Bridging funders, young people, and community for collective impact

2024 ECFG AGM: Better together

In June 2024, ECFG members and partners gathered in Nairobi, Kenya to explore and capitalize on the synchronicities that make us greater than the sum of our parts - with each other, with young people, and with the communities we serve.

Whether you joined us in Nairobi or were with us in spirit, we are thrilled to share the joy, connections, insights, and innovative ideas that emerged from our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

We invite you to keep the conversations going - engage, reflect, and take collective action.

ECFG AGM - June 4-6, 2024

Better Together: Bridging Funders, Young People, and Community for Collective Impact

What's Next

The Local Context

Member-led Breakouts

program Highlights

Overview

click through the tabs below to explore program highlights, key takeaways, and more

Overview

What's Possible is an experiential learning institute and pooled fund that challenges traditional philanthropic norms, placing trust and resources in the hands of young people and reimagining how grantmakers can support child and youth organizers.

Donors set intentions and youth activists and organisers decide the strategy and distribution of over $1 Million USD.

On the second day of the AGM, we were joined by Betsy Perez from the Children’s Rights Innovation Fund (CRIF) for a reading of The Tiny Cave and the Magnificent Creatures.

The Tiny Cave was shared as an offering to the sector, symbolizing the shift in power and perspective that "What’s Possible" seeks to achieve.

On the second day of the AGM, we were joined by Betsy Perez from the Children’s Rights Innovation Fund (CRIF) for a reading of The Tiny Cave and the Magnificent Creatures.

The Tiny Cave was shared as an offering to the sector,
symbolizing the shift in power and perspective that
"What’s Possible" seeks to achieve.

what's possible

"The meeting was an eye-opener; I made great connections, gained fresh perspectives, and learned so much about shifting norms and centering children’s voices in philanthropy.” - AGM attendee

view the photo gallery on whova

restricted to agm registrants

restricted to ecfg members

view the photo gallery on zoho

Hosting the AGM in Kenya offered a unique opportunity to engage with the vibrant civil society in the region. Grantee partners of member organizations and local community organizations joined us, enriching our discussions with critical on-the-ground insights and diverse perspectives. This regional engagement deepened our understanding of the challenges and opportunities in East Africa, and Africa more broadly, and strengthened our connections with local actors driving change for children and their communities.

Presence of civil society

Bringing the children’s ecosystem together was important to achieve the goals of this gathering, and we were lucky to partner with the Global Early Childhood Funders (GECF). We offered joint programming across our AGMs, exploring the synergies in our efforts to support the wellbeing of children and youth, and ultimately paved the way for shared learning and impactful partnerships.

Partnership with the Global Early Childhood Funders

At the heart of our AGM was the vibrant presence of young leaders, marking the launch of ECFG’s Youth for Impactful Philanthropy (YIP) Fellows program. This cohort of dynamic changemakers, along with young representatives from member organizations and African civil society, brought fresh perspectives, passion, and innovative ideas. Their participation highlighted the importance of youth leadership in philanthropy and the critical role they play in driving meaningful change.

youth leadership

highlights...

Person with a disability

1.6%

LGBTQ+

5.6%

BIPOC

69%

Under 30

22%

speakers from Africa

63%

ECFG partners

100+

of ECFG membership

52%

who was in the room:

This gathering was a convergence of passionate funders, youth, and community leaders from across the globe, all united by a shared commitment to advance the rights and wellbeing of children. From our collaborative sessions with the Global Early Childhood Funders (GECF) to the inspiring contributions of the Youth for Impactful Philanthropy (YIP) Fellows, and the rich engagement with local young leaders and civil society organizations, the 2024 AGM was a testament to the power of collective action.

This page captures the essence of discussions, key messages, and transformative ideas that emerged. We invite you to explore the detailed summaries, videos, and resources that reflect our collective journey toward a more just and equitable future for all children.

Our gathering in the heart of Kenya was a landmark moment for ECFG. We welcomed local changemakers, centered youth power, and raised challenging conversations about shifting the landscape of philanthropy.

