Tag: Philanthropy
Workplace Giving: Put your Money where your Heart is.
Workplace Giving: Put your Money where your Heart is.
By Lydia Maclean, Communications & Fundraising Specialist
As an organisation with a mission to mobilise financial, human and material resources to support African women’s organisations, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has provided over 50 million dollars in grants since its inception in 2001.
AWDF is both a grantmaking and fundraising organisation, and therefore straddles two sides of philanthropy. This provides a deeper appreciation of the various forms of philanthropy that exist, especially in Africa where philanthropy is deeply embedded in our culture and traditions, but generally goes under-acknowledged.
CEO Theo Sowa, in an interview with Alliance magazine, made this observation:
“There are lots of different agendas around philanthropy on the continent. Philanthropy has been strong in Africa for a very long time, but it’s not been properly documented or valued. On the one hand, you have the Ibrahims and the Motsepes, high net worth individuals who set up foundations and give large amounts of money. On the other, we have giving by millions of ordinary Africans that comes from solidarity, not necessarily from surplus, so people with very little will still give. Gerry Salole of the European Foundation Centre has this great line that ‘there is no successful African who has not benefited at some point from another African’s philanthropy’. Philanthropy is ingrained in Africa”.
AWDF staff firmly share this belief, and in 2006, initiated a workplace giving scheme which has raised substantial amounts and supported various causes across the continent. In an earlier article on workplace giving, Director of Operations Gertrude Annoh Quarshie refers to it as an “opportunity to take action”. In addition to showing solidarity and inspiring others to give, workplace giving contributes to team building as it creates collective impact.
Over the years, the AWDF Workplace giving fund has supported various organisations and women’s groups in projects including the re-opening of the Ark Shelter of the Ark foundation in Ghana, and donation of materials for a training workshop at the Nsawam female prisons, also in Ghana.
The most recent beneficiary of the AWDF Workplace giving programme is the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, based in South Africa. The Director of Rape Crisis, Kathleen Dey, affirms that “Thanks to this donation we will be able to provide communication support for our work with women during this time of COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa. The fact that this donation comes from your staff’s monthly payroll contribution and that they chose this project to support moves us all very deeply.”
For more information about the AWDF Workplace giving programme, please send an email to awdf@awdf.org
3rd African Grantmakers Network Assembly to be Held in Arusha, Tanzania July 1-3
3rd African Grantmakers Network Assembly to be Held in Arusha, Tanzania July 1-3
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]30th June 2015
PRESS RELEASE
Arusha To Host 3rd African Grantmakers Network Assembly July 1-3, 2015
Activist and humanitarian Graça Machel, Nobel laureate, Leymah Gbowee and HRH Sylvia Nagginda of Buganda will be among keynote speakers and presenters at this year’s African Grantmakers Network (AGN) third General Assembly, which will take place in Arusha, Tanzania at the Arusha International Conference Centre, Arusha.
The meeting will be held from July 1-3, 2015 under the theme: “Philanthropy in Africa 2015 People, Policy and Practice.” It will be hosted by the African Women’s Development Fund and the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS).
The AGN conference will bring together philanthropists, grantmaking bodies and other sectors for a three day meeting during which they will share experiences and good practise in contributions to philanthropy in Africa. Attendees will discuss the contribution made by the wide range of critical constituencies such as women, youth and other marginalised groups, and tackle crucial issues such as the impact of governance on philanthropy.
Theo Sowa, current Chair of AGN said ‘this is one of the platforms AGN has created for renewed and vibrant conversations about philanthropy in Africa, and the AGN board is delighted that at this Assembly at least three new publications on African philanthropy will be launched.’
A major highlight of the Assembly will be the African Philanthropy awards, a recognition given by AGN to individuals and organisations that have contributed to development and philanthropy on the continent.
Founded in 2009, the African Grantmakers Network (AGN) is a continentwide network of African grantmaking organisations that facilitates networking, learning and good practise amongst established and emerging African philanthropic institutions. The AGN promotes the voices of African philanthropy on the continent and globally.
