September Impact Funding Opportunities

Welcome to the September edition of Impact Funding Opportunities - a curated list of funding and grant opportunities for purpose-driven organizations (both for-profit and non-profits) around the globe committed to making a positive impact. This list covers a wide range of impact sectors and focuses on larger grant opportunities (typically USD $100,000 and above). The list is updated a few times throughout the month.

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Sustainable Development/ Multi-Sector

(*closed- develoPPP classic!*) Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), develoPPP Classic and Venture Funding, invites companies aiming to contribute to sustainable development in emerging markets to apply. Projects should align with one or more SDGs, in sectors such as agriculture, health, and energy, with a strong emphasis on impact, innovation, sustainable economic development, job creation, technology transfer, and capacity building. The program offers two tracks: develoPPP Classic for established companies with up to €2 million in funding, and develoPPP Ventures for startups with up to €100,000. DEADLINE: develoPPP Classic open call launches on August 15 2024, closing September 19 2024. develoPPP Ventures open call launches November 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here: develoPPP Classic and develoPPP Ventures.

(*new!*) AECF , Open Funding Calls - Burkina Faso, Kenya, Sudan, AECF targets small and growing businesses and provides financing based on commercial viability, innovation, and potential development impact on rural and marginalized communities. The AECF runs competitions targeting agribusiness, renewable energy, resilience, and rural financial services across sub-Saharan Africa. The amount of funding the AECF can award to a single business is between US $15,000 and US $1.5 million, although this amount may vary depending on the competition.

• (*closed!*) PROSSEV Burkina Faso, aims to support SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and FIs (Financial Intermediaries) that work to 1) Strengthen the private sector’s commitment to women as economic actors, 2) Increase private and public sector investment in local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned and managed by women and other types of local enterprises that create economic opportunities for women, 3) Reduce systemic gender inequalities that hinder women’s effective economic participation in high environmental impact markets and the private sector more generally. Applications welcome from SMEs, local private companies owned and managed by women and operating commercially in Burkina Faso, with proven business links to women entrepreneurs and/or women-owned businesses, and Financial Institutions and FIs that work with women or intend to work with women by designing financial products that specifically address the challenges women face in accessing finance. This initiative is part of the Investing in Women in Burkina Faso program, a CAD $16 million program funded by Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada. Grants range CAD $50,000 - $750,000 for SME soft loans and non-repayable grants to eligible SMEs. DEADLINE: September 7, 2024. Learn more and apply here.
• (*closed!*) Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya - SMEs Window, seeks to provide grant financing to women and young women-owned SMEs in order to 1) Enhance financial inclusivity for women and young women-owned SMEs operating in Kenya’s Blue Economy sector by increasing access to credit, enabling market linkages, supplying inputs/ products/services along the value chain, and creating employment. 2) Provide targeted enterprise development services, and gender capacity and development support to SMEs. 3) Advocate and increase awareness of the business case for investing in women in the Blue Economy in Kenya. 4) Provide incentives for sustainable widespread adoption of climate-smart practices in Kenya’s Blue Economy. Funding requests should be used for a specific project in one or more target counties, such as introducing new services or products, scaling up an existing enterprise, or expanding to a new market. Open to all counties in Kenya and implemented in the Lake Victoria and Indian Ocean regions. Grants range KSh 5,000,000 - KSh 50,000,000. DEADLINE: September 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here.
• Sudan SME Catalyser, the program seeks to support SMEs in Sudan relocating from conflict areas to more stable parts of the country. Eligible businesses must demonstrate that their offerings are accessible and affordable, directly create jobs, and improve livelihoods. Offerings must add value to one or more focus value chains in the renewable energy and agriculture sectors. Proposed initiatives can include but are not limited to one or more of the following focus areas to be eligible for funding: 1) Market aggregators that provide reliable and new market opportunities for economic development, 2) Agro-processors and manufacturing companies , 3) Innovative digital solution providers, 4) Production and distribution models that support local entrepreneurship and growth of SMEs, and 5) Business models that address climate-smart technology. The funding seeks to improve access to finance for enterprises that create economic opportunities across geographies and value chains, e.g., through employment creation, market linkages (market access), and suppliers of inputs/produce/services along the value chain, and provide targeted business development technical assistance and capacity building for businesses. or businesses. Grants range EUR €250,000 - €750,000. DEADLINE: Rolling applications. Learn more and apply here.

