Amref Health Africa Uk

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £4.8 million expenditure (2023); UK fundraising arm raising funds for regional programs
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by program (2-stage process for climate/health grants)
• Grant Range: £15,000 - USD 250,000+ (depending on program)
• Geographic Focus: 35 countries across Africa, with primary focus on East, West, and Southern Africa

Contact Details

Address: Lower Ground Floor, 15-18 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0)20 7269 5520

Email: info@amrefuk.org

Partnerships/Funding Inquiries: Matt Wenham, Director of Fundraising

matt.wenham@amrefuk.org

Website: amrefuk.org

Online Form: amrefuk.org/contact

Overview

AMREF Health Africa UK is the UK-based fundraising arm of AMREF Health Africa, Africa's largest health development organization headquartered in Nairobi. Founded to mobilize resources from UK partners and supporters, AMREF UK raises funds for community-led health programmes implemented across 35 African countries. With an annual UK turnover of approximately £6.5 million, the organization focuses on driving health equity through direct program implementation and increasingly through sub-granting mechanisms to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs).

The organization operates as a partnership-based funder rather than a traditional grant maker with open application systems. AMREF strategically distributes funding through competitively selected sub-recipients, coordinates Global Fund grants in partnership with African governments, and manages innovation challenges to drive health solutions. In 2023, AMREF expanded its role as the Civil Society Organization host for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, positioning itself as a key intermediary for channeling resources to grassroots health organizations across Africa.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

AMREF Health Africa UK distributes funding through multiple mechanisms:

1. Climate Change and Health Research and Implementation Grants

• Amount: USD 50,000 - USD 250,000 per project
• Duration: 12-24 months
• Application Method: Two-stage Expression of Interest followed by full proposal invitation
• Focus Countries: Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda
• Eligible Applicants: Research institutions, universities, NGOs, CSOs, private sector partners, and regional networks based in or collaborating with eligible countries
• Description: Funding for transformative research on the climate-health nexus, supporting both pilot studies (up to USD 50,000) and comprehensive projects (up to USD 250,000)

2. Global Fund Sub-Grants (Principal Recipient Model)

• Amount: Varies (administered through 46 sub-recipients in Kenya as of 2024)
• Application Method: Competitive selection of sub-recipients
• Focus: Tuberculosis and Malaria prevention and treatment programs
• Description: AMREF serves as Principal Recipient for Global Fund grants in Kenya, strengthening capacity of CSOs and CBOs to deliver primary healthcare services and achieve Universal Health Coverage

3. Health Systems Strengthening Grants

• Amount: USD 1.9 million distributed across multiple countries
• Focus Countries: Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda
• Description: District-level health systems strengthening initiatives funded through major foundation partnerships (Rockefeller Foundation)

4. Open Innovation Challenges

• Amount: Up to £25,000 per winner
• Eligibility: Established businesses, start-ups, SMEs, entrepreneurs
• Description: Competition-based funding for innovative digital solutions in health delivery (e.g., digital learning tools for Community Health Workers)

Priority Areas

• Community health systems strengthening and primary healthcare delivery
• Training and capacity development of healthcare workers and community health units
• Ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) through community engagement
• Maternal and child health improvements
• Communicable disease control (TB, malaria, vaccination programs)
• Water, sanitation, and health access in remote and marginalized communities
• Health system equity and universal health coverage achievement
• Climate change and health nexus research and implementation
• Digital health innovation and technology solutions for community health workers

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations without demonstrated capacity or organizational development potential
• Programs without clear community co-design and participatory approaches
• Activities not aligned with African government health priorities
• Operating costs only (without clear health impact outcomes)

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Governance and Leadership

Group CEO: Dr. Githinji Gitahi - oversees the overall AMREF Health Africa organization

UK Board Chair: Paul Davey - Former Diageo executive with 30+ years in marketing and communications

UK Board Members:

• Jennifer Chimanga (Partner, Clifford Chance; co-head of East Africa practice)
• Jill Matheson (Former CFO, GSK R&D; CFO of ViiV Healthcare; 30+ years healthcare industry experience)
• Andrew George (Chief Strategy Officer, Policy Cures Research)

Key Staff:

• Matt Wenham, Director of Fundraising - Primary contact for partnership and funding inquiries
• Isobel Spaven-Donn, Communications Manager

Governance Structure:

• Finance Committee (meets quarterly): oversees internal controls, financial planning, risk management
• Governance Committee (meets quarterly): addresses board structure, organizational culture, employment, and policy review

Organizational Values:

AMREF emphasizes mutually beneficial, vision-aligned partnerships grounded in shared values. According to their partnership materials, they “like to collaborate in a way that leverages the skills and expertise of both partners - ensuring we go further together.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: AMREF Health Africa UK does not have a traditional open call for grants to all organizations. Instead, it operates a partnership-led funding model where grants are distributed through:

1. Competitive Selection of Sub-Recipients: Organizations are competitively selected based on organizational capacity, demonstrated commitment to community health, and alignment with specific program areas. AMREF provides capacity building and technical support to selected sub-recipients.

