Beyond USAID: Alternative Funders for Global Development
16 Foundations and 10 Major Donors to Diversify Your Funding
As government funding landscapes shift, many organizations are facing uncertainty and looking for new sources of support. Relying on a single donor—or even a single type of donor—can leave organizations vulnerable to changes beyond their control. Diversification is not just a strategy for financial stability; it’s a way to build long-term resilience and ensure impact.
To support this effort, we’ve compiled a list of alternative funders that may be valuable for organizations working across sectors such as climate, health, human rights, economic development, and more. This includes:
Global major Government donors beyond USAID that support global development efforts
Global Foundations actively funding mission-driven initiatives
This resource is meant to help organizations explore new funding avenues, adapt to changing circumstances, and strengthen their financial sustainability. Download the full lists below.
Global major Government donors
You can download the full list of Government agencies here:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – United Kingdom
The FCDO leads the UK's global efforts to eradicate poverty, tackle global challenges, and promote sustainable development.
Annual Disbursement: £15.3 billion (approximately $19.1 billion) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2023. The 2025/6 budget will remain capped at 0.5%
How they fund: FCDO disburses mostly in grant form, while British International Investment (BII) provides equity, debt, and intermediated equity to private sector companies.
Key Sectors/Themes: Governance, health, education, refugee support, humanitarian aid, economic growth, gender equality.
Priority objectives: See the UK Government’s country development partnership summaries (CDPSs) which provide a high-level overview of the FCDO’s development activity, development priorities, and financial information (including budgets and breakdowns of spend) in a given country or region.
How to Apply: FCDO issues funding calls through the UK government’s International Development Funding Finder.
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) – Sweden
Sida is responsible for implementing Sweden's policy for global development, aiming to create conditions that enable poor people to improve their lives.
Annual Disbursement: SEK 56 billion (approximately $5.6 billion) budgeted annually 2024-2026, and SEK 53 billion (approximately $5.2 billion) budgeted annually 2026-2028.
How they fund: SIDA channels a third of funding to non-profits. The vast majority is disbursed as grants. The remaining funding is is directed as sustainable investments through Swedfund, Sweden’s state-owned development finance institution.
Key Sectors/Themes: Human rights, democracy, humanitarian aid, gender equality, health, education, environment, peace, and conflict resolution.
Priority objectives: See Sida's 2024 – 2026 Strategy.
How to Apply: Sida primarily works through framework agreements with partner organizations, and has an annual partnership call. Occasional calls for proposals are issued through its website.
JICA coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan, focusing on economic and social development in developing countries.
Annual Disbursement: Approximately ¥2.6 trillion (around $19.6 billion) in recent years. ODA expected to increase in 2025.
How they fund: JICA allocates a large share to infrastructure projects through public- private partnerships, In 2023 $16.9 billion went to finance and investment cooperation, with around $822 million disbursed in grants.
Key Sectors/Themes: Infrastructure, economic growth, urban development, disaster risk reduction, health, education, environmental sustainability, peacebuilding, energy.
Priority objectives: Japan’s long-term development objectives are defined in its Development Cooperation Charter, which was revised in 2023.
How to Apply: JICA operates through government-to-government cooperation but also supports NGOs, calls are announced on the JICA website, and often from Japanese Embassies in country.
Global Affairs Canada, under the Department of Foreign Affairs, manages Canada's international assistance programs, supporting sustainable development and poverty reduction in developing countries.
Annual Disbursement: Approximately CAD 15.5 billion (around $10 billion) in 2022/3. Committed to increase ODA annually until 2030.
How they fund: Grant funding to CSOs and financial solutions such as debt, equity and guarantees to clients operating in developing countries through FinDev Canada.
Key Sectors/Themes: Gender equality, climate change, sustainable economic growth, governance, health, humanitarian assistance.
Priority objectives: Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) guides the delivery of Canada’s federal international assistance programming. See all priorities here.
How to Apply: Funding opportunities are posted on the International Development Funding portal. Proposals must align with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and other strategic priorities.
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) – Australia
DFAT manages Australia's international development assistance, focusing on economic growth and poverty reduction in the Indo-Pacific region.
Annual Disbursement: Approximately AUD $6.6 billion (around $4 billion) in recent years. Budget expected to increase over the next 4 years.
