Creating Community is part of the Story of AGAG podcast series about the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group.  This episode features excerpts from interviews with a diverse group of 20 grantmaking practitioners who participated in AGAG's activities over the past 23 years.  

Through their voices and reflections, we learn how and why AGAG emerged in 2000 and how global events and discussions about philanthropy practices and narratives about Africa influenced its evolution.  Their candid comments reveal what made AGAG a unique, welcoming, and valued space where new and experienced grantmaking practitioners found a political and intellectual home that challenged them to learn from each other and grow.

Niamani Mutima, AGAG's executive director, conducted the interviews in the spring of 2022. The participants participated in the project as individual grantmaking practitioners and not as representatives of their current or former organizations. 

Learn more about the people who participated in the interviews HERE
and the AGAG Legacy Project at www.africagrantmakers.org  

Credits:
Created and produced by Talaya Grimes, T Muse Media, and Niamani Mutima, AGAG. The narration was written by Niamani Mutima. 

 

The AGAG Legacy Project documents the work and contributions of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group.

The "Story of AGAG" podcast series is about the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group (AGAG) and explores the impact of AGAG's work to improve American philanthropic practices related to funding in Africa. 

In this episode we hear from grantmaking practitioners who were a part of the network. They share their perspective on AGAG as a unique and valued forum where the narratives about Africa that shape the practices of American funding in Africa were challenged. They describe how the candid discussions about power dynamics, race, and representation influenced them and reflect AGAG’s impact and legacy. The podcast concludes with recommendations from AGAG's Executive Director, Niamani Mutima, for practitioners, grantmaking organizations, and funder networks.

Learn about the noted grantmaking practitioners who you heard from in this episode  HERE on the AGAG website at www.africagrantmakers.org.  
 
This podcast is part of the AGAG Legacy Project to document its history and contributions to the philanthropy sector.  

Credits:
Created and produced by Talaya Grimes, T Muse Media, and Niamani Mutima, AGAG. The narration was written by Niamani Mutima. 

The AGAG Legacy Project documents the work and contributions of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group.

Philanthropy in Nigeria- ACT Foundation
In this episode, Niamani Mutima of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group talks with Osayi Alile, CEO of the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation based in Lagos, Nigeria. They discuss the philanthropy landscape in Nigeria and the ACT Foundation's approach to supporting local, national, and regional organizations working on issues in health, environment, and leadership development .  Alile describes the roles that the ACT Foundation plays beyond making grants,  as an advocate, mentor, and bridge builder. Access to maternal health services and the alarming increase of cancer among younger women are two areas of concern. The conversation explores how ACT's "listening" approach has enabled it to build strong relationships with the organizations they fund and the communities they serve. This conversation took place in December 2022.

Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group

Nine Fundraising Misconceptions with Hafeeza Rashed

In this episode, Niamani Mutima of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group talks with Hafeeza E. Rashed, Director of Programs and Partnerships for Moore Philanthropy, about nine common misconceptions about fundraising. The topics range from the differences between fundraisers and fundraising consultants, defining fundraising success, and working with fiscal sponsors. The conversation is especially useful for international organizations seeking practical advice and understanding of the nuances of the fundraising culture in the United States. 

Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group

In this episode, Niamani Mutima of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group talks with Louise Driver and Sarah Rennie of the Independent Philanthropy Association for South Africa (IPASA) and Vuyiswa Sidzumo of the Ford Foundation Office for Southern Africa. They discuss IPASA's role in helping funders in South Africa to respond to local community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss the need for philanthropy to incorporate more flexible approaches into their permanent grantmaking practices.   This conversation took place on May 12, 2021.

Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group