We were guided by three core themes:

Working collectively to center the whole child across silos
Connecting to place and communities most affected
Shifting philanthropy, with and for young people

BRIDGING FUNDERS, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND COMMUNITY FOR COLLECTIVE IMPACT

Better Together

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

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We had the honor of working with Miela Musiki, a dynamic group of young performers dedicated to keeping African musical culture alive through vibrant music, dance, and storytelling. Check them out on facebook! They showcased African traditional dance that represented youth power, family dynamics, and community cohesion—each performance telling a story that echoed the work we do as a network

miela Musiki

This event explored key findings of a qualitative research report exploring the attitudes, perceptions, and norms surrounding child domestic work, and recommendations for donors to support the holistic health and development of CDWs.

hosted by Freedom Fund and UBS Optimus Foundation

drawing the line: defining exploitation in child domestic work

Youth researchers shared how youth-inclusive implementation research approaches have strengthened their credibility, informed more effective programs, and led to meaningful collective action.

hosted by IREX

youth-led research: bridging evidence gaps to strengthen collective action

Attendees discussed what it means to support children and caregivers in a humanitarian settings, through evidence-based, integrated child protection and education interventions.

hosted by the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

how to support caregivers in humanitarian crisis?

Funders explored power, what it means for girls, how building girls’ power is a protective force against violence and exploitation, and how practitioners and funders are building girls' power in the East Africa Region.

hosted by Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, Conrad Hilton Foundation, and Our Collective Practice

girls power learning institute

side events

restricted to agm registrants

watch recordings on whova

restricted to ecfg members

watch recordings on zoho

“For us sustainability is very important… When KCDF had the opportunity to grow its own endowment, we invited our partner organizations to raise money locally, of which we matched the funds they raised. We put funds raised into an endowment and we help them manage that. So every year they get a yield that can go towards activities most dear to them." - Grace Maingi, KCDF

A dynamic panel discussion explored the vital role and significance of Global South-led philanthropy. The conversation highlighted how philanthropic efforts rooted in the global south expand our understanding of philanthropy, addressed historical and systemic inequalities, and offered recommendations for Global North funders to be strong allies. Watch the recording.

building bridges with philanthropy rooted in the global south

"In Madagascar many children will suffer because of climate change...and we need to change this... I hope that young people will engage more on climate change and collaborate with adults to increase impact." - Renée Anna Lova, UNICEF Madagascar Youth Advocate

Hosted by the Fund for Global Human Rights and Alana Foundation, this session explored the intersection of children's and youth's rights and climate activism. Alana shared their work as part of the Children's first Climate Coalition. FGHR shared their experience scoping for youth-led organizations/activists in six African countries and the things that surprised them through the process. Watch the recording.

empowering child and youth climate activism: connecting local activism to global action!

"We use pooled funds when we have a problem we want to solve jointly - when one funder alone really can't solve it... Pooled funds allow us to center locally grounded solutions and decision-making; it allows us to move smaller amounts of money, gives us a space for learning from other funders in the room, and we can engage with innovation and experimentation while sharing risks" - Panelist

This session explored the value of pooled funds in the children’s philanthropy ecosystem, featuring case studies from initiatives including Children’s Policy and Funding Initiative, Regional Early Childhood Network Fund, Children’s Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF), and What's Possible fund.

catalyzing change through collaboration: exploring the value of pooled funds in children's philanthropy

Funding is getting more niche, strategies are becoming more and more specific, and then you're having organizations trying to fit the box or feeling like they need to fit the box to access the money. Is this the most strategic way? We are always talking about systems change, but are we actually doing that if we become more focused in our funding? Are we putting the burden on the organizations, rather than the funding institutions ourselves?" - Giulia Barnhisel, Early Childhood Regional Networks Fund

This interactive session explored the state of funding for children and youth globally, and focused on understanding the state of funding and exploring what needs to change, emerging topics and trends, and opportunities for action.

