Since the inaugural EAPA in 2012, which honored changemakers at the annual East Africa Grantmakers Conference (now the East Africa Philanthropy Conference), the awards have recognized outstanding contributions across several categories, including youth philanthropy, corporate philanthropy, community philanthropy, and faith-based philanthropy. Esteemed recipients such as Dr. Manu Chandaria, Safaricom Foundation, and Sitawa Wafula have left enduring legacies of positive change.