Message REPORTAnnualTWENTY TWENTY FOUR1
LETTER FROM THE CO-CEOs2024 MILESTONESKEY STORYDIRECTORY OF PARTNERSCOVER STORYADVOCACY & ECOSYSTEM BUILDINGFINANCIALS21061281219TABLE OF CONTENTS2AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE
Lorem ipsum odor amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.Posuere suspendisse mus ad nulla habitasse faucibusaccumsan duis. Interdum a integer phasellus convallisper augue nam dictum. Enim proin dolor hac magnasuspendisse mus euismod. Facilisis mauris dictumimperdiet ac nisi sed egestas ligula cubilia. Maximus nullam purus sem ornare convallis facilisi proinfacilisi. At dapibus consequat imperdiet donec accumsancongue ante. Ex dui orci ac praesent orci arcu. Urna lacusporttitor penatibus aliquam vestibulum magnis classimperdiet curabitur. Ligula libero vel aenean faucibusturpis pharetra montes. Purus gravida dictum vehicula nostra tempor purusparturient lorem ligula. Libero platea ad vitae accumsanhabitant praesent suscipit suspendisse. Bibendumnascetur nisi nisl lectus in diam. Conubia mattis idmontes curae tempor. Varius aenean himenaeos porttitorac interdum porta. Lacinia nostra vulputate dictum molliscurabitur nostra iaculis. LETTER FROM THE CO-CEOS3With gratitude,Atti Worku & Katie Bunten-Wamaru Co-CEOs, African Collaborative
60%Livelihoods63%Gender Equity63%Human Rights54%Climate & Environment60%Technology54%Education46%Health$2,145,235$8,413,307of external funding leveraged to our partners to dateTotal Leveraged Funding as of Dec 2024Disbursed topartners as of2024$8,490,000OUR PORTFOLIO OF PARTNERS 435 13partnerscountries52%women-led96% of which was unrestricted and 42% was multi year commitment Partners by the sector
BurundiFoi en Action SaCoDéEthiopia Drop of WaterKidame MartDemocratic Republic of CongoCIYOTAGhanaBlossom Academy Regional Advisory Informationand Network Systems (RAINS)LiberiaKids EducationalEngagement Project (KEEP)KenyaAkiraChix Clean Start SolutionsDandelion AfricaEmergency Medicine KenyaFoundation (EMKF)This Ability NigeriaBlossom Academy Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (DRASA)Health Trust Gender Mobile InitiativeHelpMumWAVEWomen’s Health and Equal RightsInitiative (WHER)RwandaUwezo Youth Empowerment TanzaniaMsichana Initiative Shule DirectThe Community ForestConservation Network of Tanzania(MJUMITA) WoteSawa Domestic WorkersOrganizationUgandaBarefoot LawBless a Child Foundation CIYOTAFundi Bots Uganda National Academy of Sciences(UNAS) Wezesha Impact MalawiACADES Chimpembere CommunityDevelopment Organization (CCDO) Njira ImpactRays of Hope WandikwezaZambiaPrimrose Community HealthOrganization (PRICHO) Zimbabwe Friendship Bench5MEET OUR PARTNERS
meet our latest cohort$8.4M committed6On January 31, 2024, we celebrated a powerful milestone—welcoming 12 bold, African-founded andled organizations into our growing community of changemakers. This fourth cohort brings ourportfolio to 35 visionary partners across the continent. With $2.7 million committed through this grantcycle, our total funding now stands at $8.4 million. Each new partner deepens our collective impact.AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE WATCH OURANNOUNCEMENTEVENT
7Blossom AcademyGhana & NigeriaDrop of WaterEthiopiaDrop of Water is improving access to safe drinking water andsanitation while promoting healthy hygiene practices tocommunities in rural parts of Ethiopia. Blossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap with tailored12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics, data science,data engineering and artificial intelligence. Students work onreal projects and receive mentorship and internshipopportunities.AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE The Emergency Medicine KenyaFoundation (EMKF)KenyaBlossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap with tailored12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics, data science,data engineering and artificial intelligence. Students work onreal projects and receive mentorship and internshipopportunities.Foi en ActionBurundiBlossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap with tailored12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics, datascience, data engineering and artificial intelligence. Studentswork on real projects and receive mentorship and internshipopportunities.
