Giving Compass' Take:

• The African Philanthropy Forum draws a distinction between charity and philanthropy, arguing that philanthropy needs to eschew charity to make a positive, lasting impact. 

• Where does your philanthropy fall on the spectrum of philanthropy and charity? How can your work be improved? 

• Read about the inequality in health and education outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.

There are many competing causes and organizations that will require your support and choosing one to focus on can be an overwhelming task. Setting clear goals from the onset can make this process easier and help you determine what combination of your resources you are able to give and to whom. In Africa, where much of philanthropic giving is still informal or charitable, making this shift to more strategic of long-term giving is a challenge. Following the lessons mentioned to build structure around your philanthropy can help you avoid common pitfalls.

What is my motivation for giving?

Asking yourself why you are getting involved in philanthropy is a necessary first step in understanding your motivations. For some, philanthropy is largely inspired by a sense of being able to right a wrong that was experienced or witnessed. Or, it might be driven by a particular conviction behind solving a specific social problem. For others, it may be a combination of factors including family legacy, religion, and impact. Whatever your motivations are, it is important that you understand and acknowledge what drives you.

 What resources will I give?

For philanthropy to sustain change and impact it has to be backed by substantial financial investments, and in some cases, the philanthropist’s time. Although financial support isn’t the only resource a philanthropist can offer, it has a greater capacity to influence scale and delivery of long-term impact.

Ultimately, philanthropy is a personal journey and there is really no "right" path to follow. Thinking strategically about philanthropy will require practice, and you may not get it all figured out all at once. Learning from others and your own experiences can help put a lot of the ideas and reflections, discussed in this chapter, into perspective.

Read the full article about forming a plan for philanthropy in Africa from African Philanthropy Forum at Medium.