Common Fund for Commodities, Call for Proposals: Impact and Innovation in Commodity Value Chains, invites proposals investing in poorest and most vulnerable people in the global value chains, which may concern production, processing, financing, marketing, research, and development (R&D), etc. The CFC encourages applications proposing innovative solutions for the commodity sector. These may include new agritech applications, agroforestry, agro-ecology themed innovative productivity practices, regenerative technologies, increased availability of renewable and affordable energy, expanding environmental services, expediting digital and green recovery, adding to the nutrition security, climate friendly practices contributing to biodiversity, preventing deforestation, digitalization, financial inclusion, blockchain and other traceability solutions. Project must take place in one of the 101 CFC member countries. The CFC funds agribusinesses with loans and other debt instruments. The maximum amount is USD $2 million for regular projects, and up to USD $300,000 under the Fast-Track procedure. DEADLINE: October 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) The Agency Fund , Open Call for Proposals, is accepting applications from ideas and organizations that expand human agency. All applications should 1) be able to demonstrate socioeconomic impact (e.g. impacts on health, education, or livelihoods), and 2) plan to serve 1 million or more users in the coming years, either directly or through partners. Institutions worldwide can apply for other funding, applications from low- and middle-income countries are highly value and encourage. For-profits may be eligible for project funding and seed investments (by invitation-only), but are  ineligible for unrestricted grants. Grants range USD $10,000 - $1 million (typically around USD $200,000). DEADLINE: October 31, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) The Audacious Project , Open Call for Bold Projects, is looking for bold ideas that cover a wide range of issues, from global health and climate change, to social justice and education. The Audacious Project looks for timely ideas that are that magic combination of deeply inspiring and convincingly credible. That means ensuring your idea balances the ability to change the way people look at an issue, with a deliverable plan that will make that vision come to life. The emotional appeal and personal connection should be met with a logical approach and a track record of your teams' relevant successes. They look for ideas that inspire with 1) Transformative vision- a bold vision for tackling one of the world's most urgent topics, 2. Contribute to a better world- ideas that offer significant, enduring impact, 3. Innovative and original- there should be a unique aspect or creative element to your approach that challenges convention or status quo or changes the narrative for the greater good. Applicants should submit proposals for proven concepts (evidence that the idea will have impact based on a track record of past success, a demand from those that would be affected, etc.) a bold vision for using the multi-year funding, and an organizational track record of receiving and managing large sums (Past projects have had an annual operating budget of $2 million or more). Open to public organizations- nonprofits, NGO, institution (such as research institution) or collaboration between multiple entities. Grant envelope total of USD ~$1 billion (with about 10 winners in 2023), there is no limit to the budget that can be requested. DEADLINE: Rolling applications. Learn more and apply here.

Creating Hope in Conflict: a Humanitarian Grand Challenge aims to identify, fund and accelerate ground-breaking solutions that are local or engage the local communities and draw from the experiences of affected communities. In this round CHIC is looking for innovation ideas for its Transition to Scale (TTS) program in 4 priority themes: 1) Access to energy, 2) Health Supplies and Services, 3) Life-saving information, and 4) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). Proposed innovations should focus on supporting people who have been affected by conflict with particular focus on the hardest to reach. Preference would be given to innovations that are locally owned or locally led with majority of the management and governance comprising of people from the affected communities. Relevant populations are: 1) Non-displaced people (i.e. people in conflict zones) 2) Internally displaced persons 3) Refugees. Grants ranging from CAD $300,000 - $1.5 million. Funding and support provided by USAID, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, and Grand Challenges Canada. Submit your idea to be invited to submit a proposal. DEADLINE: Ideas accepting on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit ideas here.

(*new!*) The Tony Robbins Foundation, Global Impact - Open Call, dedicated to meeting challenges within the global community, creating solutions and taking action, The Tony Robbins Foundation provides donations and volunteer support for nonprofit organizations, schools, hospitals and homeless shelters around the world. The foundation supports communities in need including natural disasters, and providing opportunities for at-risk youth. Open to non-profits globally. Grants range USD $20,000- $500,000. DEADLINE: Rolling applications - submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). Learn more and apply here.