joint workshop: the state of children's funding

"What we need philanthropy to be doing is giving large unrestricted funds to actors that are intentionally political, trying to change the system -- and that's what decolonizing philanthropy looks like." - Degan Ali, Adeso

This enlightening plenary session featured Degan Ali, Executive Director of Adeso, and Jennifer Kaberi, Executive Director of Mtoto News, and was moderated by Brian King, YIP Fellow. A moderated chat and interactive workshop helped us identify the intersections of decolonizing philanthropy and adultism, using the Framework to Decolonize Child and Youth Philanthropy and our research with Mtoto News. Watch the recording.

workshop on decolonizing philanthropy & adultism

"Invest in young people. Investing in young people's ideas is investing in the future of countries, the future of continents, the future of the world." - Daira, YIP Fellow

Discover the transformative power of youth in philanthropy! This dynamic session highlighted the benefits of integrating young voices in philanthropic efforts. Attendees gained actionable insights and learned about ECFG's new Youth for Impactful Philanthropy Fellowship. Participants had the opportunity to meet the fellows and hear from them about impactful (or not so impactful) philanthropy practices they have witnessed in their region and why youth involvement, engagement, and inclusion benefits philanthropy. Watch the recording.

youth for impactful philanthropy

in plenary

The Better Together program featured a vibrant mix of plenaries, interactive small group discussions, and member-led breakout sessions. We enriched the agenda with wellness activities and cultural experiences to foster a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Below, you’ll find highlights from the large plenaries and partner-hosted side events that shaped our collective journey and sparked transformative conversations.

Overarching themes

The Program

Member-led Breakouts

On the final day of the AGM, we focused on transforming ideas into action. Participants gathered in dynamic action spaces, tackling key themes that emerged from the meeting - exploring how the ECFG community can advance the insights and commitments made during the meeting. These sessions were designed to spark collaboration and drive the next steps for impactful change within our network. If you are an ECFG member, stay connected to next steps on our Zoho community platform. Non-members hoping to stay involved reach out to sheela.bowler@elevatechildren.org.

action spaces

watch recordings on whova

restricted to agm registrants

restricted to ecfg members

watch recordings on zoho

The purpose of this session was to explore the barriers and enablers to investing in localized responses to early childhood development in emergencies (ECDiE), ensuring resources reached local stakeholders who understood the issues facing affected children and communities. The session examined what foundations were doing and what more could be done to support localized responses, with MMA sharing insights from a prior donor workshop on the topic.

hosted by the Moving Minds Alliance

investing to support localized responses to early childhood development in emergencies

This session explored the importance of place-based approaches in driving positive change for children and families, providing a platform for philanthropists to discuss innovative strategies for combining these approaches with comprehensive support. Drawing on Minderoo's experiences and case studies, attendees gained insights into enhancing service delivery in disadvantaged communities and fostering collaborative initiatives for broader investment reforms.

hosted by Minderoo Foundation

harnessing place-based approaches for transformative change in children, families, and communities: a philanthropic discourse

Philanthropy is increasingly focused on addressing the root causes of social inequity, requiring significant investment and collaboration. GCC’s Saving Brains program identified “System Catalysts”—social innovators who effectively scale solutions in ECD. This session overviewed their key characteristics, shared a case study on affordable Kangaroo Mother Care in India, and outlined lessons integrated into a new funding model for Global Mental Health.

hosted by Grand Challenges Canada

from scaling to systems-transformation: the emerging role of a system catalyst

True impact in philanthropy requires moving beyond transactional relationships. This session explored how funders can genuinely connect with communities, understand local contexts, and foster partnerships rooted in respect and co-creation. Sharing insights from Global Fund for Children's work and featuring voices of grantee partners in the African Region, they offered a roadmap for building deeper, more meaningful alliances.

hosted by the Global Fund for Children

the roadmap to trust: building authentic partnerships with communities for transformative change

This session provided insights into an effective approach for adolescent and youth empowerment in safeguarding. It included hands-on training on Ujamaa Africa’s groundbreaking dual-gender gender-based violence prevention intervention, the first evidence-based program of its kind, currently scaling up across Kenya in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Participants explored the intersection of safeguarding and meaningful youth engagement.

