Our History
Early Years
We began as an African Grantmakers Network (AGN) in July 2009 aimed at promoting voice and action for African philanthropy. At the conclusion of its 3rd biennial Assembly, held in Arusha, Tanzania, 2015, the membership of the network decided to rebranded the network to the Africa Philanthropy Network (APN). APN was given a broader and more inclusive mandate that has allowed to expand programmatic parameters and membership base, and to widen our footprint in the African philanthropy space.
Growing The Organization
When the network began it was an idea of three organizations, namely: TrustAfrica, Africa Women Development Fund, and Kenya Community Development Foundation, who invited all other grantmaking organizations existed at that time to join. In 2009, the network had 11 members, while today it has attracted the interest and assets of more than hundred-member organizations located in 42 countries and work with communities in 51 African nations and the diaspora. Membership is comprised of the grantmakers, networks, civil society organizations, academia, and private foundations.
The network started by receiving fiscal support and operating from anchor member organization. From 2019 the APN opened its administrative office in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania, with secretariat staff operating virtually from different African nations. Today, APN staff and technical support services are located in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Uganda and Tanzania.
Having an Impact
Since its establishment, APN is promoting the voice and action for African philanthropy. Working to elevate different forms of African philanthropy and creating the narrative on the impact in addressing continent development challenges and transforming communities by addressing social justice. APN has recorded positive impacts on convening its members and diverse actors, connecting from local through national, regional and global levels building solidarity, mapping the field to identify what works and gaps, as well as narrative building on the role of philanthropic giving practices in the development of people, their communities and nations.
We see the growth and increase in the number of actors and philanthropy support organizations in nations and pan-African levels. Partnerships amongst actors, between actors, and key stakeholders (the governments, donors both institutional and individuals are being enhanced.
Looking Ahead
In the following decade we will be focusing on (i) nurturing spaces for collective voice and networking (people); (ii) influence philanthropy practice and policy; and (iii) strengthen APN Resilience. We hope to address major important challenges that the field must dealt with, to include promoting enabling environment for philanthropy to thrive, leadership development of actors, building stronger institutions that have a more holistic approach and engage in effective collaboration, and strengthening APN to become resilience and a stronger enough infrastructure that brings the field together and articulate a common voice.
APN's Evolution Over the Years
We began as an African Grantmakers Network (AGN) in July 2009 aimed at promoting voice and action for African philanthropy. At the conclusion of its 3rd biennial Assembly, held in Arusha, Tanzania, 2015, the membership of the network decided to rebranded the network to the Africa Philanthropy Network (APN). APN was given a broader and more inclusive mandate that has allowed to expand programmatic parameters and membership base, and to widen our footprint in the African philanthropy space.
When the network began it was an idea of three organizations, namely: TrustAfrica, Africa Women Development Fund, and Kenya Community Development Foundation, who invited all other grantmaking organizations existed at that time to join. In 2009, the network had 11 members, while today it has attracted the interest and assets of more than hundred-member organizations located in 42 countries and work with communities in 51 African nations and the diaspora. Membership is comprised of the grantmakers, networks, civil society organizations, academia, and private foundations.
The network started by receiving fiscal support and operating from anchor member organization. From 2019 the APN opened its administrative office in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania, with secretariat staff operating virtually from different African nations. Today, APN staff and technical support services are located in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Uganda and Tanzania.
Since its establishment, APN is promoting the voice and action for African philanthropy. Working to elevate different forms of African philanthropy and creating the narrative on the impact in addressing continent development challenges and transforming communities by addressing social justice. APN has recorded positive impacts on convening its members and diverse actors, connecting from local through national, regional and global levels building solidarity, mapping the field to identify what works and gaps, as well as narrative building on the role of philanthropic giving practices in the development of people, their communities and nations.
We see the growth and increase in the number of actors and philanthropy support organizations in nations and pan-African levels. Partnerships amongst actors, between actors, and key stakeholders (the governments, donors both institutional and individuals are being enhanced.
In the following decade we will be focusing on (i) nurturing spaces for collective voice and networking (people); (ii) influence philanthropy practice and policy; and (iii) strengthen APN Resilience. We hope to address major important challenges that the field must dealt with, to include promoting enabling environment for philanthropy to thrive, leadership development of actors, building stronger institutions that have a more holistic approach and engage in effective collaboration, and strengthening APN to become resilience and a stronger enough infrastructure that brings the field together and articulate a common voice.