Doing Good... Better. With an Expiration Date.

You’re tired of philanthropic relationships that start with a bang and end in ghosting. So are we. That’s why we created the NextStep Philanthropy Framework (NSPF)—a bold, time-bound, power-aware approach to donor-grantee relationships that puts African-led vision at the center and planned legacy at the finish line.

No more forever-funding. No more “we’ll know it when we see it” impact reports. No more saving Africa from afar.

Here’s how we do it differently.

Our Solution: NextStep Philanthropy Framework

Portrait of afro businessman while working in a creative office meeting room

NextStep Philanthropy Framework (NSPF)

A New Model for a New Kind of Philanthropy

The NextStep Philanthropy Framework is TELEP’s signature method for reshaping how philanthropy works on the African continent (and with it, the world). It’s designed to create high-trust, high-accountability, low-BS relationships between local organizations and carefully curated philanthropists.

Whether you're a feminist collective in Dakar, a rural health NGO in Uganda, or a regenerative business incubator in Nairobi—NSPF is here to mplify your voice, not drown it in donor logic models.

And if you’re a philanthropist with a heart, a wallet, and the guts to let go, we’ve been expecting you.

Our Approach (Spoiler: It’s Mutual)

We believe philanthropy should feel more like a road trip and less like a transaction. So we mapped out the route.

1. Vision Anchoring

The local organization starts the journey by sharing their Vision Deck—a bold, beautiful roadmap for systems change. No need to repackage it into donor-speak. This is your story, your way.

2. Donor Curation

The organization chooses the funder. Yes, you read that right. TELEP supports values-based matchmaking so both parties swipe right with purpose.

3. Co-Creation

You both design a Living Partnership Agreement—a strategic, flexible blueprint for the next 3–5 years. There’s a shared dashboard, non-financial roles, and yes, an exit plan from Day One.

4. Implementation with Learning

The organization leads. The philanthropist supports. TELEP provides tools for storytelling, coaching, reflection, and... radical honesty.

5. Exit as Legacy

We don’t do “fade out funding.” We do celebratory transitions, legacy storytelling, and new funder handoffs. You both move on stronger, clearer, and with more allies than you started with.

What’s In It for You?

For Organizations:

  • Choose your funders (finally).

  • Tell your story your way.

  • Ditch dependency. Embrace legacy.

For Philanthropists:

  • Align your money with your values.

  • Get close to the ground (without parachuting).

  • Exit with grace—and without ghosting.

What Makes NSPF... NSPF?

Power-Savvy: We talk about it. A lot. Then we do something about it.

  1. Exit-First: We plan the goodbye before the first hello.

  2. Multi-Capital: Bring your voice, your network, your megaphone—not just your money.

  3. Boldly African: The framework works globally, but the center of gravity is proudly African.

CONNECT WITH US

Philantropy has the power to drive real change. Let’s create a funding model that uplifts and sustains—let’s talk!

Questions We Wish People Asked

(Because no one ever asks the good stuff)

  • Nope.
    We don’t give grants. We don’t run RFPs.
    We help African organizations take the lead, craft bold visions, and choose donors who deserve to be part of their journey.
    You know, like dating—but with a shared mission and a planned breakup.

  • Really.
    We flipped the script.
    If you're a funder, you’re here by invitation—not by application form.

  • Think of it like a pitch deck with personality.
    A Vision Deck tells the story of who the organization is, where they’re going, how they’ll get there, and how funders can walk with them (not in front of them).
    No buzzword soup. No logframes. Just truth, strategy, and ambition.

  • What if the NGO fails while the donor stays?
    Let’s stop pretending donors prevent failure.
    At TELEP, we invest in sustainability, not saviorhood.

  • Yes, but we keep it human.
    Reporting is light, narrative-driven, and designed for learning—not performance theatre.
    You’ll get stories, outcomes, and honest reflection.
    If you want quarterly pie charts, you’re probably in the wrong place.

  • For donors: We suggest $300K+ over 3–5 years per partnership.
    Not millions. But not peanuts either.
    Enough to help an organization scale up and stand tall—not chase funding forever.

  • Ah, finally.
    The elephant in the room.

    We know trust is hard—especially when you're funding across borders, contexts, and (let’s be honest) colonial baggage.
    Donors often don’t know what they don’t know when it comes to African organizations. That’s not a personal flaw.
    It’s a system problem. A narrative problem. A "we've never actually listened to them" problem.

    At TELEP, we bridge that gap.
    We do the vetting. We work closely with organizations before they ever meet you.
    We don’t just check legal status—we build relationships, understand context, and help you fund with confidence, not anxiety.

    So no, it’s not blind trust.
    It’s informed trust. The best kind.

  • Short answer: thorough but not extractive.

    We vet for alignment, values, track record, and leadership capacity—not just tax certificates and perfect English.
    We spend time getting to know the people behind the projects.
    Then we make sure you’re walking into a partnership, not a gamble.

  • ItemOne who listens.
    One who’s not afraid to fund HR, strategy, or a website.
    One who sees capacity-building as a foundation, not a bonus.
    One who understands that trust isn’t a risk—it’s a requirement.

    You don’t need to be perfect.
    Just present, curious, and willing to learn alongside.

  • We don’t just drop a few strategy templates and walk away.
    We work with them over months to explore earned revenue, local giving, social enterprise, strategic partnerships, and even endowment planning (yes, it’s possible in Africa).

    The goal?
    They never have to ask for your money again—unless they want to.

  • Because African NGOs are exhausted.
    Donors are disillusioned.
    And the world doesn’t have time for power games disguised as philanthropy.

    We need new models.
    Not tweaks.
    Transitions. Not transactions.

  • Maybe.
    Or maybe it’s the exact kind of radical the sector needs.
    We’ll let results speak. But if you’re still reading this, you might just be radical enough to join us.