Applying for a grant can be time-consuming, and even frustrating in times of disapproval. Because of that, many NGOs have considered applying for small grants. Small grants don't require full proposals or even experience in certain fields. Instead, they require willpower, determination, and drive for success. Receiving a grant from certain donor agencies would not require as much labor as compared to other organizations, however, as the title in itself states, the grants for NGOs will not be much. At times, grants can be as little as USD 1,000 and in rare scenarios, not more than USD 50,000. If you're an NGO seeking for small grants, it will be useful to keep reading. To help you explore foundations who provide small grants for NGOs which may be in line with your programs, we've come up with a short list.
Humanitarian Innovation Fund
The Humanitarian Involvement Fund (HIF) has dedicated itself to providing small grants for developing countries concerned with humanitarian needs which aren't met. Humanitarian needs such as food, shelter, health, and security aren't received by numerous developing countries. The HIF has been supporting organizations who address this concern in the developing world. Partnerships between these organizations and the private sector are encouraged for more innovative results. Like many other foundations who provide small grants, the HIF has very simple application procedures to boost the applications of NGOs and to inherently imply more projects.
Rufford Small Grants Foundation
If you're an NGO who focuses on conserving the environment, the Rufford Small Grants Foundation is definitely something to explore. Over the years, the foundation has granted more than 35,000 projects all over the world. Many of the projects they have granted in the past were those related to building various partnerships, from schools to corporations, which have participated in implementing policies and procedures that help in conserving resources. Research projects are also entertained given that current environmental issues will be undertaken.
Nederlands Albert Schweitzer Fund
For NGOs who give attention specifically to the African region, the Nederlands Albert Schweitzer Fund is something to put into consideration. Africa, as many knows have been prone to many diseases of which is problematic to treat given the lack of resources. This has led to many deaths which could've been prevented. This fund aims to implement projects that will inevitably improve the affordable healthcare system in Africa.
Partnership for Transparency Fund
The Partnership for Transparency Fund (PTF) has observed how rampant corruption is in developing countries, which is why they have decided to support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). CSOs, in order to be effective, essentially need monetary support to perform accurately. The PTF, compared to other organizations offering small grants for NGOs, provide quite a vast amount ranging from USD 25,000 – 40,000. Given the generous amount they offer, they also have stricter policies in granting monetary support. All proposed projects will be evaluated and are required to certainly reduce corruption up to a certain percentage.
United Nations Trust Fund Small Grants Programme
Annually, the United Nations offers small grants meant to favor the minority groups in society, specifically the indigenous people. Their budget comes from a variety of donors to which they will be distributing to deserving NGOs or NPOs who have proposed programs in education, health, culture, human rights, and the social and economic issues of development. Apart from the United Nations, the involved indigenous groups must be consulted as well and their approval is necessary to receive a grant.
Fondation Ensemble's Small Grants Fund
For many grant-funding agencies, small organizations are often overlooked due to lack of recognition. The Foundation Ensemble's Small Grants Fund chooses to recognize and focus on the said small organizations. The projects they support are those of water sanitation, sustainable agriculture, renewable energies, eco-habitat, and biodiversity conservation. Although the foundation focuses on small organizations, these organizations are still required to have proposals that are both feasible and effective, with supposed long-term effects in certain communities.
Listed above are just 6 of the possible small grants NGOs can apply for. Although they may be a lot simpler to apply for compared to other grant funding agencies, keep in mind that quality is still necessary, and funds aren't just given randomly. Aside from that, some organizations have deadlines, so always be updated.
Even with the list provided, seeking for the right grant can still be challenging. One way to simplify the process would be to subscribe to AsianNGO's portal to get full details on the fund's you're searching for.
