Discussion Series: Navigating the Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented and dynamic global challenge for everyone. As cities restrict movement and businesses and public services shut down to slow the infection rate, philanthropy organizations scrambled to make the transition to working from home. Those supporting organizations based in African countries understood that navigating COVID’s impact would require support beyond the check. Even more challenging was the understanding that although there were some general guidelines to follow, the response needed would have to be tailored to local needs.

During March and April, AGAG organized a six-week discussion series on navigating the impact of COVID- 19. The series provided an opportunity for funders to discuss the grantmaking challenges that were emerging from the pandemic. Sessions were held on Thursdays and alternated between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm (EST) in consideration of the span of time zones in Africa, Europe, and North America.

Discussions were informal and the participants reflected the diversity of the grantmaking community. Over fifty funding and philanthropy support organizations participated from Canada, France, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United States, and Zimbabwe. They included corporate, private, and family foundations, public charities, and donor-advised funds. They represented a range of approaches and interests but all shared an interest in connecting with colleagues who were also operating within the unfolding personal and professional “new normal.” with no expiration date in sight.

The agenda for the meetings evolved as the weeks progressed. Colleagues from different countries and regions shared information about what was happening in their communities. Funders supporting women’s funds and LGBTI organizations talked about the impact on these vulnerable groups. A consistent and critical topic among the group was how funders were communicating with their grantees about their needs and how they were responding. Given that the situation was unfolding and there was no clear indication of how long it would last, both funders and grantees were in a “wait and see’ mode.

Below is a summary of how funders were communicating and responding when the discussion series ended in late April.

How Funders Are Supporting Grantees

Being Flexible

  • Making grant modifications to allow for more flexibility in the use of funds and programs

  • Converting project support to unrestricted support

  • Switching the purpose of current grants to COVID-19 responses

  • Minimizing the renewal process for current grants

  • Being flexible with reporting requirements and deadlines

  • Adjusting grant terms, budgets, activities, and outputs

  • Offering no-cost extensions

 Proactively Communicating

  • Notifying grantees about the flexibility and options being offered

  • Asking grantees what they need to support them during this challenging time

  • Establishing a response team to gather information from grantees and respond accordingly

  • Proactively communicating via email, text, and video conference

  • Encouraging community education on safe practices

  • Listening to grantees to determine how to respond in ways that are helpful   

  • Initiating internal discussions to explore the impact on current programs

  • Supporting grantees without pressuring them to include or develop COVID responses in their programs

  • Ensuring that grant payments are timely.

 

Africa Grantmakers Affinity Group