How they fund: Grants administered through DFAT, and impact investments through Australian Development Investments.
Key Sectors/Themes: Climate resilience, health security, WASH, gender equality, infrastructure, governance, disaster resilience, Indo-Pacific regional stability.
Priority objectives: Prioritization of neighboring countries in the Indo-Pacific region as well as Southeast Asia. See Australia’s International Development Policy.
How to Apply: DFAT publishes funding opportunities on its website via the Grants Connect portal. Applications involve submitting detailed proposals with risk assessments and monitoring plans.
AFD implements France's development and international solidarity policies, financing projects that improve living conditions in developing countries.
Annual Disbursement: Approximately €13 billion (around $13.4 billion) in 2023 disbursed by AFD Group.
How they fund: 52% of funding goes to non-profits, private sector and local authorities. AFD utilizes a number of innovative financing mechanisms; The French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM)- innovation for global environmental protection and sustainable development, The Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) - solutions tackling the challenges facing vulnerable communities, and Proparco - financing to companies, financial institutions and investment funds in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Key Sectors/Themes: Climate change, biodiversity, energy, health, education, water, governance, gender, and digital development.
Priority objectives: Strategy is based on a world in common vision, which prioritizes funding for non-sovereign actors.
How to Apply: AFD issues calls for proposals via its website.
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – Germany
BMZ is Germany's main institution for international development funding, providing support through technical cooperation via GIZ and financial assistance via KfW to promote sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.
Annual Disbursement: $36.7 billion in ODA funding in 2023, with around $4.1 billion under GIZ, and around $2.1 billion under KfW.
How they fund: GIZ focuses on implementing development projects through technical assistance, capacity building, advisory services, and grant funding for specific programs. KfW provides financial assistance through grants, concessional loans, and investments, often for large-scale infrastructure and economic development projects.
Key Sectors/Themes: Climate change, sustainable economic development, education, governance, renewable energy, migration, digital transformation.
Priority objectives: See GIZ’s 2023-2027 Strategy, and BMZ 2030 Reform Strategy.
How to Apply: GIZ issues tenders and calls for proposals through its website. Applications require technical proposals and capacity assessments.
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) – Norway
Norad is responsible for quality assurance and evaluation of Norway's development assistance, focusing on health, education, and climate change.
Annual Disbursement: Approximately NOK 39 billion (around $4.5 billion) in recent years.
How they fund: 21% of their funding goes to civic society organizations via Norad, while a majority of support for economic development is administered through Norfund, a state-owned investment fund supporting private-sector activities in partner countries
Key Sectors/Themes: Climate and environment, education, health, energy, human rights, gender equality, humanitarian assistance.
Priority objectives: See Noard’s Strategy towards 2030, based on the SDGs.
How to Apply: Norad publishes calls for proposals on its website. Applicants must submit detailed project proposals focusing on outcomes and measurable impacts aligned with Norway’s development goals.
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) – Switzerland
SDC is responsible for Switzerland's international cooperation, focusing on humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and cooperation with Eastern Europe.
Annual Disbursement: Approximately $4.5 billion in ODA in recent years.
How they fund: Two thirds of the ODA budget is administered by SDC and State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO
SECO) to support innovative private-sector initiatives.
Key Sectors/Themes: Humanitarian aid, governance, water, agriculture and food, climate change, health, rural development, migration, private sector development.
Priority objectives: See Switzerland’s 2025-2028 International Cooperation Strategy (renewed every four years).
How to Apply: SDC issues occasional calls for proposals see more information on the SDC partnership page.
The European Union provides funding through various programs under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and NextGenerationEU. These funds support projects across sectors like research, innovation, digital transformation, regional development, and sustainability.
Annual Disbursement: The overall budget for 2021-2027 is approximately €1.2 trillion, with additional funds from NextGenerationEU totaling €806.9 billion.
How they fund: A wide range of funding mechanisms including grants, loans, guarantees, and equity investment, and procurement.
Key Sectors/Themes: Sexual and reproductive health and rights, food security, water management, climate action, governance, gender equality.
Priority objectives: Research & innovation, digital transformation, climate, infrastrcture, social inclusion, private sector engagement, humanitarian aid.
How to Apply: All calls for proposals and tenders are published on the European Commission website.
