Having recently become a certified trainer in local fundraising, through a program by the Uganda National NGO Forum, Change the Game Academy, and Philanthropy for Development, Gracious Akandwanaho, a Communications Officer, KICK Corruption Out of Uganda (KICK-U) in Kabale District has come to believe that local fundraising is not just about raising money. It’s about raising belief.
As global funding priorities continue to shift and donor fatigue sets in, many grassroots organizations across Uganda and indeed Africa, find themselves at a crossroads. For too long, we’ve been taught to look outward for help. But what if the real power to transform our communities lies not in distant donors, but right here at home?
At KICK Corruption Out of Uganda (KICK-U), we’ve begun to answer that question by embracing local fundraising not as a fallback plan, but as a forward-looking strategy for sustainability and ownership.
On June 3, 2025, I had the privilege of leading a Local Fundraising Training for our staff and intern students at our offices in Kabale Municipality. The goal was simple: to ignite a mindset shift and equip our team with practical skills to mobilize resources from within.
Having recently become a certified trainer in local fundraising, through a program by the Uganda National NGO Forum, Change the Game Academy, and Philanthropy for Development, Gracious Akandwanaho, a Communications Officer, KICK Corruption Out of Uganda (KICK-U) in Kabale District has come to believe that local fundraising is not just about raising money. It’s about raising belief.
When communities contribute, whether in cash, in kind, or through volunteering they’re not just donors; they’re co-owners of the change they want to see. That kind of investment builds dignity, not dependency.
During the training, we explored three practical forms of local support:
- In-Cash Contributions, which are straightforward financial donations;
- In-Kind Donations, such as food, equipment, or materials;
- Volunteer-Kind Contributions, where individuals give their time and skills.
All of these approaches are accessible, regardless of someone’s income level. That’s the beauty of local fundraising, it invites everyone to the table.
One participant, Anita Ninsiima, our Head of Programs, shared something that stuck with me: “This was a wake-up call. I now see the many opportunities around us to support our work without depending solely on external donors.” And she’s absolutely right. We are surrounded by resources, we’ve just been conditioned not to see them.
The truth is, those closest to the problem are also closest to the solution. Community-led resource mobilization means people aren’t just beneficiaries, they’re drivers of their own development. It builds trust, ensures accountability, and creates solutions that are more rooted in the real context of our communities.
More and more organizations across Uganda and Africa are waking up to this reality. We’re seeing civil society groups tap into networks of local leaders, religious institutions, small businesses, and even diaspora communities. The result? A more resilient and relevant civil society.
At KICK-U, our fight against corruption is fueled by the belief that change must come from within. That’s why we’re investing in local fundraising skills, not just to survive, but to thrive. We’re inviting individuals, groups, and businesses to join this movement, because we believe that everyone has something to give.
Local fundraising isn’t a backup plan. It’s a bold declaration that we trust ourselves, our people, and our power. In a world where external aid is uncertain, local fundraising gives us something far more valuable, control over our own destiny.
It’s time to stop seeing ourselves as beggars at the global table. The real solutions to our challenges are right here. And the future of community development? It’s local.
The Writer, Gracious Akandwanaho is a Communications Officer, KICK Corruption Out of Uganda (KICK-U) in Kabale District.
