Conversations With ...: Recent Episodes
Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group
Niamani Mutima of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group engages civil society and philanthropy leaders in candid conversations highlighting their work with communities across Africa.
This podcast is about the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group (AGAG) and explores the impact of AGAG's work to improve American philanthropic practices related to funding in Africa. We hear from grantmaking practitioners who were a part of the network. They share their perspective on AGAG as a unique and valued forum where the narratives about Africa that shape the practices of American funding in Africa were challenged. They describe how the candid discussions about the dynamics of power, race, and representation influenced them, and reflect AGAG’s impact and legacy. The podcast concludes with recommendations from AGAG's Executive Director, Niamani Mutima, for practitioners, grantmaking organizations, and funder networks.
The noted grantmaking practitioners we hear from in this episode are Dr. Akwasi Aidoo, Dr. Omotade “Tade” Akin Aina, Chris Allen, Jennifer Astone, Karen Colvard, Raoul Davion, Steven Lawrence, Mamotshidisi “Mamo” Mohapi, Yvonne Moore, Sarah Mukasa, Niamani Mutima, Nicolette Naylor, Dan Robbins, and Vuyiswa Sidzumo. Learn more about them on the Bios page HERE.
This podcast is part of the AGAG Legacy Project to document its history and contributions to the philanthropy sector.
Credits:
Created and produced by Talaya Grimes, T Muse Media and Niamani Mutima, AGAG. The narration was written by Niamani Mutima.
The AGAG Legacy Project documents the work and contributions of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group.
Making a Forest Out of the Trees (MFT)” is a documentary podcast and the first episode of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group (AGAG) History Series. This episode features excerpts from interviews with a diverse group of 20 grantmaking practitioners who participated in AGAG's activities over the past 23 years.
Through their reflections, we learn about how and why AGAG emerged in 2000 from the Southern Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group. We hear how its evolution was influenced by global events and the issues about philanthropy practices and narratives about Africa that dominated their discussions. Their candid comments reveal what made AGAG a unique, welcoming, and valued space where new and experienced grantmaking practitioners found an intellectual home that challenged them to learn from each other and grow.
The interviews were conducted in the spring of 2022 by Niamani Mutima, AGAG's Executive Director Director. Those interviewed participated as individual grantmaking practitioners and not as representatives of their current or former organizations.
The AGAG History Series is part of the AGAG Legacy Project. Learn more about those interviewed and the AGAG Legacy Project at www.africagrantmakers.org
Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group
Philanthropy in Nigeria- ACT Foundation
In this episode, Niamani Mutima of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group talks with Osayi Alile, CEO of the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation based in Lagos, Nigeria. They discuss the philanthropy landscape in Nigeria and the ACT Foundation's approach to supporting local, national, and regional organizations working on issues in health, environment, and leadership development . Alile describes the roles that the ACT Foundation plays beyond making grants, as an advocate, mentor, and bridge builder. Access to maternal health services and the alarming increase of cancer among younger women are two areas of concern. The conversation explores how ACT's "listening" approach has enabled it to build strong relationships with the organizations they fund and the communities they serve. This conversation took place in December 2022.
Nine Fundraising Misconceptions with Hafeeza Rashed
In this episode, Niamani Mutima of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group talks with Hafeeza E. Rashed, Director of Programs and Partnerships for Moore Philanthropy, about nine common misconceptions about fundraising. The topics range from the differences between fundraisers and fundraising consultants, defining fundraising success, and working with fiscal sponsors. The conversation is especially useful for international organizations seeking practical advice and understanding of the nuances of the fundraising culture in the United States.
In this episode, Niamani Mutima of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group talks with Louise Driver and Sarah Rennie of the Independent Philanthropy Association for South Africa (IPASA) and Vuyiswa Sidzumo of the Ford Foundation Office for Southern Africa. They discuss IPASA's role in helping funders in South Africa to respond to local community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss the need for philanthropy to incorporate more flexible approaches into their permanent grantmaking practices. This conversation took place on May 12, 2021.