Strengthening Community Based Organizations Kenya

Dear Friend,

Since the launch of this project, Strengthening Community Based Organizations Kenya, we have continued to witness a growing urgency among grassroots organizations affected by global funding shifts—especially those previously reliant on U.S.-based aid streams.

In the last quarter, we completed the preparatory phase of community mobilization, during which we:

• Identified and vetted 54 local organizations (CBOs and SHGs) across urban slums and rural areas
• Conducted a needs assessment to understand funding, governance, and operational gaps
• Designed a capacity-building curriculum focusing on local fundraising, digital storytelling, grant writing, and community resilience

In the last quarter also we have made progress

• Community Buy-In: Local leaders and representatives have shown strong support. Many of the groups expressed that this is the first structured capacity program tailored to small, informal, and often overlooked CBOs.
• Government Interest: In Meru and Nairobi Counties, local officials have expressed interest in exploring collaboration once training sessions begin.
• Increased Visibility: Since publishing the project on GlobalGiving, we have received inquiries from over 30 other CBOs seeking inclusion in future phases.

We are preparing to:

• Launch Phase One Trainings in August 2025 (targeting the first 30 CBOs)
• Deploy customized toolkits and mentoring to help organizations diversify funding
• Facilitate a CBO knowledge-sharing forum in Nairobi in late September

 Challenges we are facing

• Limited Funding Availability: Many local organizations are operating with near-zero budgets, making participation difficult without support for transport/meals.
• Digital Gaps: Some rural CBOs lack access to even basic internet or devices for virtual sessions, requiring us to consider hybrid or mobile training delivery.

We are deeply grateful for the platform GlobalGiving provides — it has opened conversations that would otherwise remain unheard.

As demand grows, so does our need for resources. We humbly appeal for consideration under GlobalGiving’s Disaster Response or flexible funds to ensure Phase One moves forward without delay.

Every session we host is a shield against collapse — and a spark toward resilience.

With appreciation,
Kenneth Apopa
CEO-Ready Aiders Foundation.