hosted by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

placing power in the hands of girls and boys: an interactive safeguarding workshop

As child rights funders, we often focus on the child, their family, and sometimes formal services affecting their wellbeing. This session encouraged participants to examine the informal systems responsible for early childhood care and education, highlighting initiatives that strengthen Kenya's informal ECD workforce. They explored how gender norms influence the support of informal caregivers and discussed ways to improve child outcomes through innovative initiatives.

hosted by Early Childhood Regional Networks Fund

at the intersection of women's empowerment and early childhood development: how can we better support the informal workforce?

Parenting programs can significantly benefit children and families, but they often overlook structural issues like gender inequality. This session explored how gender-transformative parenting programs can improve child development and reduce violence by engaging both women and men to challenge unequal norms. Partners from Kenya shared their experiences and practical solutions for integrating gender-transformative components into existing programs.

hosted by Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, Oak Foundation, and Hilton Foundation

how can parenting programmes be gender transformative?

What does it mean to be an effective, ethical, and power-shifting intermediary? Attendees engaged in critical reflection around what it means for intermediary organizations to maximize strategic support and funding for the local grantee organizations they partner with; navigate push back on the priorities of their funders; and over the long-term, shift power, agency, and decision-making closer to the people, communities, and local organizations directly facing the issues at hand.

hosted by GHR Foundation and the DH Ross Foundation

successful models of care reform in east africa

In this interactive session, funders and grantees discussed experiences and challenges in promoting diverse youth participation and leadership in the grant cycle. Funders shared strategies for supporting youth-led community-based organizations (CBOs) and involving youth in initiative design, grantmaking, and evaluation. Grantees highlighted their approaches to engaging youth in leadership and decision-making within their communities.

hosted by Firelight Foundation and Global Fund for Children

shifting power by building trust: experiences and lessons of funders and grantees using youth centered approach

This session shared practical lessons and personal experiences from funders and young activists with disabilities, illustrating how inclusive funding practices can be implemented effectively. Focusing on East Africa, it presented two examples of participatory grant-making programs that not only fund young change-makers with disabilities, but also bring them on board as co-managers of the grant-making process.

hosted by the Fund for Global Human Rights

supporting the leadership of young people with disabilities: practical lessons and a call to action for philanthropy

hosted by Firelight Foundation and the Kenya Community Development Foundation

accelerating power shifts to communities through ethical intermediaries

Young feminist activism and organising is at the forefront of almost every progressive social cause in modern times. Yet, despite the central role of young women in driving progressive change, their organising and grassroots activism is under-resourced by funders and understudied in the existing evidence base. This session unpacked the opportunities and challenges associated with building the evidence base for young feminist movements and youth-led work.

hosted by Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

making the case for young feminist movements

Explore the heart of the meeting through member-led sessions that embody our theme of "Better Together." These sessions delve into the intersections of philanthropy, youth leadership, and community-driven change, offering a wealth of insights and strategies for collaborative impact. Below, you'll find detailed descriptions and visual notes (where available) capturing the essence of these dynamic discussions.

DIVING INTO THE DIALOGUE

Breakout Discussions

moving money with and for young people
mental health, accompaniment, and self-care
intermediaries and pooled funds - what next?
decolonizing philanthropy
girls and gender
climate
disability
youth action

The Local Context

Thank you to our Nairobi-based ECFG member, the Kenya Community Development Fund (KCDF), which played a key role in helping ground us in the region. As a local trailblazer in community-driven development, KCDF hosted an insightful site visit to their grantee partner, local organization Living Positive Kenya, which showcased the deep community connections that are possible in community philanthropy. KCDF also led a thought-provoking session on community-led change with Firelight Foundation and contributed valuable insights during the Building Bridges with Philanthropy Rooted in the Global South plenary discussion.

