The Tony Elumelu Foundation fosters and supports start-up enterprises in Africa. The TEF Entrepreneurship Program provides mentoring, training, forums, seed capital, and alumni support to individuals in Africa proposing new business ideas or early-stage companies in sectors that include agriculture, among others. Participants receive up to US$5 thousand in seed capital. The program is open to citizens and legal residents ages 18 and older in any African country. The next application deadline (English, French, Portuguese) is 01 March 2026. TEF Entrepreneurship Program
community projects
Giving Joy — Micro-Grants for Women Entrepreneurs
Giving Joy makes micro-grants to women who seek to establish or improve their businesses for the benefit of their communities. Applicants can propose activities in any field, trade, occupation, or craft (e.g., agriculture, fisheries, energy, WASH, etc.). Proposed grant activities must have a social benefit to the community. Grants range from US$250 to US$500. Grants support women entrepreneurs worldwide. Giving Joy offers different grant cycles per year. The next application deadline is 30 April 2026. Giving Joy Grants
Weeden Foundation — Protecting Biodiversity
The Weeden Foundation makes grants to support biodiversity conservation projects that protect imperiled species and ecosystems, with a strong focus on North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Funding is available to nonprofit organizations and research institutions working in areas such as land conservation, wildlife management, endangered species recovery, and applied conservation science. The average grant size is between US$10 and US$30 thousand. The Foundation requests letters of inquiry (LOI) at least one month before proposal deadlines. The next deadline for applications (English, Spanish) is 15 May 2026. Find details
Beit Trust — Support for Community and Conservation Projects in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi
The Beit Trust supports projects for health, education, welfare, and the environment in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Themes include wildlife conservation. Additionally, the Trust’s interests in community welfare include drinking water and irrigation water. Grants do not normally exceed £50 thousand. Applications should be submitted by 31 May 2026. About the Beit Trust Grants
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation — Start-up Support for Social Enterprises
The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage, high-impact social enterprises and seeks projects and innovations that dramatically improve the lives of people and the world. The foundation is open to U.S.-based and international nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects, particularly those working in areas such as education, health, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and social justice, and prioritizes organizations led by visionary founders with innovative approaches. Grants typically range from US$25 thousand to US$50 thousand, often as unrestricted support. The Foundation has a rolling online application process throughout the year; there is no deadline. Click here
Roddenberry Foundation — Catalyst Fund
The Catalyst Fund makes small grants for ideas that are early-stage, unconventional, and innovative. It favors bold ideas that depart from the status quo, and that look at a problem and its solution in a new light. There are no restrictions by theme or place (and may include the subjects of the Terra Viva Grants Directory). Proposals can take the form of cutting-edge products, experimental programs, new services, inventions, etc. Eligibility for funding extends to anyone in the world, individuals and teams. Grants range from US$2,500 to US$15 thousand. The Fund accepts applications on a continuous basis with no deadlines. Find out more
NextWorldNow Community Investments — Community Grants 2026
NextWorldNow (NWN) is committed to working with community leaders who are solving difficult social problems. This includes social problems related to water, sanitation, deforestation, smallholder productivity, and food security – among other subject areas. Grants are up to US$10 thousand. To apply, community organizations submit a short “Notification of Interest” to register their intent to submit a formal grant application. NWN will screen the initial requests and forward a full application form to selected community organizations. The 2026 Grant application period begins 01 January 2026 and remains open until 1000 requests have been received or 01 March 2026, whichever comes first. Link
World Food Programme — Innovation Challenge
The World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator supports startups, NGOs, companies, and social enterprises worldwide that are developing innovative solutions to strengthen long-term resilience in fragile and crisis-affected contexts, particularly in areas such as food security, climate resilience, livelihoods, and emergency response. Selected innovators receive up to US$100 thousand in equity-free funding, along with hands-on technical support, and mentorship. The challenge is open to both early-stage and more mature innovations with proven potential for impact. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. WFP Innovation Accelerator
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — Adaptation Fund
The Adaptation Fund makes grants for projects and programs that address the adverse impacts of climate change. Eligibility for grants extends to countries that are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, with emphasis on developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Grants are primarily to government organizations such as national ministries, development institutes, local government authorities, and others — sometimes in partnership with civil society organizations. Project proposals are submitted through any of the Fund’s national, regional, or multilateral implementing entities. The Adaptation Fund accepts project and program proposals on a rolling basis. About the Adaptation Fund
UN Decade Youth Task Force — Microgrants
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Youth Task Force Microgrant Call supports youth-led initiatives that advance ecosystem restoration and environmental action under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The call is open to youth-led groups, organizations, and informal collectives from around the world that are actively implementing or planning small-scale restoration, awareness, or community-based environmental projects. Selected initiatives receive microgrants of up to US$5,000 to support project implementation. Applications are open until 31 December 2025. More here