About ZGF
Strengthening civil society and promoting accountable governance through local solutions and partnerships.
Who We Are
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 and untapped resources for sustainable development.
Our Core Values
Integrity
We believe in fairness, learning, respect, integrity and quality.
Accountability
Taking responsibility for our actions and outcomes.
Catalyst for Change
We will act as a catalyst and work with others to build a better tomorrow.
Collaboration
Working together with partners for greater impact.
Empowerment
Enabling communities to lead their own development.
Organisational DNA
Our identity is defined by these core attributes that drive our daily interactions and decision-making.
Collaborative
Working in partnership with civil society and directly with communities.
Accountable
To the community, our constituents, our funders, and each other.
Adaptive
To change because we take the long view in a shifting landscape.
Responsive
To existing and newly emerging needs in the community.
Resourceful
Using both traditional and non-traditional means to catalyse development.
Our Value Proposition
ZGF has a clear and definitive value proposition that defines us as investment-worthy and trustworthy in the management of financial and social capital.
Community-Led Solutions
Ability to drive solutions that are genuinely community-determined.
Resource Leveraging
Capacity to leverage national resources and opportunities for local development.
Communications & Media
Communications capacity with global reach to profile community voices.
Financial Stewardship
A seasoned grant maker with effective and trusted financial stewardship.
Engaged Network
Maintaining an engaged partnership network within Zambia and globally.
The Philanthropic Landscape
Zambia has an undeniable and deeply rooted culture of giving, primarily within extended families, local communities, and churches. Our research shows that while the willingness to give is immense, the potential for growth remains largely untapped.
ZGF has conducted groundbreaking studies on local and diaspora philanthropy, providing the insights needed to grow horizontal (community-level) giving as a sustainable alternative to external aid.
Local Philanthropy
Based on credibility and household-level impact.
Diaspora Giving
Moving beyond family support to technical and developmental expertise.
Strategic Context (SDGs)
Zambia currently ranks 141 out of 165 countries in SDG progress, facing significant challenges in poverty, hunger, and clean water.
Zambia's Global SDG Performance Ranking
ZGF's bottom-up strategy is essential to achieving these goals by empowering communities to manage their own local assets for sustainable development.
Sustainability & Services
To ensure lasting value and retain our secretariat of seasoned professionals, ZGF offers technical consultancy and fee-based support services.
CSO Support
Capacity development, organisational assessments, and leadership training for Civil Society.
Communications
Improving institutional communication mechanisms and mechanisms for community feedback.
Resource Mobilisation
Development of sustainability strategies and alternative resource mobilisation frameworks.
Our Journey
Since our inception in 2009, we have been at the forefront of strengthening civil society in Zambia.
Inception
ZGF was registered to enhance transparency and responsiveness through CSO development.
The Pivot
Community philanthropy emerged as a new pillar, shifting focus to direct community engagement.
Strategic Expansion
Launch of the 2022-2026 strategy, focusing on building a national philanthropy ecosystem.
CFSO Evolution
Transitioning into a Community Foundation Support Organisation to scale local development.
Ready 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.