Whether we like to admit it or not, tradition philanthropy is broken.

For decades philanthropic organizations with good intentions and deep pockets have aimed to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. And to be fair, millions of lives have been positively impacted.

But at some point, we must stop putting bandaids on problems and start looking deeper.

We at African Leadership have found ourselves in the middle of a conversation we believe needs to be had around how we as Americans view philanthropy and our role in the international aid community.

This is our manifesto.

It just doesn’t work.

Look, if you haven’t noticed, poverty still exists. Famine and hunger are prevalent. War, human trafficking, greed, corruption… I could go on but you get it. How, after years and years of working and millions and millions of dollars, how is nothing getting better??

I’m not being pessimistic, I’m wanting to have an honest conversation about charity, or philanthropy, or aid. Plain speak: Can we do better?

Look… to be clear. I do want to say out loud and for the record that a TON of change has been accomplished, lives changed, saved, and communities transformed across the globe. This is not about what we have done. This is about where we are now and where we are going.

The Traditional Model - Why it just doesn’t work, longterm.
Let me explain how MOST non-profits come to exist.

STEP 1: American visits international community. American is moved by the people, the experience, the poverty, the amount of material need, and the dramatic departure they experience from their own life in the States. “This is terrible…I must do something about it.”

STEP 2: Returns to states on a mission to save the hungry, the powerless, and the poor. Begins spreading the message and raising support. Eventually, if they don’t fissile out, they decide the best way to achieve their goals is to start a non-profit. So, they do that. And don’t take my word for it. According to USfacts.org, in 2022 there were 1.97 million non-profits registered in the United States.

1,970,000

STEP 3: But now American do gooder is official. They have a website. They are legal (which legal filings alone costs between $40,000-$50,000 a year). Now the work begins. The issue (fill in the blank) must be fixed. Whatever it is, the non-profit is now poised to provide whatever means necessary to “fix the problem”. And we are really really good at fixing problems. That’s what we do. You need water? We build a well. You need a school? We can build a building. You out of food? We can send some over. Need a pair of shoes or a car or a house? We got you. With the non-profit established, money can be transferred easily and efficiently to the people in need. Just like that. Problem solved.

STEP 4: Keep the machine running. Make sure the donors know how well they are doing and how much impact they are having. But, not too much impact, cause there are still children to be saved and buildings to be built. We still NEED YOUR MONEY. But the loop is closed. The model, which was built many years ago is in place. If we keep throwing money at it, eventually something will change? Right? I mean, doesn’t money solve everything??? That’s the American way! Wait… I’m getting ahead of myself.

Money solves a lot, but not everything.

So, you may be thinking, that wasn’t very nice. Well, that’s part of the problem. We are all pretty obsessed with being nice. And as much as I would like to be nice, what I would rather be is obedient, fair, trustworthy, and HONEST.

Some thing’s to consider:

  • American solutions don’t work outside of America

  • Whoever has the money, has the power

  • The local knows best. Period.

  • When we take responsibility for the development of a community, we devalue the leadership of that community.

  • Every situation requires an intentional and specific approach that often leaves broad brushed solutions inadequate or just down right pointless.

Now… enough of the soap boxing. Let’s get to the good stuff.

Know your role.

You can choose to view this section through 1 of 2 lenses.

  1. Well poop. If I don’t get to do it my way then I don’t want to help at all! It’s my money and I will do what I want with it! I’m not letting some foreigner just take my money and run! Besides, I’ve been fixing things my whole life and I feel really good when I help other people fix their problems!

    or

  2. ok… I see what you’re doing here. Maybe there is another way of looking at this. Even though I do find a lot of value in participating, maybe there is a better way for me to help. I’d like to hear more.

Great! So glad you asked!

Since we work in Africa, I will use Africa for this part.

After 25 years of working alongside Africans, we have learned many things.

  1. Africa knows what it wants. And most of the time they know how to get there. They are eager to learn, eager to work, and eager to lead. They are just like us. Really… it’s amazing.

  2. Africa does not, and will not, ever look like America. So let’s stop trying. Africa is so unbelievably African. Its crazy. I was on a motorcycle trip across Uganda a couple years ago and my guide, Ali, had married a girl from Chicago. African man. American wife. Her parents (American parents) came to visit and while on this visit, they were riding in the car together. Ali threw a piece of plastic trash out the window (gaaasp). The American parents were astonished! I mean, that is just not ok! We don’t throw trash out the window. Well, actually, you’re right. WE DON’T. But ask any African ever, and guess what… they do. It’s just what they do. Ali told us this story to explain from his view how outsiders don’t need to come in and try and make Africa different. Africa is great just like it is!

