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COVID-19 Related Funding
Grants Strengthen Pandemic Resilience in Wildlife Rich Areas
The Lion's Share
The Lion's Share, hosted by the United Nations Development Programme, has launched a call for proposals titled "Resilience in Wildlife Community Grants" to support initiatives in communities dependent on wildlife-based tourism. Grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 support nonprofit organizations in developing countries to increase the resilience and well-being of communities in wildlife rich areas against external shocks such as pandemic crises. Funds are provided to catalyze community/local-level action to protect severely threatened ecosystems or wildlife in their last strongholds. These grants will finance local projects that find innovative solutions to wildlife conservation challenges, while simultaneously enhancing local people's well-being and livelihood. Proposals must be submitted by May 15, 2020. Visit The Lion's Share website to download the call for proposals and submission template in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.
Funds to Bolster COVID-19 Response in Member Countries and Muslim Communities
Islamic Development Bank: Transform Fund 2020
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development bank working to improve lives by promoting social and economic development in Member countries and Muslim communities worldwide. The Transform Fund Call for Innovation 2020 will focus on supporting the IsDB's Member Countries long-term preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interests include the adaptation of advanced technology, innovative health supply chain management systems, development of low-cost rapid tests and screening methods, and capacity building interventions. Applications should be linked to tackling COVID-19 in relation to the following six UN Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable Energy and Clean Energy, and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Anyone may apply for a grant; startup companies legally registered as a corporation are eligible to apply for an equity. Submissions end June 1, 2020. Visit the IsDB website to review the call.
Challenge Seeks Technology Solutions for the Coronavirus
COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge
The COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge, an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with Hackster.io, is calling on Hackster's global community to support developing countries through the sharing and transfer of open source technology. The Challenge has three priority actions: 1) design replicable, low-cost tools to aid in coronavirus detection; 2) flatten the curve in communities with preventive solutions; and 3) reduce the disease's impact on the economies of these vulnerable areas. Winners can receive up to $25,000 in prizes. Submissions close on June 30, 2020. Visit the Hackster.io website to learn more about the Challenge and register as a participant.
Support for Women-Identifying Journalists in Need
International Women's Media Foundation: Journalism Relief Fund
The mission of the International Women's Media Foundation is to unleash the potential of women journalists as champions of press freedom to transform the global news media. The Journalism Relief Fund provides small grants to women-identifying journalists in dire straits who have faced significant financial hardship, lost work, were recently laid off, or who urgently need assistance to avoid severe, irreversible outcomes. The Fund provides living assistance to prevent homelessness and food insecurity and support for acute medical care and mental health services, childcare, and legal needs. Requests for assistance may be submitted at any time and are reviewed daily. Visit the Foundation's website to review the eligibility criteria and start the online application process.
For more grant opportunities, visit our COVID-19 Related Funding page.
Global Funding Opportunities
Call Seeks Global Approaches to Address U.S. Challenges
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Global Ideas for U.S. Solutions
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has issued a call for proposals entitled "Global Ideas for U.S. Solutions: Cities Taking Action to Address Health, Equity, and Climate Change." Through this $3 million funding opportunity, the Foundation aims to bring the most impactful ideas from across the globe to U.S. cities to address the intertwined issues of health, equity, and climate change. The Foundation seeks proposals that foster learning and stimulate action in U.S. cities around smart, effective approaches from abroad that mitigate the unequal health risks posed by climate change. Specifically, proposals should explore changes in city planning, policies, and programs that address buildings and energy, land use and urban planning, transportation, waste, air quality, and food systems and food security. Proposals are encouraged from both U.S.-based applicants to adopt or adapt a successful approach from outside the United States, and from non-U.S.-based applicants with a successful approach that could work in the United States. The application deadline is May 28, 2020. Visit the Foundation's website to review the call for proposals.
