16+
Years of Impact
580+
Partners Collaborated With
10
Provinces Covered
50k+
Lives Touched
100%
Local Solutions
About Us
The Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) for Civil Society was established as a not-for-profit private company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act Chapter 388 of the Laws of Zambia in July 2009. ZGF was formed to strengthen the institutional capacity and autonomy of civil society organisations (CSO) to engage actively in policy processes and undertake advocacy on behalf of the poor and socially excluded people in Zambia. In 2017, community philanthropy emerged as a new pillar of work following exposure to the concept of community philanthropy promoted by the Global Fund for Community Foundations. The organisation has started engaging in community-led development initiatives using community philanthropy as one of the key strategies. In this new direction, ZGF still remains committed to civil society organisations (CSO) support through various mechanisms including sub-granting and capacity building.
Vision
A Zambian society where local communities realise their rights and shape their own development.
Mission
Local communities and civil society with strengthened capacities to unlock and utilise available resources.
Our Programmatic Pillars
The core strategies driving community-led development across Zambia.
CSO Support
Building the capacity of local organisations to practice active citizenship.
Explore Strategy →Strengthening Communities
Empowering communities to lead their own development and hold the state accountable.
Explore Strategy →Community Philanthropy
Advocating for the growth of formal and informal philanthropic giving in Zambia.
Explore Strategy →Social Media Highlights
All Highlights
We’re pleased to be part of the global community behind Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Report 2026: Charity Insights. The report shows that while 56% of charities consider the sector in their country to be healthy, funding remains a key challenge for eight in ten. It also finds that 92% believe funders could do more to support them beyond providing money. The findings offer charities, funders and policymakers an opportunity to listen, learn and work together to strengthen the conditions in which civil society can thrive. Explore the global findings and recommendations: worldgivingreport.org #WorldGivingReport26 @followers
Today, our CEO joined us on a visit to our CSSF partner, #RICAP. We learned so much about the organization and how they have been collaborating with local clinics and communities to promote the wellness of children, as well as #SRHR among adolescents. We look forward to learning more about and collaborating with RICAP as we continue with this partnership.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS FAIR & STRATEGIC PLAN LAUNCH🥳🥳 Today, community foundations, civil society organisations and partners are coming together for the Community Foundations Fair and Strategic Plan Launch, under the theme “Showcasing Community Power in Action.” The Fair provides a platform for community foundations to showcase the work they are leading in their communities, share their experiences, connect with partners and demonstrate how local knowledge, resources and leadership can drive meaningful change. A key highlight of the day is the launch of strategic plans developed by the community foundations, setting out their priorities, aspirations and direction for the years ahead. These plans reflect their commitment to strengthening locally led development and building on the resources and strengths within their communities. Today is a celebration of community leadership in action and a reminder that sustainable development becomes stronger when communities have the space and power to shape their own solutions. #ZGF #CommunityFoundationsFair #StrategicPlanLaunch #CommunityPowerInAction #CommunityLedDevelopment #LocalPhilanthropy #Localization
Featured Initiatives
Explore some of the local solutions we are supporting across Zambia.
The Reverse Call for Proposals
Reverse Call for Proposals (RCfP) The Reverse Call for Proposals (RCfP) is an innovative participatory grantmaking approach that shifts the traditional power dynamics of funding by placing communities at the centre of decision-making. Unlike conventional grant processes where funders define priorities and organizations submit applications, the RCfP enables communities to identify their own needs, propose solutions, and determine which initiatives should receive support. Through the RCfP, ZGF works with community foundations and local actors to mobilize local knowledge, strengthen community ownership, and support locally driven solutions. The approach recognizes that communities are best placed to understand their challenges and opportunities, and therefore should have a meaningful role in directing resources towards initiatives that matter most to them. The RCfP promotes transparency, inclusion, and trust by involving community members in identifying priorities, reviewing proposals, and making funding decisions. It supports grassroots organizations and community groups to implement initiatives that respond to local realities while strengthening the culture of local giving and community philanthropy in Zambia. As the first Reverse Call for Proposals implemented in Zambia, the initiative represents a significant step towards shifting power within the development sector and demonstrating that communities can lead decisions about resources intended for their own development.
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The Shifting the Power Programme
So far, ZGF has worked with 50 CSOs in Zambia under the STP programme
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Youth-led Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development
ZGF has been working with youth groups in Chawama, George and Mandevu peri-urban neighbourhoods of Lusaka.
Learn MoreReady to Make a Difference?
Join us in our mission to strengthen civil society and promote good governance across Zambia. Contact us at info@zgf.org.zm for partnership inquiries.