Global Foundations
You can download the full list of foundations here
Economic Development; Social Justice; Education; Climate Change
Belgian foundation supporting social impact initiatives in Europe and the Global South.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Around €100 million annually in grants to over 4,000 organizations.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants for nonprofits, research institutions, and social enterprises. Grants range € 5,000 - € 200,000.
Key Themes/Sectors: Social justice and poverty, health, education, youth, democracy, climate change, environment and biodiversity.
Priority Objectives: Strengthening civil society, supporting marginalized communities, and promoting inclusive economies.
Where They Fund: Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
How to Apply: Open calls are listed on the foundation’s website. They launch around 200 calls each year.
Learn more: Before you apply review the priorities for each program areas, and their current strategic vision.
Human Rights; Gender; Environment; Child Protection; Housing and Homelessness
The Oak Foundation commits its resources to address issues of global, social, and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged. Based in Switzerland with offices in Europe, Africa, India, and North America
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Annually disburses over $400 million in grants. In 2023 supported 409 organizations in 40 countries.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants to NGOs, research institutions, and community-based organizations. Grants range $25,000 - $10 million (the average grant award is $600,000).
Key Themes/Sectors: Human rights, environment, child protection, housing and homelessness, and issues affecting women.
Priority Objectives: Supports innovative and sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges.
Where They Fund: Global, special programs on Brazil, India and Zimbabwe.
How to Apply: Potential partners can submit a LOI to introduce their work via the foundation’s website. Occasional requests for proposals are published on their careers page.
Learn more: Before you apply review their program strategies, and latest annual report.
Education; Financial Inclusion; Youth Employment
A major funder of youth employment and financial inclusion in Africa.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: The foundation disburses around $1.3 billion annually. Additional investments are made through the Fund for Resilience and Prosperity, a seven-year $ 126 million fund that was established in 2023.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants, scholarships, impact investments.
Key Themes/Sectors: Education, jobs, fintech, economic resilience agriculture, women’s empowerment.
Priority Objectives: Supporting education and job creation in Africa, programs to support Indigenous youth in Canada.
Where They Fund: Africa-wide, with country programs in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, Uganda, and Canada.
How to Apply: Most foundation programs are currently closed for applications; however organizations can submit ideas that are aligned with the foundations objectives through their contact form. The Fund for Resilience and Prosperity will support SMEs in three upcoming funds: Climate Impact (expected to open early 2025), Digital Economy (due to launch in 2025), and Health (more details to be announced later).
Learn more: See how the foundation partners with organizations and develops programs in their Program Development Guide (section 4), and learn more about the foundation’s strategy.
Health; Climate Science; Sustainability; Innovation
The largest foundation in Denmark, funding medical research, sustainability, and life sciences.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: €1 billion in grants and €200 million in philanthropic impact investments in 2023. Net worth of €150 billion.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants for medical research and social impact projects, annual awards.
Key Themes/Sectors: Health innovation, life science ecosystem, climate and sustainability.
Priority Objectives: Research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases diseases, advance knowledge and solutions to support the green transition in society; and invest in scientific research, education and innovation to enable a world-class life science ecosystem.
Where They Fund: Primarily Europe, with some global projects.
How to Apply: Open calls for proposals listed on website.
Learn more: Before you apply review their program strategies, and latest annual report.
Global Health; Migration; Education; Climate & Democracy
One of Germany’s largest private foundations, funding global development projects.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: €70 million - €130 million annually, with around €35 million in grants to global issues.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants for nonprofits, think tanks, and social enterprises.
Key Themes/Sectors: Health, education, climate change, democracy, inequality, peace and security, and migration.
Priority Objectives: Supporting research, advocacy, and implementation in priority sectors.
Where They Fund: Africa, Asia, and Europe.
How to Apply: Open calls for proposals in specific thematic areas are published on the website. Organization can also submit project ideas through the portal. Organization working on health innovations can submit an idea to the Robert Bosch Center for Innovative Health.
Learn more: Before you apply review the foundation priorities in the three key focus areas: health, education and global issues.
Women Entrepreneurs & Gender Equality
A global program supporting women-led impact-driven businesses that seek to create social or environmental change.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Provide $30,000 - $100,000 grants to over 20 winners and finalists annually.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants and support services for women social entrepreneurs.