AGN’s first steering committee members were the African Womens’ Development Fund (AWDF), Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) ,TrustAfrica (TA),the Southern Africa Trust (SAT), the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS), and Akiba Uhaki Foundation (AUF). The current board members include the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Community Development Foundation Western Cape in South Africa.
For more information and to see the full programme, visit: www.africangrantmakersnetwork.org
For media enquiries or request for interviews contact:
Joyce Ambale
joyce@fricagrantmakersnetwork.org
+254 705 216 215
or
Amba MpokeBigg
amba@africlub.net/awdf
+255 682 327 082[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
Arusha pour Accueillir la 3ème Assemblée du Réseau des subventionneurs africains du 1er au 3 Juillet, 2015
L’activiste et humanitaire Graça Machel, lauréate du prix Nobel, Leymah Gbowee et SAR Sylvia Nagginda du Buganda seront parmi les principaux conférenciers et présentateurs lors de la 3ème Assemblée du Réseau des subventionnaires africains de cette année (AGN), qui aura lieu à Arusha, en Tanzanie au Centre de Conférence International d’Arusha.
La réunion se tiendra à du 1er au 3 Juillet 2015 et portera sur le thème: «La philanthropie en Afrique en 2015: les acteurs, la politique et la pratique.” Il sera accueilli par le Fonds Africain de développement de la femme et la Fondation pour la société civile (FCS).
La conférence réunira des AGN philanthropes, des organismes subventionnaires et d’autres secteurs pour une réunion de trois jours au cours de laquelle ils vont partager expériences et bonnes pratiques des contributions à la philanthropie en Afrique. Les participants discuteront de la contribution apportée par le large éventail de parties prenantes essentielles telles que les femmes, les jeunes et d’autres groupes marginalisés, et d’aborder des questions cruciales telles que l’impact de la gouvernance sur la philanthropie.
Theo Sowa, présidente actuelle de l’AGN déclare:”Ceci est l’une des plates-formes qu’AGN a créé pour renouveler et dynamiser les discutions sur la philanthropie en Afrique, et le conseil d’AGN est ravi qu’au moins trois nouvelles publications sur la philanthropie africaine soient lancées lors de cette Assemblée . ‘
Un des faits marquants de l’Assemblée seront les Prix de Philanthropie Africaine, une reconnaissance accordée par AGN aux individus et aux organisations qui ont contribué au développement et à la philanthropie sur le continent.
Fondé en 2009, le Réseau des subventionaires africains (AGN) est un réseau à l’échelle du continent des organisations subventionnaires africaines, qui facilite le réseautage, l’apprentissage et les bonnes pratiques entre les institutions philanthropiques africaines établies et émergentes. L’AGN favorise les voix de la philanthropie africaine sur le continent et dans le monde.
Les membres du premier comité de direction de l’AGN étaient le Fonds de développement de la Femme Africaine (AWDF), Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), TrustAfrica (TA), Southern Africa Trust (SAT), la Fondation pour la société civile (FCS), et la Fondation Akiba Uhaki (AUF). Les membres actuels du conseil comprennent le Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Community Development Foundation Western Cape en Afrique du Sud.
Pour plus d’informations et pour voir le programme complet, visitez: www.africangrantmakersnetwork.org
Pour tout renseignement ou demande d’entrevues avec les médias:
Joyce Ambale
joyce@fricagrantmakersnetwork.org
+254 705 216 215
or
Amba MpokeBigg
amba@africlub.net/awdf
+255 682 327 082[/tp]
The 2014 African Philanthropy Award – Call for Nominations
The 2014 African Philanthropy Award – Call for Nominations
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and the African Grantmakers Network (AGN), co hosts of the 3rd AGN General Assembly, invites nominations for the 2014 African Philanthropy Awards. This award recognises excellence and innovation in philanthropic practice in Africa. Suitable candidates for this award are African philanthropic institutions and individuals who show a tangible commitment to lasting and institutional change, who are committed to genuine partnership with local, national or international communities, and who advance a vision/voice of African agency and self-determination.
