Best Grants for Global Health

Nonprofits who want to win global health grants include international health organizations, research institutions, and humanitarian groups working to improve health outcomes worldwide. These grants more than likely address global health fund initiatives that address disparities, improve access to health care, and promote global health awareness. Most grants will require you to have a 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor.

Grants in global health typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q1, with 29.7% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q4.

Global health grants are offered to nonprofit programs that focus on reducing health disparities, improving disease prevention, and expanding healthcare services in underserved regions. Funders also focus on empowering nonprofits that combat diseases, support public health, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, advance medical research, and support emergency response efforts. More than 6,000 funding opportunities are available, with more than $2.94 billion available in funding for nonprofit groups that address global health fund initiatives.

Funding for global health grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $0 to a maximum of $188,250,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $32,500, while the average grant awarded is $633,837. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.

Of the more than $2.94 billion available, most funding for global grants come from private funders like the Wheeler Charitable Trust Grant, the Alabama Law Foundation, the American Journalism Project Inc., and the Cooke Foundation. In addition, there are also federal and state/local grants available through health departments and community service grants. Some key federal funders that provide funding for global health initiatives include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the USDA, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

To improve grant success, nonprofits interested in global health grants should concentrate on all of these key areas:

• Align with funder priorities – Tailor proposals to match the funder’s mission and key focus areas for global health since these grants are worldwide opportunities.
• Use measurable outcomes – Provide data-driven results to illustrate you have measurable health outcomes in your community.
• Build strategic partnerships – Collaborate with healthcare providers, government agencies, and community organizations, along with local healthcare providers and policymakers.
• Develop a compelling narrative – Use real stories of individuals you have helped that align with the initiative with global health priorities.

For additional guidance, explore our step-by-step guide to crafting compelling grant proposals.