What We Do

Organizational Development Grant Program

The goal of the Organizational Development Program is to help members of the African Federation, Inc. operate more effectively and efficiently by strengthening the organization’s internal capacity. Example of organizational development services are:

Governance:

1. Governing Parameters:

• Enabling Documents:
  - Article of Incorporation
  - Bylaws, rules and regulations
  - IRS documentation
  - Ancillary agreements such as memorandum of understanding, etc.

2. Board Development:

• Board Administration
• Board composition
• Representation
• Board size,
• Selection process
• Committees
• Terms of Office
• Board Meetings

3. Planning and responsibility

• The Mission Statement
• The Strategic Plan
• Policies and procedures

Management:

4. Planning

• Strategic Planning
• Operations Planning

5. Legal Parameters

• Laws and Regulations Governing non-profit organizations
• Personnel Laws and Regulations
• Compensation Laws and Regulations
• Legal Review and Contracting
• The IRS Audit Trail

6. Structure and Organization

• Organizational Structure
• Staff Development
• Leadership Development
• Staff Training and Development
• Volunteers Management
• Public Relations

7. Fiscal and General Administration

• Operations Budget
• Fee Schedules
• Accounting Procedures
• Asset Management
• Benefits and Compensation
• Contracts and Negotiations
• Management Systems
• Facilities and Equipment Planning
• Insurance Coverage

8. Networks Development

• Outreach Programs
• Professional Network

Programs Development

9. Program Concept Development

• Program Planning
• Program Management
• Program Evaluation

Resource Development

10. Development Planning

• Fundraising
• Events Planning
• Proposal Writing
• Prospects Research

To access any of these services, please contact AFI via email at
info@african-federation.org , write to us or call us at 646-302-4667

Organizational Development Small Grants Program

A major problem facing AFI member s is the lack of access to financial resources due to weak linkages in resource development. The goal of the Small Grants program is to help AFI members develop the competency in resource development including proposal writing and grants administration in general.

The Small Grants Program funds activities that influence the organizations’ overall ability to raise funds to carry out its mission by increasing its access to funds to support program activities. Requests from $1,000 up to $5,000 may be made once per year.

AFI WILL CONSIDER grant applications for projects that:

• Build the capacity of the organization to better meet its mission (e.g. organizational assessments, program evaluation, strategic planning or specialized one-time trainings for key staff.
• Build a plan for long-term sustainability and reliable funding streams
• Strengthen the Board of Directors capacity and governance of organizations
• Develop skills of the board and staff
• Build programs through workshops, seminars, forums, etc.
• Buy or build technology systems to meet future needs such as website development
• Develop marketing plan to build future sustainability
• Develop organizational communication materials such as brochures, pamphlets, posters, etc.

AFI generally WILL NOT consider

• Capital infrastructure projects
• Ongoing annual operating expenses
• Grants to individuals
• Annual meetings
• Fundraising events

Eligibility Requirements

* Member of African Federation’s network. Non-members may contact AFI for further assistance.
* Organizations must have 501© (3) status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Non- 501© (3) organizations may contact AFI for further assistance
* Serve the African Diaspora constituencies
* The geographical area of impact of the project must be the United States.

Application Timeline and Guidance

Inquiries Letters of Application (LA) may be submitted to on or before the first day of January, April, July and October for consideration. Each application should include the following:

• A written request to AFI with responses to the following questions:
  1. Problem/Issue statement: what is the issues your organization seek to address?
  2. What are the current conditions?
  3. What is the desired results of the project
  4. What steps will you take to learn from the process and evaluate its success?
  5. How will the outcomes you achieve contribute to the long-term stability of your organization?
  6. Letter signed by the executive director of and board president.
  
  
• Attach a brief outline of the proposed work, including timelines (even if they are tentative). If hiring a consultant, tell us how the consultant plans to transfer knowledge of your organization, and why you have selected one consultant over another.
  
  
• Proposed project budget, including other sources of funding and the amount requested from the African Federation, Inc. (Please attach relevant estimates/invoices to support the budget.)
  
  
• Statement of board commitment to the project, both financially and in terms of participation.

Application Process

• Applications are accepted on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of every year for consideration for funding as long as funds are available.
• 
  The Letter of Application should be limited to 5 pages (11 point font, one inch margins). The work outline and budget mentioned above will be counted as attachments and will not included in the 5 page total.
  
  
• Submit your application electronically to: bafrifa@african-federation.org and mail two hard copies to :
  African Federation Inc.
  P.O. Box 2186,
  Grand Central Station,
  New York NY 10163
  
  
• An advisory committee reviews the applications and makes decisions about grant awards. A decision on the application is made by the end of the month in which the application is considered. The content and nature of the application is treated confidential. Approval grants will be posted on AFI’s website by project name and amount only.

Final Reports and Evaluation

If a grant is awarded, a final narrative and financial report is due to AFI three months after the end of the grant term. A written evaluation of the project should be included in the final narrative report. The written evaluation should

1. Provide a specific examples of outcomes made possible by this grant;
2. indicate how you will build upon these changes to ensure long-term organizational strength; and
3. Describe strengths and weaknesses of the process.

AFI will not consider other grant requests until outstanding written evaluations are completed.

For questions, please contact AFI staff for further assistance.