8Gender Mobile InitiativeNigeriaHelpMumNigeriaDrop of Water is improving access to safe drinking water andsanitation while promoting healthy hygiene practices tocommunities in rural parts of Ethiopia. Blossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap withtailored 12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics,data science, data engineering and artificial intelligence.Students work on real projects and receive mentorship andinternship opportunities.AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE The Emergency Medicine KenyaFoundation (EMKF)KenyaBlossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap withtailored 12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics,data science, data engineering and artificial intelligence.Students work on real projects and receive mentorship andinternship opportunities.Foi en ActionBurundiBlossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap withtailored 12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics,data science, data engineering and artificial intelligence.Students work on real projects and receive mentorship andinternship opportunities.
9Primrose Community HealthOrganization (PRICHO)ZambiaDrop of Water is improving access to safe drinking water andsanitation while promoting healthy hygiene practices tocommunities in rural parts of Ethiopia. Blossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap withtailored 12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics,data science, data engineering and artificial intelligence.Students work on real projects and receive mentorship andinternship opportunities.AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE Uganda National Academy ofSciences (UNAS)UgandaBlossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap withtailored 12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics,data science, data engineering and artificial intelligence.Students work on real projects and receive mentorship andinternship opportunities.Blossom Academy bridges Africa's tech skills gap withtailored 12-week data science Fellowships in data analytics,data science, data engineering and artificial intelligence.Students work on real projects and receive mentorship andinternship opportunities.Regional AdvisoryInformation and NetworkSystems (RAINS) GhanaWoteSawa Domestic WorkersOrganizationTanzania
WHY COMMUNITY-ROOTEDNESS MATTERS10CROSS AFRICA, LOCALORGANIZATIONS ARESHAPING FUTURES THATHOLD. SOLUTIONS THATENDURE. At African Collaborative, we knowintimately that community-rootednessis the foundation of lasting impact.Our partners lead through insight anda sense of ownership that externalmodels rarely achieve. Community is not a place, it is abreathing force shaped by identity,responsibility, and collective care.This year, during site visits across sixcountries, we had the privilege ofconnecting on a deeper level with thepeople who power theseorganizations.ACHANGE ENDURES WHEN ITBELONGS TO THE COMMUNITYLocal organizations lead withknowledge only closeness can teach.They navigate challenges with careand hold themselves accountable tothe communities they serve.Community-rootedness ensuressolutions people trust, and impactthat endures beyond funding cycles. Our partners embody this. They’veweathered crises, but they’ve alsopushed forward despite skepticismand outright “no’s” from traditionalfunders. With a trust-based modelbehind them, they’ve been able toscale what already works. Take Drop of Water in Ethiopia.Nearly 48 million people in thecountry lack basic sanitation, andDrop of Water tackles that realityhead-on. We partnered with thembecause their approach iscomprehensive, grounded, and builtfor the long term. They constructwater wells, co-create planningstrategies with communities inwater-scarce regions, and mobilizeprofessionals and universitystudents to advance water,sanitation, and hygiene solutions.And yet, globally, funding structuresstill overlook organizations like this,imposing rigid frameworks out oftune with local realities. Thiscompletely misses the mark: whenfunders trust and invest in leadersdeeply rooted in their communities,sustainable solutions follow.Drop of Water
