We Believe that Africans are Best Equipped to Build Impact Solutions in Africa, and we Envision a World Where the Power to Lead is Firmly in Their Hands.

Our mission is to provide African-led organizations with vital resources to create purposeful, locally rooted change. We advocate for structural transformation in philanthropy and development to promote equitable funding practices that shift resources to the frontlines of impact.

Our story

Since 2020, African Collaborative has invested in African-led organizations with the unrestricted, multi-year funding they need to lead change on their terms. Our partners have delivered powerful impact results across sectors. But we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible, and we have important work ahead.

Every grant we make is a bet on African expertise. These passionate changemakers know their communities best, and their lived experience and deep-rooted knowledge build programs that create lasting impact. They are proof that the most effective solutions for African development don’t need to be imported, they just need to be invested in.

And yet, most global funding still flows elsewhere.

Less than 5% of global humanitarian assistance reaches locally-rooted organizations. Of the money U.S. foundations direct to Sub-Saharan Africa, only 1 in 4 dollars supports local groups and initiatives. This imbalance stalls progress and sidelines the very leaders best positioned to drive sustainable development.

A new approach can deliver new results, and the opportunity to drive systemic change has never been greater. Formerly known as the African Visionary Fund, African Collaborative is looking ahead with a bolder vision towards structural transformation.

It’s time to build a new social impact system that is fueled by the power of locally-led solutions.

Join the movement. We invite you to invest in the future of social change for Africans, led by Africans.

Our Model

African Collaborative is making it possible for the philanthropic community to shift from investing in solutions for Africa to investing in solutions from Africa. The fund offers a unique model, designed to create systemic change.

We fund organizations at every stage in their development. With our open-application system, we have developed a robust pipeline of overlooked, under-resourced African-led organizations working across sectors to transform systems and improve lives.
We ensure the power to lead remains firmly in the hands of our partners. Unrestricted and multi-year grants paired with tailored support services allow African-led organizations to deliver on their mission while investing in their future.
We forge catalytic connections – those that connect the African organizations to funding from the international philanthropic community, and those that help African organizations connect with each other to share their experience and expertise.

What AC Offers Funders

A streamlined platform to connect with trusted, local African organizations that may not be on your radar but are poised to make the greatest impact on the issues you care about.

The confidence to expand your reach to new organizations knowing that ACF partners are not only vetted by our team but also supported by our team over the course of our multi-year grants, helping them navigate new opportunities and challenges.

The chance to be a leader in the next generation of philanthropy — one that creates sustainable change by building local power and recognizes that the future of African development is African-led.

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What AC Offers Partners

An open and inclusive application system to access funding you can use to drive the changes your communities and nations need.

The support and resources you need to grow your organizations and invest in your local staff – from increased global visibility to relationship-building with new funders, to doors opened to new partners and opportunities.

Membership in a network of African organizations that share best practices and learn from each other to catalyze greater success across the continent.

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