Kili Ventures, Pre-Seed/ Seed Investments for Impact-Tech Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets, Kili Venture is a new investment syndicate focused on investing in tech startups in emerging markets, with an initial emphasis on Africa. Kili Ventures constantly seeks "hidden gems" - startups with talented teams developing technologies that have a significant impact on local communities and strong scalability potential. Target to support 5-10 startups annually in pre-seed and seed rounds, investing between EUR €50,000 - €250,000. DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Effective Ventures, EA Funds, Effective Altruism Funds (EA Funds) is a platform for moving money to particularly cost-effective and altruistically impactful projects. The current funds focus on: 1) Improving the lives of people living in extreme poverty, 2) Improving the lives of non-human animals, 3) Making the long-term future go well, and 3) Supporting the work of the Effective Altruism community. Grant sizes are typically between $5,000 and $200,000, but can be as low as $1,000 and higher than $500,000. DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) Gupta Family Foundation, Grant Application, accepting applications from organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. The foundation takes a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters. They focus on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. Applicants must operate in one of the following countries: India, the United States, Botswana, Kenya, Mexico, Mongolia, Rwanda, South Africa, or Thailand. Grants range USD $5,000 - $250,000 (for annual and multi-year funding) and at least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries. EADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

GiveWell, Apply for Funding Consideration, aims to fund the most cost-effective opportunities that have the potential to make a big impact for many people. Provide a wide range of grants through different financing mechanisms: 1) All grants fund, 2) Top charity fund, 3) Unrestricted fund. Grants range USD $50,000- USD $70M. DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Agriculture, Climate, Environment & Food

P4G Partnerships , Call for Partnerships, now accepting applications for partnerships working on climate mitigation or adaptation solutions in the areas of food, energy and water. Partnerships must comprise at least one early-stage climate business and one nonprofit organization implementing in one of P4G’s ODA-eligible partner countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Vietnam. Applicants must provide services or products that contribute to poverty alleviation, gender equity and economic growth in one of the following sub-sectors 1) climate-smart agriculture, 2) food loss and waste, 3) water resilience, 4) zero emission mobility and 5) renewable energy.  Grant of $350,000 (on average per partnership) to be implement in a period of 18-24 months, additional benefits include technical assistance, and introductions to intermediary investment facilities providing a finance bridge to scale partnership operations. DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis, next round of review March 8 and September 8, 2025. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) Donors' Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE), Call for projects 2024. DIMFE is a funders collaborative, dedicated to the conservation and restoration of all freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean: rivers, lakes, marshes and peatlands. The 2024 call focuses on 1) Conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, 2) Sustainable use and management of water resources, and 3) The development and implementation of sustainable financing mechanisms for freshwater ecosystem conservation and sustainable water use. Projects must be located within the Mediterranean basin, without geographical preference. NGOs, local authorities, municipalities, private companies engaged in the ecological transition with less than 20 employees, scientific institutions are invited to apply. Support provided by: Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, MAVA Foundation, Sigrid Rausing Trust, Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. Grants of EUR €100,000 - €500,000, DIMFE's contribution should normally not exceed 75% of the total project budget. DEADLINE: October 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*Extra Grants - closing soon*) Biodiversity Challenge Funds, Darwin Initiative Grants is a a UK government grant program that helps conserve biodiversity, the natural environment and support the communities that live alongside it through locally led projects worldwide. All projects should: 1. Address both both biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction, 2. Enhance the capability and capacity of national and local partners and stakeholders, 3. Use of evidence to inform and scale an innovative approach. Four types of grants available:

