(June 2019)
Small grant opportunities are a great means for NGOs to quickly raise funds for their projects and build partnerships for long-term prospects with international agencies. There are several grant-giving foundations providing small, flexible grants to NGOs to help them move ahead with their work and create a positive social impact.
In this article, we cover some of the current open small grant opportunities (as of June 2019) for NGOs around the world. In the second part of the article, we list out 5 essential tips NGOs can follow while applying for small grants.
2019 Japan Water Forum Fund to Support Grassroots Organizations in Developing Countries
The Japan Water Forum (JWF) is currently accepting applications for its JWF Fund 2019 that aims to support selected grass-roots organizations in developing countries who have been addressing water-related issues in their own countries…[more]
ECOM Call for Proposals: Small Grants for Trans Initiatives 2019
Eurasian Coalition on Male Health (ECOM) has opened a call for proposals from LGBTQ community-based organizations and unregistered initiative groups for Small Grants program under the regional program “Right to Health”…[more]
Small Grants Scheme for Operational / Implementation Research
The Small Grants Scheme supports implementation research on infectious diseases of poverty that leads to health improvement and strengthening research capacity of individuals and institutions in low- and middle-income countries…[more]
Small Grants Program for Fighting against Infectious Diseases affecting Developing Countries
The Fondation Mérieux is pleased to announce its small grants programme which contributes towards financing projects that aim to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The projects including as beneficiaries mothers and children will be given priority…[more]
Small Grants for LGBT Organizations and Groups (Select Countries)
The Goal of the Small Grants Program is to strengthen the advocacy capacity of communities of gay, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), experiencing stigma based on their sexual orientation or HIV status…[more]
MAC Inc. offering Small Grants to Nonprofit Organizations (Select Countries)
Recognizing that the most meaningful efforts often come from within the community, McLain Association for Children, Inc. is seeking applications for its Small Grant Program to identify those that are already out there doing good work and assist them to accomplish even more…[more]
Small Grants Programme for Supporting Bird Conservation Projects (Select Countries)
The Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME) is seeking applications for its “Conservation Fund”, which is a small grants programme that supports bird conservation projects in the OSME region…[more]
Wellcome Trust announces Small Grants in Humanities and Social Science 2019
Wellcome Trust Foundation is seeking applications for its Small Grants in Humanities and Social Science 2019 that enable researchers to build professional networks, develop new research agendas and increase the impact of their work…[more]
Japan Foundation Small Grant Program (Select Countries)
The Japan Foundation, Bangkok is seeking applications for its Small Grant Program to the projects that are based on arts and culture, cultural collaboration and people-to-people exchange…[more]
U.S. Embassy in Algeria inviting Applicants for Small Grants Program
The United States Embassy in Algiers is inviting applicants for its Small Grants Program that create partnerships to promote common objectives and exchanges between the United States and Algeria…[more]
Small Grants to support Small-scale Community-based Initiatives in Tanzania
The U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam has announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) Small Grants Program…[more]
U.S. Embassy in Mozambique seeking Proposals for PEPFAR Small Grants Program
The PEPFAR Small Grants Program is funded through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR). The PEPFAR goal in Mozambique is to support country efforts to achieve epidemic control through evidence-based policies and interventions to drive progress and save lives…[more]
U.S. Embassy Jakarta Media Small Grants Competition 2019
The U.S. Embassy Jakarta’s Public Affairs Section has announced an open competition for past and current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to carry out public service projects using the skills and knowledge they gained during their exchange experiences…[more]
U.S. Mission to the Philippines seeking Applications for Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Public Affairs Section (PAS Philippines) of the U.S. Department of State has announced that they are considering proposals for their Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program…[more]
Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kyiv announces Small Grants 2019 in Ukraine
The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kyiv has announced a Call for Proposals for Small Grants 2019 in Ukraine. This aid modality of the Slovak Official Development Assistance is funded from SlovakAid and is aimed directly at small-scale projects which represent a more flexible, operative and effective financial support…[more]
U.S. Embassy in Cambodia announces Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program
The U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program…[more]
FOMA Charitable Trust Fund inviting Applications for Small Grant Program for Malawi
The Friends of Malawi Association (FOMA) Charitable Trust Fund is inviting applications for its small grant program which aimed at sustainable development and those that promote a degree of self-help within the community…[more]
Daiwa Foundation Small Grants Program to Support Interaction between UK & Japan
The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation is seeking applications from individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK or Japan for its Small Grants program to promote and support interaction between the two countries…[more]
Free Press Unlimited seeking Proposals for Small Grant Fund (Syria)
Free Press Unlimited is seeking proposals from Syrian Civil Society Organisations and Syrian media outlets for its ‘Small Grant Fund for Syrian CSO-Media co-production programme’ 2019…[more]
BBC Children in Need seeking Applications for Small Grant Program (United Kingdom)
BBC Children in Need is seeking charities and not-for-profit organisations for its Small Grants programme with an aim to improve children’s lives in the UK…[more]
Small Grants Program for U.S. and Nicaraguan Individuals, NPOs & NGOs
U.S. Mission to Nicaragua is currently inviting applicants from eligible organizations for its Public Affairs Section (PAS) Small Grants Program to support innovative projects focused on empowering Nicaraguans through educational and entrepreneurial opportunities…[more]
Small Grants for North American Campaigns to Save Native Species and Wild Ecosystems
The Fund for Wild Nature is seeking applications to provide small grants for North American campaigns to save native species and wild ecosystems, with particular emphasis on actions designed to defend threatened wilderness and biological diversity…[more]
5 Essential Tips for NGOs applying for Small Grants
Here, we discuss the 5 essential tips NGOs can follow when applying for small grants. These are general tips to keep in mind while identifying and submitting your proposals but different grant opportunities can have additional requirements that applicants need to fulfil when applying.
Step 1: Identify and understand the needs of your organization
Before you start the process of identifying small grants or donor agencies to support your NGO, you should make sure that you have completely analyzed and understood the current needs of your organization. For example, if the need of your project area is to address the spread of infectious disease, it will not be a good idea to look for grants for peace and conflict resolution. Some points you need to cover when analyzing the needs of your NGO are:
- Where are you going to work? What country, region, town?
- What area of work are you engaged in? What problem are you trying to solve?
- What is your current budget? How much more do you need?
- When do you need the funding? And for how long do you need the funding?
Based on your answers to the above questions, you will know to look for donors who:
- Work in the same country/region as you
- Work in the same program area as you
- Fund NGOs of your budget and grant size
- Match your funding and project timeline
While not all these areas will match perfectly once you start researching donors, in Step 2 you will be able to find donors that match most and focus your efforts on those.
Step 2. Research donors that are a match for your NGO
With the questions in Step 1 answered you can start the research process. There are several good techniques to find like-minded donors:
- Check the websites and annual reports of NGOs that are doing similar work to you. See if you can find their supporters and donors. Many NGOs will list their donors on their website or annual report which are good places to start.
- Check databases and online directories.
- Ask partners, colleagues, and current donors for suggestions.
For small and grassroots NGOs, it is important to remember that before funding you, donors need to:
- Have funding available for NGOs. Very often NGOs will mistakenly send grant requests to other NGOs, businesses, or individuals that do not provide grants. Check carefully before wasting your time and theirs on applications.
- Have an interest in your country and your program area. You should check the donor’s website or supporting sources to find evidence of such.
- Be willing to fund small NGOs. Some donors prefer to only fund small NGOs, while others prefer to fund large INGOs. Check donor application guidelines and past giving history before applying.
- Have money to give when you need it. Many donors only release calls for proposals once a year, or otherwise, have specific windows of funding opportunities. Do not send an application when it is clear the donor is not accepting them at this time.
- Be able to fund for the period required. You should know whether the donor gives grants that last for a month, a year, or multiple years. For a first-time grant, shorter project timelines are more common.
Step 3. Network and reach out to these donors before sending a proposal
Now that you have created a list of donors that are a good fit for your NGO, start reaching out via email and phone/Skype. Do not send them a proposal at this point, rather, just ask for an in-person or virtual meeting. Many will not respond immediately so be persistent. When you do get to meet, there are some important things you should talk about:
- Ask the donor questions about their priorities and plans. However, do not ask basic questions you could easily learn from their website.
- Explain how your program can help them meet their priorities.
- Ask whether they would be interested in receiving additional information about your programs.
Step 3. Network and reach out to these donors before sending a proposal
Now that you have created a list of donors that are a good fit for your NGO, start reaching out via email and phone/Skype. Do not send them a proposal at this point, rather, just ask for an in-person or virtual meeting. Many will not respond immediately so be persistent. When you do get to meet, there are some important things you should talk about:
- Ask the donor questions about their priorities and plans. However, do not ask basic questions you could easily learn from their website.
- Explain how your program can help them meet their priorities.
- Ask whether they would be interested in receiving additional information about your programs.
Step 4. Develop a great application
Hopefully, at this point, the donor has expressed an interest in your work and has asked you to send an application. If you were unable to network with a donor who you still think is a great fit for your organization, you may consider sending them an application as well.
In most cases, the first application should be a short concept note of one to four pages. Make sure you follow any instructions the donor has provided carefully. The concept note should be clear and concise, reviewed for spelling and grammar, and should fully address the problem the donor wants to solve.
Step 5. Follow up and persist
Fundraising is a long-term endeavour and success does not come overnight. It will take time and effort to reach out and convince a small group of donors from the many you have researched and identified to fund your program. Don’t give up too quickly. Be persistent and spend at least a few hours each week on donor research, outreach, proposal development, and other fundraising tasks. If you are rejected, ask the donor for feedback so you can improve. Don’t give up.