rican Development Foundation
A United States Government Agency
USADF's Programs
provide economic development assistance directly to marginalized populations in conflict and post-conflict areas in Africa.
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| Number of Grants |
Total Grant Value |
New Economic Growth |
People Impacted |
Sustainability Factor |
| 420 | $63M | $229M | 1,080,000 | 77% |
(Active Grants per 3/15/12)
See Country Pages for Grant Details
USADF - Headlines
Former USADF grantee Rwanda Women's Network wins Avon Communications Award click here
2011 was a record breaking year for USADF Listen Here ... 
Read about USADF grantee Gahaya Links Limited click here
Learn about Finger Millet: From Purely Subsistence to Commercial in Uganda click here
Read allAfrica.com Interview with Lloyd Pierson, Audacious Aim to End Poverty click here
Watch
Beyond the Trade or Aid Debate in Africa: Advancing Development at the Grassroots Level panel discussion at the Heritage Foundation click here
Voice of America's Helping Turkana People Help Themselves
article
click here
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Report to Congress
FY 2013 Congressional Budget Justification
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USADF 
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Read about USADF's work and grantee stories by clicking on image at right.
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Tribute to Congressman Donald Payne
The United States African Development Foundation is saddened by the passing of Congressman Donald Payne. He was a kind man with great listening skills and a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of Africa and human rights issues. He was a guiding light, mentor and thoughtful friend for both the Foundation and me. He has had a strong, positive impact on my life. He was knowledgeable, insightful and ever optimistic. Congressman Payne was a remarkable person who truly was one of the great individuals of our life. We will miss him every day.
Lloyd O. Pierson, President/CEO, USADF
USADF - Foreign Assistance That Works
The United States African Development Foundation is an independent Federal agency established to support African-designed and African-driven solutions that address grassroots economic and social problems in conflict and post-conflict communities. USADF provides grants of up to $250,000 directly to under-served and marginalized community groups and enterprises.
The grants help organizations create tangible benefits such as increasing or sustaining the number of jobs in a community, improving income levels, and addressing social development needs.
USADF is a public corporation with a seven member Board of Directors who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate.
The following seven key principles serve as guidelines for all USADF management planning, budgeting, and evaluation activities. These priorities help ensure USADF stays true to its mission.
(1) Model high effectiveness and low overhead operations.
(2) Focus program activities on marginalized communities in Africa.
(3) Invest in African ideas through participatory development.
(4) Ensure projects result in more JOBS AND HIGHER INCOME LEVELS .
(5) Promote African led and managed field project support.
(6) Achieve the highest levels of OPenness and transparency.
(7) Support and develop an equal opportunity, RESULTS DRIVEN STAFF that rewards hard work, dedication to the mission, and personal success.
USADF - Success Stories (see all)
A Marvelous Journey in Tanzania ...Tanzania native, Flotea Massawe, changed her life when ... more
A Dream Come True in Ghana ... Shea nut production in West Africa is more than a cash crop—it is an ... more
Marketing Hope in Benin ... Many West African herders depend on their cattle sales to make a living, but ... more
A Rose Grows in Lagos ... Youth with autism earn income for the first time in Nigeria ... more
USADF - In the Press
January 2011 - finger millet: from purely subsistence to commercial in uganda's daily monitor
December 2011 - audacious aim to end poverty - allafrica.com interview with Lloyd pierson
October 2011 - usadf featured in Voice of america's helping kenya's turkana people help themselves article
See More PREss coverage ...
USADF - News Releases
Lloyd Pierson remembers congressman donald payne on All.africa.com
Women Grantees Take Center stage on iwd march 8
usadf grant reaches out to herders in drought-prone kenya
wEAVING FOR PEACE AND PROFIT: USADF GRANTEE GAHAYA LINKS LIMITED TAKES ON THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR ARTISINAL JEWELRY AND HOME DECOR
usadf wins award for work with rice farmers in Benin
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