• Capability & Capacity Grants for projects developing the capability and capacity of national and local organizations to efficiently deliver effective and successful biodiversity conservation - multidimensional poverty reduction projects. Grants range GBP £50,000 and £200,000, and should last between 1 to 2 years maximum. DEADLINE: October 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here.
• Innovation Grants for projects intending to, pilot, test and evaluate novel approaches that if proven could scale to deliver results for biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction. Grants range GBP £10,000 to £200,000, and should last between 1 to 2 years maximum. DEADLINE: October 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here.
• (*closing soon!*) Extra Grants for projects that are on a clear scaling pathway: building on good evidence from smaller projects and demonstrating the potential to scale further by completion and delivering strong results. for biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction. Grants range GBP £800,000 - £5 million, and should last between 2 to 5 years maximum. DEADLINE: September 16, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closing soon!*) European Commission, CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) Call for Proposals is seeking to fund projects in the fields of Nature and Biodiversity and Circular Economy and Quality of Life aiming to develop, demonstrate, and scale up innovative techniques to achieve EU environmental objectives, improve governance, and involve civil society. This call include many opportunities within the fields. Grants range EUR €1M-€1.8M. DEADLINE: September 19, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closing soon!*) European Commission, Food Waste - Support to Stakeholders, invite proposals from EU stakeholders (single or multi-stakeholders) in taking actions to address consumer food waste, covering types of actions such as behavioral change interventions, education and training, the elaboration and implementation of food waste prevention guidelines, food waste monitoring programs, awareness raising campaigns and communication materials, and development of new business models. Projects should apply a Target-Measure-Act approach applied in the 4 steps: 1. Carrying out an initial food waste diagnosis, 2. Setting food waste reduction targets, 3. Developing and implementing actions, and 4. Final evaluation at the end of the project. Grants range from EUR €100,000-€300,000 for projects lasting 18 to 24 months (total envelop of EUR €4 million). DEADLINE: September 25, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance , 2025 Call for Ideas, the Lab is looking for proposals for innovative solutions to overcome barriers to climate investments in emerging markets and support the transition to a net-zero economy, with a special focus on: 1) Sectors: Adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable agriculture and food systems. Each sector will select one idea. 2) Regions: Brazil, Southern and East Africa, India, the Philippines, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Each region will select one idea, except for Latin America and the Caribbean, which will select two. Selected Lab ideas will receive a comprehensive support package that includes expert guidance, technical assistance, funder mapping, networking opportunities, and pilot implementation support. The Lab program is designed to accelerate innovative climate finance solutions in emerging markets. The Lab will host four informational webinars covering the application process, selection criteria, and the Lab process during October- recommend to attend. DEADLINE: November 7, 2024 (preliminary application) . Learn more and apply here.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program have announced 2 billion USD in funding to community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.  Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of USD $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of USD $1 million - $3 million. DEADLINE: November 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Mastercard Foundation, Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity, Agribusiness Challenge Fund. This is the first call for proposals under the Challenge Fund intervention, focusing on supporting SMEs in the Agribusiness sector to create work opportunities at scale for young women and men, young people with disabilities and refugee youth. Open to SMEs from 20 African countries. Grants ranging from USD $500,000-$2.5 million disbursed over a 3-year period. DEADLINE: rolling call for proposals closes on November 22, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Kiwa Initiative, Call for Proposals, Regional Projects: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The Kiwa Initiative is a multi-donor program (led by Agence Française de Développement and supported by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade , Australian Aid, IUCN, European Union and others). Kiwa is currently accepting applications from regional projects implementing activities that clearly contribute to climate change adaptation through right-based gender-responsive and socially-inclusive NbS. Each project must address key criteria: 1. Climate change adaptation, 2. Biodiversity, and 2. Gender Equity Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). 18 Pacific Island Countries and Territories are eligible, regional projects should involve at least 2 of the eligible countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna. Grants range EUR €1.5 million - €5 million (projects can be implemented for up to 3.5 years). DEADLINE: December 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Subnational Climate Fund (SCF) , Call for Sustainable Infrastructure Projects is seeking projects in scalable infrastructure in high growth developing regions with identified local need, in one or more of the targeted sectors: 1. Sustainable Energy Solutions, 2. Waste and Water Management, and 3. Nature-based Solutions. All projects should contribute positively to climate action (SDG 13) and positively contribute to at least two other SDGs. Provided capital should support new activities, improvements, and constructions, and must be in one of the 42 target countries in LATAM, Asia and Pacific, Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Total funding per project USD $5 million - $75 million. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Water and Energy for Food Grand Challenge (WE4F), Middle East and North Africa Call for Innovations, is an open call for innovations designed to address barriers to enable the production of more food with efficient and sustainable usage of water and energy along the value chain from farming to end-users, and to impact food security, gender, and poverty reduction in an environmentally sustainable way. Applicants can be mid- to late-stage enterprises, nonprofits with a for-profit program, and other organizations based in the Middle East and North Africa, who have innovative water-food, energy-food, and water-energy-food solutions. WE4F is a joint $88 million international initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), European Union, the Dutch Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Sida and USAID. Grants ranging from EUR €25,000-€250,000. DEADLINE: grants are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

WFP Innovation Accelerator, WFP Innovation Challenge, accepts submissions year-round in search of game-changing innovations that deliver relief, foster, resilience and end hunger. Current priorities are 1) Emergency Preparedness and Response, 2) Supply Chain and Delivery, 3) Nutrition and School Meals, 4) Food Systems and Smallholder Farmers, 5) Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods, 6) Social Protection. Selected organizations will receive a wide range of support including: access to WFP, innovation consultants, mentors, up to US$100,000 equity-free funding to test the venture’s scalability potential, and more. DEADLINE: grants are accepted on a rolling basis for cohort II. Learn more and apply here.

