As the year draws to a close, we pause to reflect on what shook our sector to the core. Global shifts in the funding landscape left mission-critical work unfunded, forcing some of our partners to close their doors. The impact on communities—where poverty was being actively addressed—was profound and painful.

Yet this moment also became a turning point. As The Trust marked 20 years of existence, we reflected on how, for over two decades, we have carried the mantle of an African re-granter and an ally in strengthening the voice and agency of marginalized communities, guided by feminist and care principles. In 2025, we sharpened our positioning and committed to:

• Regranting resources to sustain grassroots impact
• Fiscal hosting to strengthen organizational resilience
• Accompaniment to walk alongside partners in pursuit of challenging systemic inequity

This transition clarifies our core mission: to amplify the voice and influence of impoverished and excluded people in Southern Africa by supporting them to access their full rights.

To achieve this, one of our implementation pathways is to resource and stand as an ally of implementing partners as they continue the fight for equity and challenge systemic power that marginalizes the impoverished in Southern Africa.

As we look ahead to January 2026, we ask:

• How can African-rooted funds better safeguard communities against global funding shocks?
• What models of solidarity and care should define the future of philanthropy in our region?
• How can African philanthropy—deeply responsive to the lived realities and needs of Africans—be elevated as a driver of sustainable change?

We also recognize the urgency of exploring alternative funding pathways:

• Venture philanthropy that blends investment discipline with social impact
• Private and corporate funding to keep mission-critical work supported
• Innovative African giving models rooted in ubuntu, harambee, reciprocity, and collective care

As we step into our third decade of existence in 2026, we invite our partners, peers, and allies to join us in shaping this journey. Together, we can ensure that the work of civic formations not only survives but thrives. Together, we can work towards realising our vision of an integrated Southern Africa where all people live empowered and fulfilled lives.