Letter from the Co-CEOs

In the past six months, we have continued to listen and learn from our incredible Visionary Partners and build systems that make our work more equitable and just.

We launched an open application system for the first time and welcomed a diverse cohort of 10 new Visionary Partners, from 7 different countries, in December 2022. In addition to helping us bring on a new cohort, our open application system grew our multi-sector pipeline of innovative African-led organizations, more than half women-led, and reconfirmed that when it comes to funding locally-led organizations pipeline has never been the issue. Our open application process also deepened our understanding of just how vast the funding desert is for African-led organizations and proved that we could be funding 10x more.

Katie Bunten-Wamaru

Co-CEO, African Visionary Fund

We’re on track to raise $10M in catalytic resources for African visionaries by the end of 2023 and while our first fund comes to a close, our long-term vision of creating a more just and inclusive funding landscape for African visionaries remains. As we build our 10-year strategy we plan to be bolder and more ambitious in raising and moving money to African visionaries and influencing others to do the same. We exist to fill a gap created by structural inequities, funders’ fear, and biases but as those change, that gap will become smaller. It is our sincere hope that in 20 years, funding mechanisms will have changed so much that organizations like AVFund don’t need to exist. Until then, the work continues.

Atti Worku

Co-CEO, African Visionary Fund

We are immensely grateful to our Visionary Partners for their continued wisdom and support in shaping how we do our work, our funders for their flexibility and belief in our mission, and our growing team for their passion, collaboration, and commitment to our partners.