Key Themes/Sectors: Women’s economic empowerment, social impact businesses, sustainable development.
Priority Objectives: Funds innovative, scalable, and high-impact business ideas led by women.
Where They Fund: Global. They select three winners from each nine regions (LATAM, North America, Europe, Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa, Anglophone and Lusophone Africa, Middle East and North Africa, East Asia, South and Central Asia, and Oceania), as well as three winners from two themes (Science and Technology Pioneer Award, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion).
How to Apply: Open annual application process with regional and thematic awards. Next round takes place April 18 – June 24, 2025.
Learn more: Before you apply review their impact and learn about past winners.
Sustainable Fashion; Climate Action; Inclusive Economies, Sustainable industries
Swiss foundation supporting the transformation of industries for sustainability and equity.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Around €63 million - €73 million annually to over 300 organizations.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants for sustainable businesses, nonprofits, research and policy organizations. Grants range €50,000 - €1 million.
Key Themes/Sectors: Women’s economic empowerment, social impact businesses, sustainable development.
Priority Objectives: Sustainable fashion, built environment, food, labor rights, financial and capital markets.
Where They Fund: Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America (especially fashion-producing countries).
How to Apply: Interested organizations that align with the foundations work can submit an initial inquiry through the contact form on the website.
Learn more: Before you apply review the priorities for each program areas, and their grant database to learn about past grantees.
Global Health
Founded in 1936, Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health through scientific research and innovation. It funds research and policy advocacy projects that address urgent global health challenges.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: The trust manages £37.6 billion, and in 2024 disbursed £1.1 billion in charitable expenditure.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants to universities, institutions, research councils and other non-profit organizations, as well as individuals. Primarily research funding but also fund innovation and impact-driven programs.
Key Themes/Sectors: Infectious diseases, mental health, climate and health, discovery research on life, health and well-being.
Priority Objectives: Supports cutting-edge science to address health challenges.
Where They Fund: Globally, with a focus on Africa and Asia.
How to Apply: Calls for proposals are posted on their website. Many grants have rolling applications or annual cycles.
Learn more: Before you apply review their guidance for applicants, their strategy, and latest annual report.
Social Entrepreneurship; Invention & Engineering for Social Good
Supports inventors and engineers working on solutions that improve lives and livelihoods in low-income communities in the USA and Globally.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Provides $17 million – $23 million in grants per year.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants for nonprofits, research institutions, and innovation-focused social enterprises.
Key Themes/Sectors: Climate tech, education, engineering, invention-based enterprises, STEM education.
Priority Objectives: Supports innovative technologies that solve global challenges while fostering entrepreneurship.
Where They Fund: Climate and action programs are global, in India and Kenya they fund programs to support impact inventors, and in the USA they support access to invention education as well as entrepreneurship programs for impact inventors.
How to Apply: Selective invitation-based funding however, organizations that believe they are aligned with the foundation’s objectives can submit an inquiry form.
Learn more: Before you apply review their strategic objectives for each of their priority areas: invention education, invention and entrepreneurship, climate action, and engineering for one planet.
Digital Health; Child & Youth Well-being; AI for Social Good
Swiss-based foundation funding innovative solutions for children’s health and well-being.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: CHF 70 million ($76 million) disbursed in grants, and CHF 2.9 million ($3.1 million) in venture philanthropy investments in 2023.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants, challenge funds, research partnerships, investments. Primarily fund non-profits via grants, but also provides investments to early-stage startups.
Key Themes/Sectors: AI for good, digital health, mental health, urban development, education.
Priority Objectives: Four thematic areas: enabling livable and sustainable city systems, enabling a human rights-based digital transformation, promoting mental health and strengthening quality public education.
Where They Fund: Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Israel, Palestinian territories, Romania, Senegal, Tanzania, and Vietnam.
How to Apply: Open funding calls published on website throughout the year.
Learn more: Before you apply read more about their work, and about their approach to supporting purpose-led ventures.
Climate; Education; Health Innovation
The philanthropic arm of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, supporting sustainable growth.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Around $50 million disbursed annually and supports more than 100 programs. Annual challenge funds of around $1.4 million.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants, research funding, challenges, social impact investments.
Key Themes/Sectors: Climate, sustainable finance, health innovation, education, food.
