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.
Areas of Focus
Grant Portal for Applicants
All grant applications must be submitted via our online grant portal.
Click here to create an account (or log in as a returning applicant) and determine eligibility to 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
Grants Timeline
1 May–17 May
17 May–15 June
1 May–15 June
15 June
June–July
September
October
November
December
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
All applicants must visit our grant application portal. Once the grant application window is open, new applicants should create a new account and complete the eligibility survey. Once eligibility is met, the applicant will be prompted to complete an online Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to be considered for an application. All requests will be reviewed and new applicants will be notified by email if the organization is qualified to complete a full application.
Returning grant recipients are able to log-in to the grants portal, confirm eligibility and then immediately access the application through the returning applicant link.
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.
For new applicants, please complete the eligibility survey and Letter of Inquiry (LOI) from 1 May through 17 May. The UNFCU Foundation team will review these on a rolling basis and if requirements are met, will invite you to submit a complete full application by 15 June 2023.
For returning grant recipients, we will accept full applications from 1 May through 15 June.
All full applications are due by EOD 15 June 2023.
June–July
Virtual interviews
September
Financial reviews begin
October
Board decisions made
November
Grantees notified
December
Funding delivered
Organizations who have previously received funding from UNFCU Foundation should use the “Returning” application link.
Organizations should use the “New” application process via the eligibility survey if:
- This is the first time you are applying for funding, or
- Your organization has applied for funding previously, but was not awarded a grant
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.
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 click 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.
Applicant tutorials are available to help navigate the grant application system.
New users: Please click 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 contact@unfcufoundation.org for assistance.
