The Mott Foundation funds grants in the United States and, on a limited geographic basis, internationally. The theme “Environment” supports projects around the world that protect communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The program “Transforming Development Finance” aims to guard against unwise capital investments in large-scale dams, extractive industries, and other major projects which threaten environmental sustainability and local economic opportunity in China, Latin America, and other regions of the developing world. The program “Advancing Climate Change Solutions” makes grants to reduce policy and financial barriers to investments in clean energy, and to provide technical assistance and networking opportunities to communities in the Amazon and Sub-Saharan Africa. Letters of inquiry are accepted all year. Info for Grantseekers
energy
African Development Bank — Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) provides catalytic finance to unlock private-sector investments in renewable energy. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments. Funding requests must be aligned with three strategic priorities: (1) Green Baseload; (2) Green Mini-Grids; and (3) Energy Efficiency. Technical assistance grants are available to public and private sector entities. Applications can be submitted anytime. Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in the Caribbean Islands
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) provides funding for small-scale, high-impact projects in Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The program supports initiatives designed by local partners that address thematic priorities such as peace and security or inclusive economic growth. Eligible applicants include local non-governmental organizations, community groups, academic institutions, and municipal or national government agencies. The average grant ranges from CAN$30 thousand to CAN$60 thousand, with a maximum limit of CAN$100 thousand per project. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026. More
NewGen — Renewable Energy Accelerator
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) invites applications for the fourth cohort of its NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator, a program designed to support young entrepreneurs driving the global energy transition. The initiative provides youth-led start-ups and growth-stage businesses with four months of technical mentorship, business model consolidation, and access to investment matchmaking. Eligible applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and working on innovative solutions in renewable energy, climate adaptation, or climate mitigation. While the program does not provide a direct cash grant, participants compete for the IRENA Rising Stars Award and gain access to IRENA-backed financing platforms such as the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) facility. The deadline for applications is 03 May 2026. Renewable Energy Accelerator
Orange Telecom — Orange Social Venture Prize 2026
The Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) supports entrepreneurs using technology to drive social and environmental change across Africa and the Middle East. Orange invites tech-based startups and individuals to apply if their projects address local needs in fields such as health, education, agriculture, or sustainable development. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and based in one of the 17 participating countries, including Botswana, Egypt, Morocco, and Senegal. The competition features a national stage followed by an international grand prix, where three winners receive prizes of €25 thousand, €15 thousand, and €10 thousand respectively, alongside an additional €20 thousand International Women’s Prize for projects supporting women’s empowerment. The deadline for applications is 10 May 2026. Social Venture Prize
D-Prize — Funding Entrepreneurs to Alleviate Poverty
The D-Prize funds pilot projects that more widely distribute relatively low-cost products and services in the fight against poverty. The current challenges include social enterprises for innovations in specified themes of agriculture; energy; WASH; and several other categories. The D-Prize will award 30 teams with up to US$20 thousand each to launch nonprofits or social ventures that can distribute proven poverty interventions to people in need. Eligibility to compete extends to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world and of any age or background. The D-Prize invites concept notes before 17 May (early deadline); 07 June (regular deadline); or 28 June 2026 (limited extension). Link to D-Prize
Toyota Foundation — International Grant Program for East and Southeast Asia
The Toyota Foundation supports projects focusing on challenges and issues shared among Japan and other Asian countries. The grant program invites applications in the fields of mutual learning and knowledge-sharing among East and Southeast Asia. The Foundation has previously funded projects in the fields of sustainable energy, agriculture, and water resources. The maximum grant amount per project ranges from US$44 thousand to US$89 thousand. Eligible countries from East and Southeast Asia are listed in the announcement. The application deadline is 30 May 2026. More information
Stiftung Entrepreneurship — Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition 2026
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) invites entrepreneurs from all around the world to submit innovative answers and ideas to solve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Young entrepreneurs (age 15-35) submit their ideas and projects in the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship category. Entrepreneurs over 30 years apply to the Adult Citizen Entrepreneurship category. The winners receive a certificate and international recognition. The deadline for entries is 05 June 2026. About the competition
NDN Collective — Community Self-Determination
The Community Self-Determination grant program invests in the self-determination of Indigenous people working in their community. Applicants are encouraged to describe their community self-determination efforts within one of the following strategic focus areas that are best suited for their intentions and goals (e.g., climate justice work, clean energy initiatives, access to clean water, etc.). Grants of US$20 thousand per year, with a commitment of two years. The geographical focus is Turtle Island (Island Nations of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Canada and Mexico). Applications close on 16 October 2026. Community Action Fund
Katapult — Africa Accelerator
Katapult manages an accelerator program designed to support impact-driven startups in Africa focusing on agritech, foodtech, and climate tech. The program is open to African startups that demonstrate high scalability and positive environmental or social impact in sectors such as clean energy, circular economy, and sustainable agriculture. Katapult invests between US$150 thousand and US$500 thousand in each participating company in exchange for equity, while charging a program fee to cover the costs of the three-month intensive training. Selected founders receive hands-on mentorship, investor readiness training, and the opportunity to pitch to global impact investors during a dedicated investor day. Applications are accepted until 25 April 2026. Africa Accelerator