In a world where 900% more of the financing to benefit African communities goes to international organizations rather than to groups headquartered on the African continent, AGAG sought to expose funding inequities, working to challenge the traditional narratives and approaches of grantmaking practitioners, and improve practices to be responsive to the needs articulated by the communities their philanthropy supported. Throughout Challenging Narratives and Practices, grantmaking practitioners reflect on the impact AGAG made in bringing together practitioners working in different organizations and on different issues.

Since 2000, AGAG has built a diverse network and intellectual home for funding practitioners mobilizing resources to benefit African communities. As AGAG concludes its work, the AGAG Legacy Project ensures that its knowledge, research, and conversations remain accessible.

Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group’s annual meetings and other convenings were spaces where “hard truths” could be named and identified “obstacles that you overcame,” as said by Andrea in her interview. Practitioners sought advice, gained perspectives, and created bonds between generations of grantmaking colleagues. The publication, Conversations with Africa Grantmakers, captured this spirit. Read how it revealed the complexity, creativity, and critical thinking grantmaking practitioners bring to the work—and the obstacles they quietly overcome.