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Zambia continues to demonstrate a strong culture of everyday generosity, with data indicating that 73% of people gave money in 2025, well above both global and continental averages. What stands out is how people give: over half (52%) of donations go directly to individuals and families in need, reflecting deeply rooted social solidarity and informal safety nets. This suggests that giving in Zambia is highly relational and community-driven, often prioritising immediacy and trust over formal systems.
Religious influence also remains a key driver, with 57% citing faith as a motivation for giving and 47% directing funds to religious causes, significantly higher than global trends. At the same time, only 20% give to registered charities, pointing to an opportunity to strengthen public trust, visibility and accessibility of formal philanthropic institutions.
Encouragingly, 78% of charitable giving stays local, highlighting a strong preference for community-level impact. However, a notable 51% of people say they want to get more involved but do not know how. This signals a critical gap, and an opportunity for organisations like the Zambian Governance Foundation for Civil Society (ZGF) to bridge awareness, expand participation pathways, and connect citizens to structured giving and civic engagement platforms.
How often did you give money away in 2025, either to charity, a person or family in need, or to a religious organisation?
The average proportion of income people gave to each of the three donation routes, and overall.
What would you say are the main reasons that you gave / did not give money away in 2025?
Which cause(s) did you donate to / do unpaid voluntary work for in 2025?
Of the total value of your donations to charities in 2025, approximately how much went to each of the following?
To what extent, if at all, have charities had a positive or negative impact in your local community, or have they made no difference?
For the last charity that you gave money to, how did you first find out about them?
How trustworthy do you tend to find each of these types of charities?
How could charities encourage you to donate in 2026?
Of the xx% that did unpaid, voluntary work in 2025 that benefitted people other than their family or friends, how many shifts did they do?
Think about the opportunities you have to get involved in making positive changes to society (whether locally or further afield). Which best describes your perspective?
"The Government encourages people to give to charity." Do you...
Established in 2009, ZGF seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity and autonomy of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to engage actively in policy processes and undertake advocacy on behalf of the poor and socially excluded people in Zambia.
The foundation focuses on enhancing local communities and civil society capabilities to harness both available and untapped resources for sustainable development. ZGF emphasizes two main areas: supporting civil society development and promoting community philanthropy, a newly introduced component.
With a clear mission, ZGF plays a crucial role in empowering communities. The organization provides essential resources and training to local groups, enabling them to effectively engage in sustainable practices. By fostering skills and knowledge, ZGF encourages self-reliance among community members. The foundation's commitment to civil society development enhances the overall capacity of local organizations, ensuring they can advocate for their needs and rights.
Established in 2009, ZGF seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity and autonomy of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to engage actively in policy processes and undertake advocacy on behalf of the poor and socially excluded people in Zambia.
The foundation focuses on enhancing local communities and civil society capabilities to harness both available and untapped resources for sustainable development. ZGF emphasizes two main areas: supporting civil society development and promoting community philanthropy, a newly introduced component.
With a clear mission, ZGF plays a crucial role in empowering communities. The organization provides essential resources and training to local groups, enabling them to effectively engage in sustainable practices. By fostering skills and knowledge, ZGF encourages self-reliance among community members. The foundation's commitment to civil society development enhances the overall capacity of local organizations, ensuring they can advocate for their needs and rights.
