lessons learned in one context are shared across the network, preventing duplication of efforts and fostering innovation.
3. Strengthening organizational capabilities: Professional development and learning opportunities are offered to both members and the network itself.
By investing in the skills and expertise of those involved in philanthropy, the EAPN ensures that organizations are better equipped to deliver impact and adapt to emerging challenges.
Key Initiatives and Programs
The EAPN advances its mission through a series of high-profile initiatives and programs:
- East Africa Philanthropy Conference:
This annual event gathers hundreds of participants from across the region to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and innovative solutions.
The 9th conference, held in Kigali in 2025, focused on “Agile Philanthropy,” emphasizing the need for responsive and flexible approaches in a rapidly changing social, economic, and political environment.
- East Africa Philanthropy Data Portal:
One of the sector’s persistent challenges has been the lack of reliable data on local giving.
The portal collects and organizes information from trusts and foundations across East Africa, helping measure the sector’s contribution to development, prevent duplication, and foster collaboration.
- Philanthropy Forums:
National-level forums convene stakeholders from the philanthropic sector, civil society, and government to discuss strategic development priorities.
By providing a neutral space for dialogue, these forums strengthen collaboration and amplify philanthropy’s influence on national policy and practice.
EAPN Publications:
The network produces reports and studies, including the annual Kenya Giving Report, which tracks giving trends, and research on community and family philanthropy traditions.
These publications provide both practitioners and policymakers with insights that guide strategic decisions and sector growth.
- East Africa Philanthropy Awards:
These awards celebrate excellence in giving, recognizing individuals, private and corporate givers, and civil society groups.
By showcasing innovative and impactful work, the awards inspire others and highlight the transformative potential of philanthropy in East Africa.
- Knowledge Hub:
An online resource offering training, learning materials, and forums for working groups on topics such as leadership and education.
The hub allows practitioners across the region to access guidance, share experiences, and build skills critical to their work.
Shaping the Future of East African Philanthropy
As East Africa continues to develop, the EAPN’s role is increasingly vital.
By promoting locally led, community-driven giving, the network positions philanthropy as a key partner in development, complementing government action rather than replacing it.
Its work underscores the importance of local knowledge, relationships, and context in driving sustainable change.
Through documentation, collaboration, and advocacy, the EAPN strengthens the visibility and influence of local philanthropists, fostering a more just and equitable region.
Its initiatives highlight that the true inheritance of philanthropy lies not just in financial resources but in the knowledge, networks, and resilience cultivated within communities.
In an era marked by complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, the EAPN ensures that East Africa’s spirit of giving is not only preserved but strengthened.
By connecting organizations, sharing insights, and amplifying local voices, the network continues to shape a philanthropic sector that is adaptive, inclusive, and capable of driving meaningful, lasting change.
