Beyond USAID: Flipping the Script on Funding Dependency

Written By Beck Hayes

The dismantling of USAID’s global support systems isn’t theoretical — it’s happening now. And for too many global development practitioners, this shift has meant shrinking grants, donor silence, and an urgent need to reimagine how we fund the work today. But what if we stopped waiting for donor priorities to stabilize, and started building something more rooted, more resilient, and more ours?

On June 24, we’re hosting Beyond USAID: A Workshop for African Development Practitioners, a 2-hour working session for grant writers, fundraisers, and changemakers who are ready to move past the old dependency cycle.

As my brilliant co-host Hadeer Maher puts it:

“The question is: How do we lead when the funding map is being redrawn in real time?

This session is about flipping the script — exploring funding alternatives grounded in local leadership, not donor moods.”

We’ll walk through:

  • What’s really going on with U.S. and global aid

  • Real-world solutions being tested now

  • How to design a Funding Pivot Plan that’s tailored to your work — not a one-size-fits-all model

This isn’t a panel. It’s a practical, collaborative workshop designed for anyone working in or with African communities who’s ready to reimagine what’s possible.

📅 June 24, 2025
🕖 7:00–9:00PM EAT / 12:00–2:00PM ET
💻 Online via Zoom
🔗 Register here

We built Atharii because we’re tired of seeing grassroots work reshaped to fit donor preferences. It’s time for funding strategies that match the scale and urgency of the work being done right now — by people who know what their communities need.

We look forward to seeing you there. Let’s map what’s next — together.

Beck Hayes