11There was a quiet strength in the many stories andinsight we heard from the WHER team. There was ashared understanding that family can be chosen,created, and fiercely protected.“FOR US, COMMUNITY IS FAMILY —PEOPLE BOUND NOT JUST BY PLACE, BUTBY SHARED STRUGGLE, JOY, ANDRESPONSIBILITY.”In 2024, WHER’s community stood together throughmoments of triumph and tenderness, from court victoriesthat affirmed their right to exist and love openly, togatherings like the APA Summit, where more than 150LBTQI+ leaders came together to dream, strategize, andheal. WHER’s story isn’t just about advocacy. It’s aboutbelonging and about a family that keeps showing up forone another, no matter what they are up against.For Shule Direct, in every classroom andlearning hub, the community hasbecome co-creators of a movement thatbelieves that education should meetevery learner where they are.“THE COMMUNITY DOESN’T JUSTUSE OUR PLATFORMS — THEYSHAPE THEM, ADVOCATE FORTHEM, AND VALIDATE OURMISSION.”In 2024, that belief reached over 1.18 millionlearners across Tanzania through accessibledigital and in-person tools. From rural schoolsto city centers, students found new ways tolearn, connect, and thrive. The year alsobrought national recognition: Shule Directreceived the Digital Innovation Award inEducation at the Tanzania Digital Awards, atestament to how community-led design cantransform learning for an entire country.Shule Direct exemplifies what happens wheninnovation grows not from technology alone,but from the voices and dreams of those itserves.IN THEIR VOICESThe shift toward community-centered developmentbecomes real when we listen to the people living it everyday. When we asked our partners what community meansto them, here’s what they shared:— Akudo Oguaghamba, Executive Director, WHER—Jenipher Jackson, Shule Direct
12“COMMUNITY IS MYSELF.IT’S EVERYONE WE WORKWITH TO REMOVEINJUSTICE, AND IT’S ALSOTHE PERSON WHO HOLDS USACCOUNTABLE WHENSOMETHING MUST CHANGE.”These words came alive in thelaughter of the women gatheredaround Virginie. Across Burundi,Foi en Action’s collectivewisdom fuels small groups thatturn shared struggles intoshared solutions.“BECAUSE WE SHARE THESAME CULTURE ANDCHALLENGES, WE KNOWHOW TO SOLVE OURPROBLEMS TOGETHER.COMMUNITY ISCOLLECTIVE WISDOM.”In 2024, Foi en Action reached over57,500 people, mobilizing self-helpgroups, nurturing children’sleadership, and helping familiessecure legal identification for theirchildren. Each milestone reflectssomething deeper: a belief thatcommunity is pooling knowledge,resilience, and hope to buildsomething stronger together.At WAVE, young people gathernot only to learn skills but tofind belonging. No one succeedsalone, and that every jobsecured lifts an entire networkhigher.“COMMUNITY IS THEPILLAR THAT HOLDSYOU WHEN YOU FALLAND CELEBRATES YOUWHEN YOU RISE.THAT’S HOW WECONTINUE TO THRIVE.”In 2024, WAVE trained 7,853 youthacross West Africa, a powerful steptoward their goal of upskilling250,000 young people by 2028. Butthe true impact lives in the rippleeffect, in the graduates who return tomentor others, and in the growingweb of confidence, opportunity, andsupport that keeps the communitystanding tall.At Uwezo, accountability isn’tabstract. During our visit, it wasalive in classrooms wherechildren with disabilities learnedand laughed alongside theirpeers, in the voices of youngpeople lifting the room with song,and in a team whose steady focusmakes dignity a daily practice,not just a value.In 2024, Uwezo reached more than2,000 people through scholarships,health support, therapy, and inclusiveprograms for children and youth withdisabilities. But the numbers only tellpart of the story. The heart of Uwezo’simpact is in how it redefinescommunity, making sure everyonefeels part of it. —Molade Adeniyi, CEO, Wave—Virginie Niyizigama, ExecutiveDirector, Foi en Action—Bahati Satir Omar, Founder, UwezoYouth Empowerment
13As 2024 comes to a close, global philanthropy is experiencing a criticalmoment of reckoning. The old models of funding, rigid, distant, andsteeped in assumptions about who “knows best”, are giving way. Evidenceof this is visible in the growing number of funders prioritizing locally leddevelopment, including our funding partner, the Conrad N. HiltonFoundation, which reaffirmed its commitment by pledging at least 25% ofits international grantmaking to local organizations. Across globalforums, other funders are making similar commitments.While this shift is still unfolding, one truth is clear: local organizations havealways shown up. They lead. They adapt. They persevere, often withoutrecognition. The current momentum in funding is not about discoveringtheir value; it is about finally aligning resources with leadership that haslong existed.At African Collaborative, we believe the futureof funding is clear: support must flow toorganizations already rooted in theircommunities, who carry both ownershipand lived wisdom. Proximity is relational,not just physical. Trust and partnership arewhat truly amplify impact.A MOMENT OFSHIFT IN GLOBALFUNDINGCLOSINGREFLECTIONMsichana Initiative
14TWENTY TWENTY FOUR
15MOOD BOARD
