⭐ Category 1: Empowering women and girls
Table of Contents
1. African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
- Country/region: Ghana/all of Africa
- Website: https://awdf.org
- Email: info@awdf.org
- Phone: +233 302 521 257
- Address: Plot 78, Ambassadorial Enclave, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
What they support:
- Women’s rights & leadership
- Girls’ education
- Violence prevention
- Economic independence for women
- Health & reproductive rights
Who can apply:
- Women’s organizations in Africa
- Registered NGOs and CBOs
- Groups led by women
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Unregistered groups
- Projects without a clear gender focus
Deadlines:
- Several calls per year (vary)
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very good opportunities for small women’s CBOs
- Strong emphasis on “women-led”
2. Ford Foundation – Gender, Racial & Ethnic Justice Program
- Country/region: USA/worldwide
- Website: https://www.fordfoundation.org
- Email: office-of-communications@fordfoundation.org
- Phone: +1 212 573 5000
- Address: 320 E 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
What they fund:
- Women’s rights and equality
- Protection from gender-based violence
- Girls’ education and leadership
- Community empowerment for marginalized groups
Who can apply:
- Registered NGOs and CBOs
- Women’s organizations
- Groups with demonstrable community impact
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Projects without a clear gender focus
- Religious missionary projects
Deadlines:
- No open calls; applications by invitation only
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very large foundation, difficult to access
- Good chances through partnerships or recommendations
3. Global Fund for Children (GFC) – Girls’ Empowerment Grants
- Country/Region: United States/Worldwide
- Website: https://globalfundforchildren.org
- Email: info@globalfundforchildren.org
- Phone: +1 202 331 9000
- Address: 1411 K Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005, USA
What they fund:
- Girls’ education
- Protection from violence
- Leadership programs for girls
- Community-based initiatives
Who can apply:
- Small, local CBOs
- Groups that work with children and girls
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Large NGOs
- Projects not related to children or girls
Deadlines:
- Varies; several calls per year
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very open to small organizations
- Ideal for CBOs in refugee camps
4. Global Fund for Women
- Country/Region: United States/Worldwide
- Website: https://www.globalfundforwomen.org
- Email: info@globalfundforwomen.org
- Phone: +1 415 248 4800
- Address: 800 Market Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
What they support:
- Women’s rights worldwide
- Girls’ education
- Protection from violence
- Political participation
- Reproductive health
Who can apply:
- Women’s NGOs
- CBOs with a gender focus
- Groups led by women
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Government organizations
- Projects without a clear gender focus
Deadlines:
- Open calls, usually 1–2 per year
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very professional application process
- Good opportunities for small, local groups
5. International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)
- Country/Region: Australia/Asia & Africa
- Website: https://iwda.org.au
- Email: iwda@iwda.org.au
- Phone: +61 3 8373 2500
- Address: Level 1, 250 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
What they support:
- Women’s rights
- Political participation
- Economic independence
- Protection from violence
Who can apply:
- Women’s organizations
- CBOs with a gender focus
- Groups led by women
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Projects without a feminist approach
Deadlines:
- Project-related calls, usually 1–2 per year
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very professional
- Good opportunities for East Africa
6. Mama Cash
- Country/region: Netherlands/worldwide
- Website: https://www.mamacash.org
- Email: info@mamacash.org
- Phone: +31 20 515 87 00
- Address: Eerste Helmersstraat 17, 1054 CX Amsterdam, Netherlands
What they fund:
- Women’s rights
- Girls’ initiatives
- LGBTQI rights
- Grassroots movements
- Community empowerment
Who can apply:
- Small, local women’s CBOs
- Groups led by women or girls
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Projects without a feminist approach
Deadlines:
- Once a year (usually February–March)
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very open to small, young organizations
- Focus on courage, innovation, and change
7. Segal Family Foundation – Women & Girls Portfolio
- Country/Region: United States/East Africa
- Website: https://www.segalfamilyfoundation.org
- Email: info@segalfamilyfoundation.org
- Phone: +1 609 356 0262
- Address: 12 Roszel Road, Suite C-104, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
What they fund:
- Girls’ education
- Women’s health
- Leadership programs
- Economic independence
Who can apply:
- NGOs and CBOs in East Africa
- Groups with a clear impact on the community
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Organizations outside Africa
Deadlines:
- No fixed deadlines (ongoing review)
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very good opportunities for East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda)
- Strong focus on “community-driven”
8. The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)
- Country/Region: Kenya/All of Africa
- Website: https://femnet.org
- Email: info@femnet.or.ke
- Phone: +254 20 271 2971
- Address: P.O. Box 54562-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
What they support:
- Women’s rights
- Girls’ education
- Advocacy & leadership
- Gender equality
- Community empowerment
Who can apply:
- African women’s organizations
- CBOs with a gender focus
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Projects without a clear gender focus
Deadlines:
- Varies depending on the program
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Particularly suitable for Kenya-based CBOs
- Focus on networking and capacity building
9. The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
- Country/region: Sweden/worldwide
- Website: https://kvinnatillkvinna.org
- Email: info@kvinnatillkvinna.se
- Phone: +46 8 588 891 00
- Address: Slakthusplan 3, 121 62 Johanneshov, Sweden
What they support:
- Women’s rights
- Peace work & conflict prevention
- Protection from violence
- Girls’ empowerment
Who can apply:
- Women’s CBOs
- NGOs in conflict regions
- Groups led by women
What is NOT funded:
- Individuals
- Unregistered groups
Deadlines:
- Varies depending on region
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very good for regions with a history of conflict or displacement
- Strong focus on long-term partnerships
10. Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)
- Country/region: UN-based/worldwide
- Website: https://wphfund.org
- Email: info@wphfund.org
- Phone: Not publicly available
- Address: United Nations, New York, USA
What they support:
- Women in peace processes
- Humanitarian aid for women
- Protection from violence
- Girls’ and women’s leadership
Who can apply:
- Women’s organizations
- CBOs in humanitarian contexts
- Groups working in crisis regions
What is NOT supported:
- Individuals
- Projects not related to women and peace
Deadlines:
- Regular calls (UN-based)
Language: English
Notes for CBOs:
- Very good opportunities for CBOs in refugee camps
- UN standards for reporting and transparency required