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) Process: For certain programs like the Climate Change and Health initiative, AMREF invites Expression of Interest submissions (two-stage process) from eligible organizations in targeted countries and sectors.

• Matt Wenham, Director of Fundraising at matt.wenham@amrefuk.org
• Main office: info@amrefuk.org or +44 (0)20 7269 5520

1. Online Contact Form: amrefuk.org/contact

Getting on Their Radar

Based on AMREF's documented approach, organizations can increase visibility to the funder through:

Direct Relationship Building:

• Initiate contact with Matt Wenham (Director of Fundraising) to discuss partnership possibilities, stating your organization's alignment with AMREF's health priorities
• Articulate your organization's capacity in community health systems strengthening, specific disease areas, or technology innovation

Sector-Specific Engagement:

• For climate change and health work, monitor AMREF Health Africa's website for Expression of Interest announcements for the East and Southern African Regional Hub for Research and Policy on Climate Change and Health
• For innovation challenges, follow AMREF UK announcements and partnerships with Innovate UK and Global Alliance Africa

Capacity Building Access:

• Engage with AMREF's Institute for Capacity Development (ICD) training programs to strengthen your organization's capacity - this increases visibility and demonstrates commitment to organizational development
• Participate in AMREF-led health forums and community networks in targeted countries

Gavi CSO Engagement:

• Participate in the Gavi CSO platform where AMREF serves as host - this creates visibility within AMREF's ecosystem and demonstrates civil society leadership

Previous Success Indicators:

• Organizations selected as sub-recipients for Global Fund grants have been competitively selected based on demonstrated capacity in: organizational management, financial accountability, community trust, and technical expertise in disease areas like TB and malaria
• Organizations working in targeted health systems strengthening countries (Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda) and climate-vulnerable regions have particular relevance to current priorities

Decision Timeline

Climate Change and Health Grants:

• Expression of Interest stage: Results typically communicated within 2-3 months
• Full proposal development: Invited applicants develop proposals over 1-2 months
• Full proposal review: 1-2 months
• Overall timeline: Approximately 4-6 months from EOI to funding decision

Global Fund Sub-Recipient Selection:

• Timeline not publicly detailed; typically follows Global Fund grant signature and country-level dialogue processes
• Capacity assessments conducted on pre-selected organizations

Innovation Challenges:

• Information sessions held 2-3 months before submission deadline
• Decision timeline: typically 4-8 weeks after challenge deadline

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed by AMREF Health Africa UK.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in publicly available materials. For guidance on reapplication opportunities following an unsuccessful Expression of Interest for climate/health grants, contact Matt Wenham directly.

Application Success Factors

Critical Success Factors Based on AMREF's Documented Approach

1. Organizational Capacity and Development

AMREF prioritizes sub-recipients and partners demonstrating:

• Strong financial management and accountability systems
• Proven experience implementing health programs at community level
• Capacity for organizational learning and development
• Demonstrated community trust and relationships

AMREF provides explicit capacity building support to selected sub-recipients through their Institute for Capacity Development, suggesting they value organizations willing to invest in growth.

2. Community Co-Design and Participatory Approach

AMREF emphasizes health solutions that are community-led and co-designed. Their partnership materials state they work with “communities to identify their unique health challenges and co-design solutions.” Applications should demonstrate:

• Direct community engagement in program design
• Evidence of community ownership and participation
• Participatory monitoring and learning mechanisms

3. Alignment with Government Health Priorities

AMREF works in close partnership with African governments. Organizations must demonstrate alignment with:

• National health plans and priorities
• Government health system strengthening strategies
• Public health sector goals

4. Focus on Health Equity and Marginalized Communities

AMREF explicitly targets “remote and marginalised communities.” Applications should emphasize:

• Work with underserved populations
• Strategies to reduce health inequities
• Approaches reaching “last-mile” communities

5. Innovation and Evidence Generation

AMREF's climate change and health grants emphasize “transformative research” and their innovation challenges seek next-generation solutions. Organizations should:

• Propose innovative approaches to persistent health problems
• Include plans for evidence generation and learning
• Consider technology and digital health solutions where relevant

6. Multi-Stakeholder or Collaborative Approaches

Recent AMREF initiatives emphasize partnerships:

• The climate/health hub encourages “cross-border collaboration and multi-country approaches”
• AMREF partners with research institutions, universities, NGOs, CSOs, and private sector organizations
• Organizations demonstrating capacity to convene and coordinate multiple partners strengthen competitiveness

7. Specific Language and Framing

AMREF uses terminology suggesting their preferred focus areas:

