Why Local Fundraising Matters

The Power of Partnership

At PFP, we believe that the strongest development solutions come from communities themselves. One recent opportunity demonstrated the value of local fundraising and the importance of supporting local organisations to access resources for their own ideas and priorities.

Our Partnerships and Innovations Manager, Caren, recently reflected on PFP Africa Trust’s support for Tumaini Youth Group, a community-based organisation on Remba Island, and their successful application to the Kenya Red Cross Society's IOME Agricultural Waste Innovators initiative.

The initiative focuses on Tumaini Youth Group’s innovative use of Black Soldier Fly farming to address organic waste management. By transforming fish-gutting waste and other organic materials into valuable products, including organic fertiliser and protein-rich larvae for poultry feed, the group is developing a locally driven solution that responds to both environmental and livelihood challenges within their community.

PFP Africa Trust supported the application process by providing technical input, helping strengthen the proposal, refine the project design and communicate the potential of the initiative to funders. The successful application provides an opportunity for Tumaini Youth Group to receive initial funding and capacity-building support to further develop their approach and explore how the model could be adapted in other contexts.

Out of more than 200 applications submitted from Homa Bay County, Tumaini Youth Group was one of only ten organisations selected. This achievement reflects the strength of their idea, as well as the value of combining local knowledge and community experience with additional support in proposal development and fundraising.

The experience reinforced an important principle: effective local fundraising is about partnership rather than ownership. Tumaini Youth Group brought their understanding of the community, their relationships and their practical experience of the challenges they were addressing. PFP Africa Trust contributed experience in grant writing, project design and donor engagement. Together, these different strengths helped develop a stronger application and create new opportunities for the group.

The process also highlighted something that is often less visible. Much of the work involved in supporting local organisations happens before funding is secured. Building relationships, helping shape ideas, providing guidance on proposals and supporting organisations to navigate funding opportunities all require time and expertise. However, this work is not always reflected in UK financial accounts or traditional reporting, despite being an important part of strengthening local organisations’ ability to access resources directly.

At PFP, we recognise the importance of this behind-the-scenes support. Local fundraising is not simply about securing funding; it is about investing in relationships, strengthening local capacity and helping locally developed solutions access the opportunities they need to grow.

This is one example of the local fundraising support provided by PFP Africa Trust. In a future blog, we will share more examples of local fundraising initiatives and partnerships that are helping community organisations access new opportunities and strengthen their work.