ASC is funded by the US Department of Education to serve as a National Resource Center for the study of Africa. The Center provides outreach and consultative services on a national, regional and local basis. Ongoing collaborations with other educational institutions, government agencies, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations in the United States and abroad keep the Center in the forefront of academic and cultural developments. Through scheduled programs and its website www.africa.upenn.edu, the Center provides vital information from and about Africa for educators, business and media groups, and the wider community.