Socoodeife.org

Learning As We Grow

8 June 2026

For more than two decades, we’ve been rooted in the philanthropy ecosystem — and we are still learning. Time and again, we’ve seen that while working alone may feel faster, it is only when we move together that we truly go far. Collaboration comes with its own wahalas (problems), but the journey is richer and the impact deeper because of it.

Over the years, we’ve embraced our mistakes and the major shifts that have reshaped our work. Each disruption has been a moment to pause, reflect, extract lessons, and grow. We know that the kind of systemic, deeply rooted change we seek does not happen overnight. It demands sustained investment — not only financial, technical, and human resources, but emotional ones too. It requires patience, experimentation, and the courage to approach challenges from multiple angles.

We’ve learned to plan with intention while staying flexible enough to adapt to the unexpected — pandemics, emerging needs, and the insights we gather along the way. Our funding processes must remain responsive and relevant to real conditions on the ground, especially in moments of crisis.

Most importantly, we understand that none of this work is possible without centring the people whose lives are most affected by the change we seek, and without nurturing the movements that sustain all of us. Our bold and evolving strategy is guided by our grantee partners and peers across the continent and around the world. Supporting and resourcing women’s and feminist movements mean first listening deeply: What support enables them to work in transformative ways? What strengthens them? What helps them adapt, survive, and emerge stronger?

We bring them together so they can guide us. And based on what they share — what we hear, witness, and learn — we continue to adapt our approaches. This is how we honour our commitment: by walking alongside movements, not ahead of them.

Our Governance Is A Labour of Love

Solidarity and Cooperation for the Integral Development of Women and Children (SOCOODEIFE) stands where it does today because of the love, labour and leadership of the African feminists who have built, rebuilt and safeguarded our governance structures. Since our very first Board meeting in 2003, extraordinary African feminists — both on the continent and across the diaspora — have collectively guided SOCOODEIFE’s growth. Their strategic insight, apolitical clarity and deep connections to feminist movements and funders have shaped our evolution. We remain profoundly grateful to every woman and feminist who has served on our Board over the past two decades, and we honour their unwavering commitment.

Throughout our journey, SOCOODEIFE explored several governance models, including establishing formal registrations beyond our primary base in D.R.Congo. In the early years, allies in the United States registered SOCOODEIFE-USA as a 501(c)(3) organisation to increase our visibility and mobilise financial support for the D.R. Congo-based SOCOODEIFE. Later, in 2013, SOCCOODEIFE was registered under Section 521A of Democratic Republic of Congo’s Companies Act to strengthen fundraising for grant-making in the Southern Africa region.

As our D.R. Congo-based entity grew in capacity and stability, it became strong enough to consolidate these functions — securing its own 501(c)(3) status in the United States and coordinating all continental work directly from D.R. Congo. Each stage of this governance evolution offered valuable lessons and opportunities for growth, many of which continue to shape our work and strengthen our future.

Governance Rooted In Feminist Leadership

SOCOODEIFE’s journey and achievements have been made possible through the dedication, leadership, and collective efforts of African feminists who have nurtured and strengthened our governance structures over the years. Since our inaugural Board meeting in 2003, inspiring feminist leaders from across Africa and the diaspora have provided guidance, vision, and stewardship, helping to shape the organisation’s direction and growth. Their strategic thinking, commitment to social justice, and strong connections within feminist movements and philanthropic communities have been instrumental in advancing our mission. We are deeply appreciative of every woman and feminist who has served on our Board during the past two decades, and we celebrate their invaluable contributions and enduring commitment.

As SOCOODEIFE evolved, we adopted different governance approaches to support our expanding work and strengthen organisational sustainability. This included establishing legal and operational structures beyond our headquarters in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the early years, supporters in the United States established SOCOODEIFE USA as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation, creating opportunities to increase the organisation’s visibility and mobilise resources in support of our programmes in the DRC.

In 2013, additional registration arrangements were developed to enhance fundraising efforts and support grant-making initiatives across the Southern African region. These governance developments enabled SOCOODEIFE to broaden its reach while remaining grounded in its core values and mission.

As the capacity and institutional strength of our DRC-based organisation grew, SOCOODEIFE was able to consolidate many of these functions, including obtaining its own 501(c)(3) status in the United States and coordinating its continental operations directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Each phase of our governance evolution has strengthened our organisation, expanded our learning, and reinforced our commitment to accountable, feminist-led leadership. These experiences continue to inform our work today as we build a stronger future for women and children across Africa.