KCDF works to encourage the growth and promotion of organized giving in Kenya.

The goal is to move communities and the wider Kenyan public from the mindset of depend­ing on external resources and to begin to fund their own development. Creating structures which facilitate such giving is essen­tial for continuity and consistency.

Concurrent to promoting local philanthropy, KCDF is also working with Government and like-minded organisations in the area of philan­thropy to establish an appropriate policy and legal framework for local philanthropy.

Many Kenyans respond in a big way through what has now come to be known as ‘crisis philanthropy’, offering to donate materials in kind, money and even land. This demonstrates that thousands of Ke­nyans are willing to help where structures and mechanisms for accountability are in place.

A study by Ufa­dhili Trust, a local organization that promotes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), showed that a total of $1 Billion was raised locally in one year to help communities who were displaced or negatively affected by the post election violence.

Kenyans also came together to raise close to $10 Million shillings in response to famine that was experienced in northern Kenya during the Kenyans for Kenya initiative.

While KCDF applauds such responses, it wishes to encourage Kenyans’ attitude towards continuous and organized systems of giving towards initiatives that eradicate root causes of problems. We acknowledge that our African culture is based on the core spirit of society, “Ubuntu” which at its heart is philanthropic, and our nation Kenya was build on a spirit of "Harambee” which also recognizes the power of coming together.

However, in the face of many challenges, unscrupulous campaigns, political uncertainty and more, Kenyans need to be reminded to preserve this dying culture of giving to worthy causes.

KCDF has been at the fore-front in pushing for policies that will make philanthropy favorable across the East African region, most notably, the Tax Incentives and Exemption. KCDF is a member of the East Africa Philanthropy Network, a membership association that brings together Trusts and Foundations in the East Africa region with the aim of promoting organized giving.

KCDF has also played a crucial role in the formative stages of the development of the African Grant-Makers Network now referred to as the Africa Philanthropy Network, a continent-wide network of African grant-making organizations that facilitates networking and learning experience among established and emerging African philanthropic institutions. 

KCDF also is part of of the Strategic Advisory Group for the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance, a lobby group for corporates and non-profit organisations that focuses on social investment and promotion of philanthropy.