Deadline: 27-Apr-2026
The Match Fund for Civil Society Organisations in Ghana provides up to USD 5,000 in match funding to support community-driven development projects. It requires organisations to raise at least 50% of project funds locally and focuses on strengthening fundraising capacity and sustainable impact.
Selected organisations also receive coaching and a small kick-start grant to improve resource mobilisation and long-term institutional growth.
What is the Match Fund?
The Match Fund is a capacity-building and funding initiative designed to:
- Strengthen local resource mobilisation
- Support community-led development projects
- Build sustainable and accountable civil society organisations (CSOs)
It emphasizes local ownership of development solutions rather than reliance on external funding.
Funding Details
Grant Amount
- Up to USD 5,000 (maximum 50% of total project budget)
Project Budget Range
- USD 5,000 to USD 8,000
Duration
- Up to 6 months
Additional Support
- Kick-start grant: up to USD 500
- Coaching and capacity-building support
What is Match Funding?
Match funding means the fund will match locally raised funds.
Example:
- If your organisation raises $5,000 locally → you may receive up to $5,000 from the fund
- Total project budget = $10,000 (within limits)
Key Focus Areas
1. Resource Mobilisation
- Local fundraising strategies
- Financial sustainability
2. Community-Driven Development
- Locally designed and implemented projects
- Active community participation
3. Governance & Accountability
- Strong leadership structures
- Transparent financial management
4. Inclusion & Safeguarding
5. Institutional Capacity Building
- Strengthening organisational systems
- Long-term sustainability
Why This Fund Matters
Many CSOs struggle with dependency on external donors.
This fund helps:
- Build local funding independence
- Strengthen community ownership
- Improve organisational resilience
- Promote inclusive and sustainable development
Who is Eligible?
Organization Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered in Ghana
- Have strong governance and accountability systems
- Demonstrate leadership capacity
- Have an existing local fundraising plan
Financial Requirement
- Must have already raised at least 50% of project funds locally
Preferred Applicants
- Organisations trained under the West Africa Civil Society Institute Change the Game Academy
Project Requirements
Eligible projects must:
- Be community-driven
- Show clear local engagement
- Address real development challenges
- Balance short-term needs with long-term impact
- Integrate local fundraising as a strategy
What Projects Are Supported?
- New or existing initiatives
- Community-based development projects
- Projects with strong local participation
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Process
- Develop Your Project
- Align with community needs and fund priorities
- Raise Local Funds
- Secure at least 50% of required budget
- Prepare Application
- Include fundraising strategy, governance details, and impact plan
- Submit Proposal
- Follow official application guidelines
- Participate in Coaching (if selected)
- Strengthen organisational systems and fundraising
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Strength of local fundraising efforts
- Community engagement and participation
- Organisational governance and accountability
- Feasibility and sustainability of the project
- Inclusion and safeguarding measures
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly show how funds were raised locally
- Demonstrate strong community involvement
- Provide realistic and achievable plans
- Highlight long-term sustainability
- Emphasize inclusion and impact
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without raising 50% funds
- Weak or unclear fundraising strategy
- Limited community participation
- Poor governance documentation
- Overambitious project scope
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the maximum funding amount?
Up to USD 5,000 per organisation.
2. Do I need to raise funds before applying?
Yes, at least 50% of the project budget must already be raised locally.
3. What is the project duration?
Up to 6 months.
4. Who can apply?
Legally registered civil society organisations in Ghana.
5. Is additional support provided?
Yes, a kick-start grant and coaching support are included.
6. Are new projects eligible?
Yes, both new and existing projects are supported.
7. Is training required?
Not mandatory, but organisations trained by West Africa Civil Society Institute are encouraged.
Conclusion
The Match Fund for Civil Society Organisations in Ghana is a powerful opportunity to combine local fundraising with external support for greater impact.
By prioritizing community ownership, sustainability, and institutional strengthening, the fund helps CSOs build lasting change while reducing dependency on external donors.
For more information, visit WACSI.