The recipient of the 2014 African Philanthropy Award will be recognised at an awards ceremony held during the AGN Assembly which will take place from the 17th-19th November 2014, in Accra, Ghana. Nominations can be made online by filling in the Online Nomination Form on the AGN website or by registered post to ‘2014 African Philanthropy Awards, African Grantmakers Network Secretariat, Postnet Suite 100, P/Bag X121,Midrand, 1685, South Africa. The deadline for submitting nomination forms is 31st August 2014. Only emailed submissions received by close of business on the deadline date and posted submissions bearing a postmark of the deadline date will be considered.
Theo Sowa, CEO of AWDF and Board Chair of the AGN states, “Philanthropy in Africa is a time honoured tradition. This award is an opportunity to recognize those individuals who give selflessly – not just in terms of money but also their time and talents. Many of you will know such individuals. I will urge you to take 10 minutes to recognize these people by nominating them for the 2014 African Philanthropy Award.”
Philanthropy in a changing world: Let a hundred flowers blossom
Philanthropy in a changing world: Let a hundred flowers blossom
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]In this article originally written for Alliance magazine Theo Sowa speaks about the importance of multiple approaches to creating a better world whilst focusing on a solid foundation of creating an enabling environment for the realisation of the full range of human rights for all.
To read the article in full please click here[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Dans cet article, écrit à l’origine pour Alliance magazine Theo Sowa parle de l’importance des multiples approches pour créer un monde meilleur tout en se concentrant sur une base solide de créer un environnement propice à la réalisation de l’ensemble des droits de l’homme pour tous.
Pour lire l’article dans son intégralité, veuillez cliquer ici[/tp]
Developing a collective framework & agenda to advance social justice philanthropy in Africa and the Arab region
Developing a collective framework & agenda to advance social justice philanthropy in Africa and the Arab region
Demonstrate leadership, be inclusive, recognise the power vested in grantmakers, and build African narratives.
These were the 4 key themes that emerged from a meeting of social justice philanthropic organisations convened by Trust Africa in October, 2012.
Read the PDF of the full report by clicking the link below:
Grantee Highlight: Committee d’ Assistance a la Femme Necessiteuse du Cameroon (CAFENEC)
Grantee Highlight: Committee d’ Assistance a la Femme Necessiteuse du Cameroon (CAFENEC)
“AWDF’s support towards CAFENEC has been immense and immeasurable. AWDF’s support has opened more promising avenues to CAFENEC. The impact made by the AWDF funded widowhood rites project, has attracted partners such as GTZ/GIZ and Partnership Transparency Fund to also support CAFENEC’s activities in diverse ways. As a result of AWDF’s support, CAFENEC is now known all over the international circles.” Lyddienne Nkaleu, National President, Committee d’ Assistance a la Femme Necessiteuse du Cameroon (CAFENEC)
For many of AWDF’s grantee partners across the continent, AWDF has been their first funder. AWDF’s support to community-based organisations strengthens existing groups which grantees are able to leverage to generate additional resources and support as exemplified by the quote above.
In 2010, AWDF provided CAFENEC with a grant of US$15,000 to support women farmers and traders, many of whom are women are living positively. Out of the grant received, CAFENEC purchased 2 grain grinding mills, 2 vegetable grinding mills, 2 mills for grinding groundnuts and melon seeds, 1 grater for grinding gari, (a derivative of cassava) and 8 spraying machines. Four subsidiary women’s groups (representing 42 women in total) benefited from micro credit loans of CFA 500,000 (approx. US$1000) to CFA 800,000 (approx. US$1600). The credit received has enabled women traders to engage in small-scale businesses, which include catering services and animal husbandry.
Members of CAFENEC report that starting small businesses have also given their self-confidence a boost. Many members who had previously not travelled outside their own villages now visit larger towns to trade. Women farmers are now able to provide themselves and their families with at least one nutritious meal a day. As a result the health of women living positively within the group has improved, members fall sick less often and as a result have seen a reduction in the stigma they faced from family and other members of the community.
AWDF’s Grant Making in 2012
AWDF’s Grant Making in 2012
In 2012, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) received a total of 905 grant applications from 35 Africancountries. A total of 187 organisations from 32 African countries were awarded grants of $2,176,500 in the following thematic areas: Women’s Human Rights, Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods, Governance, Peace and Security, Reproductive Health and Rights, HIV/AIDS, and Arts, Culture and Sports.
The highest percentage of grants awarded (34.3%) was in the area of Women’s Human Rights. In this thematic area AWDF prioritized funding work that addresses issues of gender based violence and access to justice including issues of forced marriages, female genital mutilation and domestic violence. Other priorities included building young women’s leadership, movement building, the promotion and protection of women’s rights including land and property rights, and adult literacy for women. Our grantee partners working in this area utilized a variety of methodologies to meet their objectives including training paralegals, setting up monitoring committees, establishing gender clubs, implementing referral mechanisms and enhancing access to justice. Grantee partners also utilized sports, drama, radio, information vans and community/market place campaigns as a tool to disseminate information on Women’s Human Rights.
The breakdown of grants disbursed in other thematic areas were as follows:
Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods – 21%
HIV and AIDS – 19%
Governance, Peace and Security – 13.9%
Reproductive Health and Rights – 6%
Arts, Culture and Sports – 5%
The International Planned Parenthood Federation for Africa (IPPFAR) Philanthropy Awards honours Co-Founders of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
The International Planned Parenthood Federation for Africa (IPPFAR) Philanthropy Awards honours Co-Founders of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
The Co-Founders of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), Her Excellency Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria; Ms Joana Foster, Head of Mission, medica mondiale, Liberia; and Dr Hilda Tadria, Executive Director of ‘Mentoring and Empowerment Programme for Young Women’ will be honoured on Tuesday 27th November 2012 with the IPPFAR Philanthropy Award at the 60th Anniversary Gala of the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. This celebration takes place at the Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
IPPFAR states, “Philanthropy Awards recognises the work of individuals and institutions that are actively impacting communities and women’s development on the continent through philanthropy and community engagement”.
Theo Sowa, Chief Executive Officer of AWDF said, “We are delighted that the pioneering work of the 3 Co-Founders of AWDF is being recognised by IPPF-AR. It is important to celebrate the individuals and institutions that are working so hard to move this continent forward, and Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Joana Foster and Hilda Tadria are powerful symbols of the change that African women are leading throughout their communities and on the continent today.”
Growing African Philanthropy: Second Biennial Conference of the African Grantmakers Network
Growing African Philanthropy: Second Biennial Conference of the African Grantmakers Network
The BRICS axis of trade and investment offers great opportunity for Africa’s continued economic growth. But is the BRICS effect a game-changer in social investment? What’s new in BRICS models of philanthropy and social investment? Where does Africa fit in the priorities of BRICS social investors? And how can philanthropy from emerging economies help to tackle Africa’s social justice challenges in a fresh way? The 2012 assembly of the African Grantmakers Network will ask social investment experts from BRICS countries about the BRICS effect and explore what Africa can gain from these new developments. Click here to register now!
The African Grantmakers Network is a continent-wide platform to grow an African voice and agenda for philanthropy.
Main conference days: 30 October to 1 November 2012.
Satellite meetings: 29 October and 2 November 2012.
For more information contact Shekeshe Mokgosi at the Southern Africa Trust smokgosi[at]southernafricatrust.org.
The Importance of Funding Our Own Movements – African Women and Philanthropy
The Importance of Funding Our Own Movements – African Women and Philanthropy
Philanthropy in Africa has become an area of increasing interest in the past 10 or more years. A key focus for interrogation is the manifestation of philanthropy in the African context – its areas of strength and weakness. Another is how to build on the traditions of philanthropy in Africa to attain stronger institutional processes that scale up localized forms of giving and ground these in principles of social justice, equality, peace and sustainable development. Africans are challenging the notion that Africa is purely a ‘donor recipient’ continent and instead are pointing to the rich traditions of giving and philanthropic practice in Africa – which in many instances have been the mainstay of entire communities.
Whilst it is known that philanthropy is an age-old practice in Africa, there is little recognition of the contributions it has made in developing and sustaining communities. In Africa today, much of the giving takes place in familial and informal community networks responding often to immediate/ welfare concerns. Burial societies, individual support to the payment of school fees and, building of community facilities are examples of philanthropy that can be found in many variations on the continent. Religious organizing has also formed a critical avenue for much of the more formal and institutionalised mechanisms for philanthropy, with programmes driven by local actors providing a range of services including education, health services and feeding programmes.