  3. There is a TON of work to be done. This is not from me. I’m not saying this. They are. Our African allies have so many things they want to do. Ideas, solutions, dreams, goals, hopes and desires. They want to build, they want to develop, they want to learn, and inspire, and pass on. Again, they are just like us. They share the same human experience we do. To live a life of purpose, to raise children with integrity and faith, and the leave the world better than they found it.

    With that said, I believe there is ONE VERY BIG CHANGE that can be made that would drastically, overwhelmingly, and forever change philanthropy in the modern day.

We need to get out of the freaking way.

You didn’t tell me my role.

I know. I know. I got carried away.

deep breath

Ok… Our role is this.

investors

We have spent a lot of time finding the best way to communicate this story. The story that invites you to join us, join them, as they fight for their way of life. This is where we have landed.

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH REDEMPTIVE LEADERS IN AFRICA.

The mission of African Leadership is to train and equip redemptive leaders to ensure that their communities are thriving across all sectors. There is a leadership crisis in Africa and we have the men and women on the ground ready to take on the challenge.

We believe that in order to enact effective LONG TERM CHANGE in Africa, and around the world, is through the development of local leadership!!!

Period. When Africans raise up their own redemptive leaders, change happens. Communities are transformed. Hope is born and a future vision is cast. We have 25 years of data and over 90,000 Africans that have participated in our training programs. This has resulted in hundreds of stories of Africans who were able to meet the needs of their communities using African Leadership’s network and resources.

What we are doing is funding the trainers and the training. African leadership is supporting the educator, the pastor, and the mentor. We are providing a network of African men and women who’s calling is to guide, teach, and develop others.

I have always seen AL as a university (minus the football team). Many of us went to college and were given the chance to learn SO MUCH. Not just in books, but in life. We grew up (well, some of us did) and we learned what we wanted to do and how we wanted to spend our lives. This is not an opportunity many Africans have. They receive minimal education and mostly live a day to day substantive life (getting food for today). The infrastructure, financial systems, education systems, and government sponsored opportunities we enjoy in America SIMPLY DON’T EXIST IN AFRICA.

African Leadership exists to fill that gap. no, not like AFLAC, but I appreciate the attempt.

Stop giving. Start investing.

They need men and women we are willing to participate in a variety of ways to support the work being done in Africa, by Africans. And this is important. We are fully committed to Africa leading the work we do in African leadership. Our African team is large with 10 country directors and many more teachers, admin, and support staff. Our American team is not large. We number 5. A strong 5 yes, but only 5. This is because the work we are doing is being done by Africans, in Africa. They don’t need us to be there to run things. They run the things. It’s their country. Not mine. I digress….

This support can look like money, and often needs to look like money. Hey… stop it. I didn’t say money was bad! I said it isn’t the whole solution. Money, put into the hands of local leaders who are able to effectively engage their communities needs is EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING!

So yes, we need your money. But, if we’re honest… we kinda want more than just your money. We want you to really dive in. We want you to bring your talents, gifts, relationships, experiences, expertise, and knowledge to Africa. We want you to pray! Please pray!!! We want you to HELP US CHANGE THE CONVERSATION! As you can tell, there are going to be a lot of people who don’t want to hear this message. Changing the status quo requires an army of dedicated believers who want to stand up and say, THERE IS A BETTER WAY!

What is a Redemptive Leader?

  • A Redemptive Leader is one with a real “burden” for his people - empathizing with their predicament, so much so that they are willing to pay some price to rescue them. *

  • A Redemptive Leader must have an agenda, a form of a manifesto by which he intends to lead his followers. He must have it at his fingertips. *

  • A redemptive Leader is both a visionary and a missionary. *

  • Rev. Dr. John B. Ghartey, Towards a Model of Redemptive Leadership in Africa: The Example of Nehemiah and Its Implication for Leaders. A paper delivered at an international conference on “Africa: The Journey Toward Good Governance, Learning Societies/Organizations and Ethical Leadership". South Africa, 2007. Full article HERE