Chemonics International, Nature-Based Solutions for Agricultural Resilience (Notice of Future Funding), under the USAID Climate Finance for Development Accelerator (USAID CFDA), released a NOFFO ahead of the anticipated call for grant applications under the soon to be launched Nature-Based Solutions for Agricultural Resilience Window (expected to launch September 20, 2024 with a deadline of October 20,2024). The Window envisions sourcing high quality, private-sector led finance models for climate- and nature-positive agriculture and agricultural landscapes – supporting sustainable production while addressing climate change and improving biodiversity and ecosystem services. These partnerships are expected to focus on whole-of-farm approaches to mixed-use farming and regenerative agriculture; zero deforestation production and reduced degradation of lands, soil, and native vegetation; reduced use of chemical pesticides, fertilizer, and practices harmful to biodiversity, water quality, and soil quality; and other nature-based, climate smart solutions and/or landscape-level approaches that protect and promote biodiversity as well as food security. Interested applicants are encouraged to share feedback on the proposed concept, indicate interest in this opportunity, or ask questions ahead of the solicitation release. Learn more here.

Decent Work and Economic Inclusion

(*new!*) European Commission , Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa (TEI OP-VET), Unlocking the employment potential of the Global Gateway: Linking skills development to EU investments and value chain developments in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of the Call is to fund the implementation of (regional) VET interventions that respond to concrete employment opportunities arising from (EU) investments, trade, (regional) value chain developments and other market dynamics under the Global Gateway (GG). The proposed VET- interventions funded by the CfP must be aligned with the core principle of reverse-engineered VET by identifying concrete employment potential as starting point for targeted VET Intervention. Final beneficiaries of the interventions financed by the CfP are 1) The working-age population (with particular attention to women, youth between 18 and 35 and disadvantaged groups) of relevant countries and sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa who benefit from skills and/ or VET development offers linked to European Investment, notably the GG, and therefore to concrete and decent employment opportunities. 2) Companies operating locally and that are involved in the selected value chains and/ or the sectors of the GG, therefore benefitting from the availability of a skilled labour force. Eligible applicants are from either a consortium or an individual organization that partners with other stakeholders, such as local stakeholders from the private sector and VET institutions. Funding of EUR 1-2 million. DEADLINE: November 3, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Livelihood Impact Fund, focuses on improving the lives of the global poor by providing skills, capital, and opportunities to support self-sufficiency and increased earnings. They support organizations working on 1.Agriculture: Smallholder farmers productivity and regenerative agriculture. 2. Entrepreneurship: Micro, small & medium enterprise development, and 3. Workforce Development: Employability training programs across various industries. The fund works primarily in Africa but will consider projects in additional LMIC's. Through the 'Lab portfolio,' they invest in African-led organizations with budgets between $150,000 and $1M. Grants of unrestricted funding range USD $100,000- $150,000 per year for us to three years. Grantees also receive additional capacity-building support. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Education

(*closed!*) Spencer Foundation, Research-Practice Partnerships Grants, support research that brings together researchers and practitioners to improve education and foster long-term collaboration. Projects should 1. Address critical issues in education, 2. Build sustainable partnerships, and 3. Improve educational outcomes through evidence-based practices. The grant is open to existing partnerships between researchers and a broad array of practitioners (practitioners is defined broadly; such as policy-makers, out-of-school-time providers and other informal educators, K-12 teachers and leaders, or families and other community members, design-based research teams, networked improvement communities, place-based research alliances, and a wealth of other partnership arrangements). Grants of up to USD $400,000 for three years. Deadline: September 13 ,2024 (Intent to apply) and October 31, 2024 (Full proposal). Learn more and apply here.

Energy

E.ON, European Investment Fund (EIF) and Future Energy Ventures, Fund for the Digitalisation of the Energy Transition. The newly established fund will be allocated entirely towards sustainable investments across three core investment themes with clear decarbonization potential: future energy, future cities, and future technologies. With an average initial ticket size of between EUR €1M-10M for early-stage investments, it aims to target thirty new investments located in the innovation hubs of Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Learn more here.

