Frequently asked questions.
Plain answers to what funders, partners and the women we serve ask most.
What is RFLD?
RFLD (Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement) is a pan-African feminist network of more than 670 member organisations across 35+ African countries. It moves funding and management systems to grassroots women-led organisations and advances women's rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, civic space and climate justice.
Where does RFLD work?
Across the Sahel, West, Central and Southern Africa, with our deepest presence in the francophone West Africa and Sahel corridor. We have offices in Porto-Novo and Dakar as francophone hubs, Accra as our Africa Office, Banjul as our ACHPR liaison Lagos as our Nigeria office and Igolo as our member and local platforms base, with programmes running in 15 or more countries.
Is RFLD a registered charity, and how can US donors give?
RFLD is registered as a non-governmental organisation in Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Nigeria and The Gambia, audited every year under the International Standards on Auditing. It holds an NGOsource 501(c)(3) equivalency determination, so US foundations and donor-advised funds can grant to it as they would a US public charity, and US donors can give through the American Friends Fund at Myriad USA. Details are on our Financials and Transparency and Ways to Give pages.
How does RFLD fund grassroots organisations?
We re-grant through the WAFF Fund and the Africa Grant Portfolio, passing flexible cash directly to women-led organisations, with a fast channel for defenders under threat. Through the Organizational Resilience Program we also donate a full offline, bilingual management suite so grantees can manage grants and pass audits. See Get Support.
How can my organisation apply for support?
Eligibility and timelines are set for each call and published on our Tenders page. We prioritise women-led and community-based organisations in the francophone West Africa and Sahel corridor, and groups led by women, Vulnerable Groups and people with disabilities.
What if I am at risk right now?
If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services first. To reach us safely, use a device and network you trust and write to integrity@rflgd.org. Our Get Support page explains the safe routes to help.
How is RFLD governed and held accountable?
By a General Assembly, a Board of Directors, a Finance Committee and an independent Ethics Committee. We publish our full policy suite and audited accounts, and we publish every grant to the IATI transparency standard. See Governance and Policies.
How can I partner with or fund RFLD?
Foundations, DAFs and individual donors can give through the routes on our Ways to Give page, and partners can reach our team at programs@rflgd.org.
Is RFLD legally registered and audited?
Yes. RFLD is registered as a non-governmental organisation in Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Nigeria and The Gambia, and its accounts are independently audited every year under the International Standards on Auditing, with unqualified opinions. Every grant is also published to the IATI transparency standard.
Who funds RFLD?
RFLD is resourced by institutional funders including Sida, GIZ and BMZ, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Foundation for a Just Society, the African Women’s Development Fund, CIVICUS, AmplifyChange, Hivos and CIDH Africa, alongside individual donors. Almost half of grant funding is unrestricted. See our Financials and Transparency page.
How much of my donation reaches the field?
In our most recent audited year, 79.8% of spending went to field activities and executive and administration costs were under 1%. The rest funds the people and systems that make the work possible.
What are the WAFF Fund and the Africa Grant Portfolio?
They are how RFLD re-grants to grassroots women-led organisations. The WAFF Fund focuses on francophone West Africa, and the Africa Grant Portfolio opens support across all 55 African Union member states. The Organizational Resilience Program adds a free, offline, bilingual management suite so grantees can manage grants and pass audits.
What languages does RFLD work in?
English and French across the network, with Portuguese for lusophone Africa. Our data tools and helplines are bilingual, and we are extending Portuguese across core content.
What open data does RFLD provide?
RFLD’s Data Center offers twelve free, bilingual tools on women’s rights, legislation and governance, including the Maputo Protocol Hub, a West Africa legislative database, an ACDEG hub and a digital-safety compendium, all open with no login and no fee. See the Data Center.
Which frameworks does RFLD use to hold governments accountable?
We work from the instruments African states have already adopted: the Maputo Protocol, the African Charter, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, Agenda 2063 and the Women, Peace and Security framework.
How does RFLD include people with disabilities and vulnerable groups?
Inclusion is built into our grantmaking and programmes, with priority to organisations led by and serving women, Vulnerable Groups and people with disabilities, and a dedicated inclusion window in our funds.
How does RFLD keep the people it serves safe?
RFLD holds zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, works to a do-no-harm standard in the fragile settings where it operates, and offers a confidential, multilingual channel for anyone to raise a concern. See our Governance and Policies page.
What is #IamRFLD?
#IamRFLD is where the network speaks in the first person: the women and organisations across the continent sharing, with consent, what the movement means to their work. See our Voices page.
How can I work with or volunteer for RFLD?
Open roles are listed on our Careers page. Organisations can join the network or work with us through the Partner with Us and Partners pages.