Best Community Development Grants in Africa

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

The Global Fund for Children invites community-based organizations worldwide to partner in improving the lives of children and youth. They seek dynamic groups aligned with their mission, focusing on grassroots solutions to tackle poverty, injustice, and discrimination. With a commitment to education, gender justice, safety, climate resilience, and youth empowerment, GFC builds strong relationships with potential partners, ensuring mutual growth and impact without requiring formal proposals.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Sachs Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals and families. The Foundation supports self-sustaining charitable organizations focusing on economic and educational opportunities, particularly in low-income communities in the U.S. and developing countries. Grants are available for various initiatives, including education, housing, and job training, with a keen interest in programs that demonstrate clear potential for sustainability.

Save the Rhino International (SRI) Grant aims to protect critically endangered rhinos through strategic funding and collaboration. With a focus on key populations like black, Sumatran, and Javan rhinos, SRI emphasizes law enforcement, biological management, and stopping illegal markets. They support field programs that meet specific eligibility criteria and prioritize sustainable financing mechanisms. SRI's efforts aim for the long-term recovery of these species, ensuring their survival and promoting international awareness and support for rhino conservation.

The Skees Family Foundation offers mission-aligned Seed Grants to nonprofits focused on job creation and readiness, primarily outside the U.S. These grants, beginning at $2,500 and increasing over three years, aim to support organizations with annual budgets of $250,000 or less. By prioritizing international efforts, the foundation seeks to maximize the impact of its limited resources, fostering growth in community-based organizations dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting economic development globally.

 

Skees Family Foundation

The Skees Family Foundation, a 501(c)3 private charitable foundation (EIN#83-0411607), works with nonprofits (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) serving families in need around the world.

The Skees Family Foundation — family helping families — extends self-help to youth and families to end poverty worldwide. We support organizations in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Central and South America, India, and the Pacific to promote job creation and economic development. We value love in action to create equal opportunity for all. And as a diverse multigenerational group with limited time and funds, we believe that we — and you — can change the world for good.

Mission: Skees Family Foundation works to end global poverty by partnering with community-based organizations to create fulfilling jobs and build job readiness through vocational or entrepreneurial training.

How We’re Different

We approach grantmaking in ways that differ from many funders, in ways intended to minimize the power imbalance between nonprofits and funders:

• No Restrictions: Unrestricted funding shows trust and respect for our partners. They know where the money is most needed, and we don’t have the burden of keeping track of specific projects.
• No Applications: All the information we need is found through our own research. This helps us keep our workload lighter by not having to go through hundreds of applications, and it provides our new partners a welcome surprise, with infinite return on investment. 
• Limited Reporting: We have calls once a year with our partners to discuss how they’re doing and their plans for the future. We don’t ask for written reports – we talk to our partners and create enduring relationships. 
• Multi-Year Grants: Two to six-year grants give us the opportunity to build relationships with our partners and for them to have the security of longer-term funding.
• Storytelling Assistance: Through our Seeds of Hope blog and the My Job social mission project, we tell the stories of our partners. We get to shine a light on their work, and they get a bit of free promotion!
• Funding Channels: Our partners are often challenged in finding their next level of funding. In response, we are creating a network of funders to help guide our partners toward their next grant. We can pass on our knowledge about individual organizations, as well as receive recommendations from other funders, saving everyone a lot of time.
• Direct Impact Investments: For many of our partners, the ability to scale rests on access to capital, and we often maintain relationships through direct impact investments. This allows us to stay in touch with our partners and invest in someone we trust, while giving them access to affordable debt and a reasonable return to the Skees corpus.
• 100% ESG Market Investments: Beyond impact investments, the remaining majority of the corpus is invested with an Environmental Social Governance screen, ensuring our corpus is working for good. This helps us increase our impact substantially while avoiding investments that are working in contradiction with our mission, all while maintaining strong returns to support our grantmaking.

Mission-Aligned Grantmaking

Our mission-aligned grants are focused on organizations whose primary work is outside of the United States. We do this for two reasons:

• Given our relatively small grantmaking budget, funding international programs allows each dollar to go further than it would in the U.S, enabling our foundation to have greater impact with our limited resources.
• We support organizations without geographic limitations through our discretionary board and family grants, both in the U.S. and abroad, that our family members are connected to and passionate about.

These grants are typically distributed every three years, and go out at the start of the new year.

Catalyst Grants

Catalyst Grants are three-year grants, distributing $25,000 in year one, $15,000 in year two and $10,000 in year three. These grants are for organizations that have demonstrated some success with their models and are ready to work at a broader level by scaling or deepening their programs. Catalyst Grants are focused on organizations with an annual budget of less than $500,000, but groups with budgets of up to $1 million are eligible.

It is our hope that Catalyst Grants truly serve as a catalyst for organizations ready to scale, which our foundation views as critical to long-term change. Although the funds are for general operating expenses, we encourage these organizations to invest in expanding and deepening their programs in a self-sustaining way.

By allocating a large proportion of our annual grantmaking budget to a few nonprofits through our Catalyst Grants, we aim to have a more meaningful impact on our Catalyst partner organizations and the issue areas in which they work. 

The Audacious Project Grant Program, supported by TED, aims to catalyze social impact by funding bold solutions to pressing global challenges. This initiative encourages changemakers to develop transformative ideas into actionable plans, with a focus on various issues, including health and education. The program operates on a rolling basis, welcoming applications from individuals and organizations with a proven track record and a budget of at least $2 million. Join us in creating lasting change for a better world.

