Grant Opportunities
How we choose our projects
We support projects that align with our mission to sustain the path out of poverty for women and youth. These projects must also help to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To be eligible for funding, over 50% of the proposed project’s beneficiaries must be women or girls.
2025 Invite-Only Application Update
Applications for the 2025 cycle will be invited through an invitation-only process for funding. This means that instead of open call applications as we have done in previous years, this year we will be extending invitations to apply to organizations who we believe align closely with our mission and strategy.
We are excited that this invitation-only process will allow us to allocate our resources more effectively, continue to deepen relationships with partners, and strengthen the impact of our grantmaking.
Organizations who are invited to apply for 2025 funding will be notified in early May.
Areas of Focus
Our goal is to empower women and youth with fundamental human rights. To accomplish this, we accept grant applications for projects focused on education, livelihood training, and health care. Particular consideration will be given to projects which serve refugee and migrant populations, and those which incorporate sustainability or sustainable development approaches. Note: Projects funding humanitarian relief efforts are by invitation only.
Grant Portal for Applicants
All invited grant applications must be submitted via our online grant portal. For the 2025 invitation-only process, applicants will receive a link to sign in and apply.
How We Evaluate Applications
Our grantees must fall into one of the following categories:
- A US-based 501(c)(3) organization
- A United Nations agency or program
- An international organization with a US-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
For organizations that meet this requirement, our Board of Directors uses the following criteria to evaluate applications:
- Alignment with our mission to end poverty by empowering women and youth
- Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Strong track record of success over a 3-year period or an extended pilot period
- Sustainability with access to additional resources
- Ability to track impact of the project or organization through reporting of results
- Direct impact to women and children in need, with long-term benefits
- Priority will be given to projects based in the following specific strategic locations: Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, the Philippines, New York City, Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, DC
2025 Grants Timeline
The application process for invited applicants opens in May. All applications are accepted through our online grants portal. The exact deadline for submission will be provided in our online grants portal to invited applicants.
New Applications
1 May–17 May
17 May–15 June
Returning Applicants
1 May–15 June
Early May
Mid-June
Mid-June through July
September
October
November
December
Frequently Asked Questions
Invited applicants will be notified by early May and will receive a link to access the application. All applicants must apply via our grant portal and complete the eligibility survey. Once eligibility is met, the applicant will be prompted to complete the application.
The Foundation prioritizes funding projects in Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, the Philippines, New York City, and the Greater Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia area. That said, we occasionally fund projects in strategic locations that fall outside of these priority regions.
After we have confirmed that you meet our eligibility criteria, you will need to share your organization’s financials, a detailed program proposal, a program budget, and measurable objectives.
Invited applicants will be able to view the application and any updated or relevant instructions in the grants portal. The UNFCU Foundation team is available to answer any questions as your organization completes the application at grants@unfcufoundation.org.
For all invited applicants, you can complete the eligibility survey and complete the application starting in early May 2024. The exact dates will be provided in the application portal for invited applicants.
All invited applications are due by mid-June 2024.
June–July
Virtual Meetings or Site Visits
September
Financial reviews begin
October
Board decisions made
November
Grantees notified
December
Funding delivered
Returning applicants will have the option to copy select answers into this year’s application. We strongly encourage applicants to double check those answers to ensure accuracy and make updates accordingly. Please access the grant portal for more details.
The invitation-only process for 2025 funding applies to all returning and new organizations. The UNFCU Foundation team will invite a select number of new applicants that are mission-aligned and conduct work in strategic locations.
Projects which combine poverty alleviation strategies (through livelihood training, education and health care) with attention to positive impacts to the environment. Examples may include, but are not limited to: sustainable farming practices, development of green businesses, and programs which counter adverse impacts of climate change.
No. The applying organization should be the organization implementing the program. We have provided space in the application for the fiscal sponsor. Note, the EIN number of the fiscal sponsor must be provided.
No. Application information can be saved within the system and the use can return to the application to finish at submit at another time. Applications can be submitted early but will not be accepted after the due dates stated above.
Due to the volume of processing applications, we are not able to address questions by phone. However, please feel free to send clarifying questions regarding the application process to grants@unfcufoundation.org. For technical questions or issues with using the portal, please email support@foundant.com.
Additional Information for Applicants
Applicant tutorials are available to help navigate the grant application system.
New users: Please select on “Create New Account” to complete the registration process and create your logon credentials.
Existing users: Please enter your credentials and log in. If you forgot your password, please use the “Forgot your Password?” link to the left to reset your password.
Not sure? If you think that you or someone at your organization has already registered in the system, do not create a new account. Please contact us at grants@unfcufoundation.org for assistance.
