Resourcing the Dreams and Imaginations of African Girls & Young Women.

The Pan African Girls Fund is an Umbrella Fund that resources girls' and young feminists' dreams, imaginations, and freedoms. The Fund collaborates with various actors to activate resources for networks of girls and young feminists, contribute to the body of knowledge on girls and feminists, and build movements.

Apply For Funding Learn More
A group of African girls and young women standing together, holding a seedling and a book, with the PAGF sunrise behind them.

What We Stand For.

01
Our Mission

To resource girls and young women across Africa in ways that are meaningful, relevant, and responsive to their unique contexts and specific situations.

02
Our Vision

We envision a future where the dreams and imaginations of girls and young women across the African continent are believed in and fully supported.

Our Core Values
Two young African women standing together, arms around each other, laughing — Love & Friendship.
01

Love & Friendship.

We provide resources that foster visibility for girls and young women, ensure their voices are heard, and include them in processes that concern and benefit them.

An African elder seated holding a seedling, with a young girl beside her reaching toward it — Care.
02

Care.

Demonstrating genuine care for girls and young women as individuals and movement builders.

Three young African women in a tight circle with hands stacked together — Trust.
03

Trust.

We trust and respect the groups we serve, empowering them to control their own narratives and become experts of their own lives and journeys.

Four young African women — teaching, planting, speaking and rallying.
Girls Buzz Platform — young women and girls gathered together.
Girls Buzz · 2024

Who We Are

The Pan African Girls Fund is an Umbrella Fund that:

01

Resources Dreams & Freedoms

Activates resources for networks of girls and young feminists across Africa.

02

Builds Knowledge

Contributes to the body of knowledge on girls and feminisms from an African perspective and lens.

03

Strengthens Movements

Creates opportunities and spaces for girls and young feminists to participate in grant decision-making, learning and documentation.

04

Connects Generations

Builds connections across generations through cross-generational funding, mentorship and learning.

Our Strategic Approach

01

Regional Learning Initiatives

Periodic regionally focused initiatives to assess status, needs, and gaps in funding girls and young women.

Assessment
02

Co-creating Resourcing

Collaborate to design regional funding mechanisms tailored to the identified needs from regional learning initiatives.

Co-design
03

Seeding Mechanisms

Provide seed funding to newly formed regional resourcing mechanisms closer to the movement actors who directly implement for girls and young women.

Funding
04

Documentation & Learning

Producing an annual anthology on "Where is the Money for Girls and Young Feminists".

Knowledge

How We Work.

Identify Partner Organizations

In consultation with movement leaders, identify 3-5 organizations that work with girls and young feminists in each region.

Co-create Criteria

Partner organizations co-create criteria for identifying groups to participate and design processes for test funds in a given region.

Fund and Learn

Once groups receive funding, TPAGF partners with lead organizations to learn from and document what the actors are learning.

Share and Scale

Share reports of lessons learned with the philanthropic ecosystem and continue fundraising to support the development of these mechanisms.

Our Theory Of Change

Young feminists in a co-creation workshop, learning and planning together — Theory of Change.

We co-create, resource and learn together with Girls and Young Women.

The Pan African Girls Fund believes that girls and young women are already acutely aware of the issues and challenges they face in their communities.

We recognize that programming for girls and young women does not exist in isolation; it is part of an already-established network of organizations and supporters. When girls and young women within these existing networks can self-organize and create accountability mechanisms, they build long-lasting connections essential for movement building and its sustainability.

We believe that by resourcing their work on their terms, accompanying them on their journeys, and meticulously documenting these processes, we will foster healthier and more sustainable ways of working with girls and young women, ultimately strengthening the overall women's movement in Africa.

The African Context

Youth Potential
0yrs

Africa has the youngest population globally, with an average age of 15 years. By 2030, Africans will make up 42% of the world's youth.

Funding Gap
0%

Only 5.9% of U.S. foundation funding for sub-Saharan Africa reaches local organizations, and just 0.4% of humanitarian assistance reaches African organizations.

Urgent Challenges
0%

Girls and young women face adolescent pregnancies, femicide, climate impacts, and anti-gender movements with zero or limited resources and visibility to counter any of these challenges.

The Problem we are addressing

Despite years of various stakeholders financing girls' initiatives, there still isn't a clear infrastructure for supporting girls and young feminists because:

Most work remains at organizational ownership level

Girls and young feminists don't fit neatly within established thematic focus

Significant lack of consolidated information on funding

Limited direct funding for self-led organizing

Young mothers and their children at a grantee gathering — the problem PAGF addresses.

We fund the present and the future, we fund intergenerationally.

Our Impact So Far

Initiatives
0
Girls and women-led initiatives funded10 TZ · 8 KE · 10 UG
Direct
0
Girls and young women directly benefited.
Community
0
Community members reached through advocacy.
Enterprise
0
Young women launching ventures in fashion, poultry, farming and retail.
Leadership
0
In leadership training — building peer networks like Girls Buzz.
Rights · Health
0film
"Nafasi" sparked national dialogue on teenage mothers' rights.

Dreams in Action

Where We Work

East Africa
28 girls and women-led initiatives funded across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Funded
West Africa
Expanding Soon
Coming
Southern Africa
Expanding Soon
Coming
North Africa
Expanding Soon
Coming
Central Africa
Expanding Soon
Coming
African Diaspora
Expanding Soon
Coming

Apply For Funding

You can apply to be an anchor partner or as a direct grantee.

Option · Anchor

Anchor Partner.

Who is an anchor partner?

  • An organization that already works with girls and young women in a region. Other smaller groups of girls and young women come to you for help, like one would go to a big sister for advice, support etc.
  • An organization that is registered and has relevant structures to receive resources on behalf of other groups.
  • An organisation organising/programming a particular issue and is interested in building a movement around the particular issue.
Apply As Anchor Partner
Option · Direct

Direct Grantee.

Who is a direct grantee?

  • A girl-led or young feminist-led organization or collective seeking direct funding for your work.
  • A group that is actively organizing around issues affecting girls and young women in your community.
  • An organization or collective at any stage — from newly formed to established — working in movement-building.
Apply As Direct Grantee

Resource the Power of African Girls Today

Your support helps us resource girl-led organizations across Africa and honors the agency of Girls and young Feminists leading change in their own communities. Every contribution is an investment in a movement built on trust and solidarity.

Contact Us To Donate

💌 Send Us A Message

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in touch

What types of initiatives does PAGF fund?
PAGF supports the self-organizing power of girls and young feminists across Africa. We trust our partners to lead on the issues that matter most to them. If you are a community-rooted and movement-focused organization, we are here to ensure your agency has the resources it needs to thrive.
How can I apply for the grant?
You can apply as an Anchor Partner or a Direct Grantee using the forms in our 'Apply' section. Our team reviews every submission and will contact you within six weeks.
How long will it take to hear from us?
We acknowledge receipt of all applications and aim to complete our review and response within six weeks. If you haven't heard from us after that time, please feel free to follow up at info@theafricangirlsfund.org.
What is the reporting process like?
We believe in trust-based reporting that centers learning rather than mere compliance. Our process focuses on documenting your journey, the lessons you are uncovering, and how the movement is growing.
How can I support The Pan African Girls Fund?
We welcome your solidarity! Beyond spreading the word and connecting us with potential partners, your financial support directly fuels the agency of girls across Africa. To contribute or discuss partnership opportunities, please contact us at info@theafricangirlsfund.org or call us at +254719891508 to get started.

Stay Connected To The Movement.

Get updates on funding opportunities, learning reports, and stories from across the continent.