Marine Conservation Initiatives Supported
Waitt Foundation
The Waitt Foundation envisions sustainable, resilient, and thriving seas that benefit all. The Foundation offers support through the Rapid Ocean Conservation Grants Program, which provides small grants with a quick turnaround time for solutions to emerging marine conservation issues. The focus is on marine protected areas and sustainable fishing, including the sub-themes of scientific research, policy, management, and communications. Applicants must have an affiliation with an academic institution or non-governmental organization. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly. Visit the Foundation's website to review the grant criteria and apply online.
Funding Available for Independent Filmmakers Worldwide
FILMMAKERS WITHOUT BORDERS
FILMMAKERS WITHOUT BORDERS (FWB) is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of digital storytellers. FWB filmmaking grants provide support for independent filmmakers to share their stories. Funds are available for narrative, documentary, experimental, and new media projects in various stages of production. Proposed projects should address one of the following themes: social justice, women's voices, youth voices, identity, cultural exchange, or climate change. Applicants from any country are encouraged to apply. The upcoming application deadlines are June 1 and August 1, 2020. Learn more about the funding guidelines and application process by visiting the FWB website.
Prize Recognizes Water and Sanitation Solutions
RELX Environmental Challenge
The RELX Environmental Challenge is awarded to projects that best demonstrate how they can provide sustainable access to safe water or sanitation. Projects must have clear practical applicability, address identified need, and advance related issues such as health, education, or human rights. There is a $50,000 prize for the first place entry and a $25,000 prize for second place. The Challenge is open to individuals or organizations operating in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Applications must be submitted by July 10, 2020. Visit the RELX website to download the official rules and apply online.
Regional Funding Opportunities
Funds to Combat Plastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea
Beyond Plastic Med
Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed), an initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Tara Ocean Foundation, Surfrider Foundation Europe, IUCN, and the Mava Foundation, aims to reduce plastic pollution at source by supporting effective solutions for a healthy Mediterranean Sea. BeMed has issued a call for projects to support initiatives implemented by or in close collaboration with local actors in countries around the Mediterranean involved in the fight against plastic pollution. Projects must target and have a significant impact on a Mediterranean island or a group of islands, without priority of size. Support is provided for actions that are part of a project already under way, complementing a completed project, or replicating actions that have proven to be effective. Applications must be submitted by June 21, 2020. Visit the BeMed website to download the application folder.
Support for Ape Conservation and Awareness in Selected Countries
Arcus Foundation: Great Apes & Gibbons Program
The Arcus Foundation believes that respect for diversity among peoples and in nature is essential to a positive future for the planet and all its inhabitants. The Great Apes & Gibbons Program aims to achieve conservation and respect for the great and small apes. This is accomplished by ensuring that viable populations of great apes and gibbons are protected from extinction and living in habitats that are managed sustainably and integrated with economic development objectives, and that there is international commitment to effectively support the captive care of great apes in sanctuaries and not tolerate their use in entertainment or invasive medical research. The focus is on priority ape-range landscapes across 18 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as two countries—the United States and Kenya—where apes are held in captivity outside of their range. Support is provided for holistic, collaborative, and long-term approaches by a range of actors from the conservation and other sectors to promote behavior change, including development of policy and legal challenges; strengthening tools, monitoring, and law enforcement; engaging local communities and leaders in improved and sustainable livelihoods; and developing strong public awareness and thought leadership. Initial Funding Concepts may be submitted online at any time. Visit the Foundation's website to review the geographic focus areas and download the program brochure.
Grants Target Jewish Communities in Central and Eastern Europe
Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund
The Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund (JHF) aims to empower Jews to enhance Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe, to help them once again contribute significantly to these regions. JHF supports organizations and projects dedicated to facilitating Jewish education, promoting mutual respect between people, and building and ensuring the continuity of Jewish communities in fields including culture, knowledge transfer, and enhancement of non-material infrastructure. JHF has a strong preference to support local organizations in Central and Eastern Europe, including Russia. Applications must be submitted before July 1, 2020. The online applicant portal is available on the JHF website.
