Deadline: 15-Mar-22
The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) and Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF) are grantmaking collaboratives that support organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) around the world to build diverse movements, ensure inclusive development agendas, and achieve equal rights and opportunity for all.
DRF and DRAF aim to support all persons with disabilities in the target countries to participate fully in society and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. They do this by providing grants, facilitating technical assistance, and supporting advocacy efforts by organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). Because of the importance of broadening and diversifying movements so that no one is left behind, at least 50% of all DRF/DRAF grants go to marginalized sectors of the disability community.
Through DRF/DRAF support, OPDs are equipped to advocate for implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other relevant mechanisms (such as GDS Commitments, the Marrakesh Treaty, and the African Disability Protocol), and to build strong, inclusive, and intersectional movements at local and national levels.
Streams
DRF and DRAF currently administer three funding streams during the biannual grantmaking rounds: Small Grants, Mid-Level Coalition Grants, and National Coalition Grants.
- Small Grants support growth of a broader and more diverse disability movement to advance the CRPD and the SDGs at local levels. If your organization has never before received a DRF/DRAF grant, applying for a Small Grant is recommended.
- Mid-Level and National Coalition Grants support advocacy for more inclusive laws, policies, and programs at national and sub-national levels. Because of the importance of joint advocacy at these levels, only coalitions of three or more organizations will be funded. Applicant organizations leading coalitions must be OPDs, while partners can be either OPDs or other civil society organizations active in the promotion of human rights.
Funding Information
- Small grants range from USD 10,000 – USD 30,000 per year.
- Mid-Level Coalition Grants range from USD 30,000 – 50,000 per year. Both the applicant organization and the project aim must have sub-national scope.
- National Coalition Grants range from USD 40,000 – 60,000 per year. Both the applicant organization and the project aim must have national scope.
DRF & DRAF Do Not Fund
DRF/DRAF pooled funding does not support the following activities:
- Organizations that work for people with disabilities, but do not have people with disabilities well-represented at governance, management, and staff levels
- Assistive devices or rehabilitation services
- Income-generation or service-provision
- Acquisition of land or buildings
- Reconstruction or renovation of physical spaces (offices, etc.)
- Individuals and scholarships
- Public schools and universities
- Governmental entities
- Religious activities: While they may fund a faith-based organization (as long as it meets other criteria), they do not fund any faith-based organizations that proselytize or have proselytization as part of their mission.
- Sporting activities
- Training to learn sign language, Braille, or tactile communication
- Participation or intervention in an election campaign that expresses a view in support or opposition to a candidate for public office or for voter registration drives
Target Countries
OPDs in Indonesia, Malawi, Nigeria, and the Pacific Island Countries.
Eligibility Criteria
RFPs are open to eligible organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). To meet the minimum eligibility requirements for DRF/DRAF funding consideration, applicants must:
- Be based in and conduct the majority of activities in a country targeted by the specific Round;
- Be a legally registered non-governmental OPD, or a group of persons with disabilities acting under the fiscal sponsorship thereof; and
- Be proposing a project that explicitly promotes the CRPD and specifies the relevant Article(s). If addressing implementation of the SDGs or GDS Commitments, the specific Goals or Commitments should be referenced.
Cross-disability and other partnerships are encouraged, particularly those that strengthen marginalized sectors of the disability community.
For more information, visit https://disabilityrightsfund.org/for-grantseekers/