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.
2026 Application Update
Returning grant partners: Applications for returning grant partners will be available in the grants portal starting on 30 April 2025. Please visit the grants portal to access the 2026 application.
New organizations: Applications for the 2026 cycle for new partners will be invited through an invitation-only process for funding. We will be extending invitations to apply to organizations who we believe align closely with our mission and strategy.
Organizations who are invited to apply for 2026 funding will be notified from April – June 2025.
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. Note: projects funding humanitarian relief efforts are by invitation only.
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Education
Our education projects work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow, learn, and prosper.
We look to empower girls and women through education so they can unleash their full potential within their community. We also educate boys on the critical role girls and women play in families and societies, to break down antiquated norms around gender.
We fund education projects that focus on the following:
- Reading, writing, and math programs
- Financial education, from budgeting to business planning
- GED training
- Child educational TV programming
- Digital advancements for remote learning
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Livelihood Training
Our livelihood training projects create economic opportunities and job prospects for women so they can earn their own incomes.
Livelihood training equips women with the skills and experience they need to rise out of poverty permanently, and bring their families and communities along with them.
We fund livelihood training that focuses on the following:
- Computer skills training
- Customer service training
- Entrepreneurial strategies
- Seed money for new businesses
- Training in specific sectors, like farming
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Health Care
We fund projects that ensure proper access to health care for women and girls, including reproductive care.
When women are at their healthiest, physically and emotionally, they can also succeed economically. No one should fear losing their job in order to take care of their physical or mental health.
We fund health care projects that focus on the following:
- Protecting reproductive rights
- Providing healthcare to homeless populations
- Providing access to free or low-cost care
- Providing mental health assistance
- Supporting emotional health and building self-esteem
Our education projects work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow, learn, and prosper.
We look to empower girls and women through education so they can unleash their full potential within their community. We also educate boys on the critical role girls and women play in families and societies, to break down antiquated norms around gender.
We fund education projects that focus on the following:
- Reading, writing, and math programs
- Financial education, from budgeting to business planning
- GED training
- Child educational TV programming
- Digital advancements for remote learning

Our livelihood training projects create economic opportunities and job prospects for women so they can earn their own incomes.
Livelihood training equips women with the skills and experience they need to rise out of poverty permanently, and bring their families and communities along with them.
We fund livelihood training that focuses on the following:
- Computer skills training
- Customer service training
- Entrepreneurial strategies
- Seed money for new businesses
- Training in specific sectors, like farming

We fund projects that ensure proper access to health care for women and girls, including reproductive care.
When women are at their healthiest, physically and emotionally, they can also succeed economically. No one should fear losing their job in order to take care of their physical or mental health.
We fund health care projects that focus on the following:
- Protecting reproductive rights
- Providing healthcare to homeless populations
- Providing access to free or low-cost care
- Providing mental health assistance
- Supporting emotional health and building self-esteem

Grant Portal for Applicants
All grant applications must be submitted via our online grant portal. For the 2026 process, returning applicants can apply here. New organizations will receive an invitation with a link 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, New York City, Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, DC
2026 Grants Timeline
Application process opens by 30 April 2025. All applications are accepted through our online grants portal. Applications are due by 4 June 2025.
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New Applications
1 May–17 May
Complete eligibility quiz17 May–15 June
Complete full application -
Returning Grant Partners
1 May–15 June
Complete full application
1 May–17 May
17 May–15 June
1 May–15 June
New Applications
1 May–17 May
17 May–15 June
Returning Applicants
1 May–15 June
30 April
4 June
Mid-June through July
September
October
November
December
Frequently Asked Questions
To be eligible for funding, over 50% of the proposed project’s beneficiaries must be women or girls. Please note, programs that do not meet this criteria are ineligible for our funding.
If your organization is eligible to submit a full application, you will need to share your organization’s financials, a detailed program proposal, a program budget, and measurable objectives. These materials are submitted via the grants portal.
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.