The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grant-making initiative, which supports the work of the African women’s movement. The vision of AWDF is for African women to live in a world in which there is social justice, equality and respect for women’s human rights. To this end, our mission is to mobilise financial resources to support local, national and international initiatives led by women, which will lead to the achievement of this vision. The Fund has been set up by three African Women who have been active in various institutions within and outside Africa, and who have a track record of successful empowerment interventions, which have helped strengthen the African Women’s Movement.

AWDF awards grants to African women’s organisations working in the following thematic areas:

• Women’s Human Rights
• Economic Empowerment
• Political Empowerment
• Peace-Building
• Health and Reproductive Rights
• HIV/AIDS

The African Women’s Development Fund adds immense value to the field of social change philanthropy in Africa. It is the first region-wide Women’s Fund in Africa.
Since the organisation’s launch in June 2000 and the beginning of operations in May 2001, AWDF has achieved the following:

• Grantmaking to over 400 women’s organisations, networks and coalitions in 41 African countries

• A reputation for professionalism, success and innovation

• The establishment of good internal systems, structures and controls

• A diverse and growing funding base

• Effective leadership and corporate governance, and dynamic, diverse and enterprising staff.

• Establishment of the HIV/AIDS Fund and the 13 Campaign to raise awareness and funding for African women working on HIV/AIDs issues.

• Creation of a Capacity Building Unit to support the grantmaking programs

• Successful convening and hosting of the African Feminist Forum, a significant movement-building program.

• Partnerships and relationships with important institutions in Africa such as the African Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the Africa Capacity Building Foundation

• A leading voice in African civil society, with a track record of successful collaborations and partnerships with key civil society networks on the continent .

• An active presence and leadership within the regional and global philanthropic community, as members of the Council of Foundations, African Grantmakers Affinity Group, Synergos Institute, Ford International Initiative to Strengthen Philanthropy, Grantmakers Without Borders, International Network of Women’s Funds and the Women’s Funding Network.