Gender

(*closing soon!*) GRADE Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo , Care Economy Public Policy Innovations Collaborative Action-Research Fund Latin America and the Caribbean, GRADE in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Care / Alianza Global por los Cuidados and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) , are accepting applications for projects that help implement new policies, or strengthen and expand the impact of existing systems, policies, care models and transformative initiatives that promote a just social organization of care with a gender and human rights approach. The general objective of this research fund is to promote innovations in public policies on care that address the needs of caregivers (paid and/or unpaid) through research-action with a gender based perspective, developed in collaboration between local researchers and policy makers. Eligible projects must meet at least one of the following specific objectives: 1) Generate rigorous evidence of an innovative and gender-transformative public care policy, strategy, action or intervention to recognize, reduce, and redistribute care work, which can serve for the implementation of other policies with similar purposes. 2) Provide rigorous evidence of a public policy innovation at national or sub-national level that aims to Reward with decent working conditions and social protection, as well as Represent through the organization and social dialogue with paid care workers, especially those in vulnerable situations such as migrants. 3) Provide rigorous evidence of a public policy innovation that integrates feminist organizations, care cooperatives, grassroots organizations of caregivers and/or unions, as part of care systems and policies, and their diverse practices and knowledge. Grants up to USD $100,000 per research project (estimated 4-6 projects will be selected). DEADLINE: September 30, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) L'Oréal , Fund for Women, is a charitable fund to support frontline organizations in their efforts to help women to get out of poverty, prevent domestic, sexual and gender-based violence against women. The Fund focuses on supporting women and girls’ empowerment, particularly through projects in favor of social or professional integration and education. A specific attention is paid to refugee women and women with disabilities. The final beneficiaries must be highly vulnerable women or girls: In situation of poverty/ underprivileged (absence or lack of revenues, homelessness, single parent, Isolation In rural areas or In the suburbs, etc.), victims of violence, refugees or in situation of disability. For structure based outside the EU, and in order for the territoriality exception to apply, the final beneficiaries must be women or girls in vulnerable, precarious or emergency situations. Beyond emergency relief, the activity focuses on women or girls' empowerment, encouraging especially social and professional integration or access to education. Beyond emergency relief, the activity focuses on women or girls' empowerment, encouraging especially social and professional Integration, or access to education. Activities can take the form of: a service, an instrument with a social purpose or a field operation. Open to non profits globally. Grants up to EUR €300,000 (minimum request per proposal is EUR €5,000). Total fund size EUR €30 million. DEADLINE: next round of applications will be opened from September 16, 2024- Oct 17, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Health

(*closing soon!*) Being Initiative, Request for Proposals: Funding Bold Ideas for Youth Mental Health in 12 countries, is seeking applications for bold prevention and promotion ideas that address the early drivers of mental health and wellbeing for the most underserved young people aged 10- to 24 in: Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Vietnam. Three types of grants are available: 1) Proof-of-Concept (POC) funding up to CAD $250,000, 2) Transition-to-Scale (TTS) funding CAD $300,000 - $1,500,000, and 3) Ecosystem Catalyst (EC) funding CAD $200,000 - $300,000. DEADLINE: Applications for POC and TTS accepted on a rolling basis, current intake period is active until September 25, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Inclusion

Multitudes Foundation, Incubation and Scaling Grants for political change-makers from Europe. Incubation grants provide funding and expert support to those ready to build their vision into sustainable and efficient organisations. Scaling grants provide funding for registered organisations ready to scale their efforts and build more power. Grants range EUR €50,000-€100,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Innovation

