Securing reliable funding is one of the biggest challenges facing NGOs today. Whether you're a grassroots community organization or a growing regional nonprofit, knowing where to look for funding — and how each funder's priorities align with your mission — can save you months of wasted effort.

Below are five reputable organizations that provide grants to NGOs, along with what makes each one distinct. As always, review each funder's current guidelines closely before applying, and make sure your NGO's objectives genuinely align with theirs.

1. The African Women's Development Fund (AWDF)

AWDF is a Pan-African, feminist grant-making organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Accra, Ghana. It funds women-led and women-focused organizations across 47 African countries and five countries in the Middle East (Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Jordan).

Focus areas: Women's human rights, political participation, peacebuilding, health and reproductive rights, economic empowerment, and support for LGBTQ+ communities.

Good to know: Grants typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, with multi-year strategic grants going as high as $120,000 for established grantees. AWDF also invests in capacity building — not just funding — including governance, strategic planning, and fundraising support.

Website: awdf.org

2. The Ford Foundation

Established in 1936, the Ford Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the world, with a long-standing presence across Africa through regional offices. It funds NGOs working on structural inequality, human rights, and economic justice.

Focus areas: Human rights, social justice, civic engagement, and inclusive economic development.

Good to know: Ford Foundation grants are typically awarded to established organizations with a demonstrated track record, and funding often supports multi-year, systemic change initiatives rather than one-off projects.

Website: fordfoundation.org

3. The Open Society Foundations (OSF)

Founded by George Soros, OSF is one of the world's largest funders of independent groups working on justice, democratic governance, and human rights, with active grantmaking across the African continent.

Focus areas: Democracy and governance, human rights, education, and civil society strengthening.

Good to know: OSF often works through regional and thematic initiatives (such as its Africa-focused programs), so it's worth identifying the specific OSF branch or program most relevant to your NGO's work before applying.

Website: opensocietyfoundations.org

4. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP is the UN's lead agency on international development, operating in nearly every African country through country-level offices. It partners with NGOs on projects tied to national development priorities.

Focus areas: Sustainable development, poverty reduction, climate action, and governance.

Good to know: Unlike private foundations, UNDP funding often flows through country-specific programs and calls for proposals, so opportunities vary significantly by location. Check with your country's UNDP office directly for open calls.

Website: undp.org

5. The Global Fund for Women

Founded in 1987, the Global Fund for Women is a public grant-making foundation that channels resources directly to women-led movements and organizations, including many across Africa.

Focus areas: Gender equality, reproductive rights, and prevention of gender-based violence.

Good to know: The fund emphasizes flexible, general-operating support rather than narrowly restricted project funding, which can be especially valuable for smaller or emerging organizations.

Website: globalfundforwomen.org

Final Tip

Before applying to any funder, take time to read their current grant guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application cycles directly from their website — funding priorities and amounts can change from year to year.

Tailoring each proposal to the funder's specific mission, rather than sending a generic application, significantly improves your odds of success.

Good luck — and happy fundraising!