Open Call for Sandals Foundation Grant Program 2027

The Sandals Foundation Grant Program 2026 provides funding of up to US$80,000 for projects that improve education, environmental conservation, community development, health, economic empowerment, and disaster resilience across eligible Caribbean islands. Legally registered organizations can apply for Small, Medium, or Strategic Grants to implement sustainable initiatives that create lasting community impact.

What is the Sandals Foundation Grant Program?

The Sandals Foundation Grant Program is a community development funding initiative that supports organizations working to improve the quality of life across the Caribbean.

The programme funds projects that address important social, environmental, educational, and economic challenges while promoting sustainable development and strengthening local communities. It prioritizes initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes, encourage community participation, and create long-term positive change.

Grant Overview

Grant Name: Sandals Foundation Grant Program
Organized By: Sandals Foundation
Region: Caribbean
Funding Type: Community Development Grant
Maximum Funding: Up to US$80,000
Eligible Applicants: Legally registered organizations operating in eligible Caribbean islands

Purpose of the Grant

The programme supports projects that improve community wellbeing and promote sustainable development.

Its objectives include:

Improving access to quality education.
Protecting the environment and biodiversity.
Conserving marine ecosystems.
Supporting community health and wellbeing.
Promoting youth development.
Encouraging economic empowerment.
Strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience.
Building sustainable and inclusive communities.

Eligible Geographic Areas

Projects must be implemented in Caribbean islands where Sandals & Beaches Resorts operate, including:

Jamaica.
The Bahamas.
Barbados.
Grenada.
Saint Lucia.
Antigua.
Curaçao.
Turks and Caicos Islands.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Foundation may also support neighbouring Caribbean islands during emergencies or disaster response situations.

Funding Categories

The programme offers three funding levels based on project size and impact.

Small Grants

Funding of up to US$20,000.
Designed for community-based initiatives.
Supports targeted projects with immediate local impact.

Medium Grants

Funding between US$20,000 and US$50,000.
Supports larger community projects.
Suitable for initiatives with multiple activities and broader community reach.

Strategic Grants

Funding between US$50,000 and US$80,000.
Supports large-scale or multi-year projects.
Highly competitive and awarded to projects demonstrating strong partnerships, sustainability, and strategic alignment with Foundation priorities.

Focus Areas

Projects should align with one or more of the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

Education

Eligible education projects may include:

School infrastructure improvements.
Teacher training.
Digital literacy programmes.
Scholarships.
Educational resources.
Student learning initiatives.

Environment and Conservation

Supported activities include:

Biodiversity protection.
Marine conservation.
Coral reef restoration.
Environmental education.
Sustainable environmental practices.
Ecosystem protection.

Community Development and Health

Projects may focus on:

Community wellbeing.
Mental health.
Physical health.
Youth engagement.
Sports programmes.
Arts and culture.
Community support initiatives.

Economic Empowerment

Funding may support:

Skills development.
Artisan training.
Farmer support.
Fisherfolk development.
Social enterprises.
Community entrepreneurship.
Livelihood improvement initiatives.

Disaster Preparedness and Resilience

Eligible activities include:

Disaster preparedness planning.
Emergency response initiatives.
Community resilience projects.
Crisis response activities.
Recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

Be legally registered organizations.
Operate in an eligible Caribbean country.
Be compliant with local legal requirements.
Demonstrate good governance.
Maintain financial transparency and accountability.

Project Eligibility Requirements

Projects must:

Be located within eligible Caribbean regions.
Align with at least one programme focus area.
Demonstrate a clearly identified community need.
Show community support and participation.
Include measurable outcomes.
Deliver long-term community benefits.
Be inclusive and accessible.
Be non-discriminatory.
Obtain any required approvals or permits.

How to Apply

Applicants should generally follow these steps:

Confirm organizational eligibility.
Identify the most appropriate grant category.
Develop a project proposal aligned with programme priorities.
Prepare a detailed budget and implementation plan.
Define measurable outcomes and long-term impact.
Gather all required supporting documents.
Submit the completed application before the deadline.

Benefits of Participating

Successful applicants can benefit from:

Funding of up to US$80,000.
Support for community-led development.
Opportunities to strengthen local partnerships.
Increased environmental and social impact.
Improved education and health outcomes.
Enhanced community resilience.
Greater economic opportunities for local populations.
Long-term sustainable development.

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen your proposal:

Clearly demonstrate community need.
Align the project with Foundation priorities.
Include measurable goals and outcomes.
Develop a realistic implementation plan.
Present a detailed and transparent budget.
Show how the project will continue beyond the funding period.
Highlight partnerships and community involvement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting incomplete applications.
Proposing projects outside eligible Caribbean regions.
Failing to align with Foundation focus areas.
Providing unrealistic budgets.
Omitting measurable outcomes.
Demonstrating weak governance or financial accountability.
Failing to show long-term sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Sandals Foundation Grant Program?

The programme provides funding to organizations implementing projects that improve education, environmental conservation, health, economic empowerment, and community development across eligible Caribbean islands.

2. How much funding is available?

Funding is available through three categories:

Small Grants: Up to US$20,000
Medium Grants: US$20,000–US$50,000
Strategic Grants: US$50,000–US$80,000

3. Who can apply?

Legally registered organizations operating within eligible Caribbean regions that demonstrate strong governance, financial accountability, and compliance with local laws.

4. Which countries are eligible?

Projects must be located in:

Jamaica
The Bahamas
Barbados
Grenada
Saint Lucia
Antigua
Curaçao
Turks and Caicos Islands
St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Neighbouring islands may also receive support during emergencies or disaster response situations.

5. What types of projects are funded?

Projects supporting education, environmental conservation, marine protection, health, youth development, sports, culture, economic empowerment, disaster preparedness, resilience, and community development are eligible.

6. What makes a strong application?

Successful applications clearly demonstrate community need, measurable outcomes, sustainability, financial accountability, strong governance, and alignment with the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

7. Why is this grant important?

The Sandals Foundation Grant Program strengthens Caribbean communities by investing in sustainable development projects that improve education, protect natural resources, create economic opportunities, enhance public health, and build long-term community resilience.

Conclusion

The Sandals Foundation Grant Program 2026 offers an important funding opportunity for organizations working to improve lives across the Caribbean. With grants of up to US$80,000, the programme supports innovative and sustainable projects in education, environmental conservation, community development, economic empowerment, and disaster resilience. Organizations with strong governance, measurable impact, and community-focused solutions are encouraged to apply and contribute to building stronger, more resilient Caribbean communities.