(*closed!*) Enabel, Call for Proposals on Digital and Green innovations in Africa, this call seeks to identify and support digital and green innovations (DGIs) that are ready to or transitioning to scale. DGIs are defined as solutions that leverage digital tools and/or technologies to contribute positively to environmental objectives, and the thematic priorities include 1. Climate-Smart agriculture and sustainable food systems, 2. Resilient cities and sustainable urban planning, 3. Water management/ flood prevention, 4. Circular economy and e-waste management, and 5. Sustainable, affordable and clean energy. Public institutions and non-profit actors including academia, CSOs, NGOs), and Social Enterprises are eligible to apply. This Call for proposals is open for the 13 partner countries of the Belgian development cooperation in Africa: Niger, Senegal, Morocco, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea-Conakry, Mozambique, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Grants range €100,000-€150,000 grantees will also receive specific technical support and capacity-building activities. DEADLINE: September 4, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closed!*) Climate Change AI, Call for Proposals: Climate Change AI Innovation Grants 2024, The Climate Change AI Innovation Grants aim to support innovative projects that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to address climate change. The grants are intended for research and implementation projects that have the potential to make a significant impact on climate change mitigation and adaptation. As part of the project, the grantees must publish a documented dataset (or simulator). Projects can be submitted into one of three tacks: 1. Main track- projects should leverage AI or machine learning to address problems in climate change mitigation, adaptation, or climate science, or consider problems related to impact assessment and governance at the intersection of climate change and machine learning. 2. Special Track on Methane- projects should leverage AI or machine learning to address problems in methane-related climate change mitigation in the short/medium term period. 3. Special Track on Dataset Gaps- submissions should have, as their primary focus, the creation of a documented dataset (or simulator) by collating, labeling, and/or annotating existing data, and/or by collecting, simulating, or otherwise making available new data that can enable further research. Grant up to USD $150,000 per winning project for 12 months (a total of USD 1.4 million is available) Funding provided by Quadrature Climate Foundation, Google DeepMind, and Global Methane Hub. DEADLINE: September 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), EIC Accelerator. The EIC is Europe’s flagship innovation program to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations. The accelerator supports start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises to develop and scale up to new markets or disrupt existing ones and provides a unique combination of funding from EUR €500,000-17.5M as well as business acceleration services. DEADLINE: December 24, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

USAID, Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) 2024 accepting proposals for innovations that address international development challenges and improve the lives of people living in poverty in developing countries around the world. DIV provides tiered funding to pilot, test, and transition to scale (i.e., grow to reach the highest number of beneficiaries possible) those innovations that demonstrate evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and the potential to scale. Grants ranging from USD $25,000-$15M. DEADLINE: November 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Global Innovation Fund. The fund seeks out innovations with the greatest potential to improve the lives of millions of people living in poverty, and accepts applications from any type of organization, working in any sector in any developing country. The fund innovations that are scalable, widely applied, and evidence-based. Three types of funding available: pilot (up to USD $230,000), test & transition (up to USD $2.3M) and scale (up to USD $15M). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis- Next open windows September 1-30, 2024, and December 2024 . Learn more and apply here.

Smart Cities

(*closed!*) European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), Lisboa Innovation for All is a social impact challenge for innovative and impactful solutions to address the main social challenges faced by cities and which can have practical application in Lisbon. The award will focus on the following challenge areas: 1) Quality of Education 2) Access to Healthcare 3) Integration of Migrants. A jury will select three finalists from each of the three categories, and ultimately three awards will be made, one from each category. Applicants should select at least one category to apply to. The challenge will take place in 2 phases: Phase 1: Applications- Selection of 3 finalists per category (total of 9 finalists) for a proof-of-concept phase. Proof of concept within 6 months. No direct financial support is provided in this phase but in-kind support and resources will be given. Phase 2: Proof of Concept- After the proof-of-concept, one winner per category (total of 3 winners) is selected for implementation. Award: €120,000 per category. Implementation within 6 months. Open to proposed solution that currently is in operation or in MVP form globally, however all solutions must be refined and adapted to the context in Lisbon. DEADLINE: September 8, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

European Data Space for Smart Communities, Open Call for Pilots, aims to advance the development and implementation of data spaces. This effort is aligned with the policy priorities of EU cities and communities, focusing on the green-digital transformation supported by secure and sovereign data infrastructure. Submitted proposals must also demonstrate actual services created based on data sharing among data space participants. The pilot consortia must create new data services from the data sharing across at least two target focus areas: 1) Predictive traffic management/sustainable mobility planning, 2) Data-services related to weather, climate and extreme weather events to facilitate risk prevention, disaster resilience as well as climate change adaptation, 3)Management of energy flows in a city/community specific context and in conjunction with other sectors, 4) Zero pollution actions (e.g., air, water, soil pollution or waste), and 5) Any other domain falling under the New European Bauhaus initiative (urban design, building management, public services, nature-based solutions, amongst others). Eligible pilot consortia must consist of (and be led by) at least two local or regional public administrations from different EU member states (MS) and/or Digital Europe Programme (DEP) Associated countries, and can include a wide range of actors including private sector and non profits. Grants range EUR €1 million - €1.5 million (total of €15.3 million available). DEADLINE: 3 rounds of calls will take place in 2024: Round 2 closes November 31 (4-6 pilots to be selected), and Round 3 closes February 2025 (4+ pilots to be selected). Learn more and apply here.