16Partner, Team & Board LunchSeptember 26 | New York CityWe hosted a lunch that brought together our team,partners, and board members in one room. After abusy week filled with inspiring events and meetings, itwas the perfect way to maintain the momentum andwrap up the week— basking in the high energy of it all.We were thrilled to have the privilege of bringing somany people together in one space and to connect inperson. Team RetreatAugust 5-9th | Nairobi | NYCWe held regional team retreats concurrently in Nairobiand New York City, bringing together our typicallyremote team in these two locations. While we hadlocation-specific meetings, we also connected virtuallyevery day as a team—thanks to technology—to reflect,collaborate, and hold discussions. It was a fantasticopportunity to welcome and meet new team members,and to strengthen our bonds. We spent valuable timedeepening our team connections, while also ensuringalignment in our work processes and systemsapproach. Community & ConversationsMarch 7 | Nairobi, KenyaWe partnered with the Schooner Foundation to hostan event that brought together our Kenyan portfoliopartners alongside funding partners, our teammembers, and Board Chair, Melizsa Mugyenyi. Thegathering sparked meaningful connections andinspiring conversations.2024 IN ACTIONIN 2024, WE SHOWED UP AND CREATED SPACES FOR CONNECTION. ALONGSIDECONTRIBUTING TO MAJOR CONFERENCES, MEDIA FEATURES, AND GLOBAL DISCUSSIONS, WEBROUGHT OUR PARTNERS TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR SHARED LEARNING,STRATEGY CONVERSATIONS, AND COLLECTIVE ACTION.
17Community & ConversationsMarch 7 | Nairobi, KenyaWe partnered with the Schooner Foundation to hostan event that brought together our Kenyan portfoliopartners alongside funding partners, our teammembers, and Board Chair, Melizsa Mugyenyi. Thegathering sparked meaningful connections andinspiring conversations.Opportunity Collaboration October 12-17 | Ixtapa, Mexico Board member Jailan Adly attended OpportunityCollaboration along with 5 of our partners, including,James Katumba (Wezesha Impact), AkudoOguaghamba (Women’s Health and Equal RightsInitiative (WHER), Bahati Satir Omar (Uwezo YouthEmpowerment), Wendo Sahar (Dandelion Africa), andBrian Walusimbi (Bless a Child Foundation). It wasanother opportunity for partners to form newconnections, as well as a wonderful gathering thatbrought everyone together.Nafissatou Sene - Rays of Hope Site Visit in Malawi
18Local Voices, Global Impact: EnhancingCollaboration Between Local and InternationalOrganizationsJuly 31 | DevexAtti joined a dynamic LinkedIn Live panel to discusshow we can bridge the gap between local andinternational organizations, incorporate innovativecollaboration models and policies that support localentities, and explore the role of advocacy in drivingsystemic change.Op-Ed: 8 Principles for Power-Sharing Development FundingMarch 28, 2024 | DevexCo-CEOs Atti and Katie reflected on the significance ofmeaningful localization in international developmentin an op-ed published by Devex. In the article, theyintroduced a new framework, co-created with theInternational Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA),that highlights eight principles prioritized bychangemakers for effective power-sharing. Theframework also offers actionable recommendations fordonors and tangible accountability metrics. Read thearticle here. Thomas Feeny, Director,International DevelopmentInnovation Alliance (IDIA)We especially valued AfricanCollaborative’s willingness tolisten to where our agencies “lwere at in their own E&I journeys, and withoutjudgment, to help think through concrete stepstowards moving E&I forward in their ownorganizations.We look forward to continuing to collaborate infuture as we advance E&I within IDIA andbeyond.”Stories of Local LeadershipSeptember 24th | AVFund, Rippleworks, andFood4EducationIn partnership with Rippleworks and Food forEducation, we hosted an intimate event whereinspiring leaders from across the continent shared theirinsights on investing in local leadership. Building onlast year’s Fireside Chat, we heard from remarkableAfrican changemakers who shared powerful stories ofinnovation, triumph, and the lessons they’ve learnedalong the way. Co-CEO Katie provided the welcomingremarks while Co-CEO Atti and Doug Galen, CEO ofRippleworks moderated. Our esteemed panelists were Wawira Njiru (Food 4Education, AVFund Board member), Linda Kamau(AkiraChix), Lizzie Kiama (This Ability), JacquesSebisaho, MD, MPA (Amani Global Works), andKatumba James S. (Wezesha Impact).Collaborative Approaches to Scale Partnerships May 9 | We Give Summit Atti participated in a panel session at the We GiveSummit, discussing how to activate "Ties"—one of thefive Ts of philanthropy. During this engagingdiscussion, Atti provided an in-depth look intoAVFund's funding model and our systems changeadvocacy. Watch the session here.Trust is Crucial for Sustainable ImpactFebruary 21 | Imaginable FuturesIn a conversation with Teresa Mbagaya, Principal atImaginable Futures, Atti discusses how funders canbuild two-way trust-based relationships and how thisapproach aligns with AVFund's mission. Watch theirconversation here. 2024 IN ACTION
