The Tinker Foundation’s Institutional Grants program funds organizations improving the lives of Latin Americans through research, advocacy, and scalable interventions. Grants prioritize democratic governance and education, supporting systemic, long-term impact across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries in Latin America.
Overview of the Program
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Provides project funding to organizations working to improve Latin American communities.
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Focuses on systemic and long-term impact rather than isolated or short-term results.
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Supports research, advocacy, experimentation, scaling of promising interventions, and knowledge exchange.
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Geographic focus: Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries in Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean).
Priority Areas
Democratic Governance
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Strengthening institutions and public administration.
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Expanding civic participation and engagement.
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Supporting policy research and evidence-based governance initiatives.
Education
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Improving learning outcomes and access to quality education.
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Scaling effective educational interventions and models.
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Encouraging knowledge sharing and innovative approaches in education systems.
Funding Strategy
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Supports advocacy and policy-oriented work, with awareness of legal constraints on lobbying and political activities.
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Encourages scalable and innovative approaches to address shared regional challenges.
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Fosters collaboration, experimentation, and exchange of knowledge to achieve broader systemic impact.
Eligibility
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Organizations must be charitable in nature:
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U.S. organizations: 501(c)(3) status.
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Non-U.S. organizations: equivalent charitable status.
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Organizations based in Latin America do not need U.S. tax-exempt status but must demonstrate operational capacity, including an annual budget of at least $50,000.
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Projects must be implemented in one or more Latin American countries within the Foundation’s geographic focus.
Why This Grant Matters
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Promotes institutional strengthening and systemic development in Latin America.
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Supports evidence-based, scalable interventions with long-term impact.
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Encourages cross-country collaboration and knowledge exchange to address regional development challenges.
Tips for Applicants
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Clearly demonstrate how your project addresses democratic governance or education priorities.
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Highlight potential for scalable and sustainable impact.
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Ensure organizational capacity meets the minimum budget and operational requirements.
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Be aware of lobbying restrictions when proposing advocacy-focused initiatives.
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Emphasize collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing in your proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Who can apply? Charitable organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) or equivalent status; Latin American organizations must demonstrate operational capacity.
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What geographic regions are supported? Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
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What are the program priorities? Democratic governance and education.
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Can advocacy activities be funded? Yes, within legal constraints applicable to private foundations.
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What is the minimum organizational capacity required? Annual budget of at least $50,000.
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Are short-term or isolated projects eligible? No, the focus is on systemic, scalable, and long-term impact.
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Can multiple countries be included in a project? Yes, cross-country initiatives are encouraged within the region.
Conclusion
The Tinker Foundation Institutional Grants program enables organizations to achieve large-scale, systemic impact in Latin America by supporting initiatives in democratic governance and education. By funding research, advocacy, and scalable interventions, the program strengthens institutions, expands civic participation, and improves learning outcomes across the region.
For more information, visit Tinker Foundation.