Kenya Community Development Fund

Member Spotlight

Miela Music brought an unforgettable blend of energy, talent, and cultural richness to our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Their performances at the reception and dinner, infused with vibrant African rhythms and soulful melodies, went beyond entertainment to showcase the power of music and dance in bridging cultural divides and fostering unity. They showcased African traditional dance that represented youth power, family dynamics, and community cohesion—each performance telling a story that echoed the work we do as a network.

Miela Music’s mission is to use the arts to promote social cohesion, education, and inspiration among youth. Their performances and workshops create spaces where diverse groups come together, learn, and build lasting bonds.

miela Musiki

Tiny Totos is building a network of market-based, independent, childcare providers in East Africa that provide stable livelihoods to owners, peace of mind to working mothers and nurturing care to the children they look after. During the site visit, participants attended an orientation with Tiny Totos staff, traveled to various daycares, and visited one daycare in small groups, each accompanied by a Tiny Totos team member.

hosted by Tiny Totos and Grand Challenges Canada

tiny totos daycare

Ujamaa Africa's gender-based violence prevention program empowers school-aged children with life skills and self-defense techniques, reducing incidents of violence and promoting advocacy for their rights. During the site visit, participants learned about Ujamaa's ETT Program, engaged in a Q&A session, and interacted with teachers to gain insights into the program's strategies for empowering students and educators.

hosted by Ujamaa-Africa and Grand Challenges Canada

ujamaa gender-based violence prevention program

Touch Health builds future health systems in sub-Saharan Africa by strengthening key components of high-quality care: a robust healthcare workforce, patient access, and well-resourced facilities. The m-mama initiative offers an emergency referral and transportation system for mothers and newborns in Tanzania, Lesotho, and Kenya, connecting them to care via a national network of ambulances and community drivers.

hosted by Touch Health and Grand Challenges Canada

touch health's m-mama emergency transport system

Jacaranda Health partners with Sub-Saharan African governments to improve maternal and newborn care in public hospitals. The site visit highlighted PROMPTS, an AI-enabled digital health service that empowers women to seek timely care through two-way SMS exchanges. It sends personalized messages based on pregnancy stages and features an AI helpdesk for triaging questions and facilitating quick referrals for risks.

hosted by Jacaranda Health and Grand Challenges Canada

jacaranda health's PROMPTS digital solution

Akili Kids! is Kenya’s first educational children’s TV channel, reaching approximately 8.4 million children and over 5.3 million adults weekly. Their mission is to become the most trusted children's and family brand in sub-Saharan Africa by providing safe, engaging content across various platforms to ensure access for all. Attendees had the opportunity to visit the studio and see its programming in action.

hosted by Akili Kids!

the akili kids! tv studio!

The Girls Power Institute community site visit was co-created with a group of girls in collaboration with partners in Kenya and East Africa. This event provided girls with the opportunity to speak with funders and showcase various experiences in supporting girls’ empowerment and resistance.

hosted by Our Collective Practice, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, and the Hilton Foundation

intergenerational funder-girls' activist dialogue

During a school visit, participants experienced a local grantee partner's whole-school and community approach to addressing violence and improving learning outcomes. They explored the site and met with program participants, including learners, parents, teachers, local leaders, and government stakeholders.

hosted by ICS-SP and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund

whole school and community approaches to preventing violence and improving learning outcomes

Attendees visited KCDF’s partner, Living Positive Kenya (LPK). LPK supports marginalized women and children in Kajiado County through programs focused on health, education, and economic empowerment. LPK's key initiative includes a daycare and early childhood development school for orphans and vulnerable children.

hosted by Kenya Community Development Foundation

community-led empowerment for women and children

site visits

Historically, the ECFG AGMs have rotated between the US, the UK, and Europe. As the ECFG membership continues to be more reflective of the global landscape, adding a location in the Global South was essential to ensuring we host a more inclusive and equitable forum for global participation. This decision acknowledges the disparities in travel freedoms associated with passport nationality, where individuals from the Global North have historically enjoyed greater ease of access to international events due to less restrictive visa requirements. Conversely, members from the Global South often face daunting barriers, from exhaustive application processes to high fees and stringent documentation demands, limiting their ability to engage in valuable global exchanges. By hosting the meeting in Nairobi, we hoped to address these challenges, ensuring that diverse perspectives and experiences were not only welcomed but actively sought. In doing so, ECFG is setting a precedent for more inclusive practices, highlighting the importance of considering location as a key factor in promoting global equity and access.