Priority Objectives: Promoting resilience in communities and driving sustainability. Key impact areas; Strengthening Social Resilience and Uplifting Lives, Fostering International Exchange and Enhancing Regional Capabilities, Advancing Science and Protecting the Planet for a Sustainable World.
Where They Fund: Mainly Asia-Pacific and global partnerships.
How to Apply: Open calls are published on their website. Organizations working in key impact areas are invited to send proposals via email. Annual call for the Temasek Foundation’s The Liveability Challenge (TLC) launches at the start of the year.
Learn more: Read more about the foundations focus areas and program areas.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
Entrepreneurship; Economic Development; Women’s Empowerment
A pan-African foundation focused on empowering entrepreneurs.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Around $8 million in seed funding to close to 2,000 African entrepreneurs annually.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants, seed capital, training, networking. They provide 5,000 in seed funding to each grantee.
Key Themes/Sectors: Startups, micro and small businesses, economic inclusion, women entrepreneurs, climate, and green entrepreneurship.
Priority Objectives: Building a strong African entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Where They Fund: Africa.
How to Apply: Annual calls for applications published on website.
Learn more: Before you apply learn about their different programs on their website
Climate; Environment; Open Societies; Arts and Culture
Independent foundation of the Allianz SE Insurance group, headquartered in Germany. The foundation was formed in late 2022 with the merger of the Allianz Culture and Environment foundations, and started operations in 2023.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Total endowment capital of €100 million, in 2023 the foundation disbursed €4.6 million in grants to 55 partners. €5 million funding committed yearly by Allianz SE until 2031.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants ranging €80,000 - €200,000.
Key Themes/Sectors: Civil society, social justice, environment, climate transformation, human rights, diversity, culture, and the arts.
Priority Objectives: Enabling better living conditions for the next generations. Supporting organizations at the intersection of art & culture, civil society, and environmental protection & climate action.
Where They Fund: Europe and the Mediterranean.
How to Apply: Regular calls on specific topic areas are published on their website.
Learn more: Before you apply read more about the foundation’s strategy in their first annual report.
The Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF)
Community Philanthropy; Localization
Small foundation headquartered in South Africa. The GFCF is the only organization focused solely on growing community philanthropy globally as a central pillar of people-led development.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Approximately $1.7 million disbursed annually in grants.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants typically range $7,000 - $20,000, they often provide multiple grants to organizations.
Key Themes/Sectors: Localization, community-based models, community philanthropy, institutional development, locally led emergency response.
Priority Objectives: Promote and support institutions of community philanthropy around the world.
Where They Fund: Global South and Central and Eastern Europe.
How to Apply: Non-profit organizations that have a fit with the foundations objectives are invited to submit a grant idea.
Learn more: Before you send an inquiry, read more about their grantmaking process and their previous grantees.
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
Social Innovation; Early Stage
DRK Foundation is a global venture philanthropy firm supporting early stage, high impact social enterprises.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Around $6 million annually.
Type of Funding Provided: Provide $300,000 in either unrestricted grant or in investment capital for 20-25 organizations per year.
Key Themes/Sectors: Arts & Culture, Civic engagement, economic empowerment, education, food & agriculture, health, social injustice, sustainability, systemic poverty.
Priority Objectives: Funding early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.
Where They Fund: Global.
How to Apply: DRK Foundation accepts applications year round on their website.
Learn more: Before you apply read more on what they fund and take a look at their portfolio.
Social Innovation; Disability Rights; Ocean Conservation
One of Japan’s largest private foundations funded by proceeds of Japanese motorboat racing.
Annual Budget/Disbursements: Approximately $600,000 disbursed annually.
Type of Funding Provided: Grants, fellowships, research support.
Key Themes/Sectors: Maritime conservation, disability rights, education, health, human security, and youth.
Priority Objectives: Funding inclusive social innovation projects
Where They Fund: Mainly Asia and Africa.
How to Apply: Non-profit organizations that have a fit with the foundations objectives are invited to submit an initial inquiry via email before sending a full proposal.
Learn more: Before you send an inquiry, look at the foundations focus areas and past grantees.
Thanks for Sharing 🙏
Amazing list, Eliana. I'll reach out to you on LinkedIn now, about how I might amplify/repurpose this resource to my 75,000 followers. 👏🏽