19Local Leaders Have the Solutions: Why Aren’t WeFunding Them?April 21| Alliance MagazineAVFund is featured in this piece, which provides keyrecommendations for strengthening funding andsupport for local leaders and their organizations to drivelasting, sustainable change. The article highlights theeffectiveness of local solutions and calls for a shift infunding priorities, as well as increased collaborationbetween funders and local leaders. Read the article here.2024 Skoll World Forum April 12-14 | Oxford, UKWe supported 19 of our partners to attend the SkollWorld Forum. From offering daily office hours to hostingour second annual partner & funder lunch at Turtle Bay,we created intimate and relaxed settings that fosterednew connections--some of which have alreadyblossomed into new funding partnerships.Atti participated in a panel discussion co-hosted by theBill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ELMAPhilanthropies. The session brought together fundleaders, philanthropists, and experts to share insights onthe future of collaborative giving in Africa.Philanthropic Collaboratives as a Pathway toTransformation October 28 | African Philanthropy ForumKatie (Co-CEO) and Shamira (Senior StrategicPartnerships Manager) attended the African PhilanthropyForum's Conference in Marrakech, Morocco. Katie took tothe main stage at the African Philanthropy Forum, joininga panel to spotlight the transformative power ofphilanthropic collaboration across the continent.Alongside fellow collaborative leaders, she sharedactionable insights and reflections on building andmanaging philanthropic collaboratives in Africa.Atti was featured in a video produced by the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation and Philanthropy Together.While it was released in August, it was first publiclyscreened at the African Philanthropy Forum in Morocco. From Pledges to Practice: Shifting ConservationFunding Approaches to Better Support Local AfricanOrganizationsSeptember 24 | UNGA WeekDuring UNGA Week, Co-CEO Katie and Systems ChangeStrategist Sibabalwe took the stage at Maliasili’s Pledgesto Practice event. This session spotlighted fundingmodels and practices that prioritize local communities,with a focus on African conservation and climateorganizations leading community-driven solutions.Drawing from AVFund’s model, Katie and Sibabalweshared actionable insights on transforming fundingpractices to channel greater investment directly to localcommunities.
202030 VISION
AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE HASCONSISTENTLY STOOD BY THE BELIEFTHAT AFRICANS ARE BEST EQUIPPEDTO SOLVE AFRICA’S CHALLENGES, ANDWE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE THEPOWER TO LEAD RESTS FIRMLY INTHEIR HANDS.21Guided by this conviction, 2024 marked a pivotalmoment for us, a year of reflection and reimagining.We took deliberate steps to rework our strategy,ensuring it not only aligns with our foundingprinciples and values but also serves as a catalyticforce for deeper, more sustainable impact. Thisprocess was both introspective and forward-looking,rooted in our belief in locally led change and ourcommitment to shaping a future where Africanleadership drives lasting transformation. Since 2020, we’ve tested a bold hypothesis: thatflexible, trust-based funding can unlock greaterimpact and shift power dynamics inphilanthropy. After realizing the depth of impact achieved throughour partners, we recognized that a bigger and bolderstep was needed to truly make a dent in the fundingdesert. By 2030, we aim to fund and support over 100African-led organizations. We are doubling down ondriving resources, building trust, shifting power, andencouraging other funders to do the same. Our ProcessOur strategic planning process was deeply intentionaland participatory, designed to reflect the values thatguide our work. Our team explored the lessons we havelearned in our Fund One journey. This process unfoldedthrough a multi-phase design process that broughttogether our team, board, and external stakeholders toalign on a shared vision for the future. We began byengaging funders through eleven key informantinterviews to better understand the evolving landscapeand opportunities ahead. Then we turned to ourpartners, where ten partner advocacy interviews wereheld, whose insights and experiences grounded