Agenda
Monday, May 8, 2023
8:30 am — 9:15 am — Check-in
Check in at the AGAG desk in the lobby and take the elevator to the 10th Floor where you will receive your conference badge.
8:30 am - Morning Networking - Enjoy a continental breakfast and meet fellow participants.
9:15 am — Welcome
Niamani Mutima, Executive Director, AGAG
9:30 am — How AGAG's Evolution and Final Chapter Reflect Changes in the Africa Funding Landscape
This session presents an overview of AGAG's evolution and how changes in the landscapes in Africa and in philanthropy led to the decision to conclude our work and how the AGAG Legacy Project (ALP) is capturing insights and lessons from our experiences for the next generation of grantmaking practitioners. The first ALP product, a podcast documentary, "Making a Forest Out of the Trees" will be launched.
Moderator: Niamani Mutima, Executive Director, AGAG
Panelists: William "Bill" Moses, Managing Director, Kresge Foundation; Member, AGAG Steering Committee
Vuyiswa Sidzumo, Regional Director for Southern Africa, Ford Foundation; Chair, AGAG Steering Committee
10:30 am — Break
10:45 am — What Connects Us? - Ice Breaker Exercise
Learn about the diverse funding interests represented and share the "hot topic" issues related to grantmaking practices you would like to discuss during the convening.
11:30 am — Lunch and Hosted Table Discussions
Enjoy a buffet lunch and continue the conversations or join a hosted table discussion.
1:00 pm — Climate Smart Grantmaking
There are many dimensions to climate change. When temperature and weather patterns change, the impact is felt in small and large ways. Scientific evidence shows that Africa is disproportionately affected by extreme climate-related disasters. Whether securing philanthropic investments already made or making new ones, there are many opportunities for grantmaking practitioners to incorporate climate smart approaches and practices.
This interactive session will explore the challenges and opportunities for funders, regardless of their funding interests, to align their funding interests and goals with climate smart approaches.
Facilitator: Robert Ddamulira Ph.D., Program Officer, Advancing Climate Change Solutions,
C. S. Mott Foundation
Speaker: Saliem Fakir, Executive Director, Africa Climate Foundation
2:15 pm — What Connects Us: Report Back
This session will present an overview of the funding interests represented and the hot topic issues the participants want to discuss.
2:45 pm — Break
3:00 pm — Centering the Community in Shifting Power: Lessons from East and West Africa
Both the Global Fund for Children (GFC) and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund (WPF) have gained insights and lessons from using a community-led approach to their grantmaking. The Global Fund for Children has worked with six organizations focusing on empowering adolescent girls in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Wellspring Philanthropic Fund has worked with the Regional Education Learning Initiative, a member driven network of 73 organizations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure inclusive learning for all children.
In this session they discuss what they have learned about the issues that a community-led approach can surface for stakeholders, and the challenges and opportunities to "shift the power" when communities are at the center of grantmaking approaches.
Moderator: Dr. Aleesha Taylor, Herald Advisors
Panelists;
Ame Atsu David, Regional Development Capacity Specialist, West Africa, Global Fund for Children
Alexander Kyerematen, Senior Regional Director, Global Fund for Children
Dr. Joyce Malombe, Program Director, International Children's Education, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
4:30 pm — Wrap Up Session
This session will recap key points and questions that emerged from the day’s discussions.
5:00 pm — Adjourn
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
8:30 am — Check in
8:30 am — Morning Networking. Enjoy a continental breakfast and meet fellow participants.
9:15 am — Welcome, Recap, and Feedback
Niamani Mutima, Executive Director, AGAG
Highlights from yesterday's discussions, the issues and topics that emerged, and feedback from participants.
9:30 am — How Practice Can Shape Research: Lessons from AGAG's Research Agenda on Africa Funding
This session will chart the perennial issues that emerged from discussions over the years and how they shaped AGAG's research agenda. Topics will include funding for health and education, the impact of funding directly or through intermediaries, how practitioners navigate roles and relationships and AGAG's landmark study on U. S. Foundation Funding to Africa.
Moderator: Nyeleti Honwana, Program Officer, H. F. Guggenheim Foundation
Panelists:
Steven Lawrence, Researcher and Independent Consultant, Steven Lawrence Consulting
Niamani Mutima, Executive Director, AGAG
Discussant: Andrea Johnson, formerly of the Carnegie Corporation
10:30 am — Break
10:45 am — How Philanthropic Advisors are Influencing the Africa Funding Landscape
Philanthropy advisors help individuals and institutions to shape their philanthropic agenda. Recent years have witnessed the professionalization and specialization of philanthropic advising services globally. Funders often turn to local advisors for their knowledge of the local context.
This session will discuss how philanthropic advisors are influencing the Africa funding landscapes. During their conversation advisors based in the United States and in Uganda will discuss their work, the appetite for funding initiatives to benefit African communities, regulatory constraints, challenges and opportunities.
Moderator: Hafeeza E. Rashed, Director of Programs and Partnerships, Moore Philanthropy.
Panelists:
Jacqueline Asiimwe, Chief Executive Officer, CivSource Africa
Yvonne Moore, Founder and Managing Director, Moore Philanthropy
12:00 pm — Lunch and Hosted Table Discussions
Enjoy a buffet lunch and continue the conversations or join a hosted table discussion.
1:30 pm — Open Mic Soap Box
Participants can sign up for 10-minute slots to share information, discuss an idea, voice an opinion, or highlight an issue that should be on their colleague’s radar.
2:30 pm — Featured Speaker
Shifting the Frame on Equitable Inclusion: Implications for Africa Grantmakers
The recent focus on "diversity, equity, and inclusion" within philanthropy raises the question of what this means for international grantmaking, particularly Africa. For most American funders the frame for equity is grounded in the American context of race. This session will explore approaches and framing that organizations working in an international context should consider in examining the role that racism plays in grantmaking practices and approaches.
Moderator: Vuyiswa Sidzumo, Regional Director for Southern Africa, Ford Foundation
Speaker: Dr. Alcinda Manuel Honwana, Director of the Anti-Racism Team, OUSG/DMSPC, United Nations Secretariat
3:45 pm - Break
4:00 pm — Moving Forward: The AGAG Legacy Project
This session will share the progress on the AGAG Legacy Project to organize AGAG's archives and curate materials including oral histories, stakeholder interviews, and keystone publications from AGAG’s work over two decades. The ALP will serve as an important resource for future private philanthropic efforts, help improve the sector’s practices and impact, and promote scholarship about the history of philanthropy.
4:30 pm — Closing Remarks
5:00 pm — Adjourn
5:00 pm — 7:00 pm — Reception
Join your colleagues for refreshments and light fare during our closing reception.
BRINGING VALUE TO PHILANTHROPY TO AFRICA
Why the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group?
We believe that a strong network of informed and connected funders is a necessary ingredient for robust, effective and responsive philanthropy to benefit African communities.