Mission, Vision, & Values
Mission
To advance African philanthropy and social investment through research, teaching, dialogue, and partnership. CAPSI exists to build knowledge, grow expertise, and strengthen the field through work that is grounded in African realities and responsive to social change.
Vision
An Africa in which philanthropy and social investment are better understood, better documented, and more effectively mobilised for social change. CAPSI envisions a stronger, more visible African knowledge base shaped by African perspectives, institutions, and priorities.
Values
How We Work
CAPSI works through research, learning, convening, and partnership to strengthen philanthropy and social investment in Africa.
By generating knowledge, supporting academic and practitioner development, and creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, the Centre helps connect ideas, institutions, and people working to address social challenges across the continent.
 | Knowledge production | We develop and share African research, publications, and learning resources that strengthen understanding of philanthropy and social investment and help address long-standing gaps in the field. |
| Academic development | We support emerging scholars, researchers, and practitioners through programmes, workshops, and learning opportunities that build expertise and leadership in the sector. |
| Convening and exchange | We create spaces for dialogue through seminars, conferences, public lectures, and collaborative platforms that connect ideas, institutions, and practice across Africa. |
| Partnerships and engagement | We work with aligned organisations and networks to strengthen capabilities, expand reach, and amplify African-led perspectives across the field. |
Our Story
CAPSI emerged from a broader effort to strengthen African knowledge on philanthropy and social investment. In the early 2000s, African philanthropic institutions identified the need for stronger teaching, research, and documentation in the field, with a shared vision of building a pan‑African evidence base and learning community. This momentum contributed to the creation of the Africa Philanthropy Network in 2009, which promoted African philanthropy through meetings, publications, and advocacy across the continent.
In 2014, the Southern Africa Trust and the University of the Witwatersrand established the first Chair on African Philanthropy at Wits. That Chair became the foundation for CAPSI, which was created as a platform for teaching, research, training, and engagement in African philanthropy and social investment.
Today, CAPSI is based at Wits Business School and has grown into the first centre of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. Through research, academic development, publications, convenings, and partnerships, it continues to help shape a stronger African ecosystem for philanthropy, social investment, and public knowledge.
Team & Governance
Meet the people who guide CAPSI’s academic, strategic, and operational work, from centre leadership to broader governance and advisory support. CAPSI’s wider work also reflects contributions from staff, researchers, and board-linked expertise.
Partners
Explore the organisations and institutions CAPSI works with to expand research, dialogue, and field-building across African philanthropy and social investment.
Publications
Read research reports, journal outputs, opinion pieces, and centre updates that reflect CAPSI’s growing contribution to the field.