The Global Commons Alliance's Accountability Accelerator Grant supports early-stage projects that foster accountability in corporate actions related to nature. With grants ranging from USD 50,000 to 100,000, the initiative focuses on critical areas such as data standards, finance, and legal frameworks. Emphasizing local impacts, the program encourages proposals that address urgent needs and leverage collaboration. It prioritizes Indigenous and local communities, aiming for at least half of its funding to reach those most affected by environmental challenges.

The Walmart Foundation invites 501(c)(3) organizations to submit program-related concept notes focused on the Healthier Food for All initiative. This ongoing program seeks to enhance access to nutritious food in underserved communities while linking nutrition to healthcare. With a commitment to combat chronic illnesses through better nutrition, Walmart aims to fill food access gaps and promote food as medicine programs, ultimately improving health outcomes for many Americans.

The World Land Trust Grant focuses on supporting projects that protect biodiversity and ecosystems, primarily in the Global South. The grant prioritizes sustainable conservation activities such as land acquisition and habitat restoration. While aimed at NGOs, it may also support other organizations that can effectively contribute to conservation. Current priorities include projects in Asia, West Africa, and North Africa, with an emphasis on exceptional conservation value.

The Zegar Family Foundation Grant, established in 2007, focuses on improving lives through impactful charitable donations. The foundation prioritizes areas such as environment, justice, human rights, science, education, and community development. While unsolicited proposals are not accepted, the foundation remains open to innovative ideas that align with its mission. Through targeted support, it aims to create lasting positive change in communities and promote social equity.

Pure Ocean invites innovative projects focused on marine conservation through its 2025 Call for Projects. This initiative emphasizes sustainable practices, engaging local communities, and exploring nature-based solutions. It seeks to address critical themes such as marine pollution, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem resilience amid climate change. By supporting scientific research and public awareness efforts, Pure Ocean aims to safeguard fragile marine ecosystems and inspire collaborative action for a healthier ocean.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

The Conservation, Food & Health Foundation Grant Program aims to enhance public health, food security, and environmental conservation in underfunded regions across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East. It supports innovative projects and applied research that promote local solutions, leadership development, and community capacity building. With grants typically ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, the program prioritizes initiatives that foster sustainability, replication, and systemic change beyond immediate project goals.

The CPPS Heritage Mission Fund Grant supports initiatives aligned with Precious Blood Spirituality, focusing on dignity, healing, and community solidarity. Starting in 2026, applications will be accepted once a year, with a two-hour window for Letters of Inquiry. Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000, addressing unmet needs through various project types, including startup support and capital projects. This fund emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of serving the common good.

The New Earth Foundation Grant aims to support innovative, humanitarian projects that promote sustainability, peace, and community development. Founded by John B. Loveland in 1997, the foundation focuses on assisting smaller 501(c)(3) organizations to create impactful solutions for societal challenges. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate innovation, community involvement, and the potential for replication, ensuring a lasting positive impact on both local and global scales.

The Wikimedia Foundation General Support Fund empowers organizations and volunteers to enhance free knowledge globally. It supports diverse projects that align with Wikimedia's mission, focusing on knowledge equity and regional engagement. Eligible applicants include Wikimedia Movement organizations that dedicate their efforts exclusively to Wikimedia projects. Funding can cover various expenses, including operational and programmatic costs, ensuring sustainable development in underrepresented communities.

The EEP Africa Call for Proposals invites innovative early-stage clean energy projects in Southern and Eastern Africa. The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund, supported by Nordic Development Fund and various countries, offers financial assistance to enhance clean energy access and development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate innovation, active project development, and local commitment. Grants range from EUR 200,000 to 1,000,000, requiring co-financing of 30-50% of the total project budget. This initiative aims to support sustainable development and job creation.

The International Foundation Grant is aimed at U.S.-based non-profit organizations working in developing countries to enhance health, education, and income levels for impoverished communities. While currently not accepting new applications, the foundation reviews proposals from previously invited organizations. The focus lies on holistic, community-driven projects in sectors such as agriculture, education, environment, and health. Partnerships with local entities are encouraged to ensure sustainable and impactful outcomes.

The F5 STEM Education and AI Grants for Women and Girls of Color aim to support nonprofit organizations that enhance access to STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups. With a focus on women and girls of color, the grants provide $50,000 in unrestricted funding to organizations with a commitment to increasing representation in the tech sector. Applications from around the world are welcomed, with priority given to those emphasizing AI literacy and tool usage.

The KFAS: Al-Sumait Prize for Health recognizes groundbreaking contributions to food security, health, and education in Africa. This prestigious award, established in honor of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait, seeks nominations for individuals or institutions that have made significant advancements in various fields, including sustainable agriculture and innovative health solutions. The prize aims to celebrate impactful research and initiatives that contribute to the continent's socio-economic development, with nominations open for the 2025 cycle.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

The John and Maria Laffin Trust provides funding for education, animal welfare, medical research, and human services to 501(c)(3) organizations. It allocates 20% for education, 30% for animal welfare, 25% for medical research, and 25% for humanitarian efforts. There are no geographic restrictions for medical research and human services grants, and organizations must meet IRS requirements for tax-exempt status. This trust honors the legacy of Valentina Laffin, who was dedicated to community service.