• “Community health systems” (not just service delivery)
• “Universal Health Coverage” (UHC) as an outcome framework
• “Health systems strengthening” (systemic, not just programmatic)
• “Community co-design” and “participatory approaches”
• Align your proposal language with these frameworks

8. Geographic and Sectoral Alignment

Current priorities show strongest funding likelihood for:

• Organizations in East and Southern Africa (current geographic focus)
• Climate-vulnerable regions: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa
• TB/Malaria endemic areas (ongoing Global Fund work)
• Countries with active AMREF country offices

Practical Guidance from AMREF Activities

Successful Recent Initiatives:

• Partnership with 46 CSOs/CBOs in Kenya for primary healthcare delivery demonstrates AMREF's commitment to grassroots partnerships
• USD 1.9 million in health systems strengthening grants across Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda shows focus on systematic, multi-country approaches
• Global Fund sub-granting model with competitive selection and capacity building indicates value for organizationally mature partners

Common Application Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Presenting as purely service delivery organization without evidence of systems thinking
• Lacking demonstrated community relationships and participatory mechanisms
• Applying from countries/regions outside AMREF's current geographic focus without strong justification
• Proposing activities misaligned with government health sector plans
• Underestimating organizational capacity needs or overstating current capabilities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• AMREF is not a traditional grant funder - They operate through partnership development and competitive sub-recipient selection rather than open calls. Success requires direct relationship building with Matt Wenham (Director of Fundraising) and articulation of partnership value.

• Community co-design is non-negotiable - AMREF explicitly focuses on communities identifying their health challenges and co-designing solutions. Applications must demonstrate participatory approaches, not top-down programming.

• Organizational capacity is as important as program design - AMREF provides capacity building support and competitively selects sub-recipients, indicating they invest in organizational development. Be prepared to discuss your organization's systems, governance, and learning approach.

• Geographic and sectoral alignment matters significantly - Current priorities emphasize East and Southern Africa, climate-vulnerable regions, and primary healthcare systems strengthening. Organizations in these contexts have substantially higher likelihood of engagement.

• Government health sector alignment is essential - AMREF partners closely with African governments. Applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with national health plans and government priorities, not parallel programming.

• Direct relationship building is the primary pathway - Without a public application process, success depends on proactive engagement with Matt Wenham and the fundraising team. A strong introductory letter clearly articulating partnership value and alignment is the critical first step.

• Global Fund and major foundation partnerships offer visibility - If your organization is selected as a sub-recipient for Global Fund grants or participates in Expression of Interest processes for climate/health research, you gain visibility within AMREF's ecosystem and demonstrate commitment to their priorities.

References

1. AMREF Health Africa UK Official Website - https://amrefuk.org/

1. AMREF Health Africa UK - Partner with us - https://amrefuk.org/get-involved/partnerships

1. AMREF Health Africa UK - Contact Page - https://amrefuk.org/contact

1. Find that Charity - AMREF Health Africa (GB-CHC-261488) - https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-261488

1. Charity Commission Register - AMREF HEALTH AFRICA charity registration 261488 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=261488

1. 360Giving GrantNav - AMREF HEALTH AFRICA - https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-261488

1. AMREF Health Africa Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 - https://amrefuk.org/media/knfdvgmx/amref-uk-trustees-annual-report-financial-statements-2023.pdf

1. Amref Health Africa and Global Fund Sign Grant to Strengthen Fight Against TB and Malaria in Kenya - Newsroom - https://newsroom.amref.org/press-releases/2024/06/amref-health-africa-and-global-fund-sign-grant-to-strengthen-fight-against-tb-and-malaria-in-kenya/

1. East and Southern African Regional Hub for Research and Policy on Climate Change and Health 2025-2028: EOI - https://amref.org/eoi/east-and-southern-african-regional-hub-for-research-and-policy-on-climate-change-and-health-2025-2028-eoi-no-amref-19-09-2025-020/

1. AMREF Health Africa Open Innovation Challenge - Information Session and Q&A via Innovate UK Business Connect - https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/events/amref-health-africa-open-innovation-challenge-information-session-and-qa/

1. Amref Health Africa appointed as new Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, CSO host - https://amrefuk.org/news/2022/04/amref-health-africa-appointed-as-new-gavi-cso-host

1. Amref Health Africa Launches a $28 million Integrated Health System Strengthening Project - https://newsroom.amref.org/news/2024/07/amref-health-africa-launches-a-28-million-integrated-health-system-strengthening-project/

1. The Rockefeller Foundation - Amref Health Africa Grants Database - https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/

1. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Committed Grants - https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants

1. Amref Health Africa UK - Our People/Leadership - https://amrefuk.org/our-vision-values/our-people

1. AMREF Health Africa - Training and Capacity Building - https://amref.org/strategic-priorities/training-and-capacity-building/

1. Postcode Global Trust - Funded Charities - https://www.postcodeglobaltrust.org.uk/funded-charities/amref-health-africa-uk