african visionary fund

Katie Bunten-Wamaru is executive director of the African Visionary Fund, Closing the race gap in philanthropy demands radical candour, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Every time I speak to a partner, I feel their pain. When trying to fundraise from big, American foundations, Bunten-Wamaru leans on the, in her words, undue trust and the benefit of the doubt she gets for her background. Our vision is to see a world where African social changemakers have . You can offer a child the best healthcare in the world, but what a child wants most is their parents to love them and be by their side. We do the due. At AVFund, we celebrate and choose co-leadership because we recognize the importance of diversity for strong, grounded and authentic leadership. -Melizsa Mugyenyi, Advisory Board Member. Starting in that environment gave us an opportunity to reimagine what a funder or a grant maker could look like and reimagine systems of philanthropy that would center equity. Shamira Lukomwa - Strategic Partnerships Manager - African Visionary We invite you to apply to receive funding from the African Visionary Fund if your organization meets the following requirements: Click here to read the complete and detailed grantmaking criteria. Finalist for Businesswoman of the Year at the Top Women Awards. The African Visionary Fund is unleashing breakthrough impact by driving resources to high-impact Afr We strongly believe that they should be recognized by funders as critical drivers of systems change on the continent. Alaba: Lastly, what has been the most significant-ever moment for you professionally and what advice would you give your younger self? This role is very personal to me. The organisations we fund are the experts in the work they do and should have the freedom to use the funds in areas they believe are important. Atti is already bringing new innovative ideas for thinking about capacity support and our grantmaking processes, directly informed by her own experience as a social entrepreneur. The African Visionary Fund (AVFund) is unleashing breakthrough impact by driving resources to high-impact African founders. Registered office: 15 Prescott Place, London, SW4 6BS, UK. The African Visionary Fund is a pooled grantmaking mechanism that channels unrestricted funding to high-impact African social changemakers, transforming development across the continent while simultaneously tackling inequities, injustices and power imbalances in grantmaking. Generate QR Codes for your digital content. We do want to raise another fund when were done with this one, probably much larger. Prior to joining the Fund, Atti founded and ledSeeds of Africa for over 10 years. All rights reserved. Anti-racism work is a long game philanthropy is not going to change overnight. Seeded by a group of foundations and philanthropists who wanted to not only take action on equity but also be intentional about shifting the power over resources to African visionaries, shared leadership has been part of the Funds DNA from the beginning. An individual does not need to be a member in order to serve as a director. The African Visionary Fund is one of the first investments that the Skoll Foundation made with the goal of building more pathways to funding for proximate leaders. For the first few years, I thought that I was failing because I just couldnt find funding for growth. This page is a Member Feature! The Fund partners with grantees across sub-Saharan Africa in the areas. Because then our job is not just as a funder, were then trying to be supervisors and thats not what were here for, Worku said. The role of directors is definitely changing as we move towards a more stakeholder focused way of running business. Katie has proximity to funders and has cultivated a lot of relationships in that area, and as an African Visionary myself, I have proximity to our partners contexts and challenges. Your email address will not be published. I look forward to collaborating with Katie because shes done an incredible job of designing an organization around equity. How does it feel to come in at this stage as a co-leader? The African Visionary Fund Announces The Opening Of Its Third We started in the middle of a global pandemic, when crucial conversations in our sector were reaching a fever pitch around equity and localization and how to get more funding to local leaders. Instead of wanting to follow a compliance driven approach of ticking boxes, organisations should follow a mindful application approach of putting practices in place that in their judgment ultimately achieve the necessary outcomes of ethical leadership, effective control, good performance and legitimacy. Aid spending in Africa must be African-led - The Guardian Inclusivity. African Visionary Fund - GrantStation It would be great to see some traction on this from the policy makers. AVFund Annual Report - 2021 by African Visionary Fund - Issuu Our belief is simplewhen tackling challenges and improving lives on the continent, proximity matters. co-leadership structure is a great example of how partnership and equitable decision-making can create a new funding model that shifts the power imbalance over time. Worku is based in Ethiopia, she worked for over a decade as the founder of a non-profit, she has the sort of local access that Bunten-Wamaru doesnt. It is also a promoter of corporate governance, acting as convener and secretariat of the King Committee and having ownership of the King Reports on Governance for South Africa. We knew we needed a co-leader ready to dive into this new territory and be open and honest. A lack of unrestricted funding for the disruptive ideas coming out of Africa limits potential and slows development. It clicked that the odds were stacked against me as an African leader, compared to Western-led organisations that were doing similar work. I knew we ticked all the right boxes so it was really frustrating, but the odds were stacked against me as an African leader. We submitted a letter written to the Chair of the Zondo Commission containing good governance recommendations for director competencies and appointment processes. We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all. With women controlling consumer spending and forming half of the educated workforce, it does not make sense that they are still largely underrepresented in South African boardrooms. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. There was this perception amongst funders of African-led organisations that was very disconnected from reality. We invite you to apply to receive funding from the African Visionary Fund if your organization meets the following requirements: African-founded, African-based and African-led Serves communities in Sub-Saharan Africa only Registered in its country of operations Growing Board: Transitioning from founding to governing board Paid staff Alaba: Lets talk about entrepreneurshp. http://www.linkedin.com/company/african-visionary-fund, https://facebook.com/africanvisionaryfund. The value of deep listening and the importance of demonstrating kindness. African Visionary Fund | ReliefWeb African Visionary Fund is pleased to announce its Grant Cycle 3 for African-founded, African-based and African-led Organisations. Almost 60 per cent of foundation CEOs report that their foundations provide some multi-year GOS grants, but only for a few of their grantees. AVFund Grant Cycle 3 is Now Open! - African Visionary Fund "Connecting our Memberswith the Right Grantmakers since 1999.". Ive looked at the budgets of organisations that weve considered in our selection process where 98 per cent of their funding is restricted. Help us get more funding to African visionaries and unlock transformationalchange. What an exciting time it is for the African Visionary Fund. The Trust relies on donations to fund these needs. Atti: Im so excited to work with you, Katie! Say more by seamlessly including video within your publication. I think funders see African-led organisations as small and unsophisticated. But in addition to the structural barriers, there was also deep bias holding them back. Here you'll find an answer to your question. Alaba: Since your appointment as the institute CEO, what are your biggest challenges and role in corporate governance? });" So really from the beginning co-leadership was something we were considering. Our co-leadership structure is a great example of how partnership and equitable decision-making can create a new funding model that shifts the power imbalance over time. Learn More Learn How the Fund Works Session Description In 2020, many funders pivoted to virtual due diligence to continue bringing on new grant partners amidst a global pandemic. They would say: I get it, I understand that locally-led organisations are more sustainable, theyre able to navigate local contexts, they understand the problems theyre addressing more deeply and with more nuance than outsider-led organisations. When youre earmarking funds, its almost like borrowed money for the grantees, because the funders are giving you the money but theyre not letting you make the decisions on how to use it. Our funder profiles contain contact information, application deadlines, eligibility requirements, financial information, and more. She is also the Vice-Chairman of Sun Heavens Hotels and Resorts. For the past 28 years, we have raised funds to address many pressing needs, but much has yet to be done. African Visionary Fund: playing the game to change the game Opportunities do exist during challenging times; positivity exposed the opportunities. I have received many accolades including: Rising Star Award from the Nelson Mandela University. IoDSA mission is to influence, develop and advance corporate governance and directorship by pursuing ethical and effective leadership in South Africa. When Atti and I started talking, we were saying the same things and it was a eureka moment of visions aligning. As we move into our next quarter, we are pleased to announce that Grant Cycle 3 is officially open! Directors, who play such a critical role in organisations and, indirectly, the fabric of public life, are least able to feel they have achieved the right skills mix. Global giving to Africa needs its own Black Lives Matter reckoning. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace. Alaba: Before the year ends, what would you ultimately like to achieve? We started in the middle of a global pandemic, when crucial conversations in our sector were reaching a fever pitch around equity and localization and how to get more funding to local leaders. In general, professionals have a certain credibility and respect in the market, which they need to protect through ongoing learning, adapting and competence. To date, we have committed $2.5 million in multi-year general operating support to 15 African visionaries across nine different countries and sectors such as health, education, livelihoods, human rights, and more. Katie: I think its a good sign for our sector that we are addressing the question of privilege head-on: this wouldnt have happened a few years ago. www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za. Deliver a distraction-free reading experience with a simple link. Its also about recognising that the groups doing the work know more than those funding it. I led that organization for over a decade, and learned a lot about how inequitable global funding is. As a result, we surpassed our goals, and this enabled our organisation to reach more children and families. Im excited to learn from incredible African leaders with big dreams and even bigger global potential. -Atti Worku, AVFund co-CEO. Over the years of working on that fellowship my role shifted to be funder-facing and I realized that we could support these organizations directly and if the funding system was still set up for them to fail, it would all be for nothing. And then: Its about really exploring what other ways can our funding be impactful and helpful.. In a world where African social changemakers face sharp funding inequity, we . If you are a woman of colour leading a nonprofit, your odds of being funded are even lower, with a minuscule 0.6% of foundation funding targeted at this group. Required fields are marked *. How do you think about your role as a white American woman working for a grantmaker centered on African voices and shifting power? They are thrilled to announce the Funds new Africa-based co-CEO, Atti Worku! (modern). Parmi: The enhancement of corporate governance and directorship has a knock-on positive effect to the South African economy. Brittany Boettcher: The African Visionary Fund is a really exciting investment for the Skoll Foundation. Notably, our team is growing in size and capability. Browse short-form content that's perfect for a quick read. It was a profound move for me as I was able to work with children who inspired me. While volunteering, I started working with women in rural areas in the Eastern Cape where we found opportunities to grow their businesses. About a year ago, African Visionary Fundlaunched with a bold mission to tackle the inequities and power imbalances in global philanthropy by driving unrestricted resources to African visionaries. Walking through the corridors of a childrens hospital during a crisis gave perspective on the real value of care, kindness, and collaboration. Can Virtual Due Diligence Help Funders Prioritize Proximity? I see myself in the ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs we engage with at the AVFund. phone: 877-784-7268 | fax: 612-268-0253 | email: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanVisionaryFund, https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-visionary-fund/, - Complete a Project Description Worksheet, - Secondary Research - Investigating the Leads. Parmi: Greater awareness of the power and impact of good corporate governance can make, not only on companies, but also on a country. Going into the recruitment process, our board and I talked a lot about the level of trust and transparency needed for co-leadership to work. Weve set the table and pulled out seats for our next cohort of vibrant, high-impact partners. We envision a world where African visionaries are recognized and resourced by funders for their ability to accelerate progress and drive systems change on the continent. So the AVFund is trying to fill that space of moving money now while continuing to push the systemic changes needed within philanthropy. In the US, black-led organisations are on average 24% smaller in terms of revenue, with 76% less unrestricted funding the gold standard of grant-making. Grassroots organisations are consistently delivering impact at the frontlines without the benefit of frontline funding. Just as with endless previous crises, African-led organisations have risen to the occasion and delivered to communities when others cannot. The African Visionary Fund is unleashing breakthrough impact by driving resources to high-impact African founders. Seeds is an Ethiopian grassroots organization dedicated to developing the educational foundation for the next generation of African leaders. The organisations we fund are the experts in the work they do and should have the freedom to use the funds in areas they believe are important. For her, 2020 was a year that reinforced the importance of the core purpose of the Trust and the difference the organisation wants to make in the lives of children. African visionaries arent often given the resources they need to validate the new concepts they have which really makes innovation very difficult. African Visionary Fund (AVFund) New co-CEO, Atti Worku (Source: African Visionary Fund Website). Elika Roohi is Digital Editor at Alliance. The idea is that grantees dont need to spend time creating anything new, but the Fund still has a chance to see an example of a time when the organisation articulated their work the way they wanted to. Alaba: begin, brefly tell us about the loD South Africa and your strategic role? OCHA coordinates the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. This figure drops even more precipitously when mapped across race. The African Visionary Fund's founding work group is both majority-African and majority-doer, not donor. We are grateful for the contribution from every individual, adds Chantel. But this is the time to start. Im also really keen to see how Attis experience pushes our edges and deepens our impact. In todays fast-paced world, achieving the right skills as a director is not a target but a journey: business models, socio-economic models, political models sometimes it seems everything are changing and old certainties seem to be in the process of continual redefinition. Good initiative indeed. Successfully planned and executed a workshop for grantees drawn from 10 African countries. 2. The African Visionary Fund is unleashing breakthrough impact by driving resources to high-impact Afr African Visionary Fund Aid spending in Africa must be African-led - Dietel & Partners This event included a message from AVFund co-CEOs, Att. Its been a great way to systemise equity, Worku said. Sometimes the IoDSA brand gets tainted by bad directors who are found to have acted unethically, as the public does not realise that these directors are not necessarily our members, and thus we have limited mandate to act against them. Welcome to Issuus blog: home to product news, tips, resources, interviews (and more) related to content marketing and publishing. Its so clear where this sector is going, and where it needs to go, and what is going to be the most sustainable., Image credit: African Visionary Fund partner SaCoD. Banner Image: Women meet as part of AVFund partner SaCoDs Village Savings and Loans Associations in Burundi. Donate to the Childrens Hospital Trust today! Theres a lot of space for a co-leader to come in, bring their voice, and contribute their experience. Chantel joined the Childrens Hospital Trust in 2013 as the Head of Fundraising and Communication and was appointed as CEO in 2019.

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