Small Grants, Awards, Accelerators, Fellowships and Learning Opportunities

(*closed!*) UpLink - World Economic Forum Carbon Capture and Utilization Challenge, is sourcing innovative solutions for carbon capture and utilization. Innovative start-ups working towards carbon utilization through industrial carbon capture and utilization technologies are invited to apply. The focus areas of this challenge include: 1) Carbon capture technologies, 2) Reuse and recycling of carbon, 3) Industrial integration. 10 - 20 submissions will be selected as winners, recognized as Top Innovators, and become part of the UpLink Innovation Ecoystem, a curated programme designed for Founders, CEOs, Executive Directors, etc., which provides access, visibility, connections, targeted support, and financial award of CHF 300,000 (split among the winners), co-financing provided by Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Deadline: September 12, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closed!*) iF Design, iF Social Impact Prize, supports established projects that contribute to improving human society globally. Running since 2017 they have supported over 136 projects worldwide. Any project working towards achieving one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is eligible. Companies, design studios, NGOs, foundations, public and other organizations, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs are welcome to submit, student concepts are not eligible. Projects from the global South, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America are encouraged to apply. ~10-12 winners will share a prize of EUR €100,000. Deadline: September 13, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closing soon!*) Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade , Direct Aid Program (DAP)- Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti, Central African Republic, supports local communities to deliver direct, practical, and immediate projects that promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development. Projects should target one or more of the following areas:  1) gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), 2) health services and education, particularly women’s and girl’s sexual and reproductive health rights, 3) agriculture, food security, and climate resilience, governance, peacebuilding (including women, peace, and security), and human rights. DAP funding is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, non-government organisations (NGO), research institutions, and other entities engaged in development activities. The Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa’s DAP program supports projects in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti, and the Central African Republic.  Grants up to AUD 60,000 over the life of the project. Activities can run for a maximum of two years. Deadline September 20, 2024 (EOI). Learn more and apply here.

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) , European Prize for Women Innovators, celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind Europe's most game-changing innovations. The prize awards women from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, whose disruptive innovations are driving positive change for people and planet. There are three prize categories: 1) EIC Women Innovators category, three prizes of EUR €100,000, €70,000 and €50,000 are awarded to the three highest-ranked applications; 2) EIC Rising Innovators, three prizes of EUR €50,000, €30,000 and €20,000 are awarded to the three highest-ranked applications from promising ‘Rising Innovators’ under the age of 35, 3) EIT Women Leadership Award, awarded to exceptional women leaders from the EIT Community. The winner is awarded EUR €50,000, and two runners-up are awarded EUR €30,000 and €20,000 respectively. Eligible applicants can only apply to one category. The winners are chosen by an independent expert jury. Deadline September 25, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closing soon!*) Future of Capitalism Competition, invites all tech start-ups that aim to transform how businesses operate, and founders who want to improve the world we live in. Applications should want to make both a commercial and a social impact, either by using business profits to support social causes or through providing a technology that could positively impact the people's lives. Finalists will be invited to pitch for an investment of up to USD $1M. Deadline September 30, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

SIWI - Stockholm International Water Institute, Stockholm Water Prize 2025, is accepting nominations to recognizes people and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s water resources. Candidates should be within one or both of the following categories: 1. Policy and Practices- achievements in the continuum from political initiatives to practical implementation that has improved the governance and management of water, as a natural and economic resource and/or as a human right and basic service. 2. Research- including both basic and applied research to develop new knowledge of and scientific leadership. SIWI welcomes nominations from all parts of the world and strongly encourage the nomination of women candidates. Deadline September 30, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Boustany Foundation, Sport 4 Children Award. Developed specifically for associations, NGOs, institutions, foundations, local authorities and those specializing in social impact, open to organizations who are currently running or planning projects that use sport as the basis to improve the wellbeing and life opportunities of children. Prize of EUR €50,000. Deadline: October 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Please share this list, and feel free to add any additional opportunities in the comments. To explore how these initiatives can integrate into your broader fundraising needs and impact strategy, or for further insights or assistance in navigating the application process, don't hesitate to connect!