theprocess in their lived reality. The team spent over 35hours in workshops to make carefully considereddecisions about the direction of our 2030 strategy,analyzing data from various sources that we utilize inour organization. Through these collaborative workshops, we co-createdideas, refined priorities, and explored what the nextchapter of our work could look like. The result has beena strategy rooted in collaboration, trust, and reflection.It’s a strategy that truly reflects who we are, both innarrative and in spirit, and captures where we aspire togo as we continue to advance locally led change. Our GoalsAfter reflecting deeply on the lessons we learned in ourfirst fund, we set out to shape a 2030 strategy thatbuilds on what works and pushes us further towardlasting change. At its heart is a commitment topartnering with more diverse African-led organizations,especially those too often overlooked or underfundedand providing the kind of long-term support thatenables them to realize their own growth goals. We aimto amplify the voices of African leaders as experts andchangemakers in development, while building moredirect connections between funders and impactful localorganizations. Underpinning it all is a strong MELevidence base, designed to capture and demonstratethe power of African-led solutions and make a data-driven case for systemic transformation.AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE
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Staying True As part of our strategic planning process; we havereworked how we define who we are. Our missionand vision haven’t changed; we’ve just gotten betterat articulating them. Our mission is to provideAfrican-led organizations with vital resources tocreate purposeful, locally rooted change. Weadvocate for structural transformation inphilanthropy and development to promoteequitable funding practices that shift resources tothe frontlines of impact. Fundamentally, we’restaying true to the principles that have guided usfrom the beginning. Our approach remains rooted inproviding flexible, unrestricted, multiyear grants fororganizations working across multiple sectors on theAfrican continent, while leveraging funding toconnect our portfolio with our broader network offunders. We continue to prioritize transparencythrough open application processes and to expandparticipation by bringing more voices into decision-making via our grantmaking committees. At thesame time, we offer bespoke portfolio services thatrespond directly to partners’ requests and needs.And our advocacy work continues with equalcommitment, pushing to shift philanthropic systemstoward more equitable funding practices andensuring that more resources move directly toAfrican-led organizations.What’s New?While many things are staying the same, we’re alsointroducing some exciting changes to make ourwork more impactful at a larger scale. We’relaunching a track-based grantmaking system tobetter support partners at different stages of growth.We will support organizations across a broadspectrum of organizational stages through twotracks, Ignite and Fuel. We believe that a clearpurpose, model, and impact are an importantfoundation at any stage. One lesson we’ve learned isthat as organizations grow, their funding needsevolve, and our approach must evolve with them.AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE23That understanding inspired the creation of a newsystem that allows us to adjust funding levels basedon each organization’s stage of growth. Our team isnow reviewing our eligibility criteria to ensure theyalign with these new tracks, enabling us to includeand fund more “invisible” organizations alongsidethose that are already more visible. Ultimately, ourgoal is to meet partners where they are, walkingalongside them on their journey toward growth andsustainability.We will also be introducing a 6-year Partner Journeythat begins once we make an initial commitment.Our first fund followed a three-year model, but thistime we’re extending partnerships to six years,which is a shift driven by our belief that long-termcommitments serve our partners best. MEANINGFUL CHANGE TAKESTIME, AND WE’VE SEEN THATDEEPER, SUSTAINED SUPPORTALLOWS ORGANIZATIONS TOGROW STRONGER AND MOREIMPACTFUL. Under the new model, partners begin with a three-year grant in either the Ignite or Fuel track, afterwhich a third-year assessment helps determine thebest track for continued support. Year-by-yearrenewals then provide the flexibility to adapt topartners’ evolving needs. After six years of support,our engagement doesn’t end; through our alumninetwork, we continue to foster connection andshared learning well beyond the formal partnershipperiod.
