Information for Grant Seekers

GPA encourages grant proposals from grassroots organizations in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa working in the areas of community development, youth empowerment and local philanthropy.  GPA is committed to supporting social entrepreneurs and innovative ideas. Our grantees use an innovative approaches and are creating value or new goods to solve problems in their community.

Grants are awarded twice per year, and range in size from 5,000 to 15,000 USD. GPA hopes to maintain funding relationships with grantees over time, with funding growing in size and scope. The first grant to an organization is likely to be smaller, around 5,000USD.  GPA supports specific project grants and overhead costs (staff time, rent, etc.) associated with the project. GPA supports capacity building, training and other organizational growth activities in addition to its programmatic interests.

Areas of Interest

In order to leverage the impact of our funding, GPA is only able to fund organizations working as social entrepreneurs in the following areas:

  • Community and Economic Development
  • Youth Empowerment
  • Local Philanthropy

General Eligibility

  • Organizations must be locally operated and based in Kenya, Nigeria or South Africa.
  • Organizations must be not-for-profit and funds must be used a charitable purpose. (Charitable purpose is defined by the US IRS as a broad range of activities that benefit the general welfare or the community.)
  • Organizations must work in the areas of community development, economic development, youth development and/or local philanthropy.
  • While GPA will pay overhead costs associated with grants, proposals must have a programmatic focus.

How to Apply

  1. Check eligibility requirements above to ensure your organization meets GPA's funding criteria.
  2. Submit a proposal online or via email.  GPA reviews grant applications twice per year, in May and November
  3. GPA will respond to all inquiries and proposals.  If an organization is chosen to receive funding, GPA may ask for additional information on the history and financial situation of an organization.

    *GPA does not fund individuals, fundraising efforts, ongoing service provision, endowments or general operating costs not associated with a grant.

Application

The following document is the application for a grant for funds from GPA.  Please fill out the application completely, and return to GPA.  If you have any questions regarding this application, please email grants@globalphilanthropyalliance.org or call Erin Brandt at (202) 470 0716.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION >>

What GPA is looking for in a grant application:

  1. Description of the project.  This includes who is involved, what role the grantee will play, and a detailed description of how the project will be carried out.  GPA wants to learn from our partners and understand what they plan to do and why they think ther project will be successful.
  2. Requests in the range of 5,000USD to 15,000USD.  Requests over 15,000USD will not be considered.  Requests under 5,000USD may be considered.
  3. Involvement of youth.  GPA is very interested in promoting youth empowerment and engaging youth in community activities.  Organizations working with youth or having youth as a focus of their programming are more likely to be considered.