Successful business models
Blended finance model — Amal Community Development Organization in Kenya
January 1, 2026
Successful business model
Shu'aa Network for Research and Development
Project Overview
In the context of the funding challenges facing 78% of NGOs in Africa, the Amal for Community Development organization in Kenya has succeeded in developing an innovative funding model that goes beyond dependence on a single source, combining international grants, local donations and income-generating activities into an integrated and sustainable funding system.
Initiative goals
Short-term goals
Diversifying funding sources to eliminate dependence on unstable foreign grants
Building a sustainable local donation base from beneficiary communities
Developing income-generating activities that support the organization's financial independence
Strengthening partnership with the local private sector
Long-term goals
Achieving genuine financial sustainability, independent of fluctuations in international grants.
Expanding services to include new rural communities
Building a replicable and applicable model for other African organizations
Establishing a sense of community ownership of programs and projects
Challenges faced by the project
Reliance on unstable external funding sources
Most African NGOs face a shortage of local funding and a weak culture of community donations.
Weak ability to plan for the long term
Lack of financial sustainability limits organizations' ability to develop innovative programs that are responsive to community needs.
Raising institutional efficiency
Improving overall performance and increasing the effectiveness of institutional processes
Raising institutional efficiency
Improving overall performance and increasing the effectiveness of institutional processes
Results achieved
Student beneficiary
Trained teacher
A well-equipped school
65
%
Improvement in results
Factors contributing to success
Blended financing model
Blended financing model
Partnership with the local private sector
Partnerships with local companies have contributed to providing stable financial resources and have strengthened the community's commitment to development projects.
Building genuine community ownership
The member and community contribution model enabled beneficiaries to be transformed into active partners, thereby increasing commitment and sustainability.
Independence and flexibility in response
Diversifying funding has given the organization the ability to respond quickly to the changing needs of the community without waiting for donor approvals.