Building on the foundation we laid at the 2022 AGM, where we focused on fostering relationships among members, this year we aimed to ground ourselves in community and place. Nairobi, with its rich tapestry of culture and innovation in children’s rights and wellbeing, provided the perfect backdrop for advancing collective action for the most marginalized families. By convening in Nairobi, we aimed to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experiences of local organizations and young people to help us better understand local challenges and solutions.

THE KENYAN CONTEXT

Grounding in the region

"The thoughtfulness that went into the structure and the moderation of each session left me awed. The depth of the conversations and the openness that characterized the exchanges both in plenary in the breakouts reinvigorated my belief in the position of power that philanthropy holds in driving the discourse around development.”
- AGM attendee

What's Next

Stories of Girls’ Resistance is the largest ever collection of oral and narrative history of adolescent girls’ activism, offering a window into girls’ lives and their resistance in all of its messiness, pain, and power. A curated collection of over 150 individual stories from more than 90 countries across the world, it captures the stories of girls, non-binary people and women ranging in age from 11 to 70.

Each story holds a lifetime of wisdom and tells us so much about girls’ individual lives and their resistance journeys. And while there is power and insight in each story, there is collective wisdom that comes from looking at the connections between their stories – the similarities and threads that weave girls’ stories together. These connections allow us to explore the shared experience of girlhood and engage in questions about the role of power in girls’ lives.

These are the girls and young people who hold the most powerful vision for what is possible for a different world, the clearest politics for what it will take to get there, and are fighting with the most brilliant and courageous strategies. Learn more.

stories of girls' resistance

Thank you for running an impactful side event on the power of girls and for creating an environment that truly represented their voices. Your thoughtful contributions, from bringing banners for our reception to providing conversation cards for our dinner, enriched the overall experience.

our collective practice

We sincerely appreciate Mtoto News for expertly handling key AGM logistics and registration, and for your invaluable role as an advocacy partner. The presence of Mtoto News young people, as well as your content developed from the perspective of young people, added a critical dimension to our event.

mtoto news

Thank you to Lusoma Advisory Services for your outstanding facilitation throughout the AGM. Your deep understanding of our mission and ability to integrate our work for maximum impact made the gathering truly transformative.

Lusoma Advisory Services

A big thank you to our AGM Planning Committee—Alice, Anna, Dorah, John, Lais, and Rodrigo. Your commitment and vision were instrumental in shaping an event that was inclusive, engaging, and impactful. Your efforts ensured that everyone felt supported and inspired to take collective action.

AGM Planning Committee

We are deeply grateful to the inaugural cohort of YIP Fellows for joining us at the AGM and helping us center young people across the network. Your voices and insights have already begun to reshape our collective work.

Youth for Impactful Philanthropy Fellows

gratitude

Members, be sure to get on Zoho, where all AGM follow-up activities are being coordinated. On Zoho, you’ll find full session videos, key takeaways and opportunities to dive deeper into the content that resonated with you. Reach out if you need access.

catch up on zoho

AGM-attendees can continue connecting and engaging on WHOVA, which remains live until January 2025. There, you can find photos, videos, and connect with other attendees to keep the conversations going.

stay connected on whova

We’d love to know how you and your organization would like to get involved! Please fill out our AGM Follow-Up Opportunities Interest Form: agm.elevatechildren.org/interest-form

Let us know how you'd like to stay engaged

The AGM may be over, but the journey doesn’t end here. Stay connected and let’s keep the energy and action from the AGM alive!

Remember to stay connected with ECFG by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. Here are a few ways to keep the AGM conversation going: