Non-governmental organizations have become key actors in responding to poverty and related suffering. In Africa, NGOs play a leading role in providing health care, education and are dedicated to strengthen and support positive social change in the continent.
But funding is very crucial for the sustainability of NGOs. It is an important aspect as without adequate funding NGOs would be unable to meet their objectives and goals. Fundraising for NGOs is particularly very challenging and time consuming, especially if you are a small organization.
There are many agencies which provide financial support and offer various programs to new ideas, promising efforts and potential scale-ups. For the development of Africa, there are many international organizations who release their funding calls every year to support the deserving project.
Therefore, we have identified potential opportunities that may open this year or in forthcoming year to support your fundraising.
Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest (Sankofa Initiative for West Africa), ISDAO
ISDAO is an activist-led fund dedicated to strengthening and supporting a West African movement for gender diversity and sexual rights by adopting a flexible approach to grant-making and building a culture of philanthropy committed to equality and social justice.
They adopt a flexible approach to grant-making, support innovation and recognize diverse sites, forms, and expressions of activism in the West African region. They seek to develop and strengthen the dynamism and diversity of LGBTQ communities, as well as the leadership and organizing of lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, and of gender non-binary and transgender people, communities, groups, organizations, and movements.
They advocate for change by convening interested parties for dialogues and build knowledge by promoting and strengthening a culture of documenting the work of and lived realities of LGBTQ organizing and communities.
Every year ISDAO opens its call for proposals. Their next grant cycle will likely take place in late 2019 and the call lasts for 6 weeks. The call mainly focus on Equitable representation of the LGBTQI community; Building and strengthening ideologically principled movements, based on a recognition of unequal power relations; Autonomy, inclusion, diversity, and intersectionality, allowing for self-determination at all levels.
For any updates on the funding call, please visit ISDAO.
Fondation Mérieux
Fondation Mérieux is an independent family foundation committed to fighting against infectious diseases affecting developing countries by building capacities, particularly in clinical laboratories.
Fondation Mérieux’s small grants programme 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.
Every year, the organization opens its call twice a year. For September Session, the deadline for submission of applications is AUGUST 1ST and for April Session, the deadline for submission of applications is MARCH 1ST.
Selected projects will receive financial support of up to 5000 euros. Two annual sessions are organized to study the applications.
As of now applications for the September session are now closed. The organization will reopen the page on December 1, 2019 for the April 2020 session.
Eligibility criteria for organizations
- Registered with the authorities of the country;
- Status of association under the law of 1901 or recognized as a public utility or equivalent status for foreign structures;
- Nonprofit and independent management;
- Exclusive mission of public interest in connection with the Mérieux Foundation’s mandate: fight against the infectious diseases the affects the most vulnerable populations in developing countries, especially mothers and children;
- Respect and sign the ethical principles of the Mérieux Foundation’s Charter: transparency, professionalism, quality, independence, non-discrimination, respect;
- Not convicted (the organization or one of its member) of acts contrary to the principles stated above;
- Not in bankruptcy or receivership.
Eligibility Criteria for Projects
- Objectives and activities related to and consistent with the mandate of the Mérieux Foundation;
- Project based on a local needs assessment;
- Realistic, credible and innovative project;
- Strong local involvement: links with local authorities, local associations and beneficiaries;
- Harmonization with existing initiatives in the concerned location;
- Respect of ethical principles and gender equality in the implementation of the project.
Project takes place in one of the following countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Chad, Tunisia, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
For any updates on the funding call, please visit Fondation Mérieux.
SEED Foundation
SEED Foundation pools together companies committed to supporting groups of African farmers. They give their committed corporate sponsors the opportunity to achieve their societal engagement by supporting family-based agricultural initiatives. They also support agricultural and rural development in Africa so as to strengthen food security and living conditions for the more vulnerable populations.
The call for projects is opened once a year at the end of the calendar year. Once it is open, the selection process takes place in 3 phases. The call for projects form is open for about 1 month starting with the beginning of the calendar year.
Criteria and Priorities
Points of attention to put the odds on your side:
- Fund’s Allocation / Total Project Budget: Priority will be given to projects where the SEED Foundation allocation is balanced in the budget and the funding plan.
- Sector aspect: Priority will be given to projects acting on several stages of the sector.
- Feasibility: The capabilities of the project, the French and African organizations, the local anchoring and coherence with the context of the area, the coherence of the budget and the financial plan.
- Relevance: respect of the objectives of sustainable development, the expected impacts of the project and the existence of evaluation mechanisms.
- Sustainability: The prospects and long-term vision of the project, particularly through capitalization.
Eligibility of the Application
- Project duration between 24 and 36 months;
- The pre-project stages must have already completed: feasibility study, diagnosis, market study, project draft;
- Spread the anticipated allocation over a maximum of 3 years and ensure that it represents between 10% and 70% of the total project budget, i.e. a total project budget of between 10,000 € and 150,000 €;
- If the project fits into a larger program, the SEED Foundation team will ensure that its dimensions remain compatible with its grant;
Eligibility of the Holders
- The French organization
- Must issue CERFA tax receipts;
- Must have experience in the field of agricultural development in Africa;
- May submit only one project per call;
- May not be a SEED Foundation partner (no on-going projects);
- May not be a student association.
- The African organization
- Must be a non-profit organization;
- Must participate actively in the project;
- Must be able to continue the project when the partnership ends.
Eligibility of the Project
- Must be in an eligible African country;
- Must be less than 3 hour drive from the country’s capital;
- Must present an innovative element;
- The project must relate to agricultural or livestock products intended for local food consumption and not for export;
- The project must concern at least 2 stages of the sector: production, processing, marketing;
- Direct beneficiaries must have been identified (number and nature).
SEED Foundation supports family farming development projects in Africa with the goal of developing efficient agricultural production systems and supporting local value chains, from production to commercialization of the end product.
For any updates on the funding call, please visit SEED Foundation.
The True Colours Trust
The True Colours Trust’s Small Grants Programme supports palliative care providers across Africa.
Grants are awarded to projects which directly improve the lives of patients with palliative care needs. Most grants are awarded to small, locally-based organisations which are improving the standard of palliative care in their communities. The scheme was established in 2009 and is administered by the African Palliative Care Association.
Funding Information
Funding is normally awarded for one-off projects and the size of grants ranges from £500 to £5,000. Projects should be implemented within one year of the receipt of a grant.
Deadlines
Applications are accepted twice a year. The deadline for applications in 2019 are 01st March and 01st September respectively. True Colours will then review applications in April and October.
Schedule of Programme Activities
Each year, two rounds of small grants are administered:
- Round 1:
- February – call for applications
- March – review of applications
- April onwards – grant decisions published and grants paid to successful organisations
- May onwards – grant implementation
- Round 2:
- August – call for applications
- September – review of applications
- October onwards – grant decisions published and grants paid to successful organisations
- November onwards – grant implementation
For any updates on the funding call, please visit The True Colours Trust.
African World Heritage Fund
The African World Heritage Fund’s Request for proposals and assistance is open to all African member states that have ratified the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
The main objective of the Fund is to address the challenges faced by the African State Parties in the implementation of the 1972 Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, specifically, the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the insufficient conservation and management of these sites.
Grant Types
- Nomination grants to support States Parties’ efforts for successful inscription of sites onto the World Heritage List. Funds permitted, the nomination grants are accessible anytime during the year;
- Conservation grants to address conservation and management issues at World Heritage sites preferably as described in the World Heritage State of Conservation reports;
- Education grants to assist students at Master or PhD level completing their research and thesis in World Heritage field;
- Emergency grants to rescue sites in disaster situation and requiring emergent assistance. Funds permitted, the emergency grants are accessible anytime during the year.
Eligibility Criteria
- Countries/Region – Africa;
- Projects activities are restricted to World Heritage Sites and processes as declared by UNESCO;
- Who can apply? Government institutions involved in the management and protection of World Heritage Sites;
- The application must be approved by Head/Director of heritage institution/organization accompanied by a cover letter endorsing the project.
For any updates on the funding call, please visit AWHF.
Aspire Coronation Trust
Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation is a grant making organization established in 2016 to support local, national and regional non – profit organizations working to address challenges and associated vulnerabilities across the African Continent.
They seek to promote broad based participation/partnership with other institution and/or donor organizations aimed at building sustainable communities and to provide innovative solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.
Only organizations whose applications are approved by management will be contacted to submit full proposals.
Focus Areas
- Health
- Environment
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations must have been in existence for a least two years;
- Must be legally registered as a Non Profit organization (GTE/LTD);
- Should have a strong governance structure (Board of Directors, CEO etc);
- Should have audited accounts;
- Organization must show track record of work in the area of engagement;
- Projects/programmes must have a maximum life cycle of 12 months;
- Organizations should have staff strength of at least 5 Individuals;
- Be open to independent audit;
- The schedule for trainings will be indicated on our website and applications requested. Partner organizations will be given priority.
For any updates on the funding call, please visit ACT Foundation.
Innovate for Life
The Innovate for Life (I4L) program is centered on developing shared value partnerships between Amref country offices and health innovators to support health innovations from around the world scale in SSA and address major health challenges in the region.
Through this mission, I4L aims to catalyze innovation for the creation of lasting health change in Africa, which supports the overall vision, mission, and promise of Amref Health Africa.
I4L combines health knowledge, capacity, and networks, business and leadership coaching, and partnership acceleration for innovators in the program.
The program will leverage a combination of in-person and remote work, online courses and workshops, and independent learning and co-creation.
Innovator Value Proposition:
I4L’s value proposition will be centered around leveraging Amref’s strengths as a leading health NGO in Africa to support the scale of innovations, specifically:
- Affiliation with the Amref brand to gain industry credibility;
- Access to Amref experts and entities;
- In-country health knowledge, capacity, and networks;
- Business and leadership coaching from an experienced Amref business partner;
- Development and implementation of strategic partnerships with Amref programs;
- And an alumni network and access to Amref conferences and events on an ongoing basis.
They are looking for passionate health innovators who have a proven business and health impact model, have tested their innovation for scale in SSA, and fit the needs of Amref country offices to enable a demand-driven innovation program and strong partnerships for scale.
Next call for applications: 1st of October, 2019 – 30th of November 2019
For any updates on the funding call, please visit Innovate for Life.