Funding Aims to Improve Education Policy in Partner Countries
Education Out Loud
Education Out Loud, an advocacy and social accountability fund of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) managed by Oxfam IBIS, supports civil society to be active and influential in shaping education policy to better meet the needs of communities, especially of vulnerable and marginalized populations. Education Out Loud has issued an open call for concept notes to support civil society roles in promoting the transparency and accountability of national education sector policy and implementation. Funding will be provided for projects and activities seeking to 1) improve the transparency, participation, and accountability of education sector policy dialogue; 2) increase the availability, sources, and variety of information to formulate and act on relevant policy solutions; and 3) mobilize citizens as right holders to play an active role in monitoring implementation of education policies and finance and use this information to hold duty bearers at all levels accountable. Support is provided in GPE partner countries. The deadline to apply is June 19, 2020. Visit the Education Out Loud website to review the Concept Note Guidelines for Applicants.
Government Funding Opportunities
Grants Foster Cooperation Between Government and Civil Society in Belize
Department of State
The Strengthening Government Through Civil Society Engagement program supports projects in Belize that strengthen the partnership between government and civil society organizations to 1) enhance public services; 2) curb human trafficking; or 3) promote anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability. Applications are due on June 3, 2020.
Program Aims to Build Media Capacity in Pakistan
Department of State
The Capacity-building in Countering Disinformation and Fake News program funds workshops, roundtables, and training sessions aimed at improving Pakistani journalists' ability to decipher and counter false narratives, while building their capacity to produce data-driven investigative stories. The closing date for applications is June 8, 2020.
PathFinder: Featured Resource
A library of quality resources designed to help you develop your career path as a grants professional.
Remote Staff: How to Develop a Highly Effective Nonprofit Staff by Promoting High Responsibility and High Freedom
Has your organization recently transitioned to an online work environment? If so, you may want to participate in CharityHowTo's upcoming webinar, "Remote Staff: How to Develop a Highly Effective Nonprofit Staff by Promoting High Responsibility and High Freedom." This webinar focuses on concrete actions to take in order to foster a successful remote nonprofit workforce for an organization. It will be held on Monday, May 18, and Thursday, May 28, 2020.
Upcoming Online Education Trainings
Live Webinars
Unless otherwise noted, all Online Education Trainings are webinars,
are 90 minutes in duration, and are scheduled to begin at 2 PM Eastern Time.
Building the "Total Value" Proposal Budget: A Step-by-Step Framework (NEW)
An A+ proposal budget provides an honest, complete, and clear picture of the total value of everything it takes to do our work successfully. It also stands as an invaluable management and evaluation tool when it comes to running the grant-funded program. So…how do we get there from here? That's the question Maryn Boess will explore in this down-to-earth, myth-busting session. Here is what you'll take away from this session: You'll understand the importance of taking a "total value" approach to budget-building, to clearly and compellingly show the value of everything it takes to do our work successfully. You'll learn why the form the grantmaker gives you is (almost always) the wrong tool for planning your budget—and what you can use instead. You'll have the chance to whip out your calculator and try your hand at thinking through some of the "total-value" challenges in our real-life scenario—some are pretty tricky! You'll get a behind-the-scenes view of how grantmakers evaluate your proposal budget and what your budget tells them about your organization. And we'll clear away the confusion around the value of volunteer time, accounting for "match," handling administrative/indirect costs, and other perennially perplexing budget issues. BONUS: In this session, you'll be introduced to GrantsMagic U's exclusive Master Budget Planning Checklist and Worksheet, a powerful planning tool to help you craft a budget that is comprehensive, realistic, and bullet-proof—and that will work for you, your organization, and your grantmaking partners. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
Grant Reporting, and How to Set Up Your Next Ask (NEW)
