East Africa Philanthropy Conference to focus on fundraising reform and sustainability

The East Africa Philanthropy Network has unveiled the programme of masterclasses for the 10th East Africa Philanthropy Conference, with a focus on helping civil society and philanthropic organisations build institutional resilience amid a tightening and increasingly uncertain funding environment.

The conference brings together grantmakers, foundations, civil society organisations and other actors working to advance and strengthen local philanthropy across East Africa.

It provides a regional platform for learning, collaboration and strategic reflection.

The flagship event will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from June 16th to 20th, 2026, at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.

The major regional convening will bring together leaders and practitioners from across East Africa and beyond to address deep structural shifts reshaping social impact funding and organisational sustainability.

Now in its tenth year, the conference comes at a time when traditional funding streams for civil society and philanthropic organisations are contracting.

Sector actors say long-standing sources of support are shrinking and that fundraising must move beyond a single department to become an organisational behaviour rooted in leadership, internal culture, communications and external engagement.

The first masterclass under the conference theme, Anchoring Systems in an Era of Transition, focuses on great fundraising in a period of change.

It is titled The Organisational Blueprint for Mission-Driven Income Growth.

The session is hosted by WeRevolutionise International Ltd, a global institution with more than a decade of experience studying and shaping fundraising strategies across different contexts.

EAPN, on its official X account, said the session is aimed at chief executives, executive directors, fundraising leads, programme directors and board members navigating the current funding transition and seeking practical tools to strengthen organisational income strategies.

EAPN added that the session will unpack the connection between income growth and organisational behaviour.

Participants will learn why organisations may plateau even when donor opportunities exist.

The masterclass will examine how leadership alignment, organisational culture and strategic communications can support coherent income generation approaches that remain resilient in volatile environments.

EAPN said delegates will walk away with a self-assessment framework to evaluate where their organisations sit on the Great Fundraising spectrum.

The curriculum also includes a diversified income-growth strategy covering donor acquisition, retention, and loyalty, tailored to shifting funding realities.

A communications framework designed to help institutions connect with constituencies in ways that motivate giving is also part of the programme.

According to EAPN, attendees will receive a sequenced roadmap for implementation that they can begin using on return to their organisations.

The emphasis on practical tools reflects EAPN’s broader effort to shift philanthropy away from dependence on external grants towards more sustainable and locally grounded income models.

The masterclasses form part of a wider programme that includes plenary discussions, deep-dive sessions and networking opportunities aimed at addressing pressing issues facing the sector.

Themes across the event highlight systemic resilience, collaboration and strategic adaptation in the face of tightening donor pools and competing demands.

The East Africa Philanthropy Conference has grown into a key platform for the region’s philanthropic ecosystem.

It attracts more than 600 delegates, including private sector executives, government officials, impact investors, diaspora philanthropists, researchers and leaders of foundations and non-profit organisations.

The gathering seeks to build alignment across the sector, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and strengthen collective capacity to respond to complex development challenges.

Organisers say the call for session proposals closes early in March, while a limited number of exhibition spaces remain available.

Those interested in attending or presenting are encouraged to register through the official conference portal.

As funding patterns shift and organisations seek to future-proof their missions, the conference and its masterclasses are being positioned as timely interventions.

By embedding income generation within institutional strategy and culture, EAPN aims to equip philanthropic actors with tools to navigate funding transitions without compromising purpose or impact.

In a message posted on its X account, EAPN said:

“If this resonates with you, your partners, or anyone in your ecosystem who should be in this room, extend the invitation and register here: eaphilanthropyconference.org/registration/.”

EAPN added that the call for session proposals closes on March 4th, with submissions made via the official link.