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To strengthen connections across the ecosystem,we’re developing a pipeline database that linksfunders with African-led organizations, andintroducing seven sector-specific portfolios: Sani(Education), Lokumu (Livelihoods), Afya (Health),Gender Equity, Asase (Climate & Environment),Kusasa (Technology & Digital Futures), and Idajo(Human Rights); to deepen collaboration andlearning between funders and partners. It wasimportant for us to name our sector portfolios inindigenous African languages in order to reframe theconversation around sectoral expertise: viewingpartners as proximate experts, not ourselves.Together, these innovations are designed tostrengthen the ecosystem and better serve both ourpartners and funders. 2030 VisionAll of this strategic visioning has culminated in aname change and rebrand, a natural and necessaryevolution to ensure that how we present ourselvestruly reflects who we are and the impact we aim tocreate.OUR NEW VISUAL IDENTITY WAS DESIGNED TOBETTER CAPTURE THE ENERGY AND AMBITIONOF OUR MISSION, WHILE OUR REFINEDLANGUAGE MORE CLEARLY ARTICULATES THEWORK WE DO AND THE VALUES THAT DRIVE US.The rebrand was a vital step in aligning how weshow up with what we stand for: a commitment toAfrican leadership and solutions that are groundedin local realities. It marks a new chapter thathonours our past while amplifying our purpose andvision for the future. AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE25
26WHAT’S NEXT FOR US?Photo: Friendship Bench
27AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE REST OF 2025, WE ARELOOKING FORWARD TO A FEW KEY MILESTONESTHAT WILL DRIVE OUR MISSION FORWARD: Launching our open application systemAligned with our new strategy, this system will facilitate more insight into innovations and trends in African-led social innovation, and improve our ability to connect funders with high-impact African-led organizationsworking across a variety of sectors and geographies.Continuing to build on and deliver Portfolio ServicesWe will continue connecting partners to aligned funders, share learning and networking opportunities, andremain committed to highlighting not only the work of our partners but also ensure they are recognized assubject matter experts in their own right. Making new grant commitments & onboarding new partnersOur team will be expanding our network of partners in 2025. We look forward to collaborating with moreorganizations working at the frontlines of impact.Showcasing the impact of the Fund’s first three yearsLed by our MEL Manager, we are releasing an Impact Insights Report that reflects on and highlights theimpact of our first fund. The report will be shared widely in Q3 of 2025.Continuing to foster team connectionsWe’re excited about our upcoming team retreat, which will deepen collaboration and spark innovation acrossour team.Attending conferencesYou can catch our team at the Collaborative Fund Summit, Global Philanthropy Forum, Wise 12, UNGAWeek, NEID Symposium, and Skoll World Forum in 2025.Introduction to Collaborative FundsProduced by the Bill & Melinda GatesFoundation and Philanthropy TogetherAFRICAN COLLABORATIVE
financials$35MM$35MM$35MM$35MM$35MMraised towards our$10M goal by 2024raised towards our$10M goal by 2024raised towards our$10M goal by 2024raised towards our$10M goal by 2024raised towards our$10M goal by 202428AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE
MELIZSA MUGYENYIBoard ChairDR. SUZY PUPLAMPUBoard TreasurerJAILAN ADLYBoard SecretaryEVELYN OMALABoard MemberMILTON SPEIDBoard MemberWAWIRA NJIRUBoard MemberNAFISSATOU SENEPortfolio ManagerSenegalSHAMIRA LUKOMWASenior Manager, Strategic Partnerships United StatesSIBABALWE MONASystems ChangeStrategistSouth AfricaTHANDILE MBANASystems ChangeAssociateSouth AfricaALFRED MULIMEL ManagerKenyaCHAMRID KPADONOUTechnical ProjectManagerGhanaISATTA COOMBERCommunicationsManagerUnited StatesJULIE KHAMATIPortfolio ServicesCoordinatorKenyaATTI WORKUCo-CEOEthiopiaKATIE BUNTEN-WAMARUCo-CEOUnited StatesLYNN SELLANGASenior OperationsManagerKenyaOur BoardOur TeamDORIS KAMATHIPortfolio ManagerKenyaMICHELLE WANJALATechnical ProjectAssociateKenyaMENA KALOKOHStrategic PartnershipsCoordinatorUnited StatesOur Supporters29
THANK YOU.TO OUR TEAM, BOARD, AND SUPPORTERS:We are sincerely grateful for the dedication, hard work, and support that made thisyear’s impact possible. Your commitment to strengthening community-driven changekeeps us focused, pushes us to do better, and ensures our partners have the resourcesthey deserve. We’re proud to do this work with you and grateful to continue buildingalongside you in the year ahead.Photo: ACADESinfo@africancollab.orgafricancollab.org30