The work doesn't stop once you've won a grant! Many funders require grantees to submit reports at regular intervals throughout the year. Not only does this mean more deadlines to keep track of, but submitting a good grant report also requires a solid strategy. Providing data isn't enough—and in this webinar, Alayna Buckner, CEO & Founder of Elevate, will show you how to plan for and put together a report that tells a compelling story and tees you up for your next ask. By the end of this presentation, you'll have a solid understanding of the anatomy of a solid grant report, including real examples; how to track and collect the stories and data you need, and who in your organization should be involved; what you are (and aren't) allowed to change from your original proposal, and what to do if things went off track; how to track reporting deadlines, and plan for reports throughout the year; and how reporting is different now in the era of coronavirus. This training is ideal for anyone new to fundraising and grantwriting for nonprofits. It's also helpful for grantwriting professionals looking for a refresher, volunteer grant reviewers, anyone interested in exploring a career in grantwriting, and those interested in learning a marketable fundraising skill. The webinar will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
The Power of Visual Storytelling
In an age overflowing with technology and lives that move at 80 miles an hour throughout the day, what is it that will make your message stand out? Sharing stories. Research tells us that stories are remembered 22 times more often than facts alone. In this session, Lori L. Jacobwith will take you through the power of visual storytelling. You'll see examples of why sharing facts and stories is more powerful when combined with an image. You'll also learn what works and what doesn't when using visuals in your storytelling. During this presentation, you will learn (1) how much faster the brain processes visual vs. words; (2) four key factors for creating powerful visuals; and (3) what type of articles get 94% more views. This webinar will benefit fundraising and communication staff, especially staff making updates to websites and postings on social media. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
GrantStation Announcements
The latest updates from GrantStation.
COVID-19 Related Funding
We understand the challenges being faced by nonprofits, educational organizations, and individuals across the globe. To help during this unprecedented time we have launched a COVID-19 Related Funding page. Plus, as a longstanding cloud company, we are fully resourced to serve our Members who may be focusing on grantseeking instead of event fundraising due to the growing needs in communities in the U.S. and abroad. As always, our staff is working diligently to provide you with high quality and accurate information about grantmakers across the globe.
Please know that GrantStation Members, as well as our partners and subscribers, are foremost in our minds.
The GS Team
Why is it so difficult to find the time to write and submit strong grant requests?
Do you prefer to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule? If so, GrantStation's Online Education option—the On Demand Course—is right for you! Our library of courses is growing all the time, and includes:
- The Art of Raising Funds From Local Businesses
- Building Your Annual Grants Strategy
- The Golden Key to Successful Grantwriting
Have your priorities changed, or are you trying to acclimate to a work-from-home reality?
Try our FREE course: Creating Time. It's in the same format as our paid courses.
Funding Alerts
GrantStation shares database profiles of local, national, Canadian, and international grantmakers with upcoming deadlines each week. Check out the current Funding Alerts for more grant opportunities!
Information contained in the GrantStation International Insider may not be
posted, reprinted, redistributed, or sold without permission.
Editor: Diana Holder
Contributing Writer: Ashlyn Simmons
COVID-19 Related Funding
Grants Strengthen Pandemic Resilience in Wildlife Rich Areas
Funds to Bolster COVID-19 Response in Member Countries and Muslim Communities
Challenge Seeks Technology Solutions for the Coronavirus
Support for Women-Identifying Journalists in Need
Global Funding Opportunities
Call Seeks Global Approaches to Address U.S. Challenges
Marine Conservation Initiatives Supported
Funding Available for Independent Filmmakers Worldwide
Prize Recognizes Water and Sanitation Solutions
Regional Funding Opportunities
Funds to Combat Plastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea
Support for Ape Conservation and Awareness in Selected Countries
Grants Target Jewish Communities in Central and Eastern Europe
Funding Aims to Improve Education Policy in Partner Countries
Government Funding Opportunities
Grants Foster Cooperation Between Government and Civil Society in Belize
Program Aims to Build Media Capacity in Pakistan