About the AGAG Legacy Project

For over two decades, Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group (AGAG) convened funders, curated knowledge, and connected people to build an informed and engaged network of grantmaking practitioners and improve grantmaking practices. Through our signature annual conferences and other meetings, AGAG demonstrated the impact of curated and candid discussions about the real issues practitioners encounter in their work. This approach shaped our legacy of influencing practitioners, curating candid discussions, and challenging narratives about Africa and Africans.

In 2023 we announced that our work was entering its final chapter We held our final convenings in New York and Johannesburg and launched the AGAG Legacy Project. The significant changes in the philanthropy landscape and funding context since AGAG’s founding were major factors in our decision to conclude our work. When AGAG was formed in 2000, there was no continent-wide institutional advocate for American private philanthropy support for African communities. There was little information about funding trends and few formal professional development opportunities for new and experienced Africa program staff. AGAG emerged to fill these critical needs and roles.

The AGAG Legacy Project draws on AGAG’s archival materials to curate and produce print and digital materials about AGAG’s rich history and impact. These materials serve as an essential resource for private philanthropic efforts, help improve the sector’s practices and impact, and promote scholarship about the history of philanthropy. The “Story of AGAG” podcast series is one of the initial materials produced under the AGAG Legacy Project.

Story of AGAG Podcast Series

The “Story of AGAG” podcast series explores AGAG’s formation and evolution. In each episode we hear from noted grantmaking practitioners who participated in AGAG's activities over its twenty-four year history. They talk about the ongoing work to improve philanthropic practices related to American funding in Africa. They discuss AGAG’s intentional approach and how they were influenced by the candid discussions about practical issues that challenged them to reflect and grow. Each episode explores different issues with perspectives from seasoned professionals who share their wealth of experience and expertise gained from working with grantmaking organizations funding in communities across Africa. 

Creating Community

The Story of AGAG - Creating Community chronicles AGAG’s beginning and growth during its first decade. We learn about the events that brought together the grantmaking practitioners who formed it. We hear from a diverse group of practitioners about the critical but sensitive issues the philanthropy sector needs to address. They reflect on what made AGAG a unique space and how it responded to changes in the philanthropy sectors in the United States and African countries. They describe how the 2008 meeting in Johannesburg signaled a new phase for AGAG in expanding the network and why it was significant in highlighting how AGAG was ahead of its time in tackling seldom discussed issues for American grantmakers funding in Africa.   

Challenging Narratives and Practices

The Story of AGAG - Challenging Narratives and Practices describes how AGAG navigated the challenges of its geography versus sector orientation and power dynamics within the network. We learn about the candid discussions about race and representation in philanthropy and AGAG’s research documenting funding disparities and practices. Noted practitioners reflect on how AGAG’s leadership shaped its significance and legacy. The podcast concludes with advice for grantmakers, practitioners, and funder networks.   

  Highlights from our 2023 Convening in Johannesburg

AGAG’s final convening, Footprints of our Legacy was held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Learn more about the people and the conversations that made it a significant and memorable event.

 We believe that an informed, knowledgeable, and connected network of grantmaking practitioners will help to grow and strengthen the impact of private philanthropy targeting Africa.