The Fundraiser Who Went Home: What Listening to Civil Society Leaders in Nairobi Taught Me

I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, because I knew one thing for certain.

If the 2025 aid and funding collapse hit hard in the United States, it was hitting organizations across Africa even harder.

I needed to hear directly from the people living it.

So I convened more than 30 civil society founders, fundraisers, and leaders working across critical cause areas from agribusiness to gender equity to poverty alleviation, health, and more.

I wanted to understand their funding challenges.

What I Heard

What I heard was heartbreaking—but not surprising.

The leaders shared stories of devastating funding losses, complete donor divestments, restricted funding that covered programs but not the people doing the work, shifting philanthropic priorities, and persistent barriers that continue to limit access to capital.

And then it hit me.

Thousands of miles separate us, but our challenges are remarkably similar.

Whether in Africa or the United States, changemakers who look like me are still fighting for the flexible, long-term investments needed to sustain organizations.

Making Space for Restoration

Now, this gathering wasn't only about fundraising.

It was also about restoration.

As a folk herbalist and founder of Itutu Apothecary & Tea Room, I hosted The Restorative Pour™, a guided Tea Blend & Sip™ experience designed to create space for changemaker well-being.

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I created a beautiful botanical bar with a curated selection of herbs, roots, flowers, and spices chosen to support resilience, nourishment, and healing.

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And together we created our own custom tea blends.

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More importantly, I invited these extraordinary leaders to do something we rarely give ourselves permission to do:

Put ourselves first to replenish ourselves before returning to the work of serving our communities.

Self-Care Is Part of the Work

We talked about self-care. Collective care. And why caring for ourselves is not separate from the work—it is part of the work.

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We laughed. We reflected. We learned from one another.

And we shared something deeply healing: joy.

My Heart Is Full

I met leaders who, despite overwhelming odds and limited resources, refuse to give up on their communities.

On one of the most resource-rich continents in the world, they continue to lead with extraordinary courage, hope, and generosity.

It's who they are. It's who I am.

My heart is completely full.

My name is Kia Croom, I’m a 26-year global fundraiser who has raised over $1B for nonprofits and civil society organizations worldwide.

DM me @Kia Croom to book a fundraising consultation

Author's Note: The Fundraiser Who Came Home series chronicles my Africa sabbatical across Kenya and Ethiopia in the aftermath of the 2025 international Official Development Assistance cuts. Through these reflections, I explore philanthropy, fundraising, wellness, leadership, and the enduring resilience of African civil society.