More recently, a number of African philanthropic actors and organisations seeking to address social, economic and political inequalities and disparities have emerged[1]. In addition there has been an increase in the number of high net worth individuals in Africa establishing their own, more formalised philanthropic initiatives and organizations. At the same time, the private and corporate sectors in Africa are increasingly developing corporate responsibility programmes. These developments have raised the visibility of philanthropy in Africa, highlighting its critical role in our societies and communities. Initiatives such as the African Grantmakers Network- a network developed by African grant makers to promote and strengthen philanthropy in Africa- are testament to the shifts in thinking and organisation on the continent. Increasingly Africans on the continent and elsewhere are seeking to make a difference as collaborative and organised donors to the kinds of change they wish to see.
This is both evident and urgent within the feminist movement. The role of women within the growing field of philanthropy in Africa- their contributions, successes and challenges – remain largely undocumented and unrecognised. Yet the establishment of organizations such as the African Women’s Development Fund and Urgent Action Fund –Africa amongst others, has concretised the central nature of African women’s participation and influence in philanthropy, especially social justice philanthropy.
Within the feminist movement, there is a growing body of thought on the need for us as women to fund our own movements. This partly reflects an increasing unease with external donor practice in support of short term, project based approaches- which do initiate some change, but which are in the long term difficult to sustain, since often they can only address symptoms, and not root causes. Mounting pressure to demonstrate immediate results or face the risk of losing funding has driven many to develop projects that are all SMART but have little in the way of substance and relevance. Many in the feminist movement point to the need for a different type of organizing. Organising that builds strong social movements of women and institutions who are able to define their own agenda and develop appropriate responses that encompass the breadth and depth of women’s realities on the continent, and that holds the state and other duty bearers accountable for their commitments to women’s rights. This approach suggests a shift from regarding our constituencies as beneficiaries to working with them as active and autonomous citizens. This requires also long term investments, risk taking, being bold and having an understanding that occasionally being unclear is as good as it gets!
In as much as there is a hunger for a different approach to funding, there is also recognition within the feminist movement that it is women in Africa and elsewhere who will have to pioneer it. Globally, women’s funds have emerged as critical players and investors in feminist movements worldwide. Increasingly feminist organising is interrogating the disjuncture between their movements and their sources of funding and are responding with internally driven processes for generating income. Many organisations are evolving wide ranging strategies including schemes such as workplace giving, development of social enterprises, endowment building, and individual or collective regular donations to feminist organisations, campaigns or initiatives. In Africa women have begun to recognize themselves and one another as an untapped resource base to support the movement on the continent. They are seeking ways in which to engage the high net worth and middle class African women who have thus far been rendered largely invisible in the global discourse on finance and resourcing for gender equality.
This is not to let traditional donors off the hook. As 50% of the global population and as contributors to the wealth created on a global scale, women have a right to an equitable share of development resources. This needs to be acknowledged and promoted as a priority on women’s rights, development and philanthropic agendas. However, there should also be recognition that women are exercising a new kind of agency – one that gives rise to a new source of power within, to truly own their movements, agendas and issues. This is an exciting time for the feminist movement in Africa. Our wealth has been and continues to be our passion, commitment, solidarity, and contestation. This provides new opportunities for learning and growth, creativity, knowledge and increasingly, our money and economic security. We are challenging the dominant development narrative that depicts us as passive recipients of external aid to one in which we are the active agents of the change we envision. We are putting our money where our hearts are……….
Sarah Mukasa
Director of Programmes, AWDF
Sarah Mukasa is Director of Programmes at the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF). Her interest in philanthropy has been informed by over two decades of work with African women’s rights organizations in Africa and the Diaspora.
[1] See Bhekinkosi Moyo (2009), Establishing an African Grantmakers Network (AGN): A Discussion Document for the Inaugural Meeting; July 9th and 10th, 2009, Accra. Ghana. Available via http://www.africlub.net/awdf/downloads