Funding Opportunities for Social Impact Projects
By Bongiwe Tutu – Operations Manager at fraymedia Foundation
The recent wave of funding cuts from private philanthropy and government donors has created significant challenges for individuals and organizations worldwide. The evolving funding landscape has intensified the need for innovative funding opportunities to support the sustainability of businesses and civil society organizations.
Despite these challenges, there are numerous initiatives and opportunities available to support various social impact projects across different sectors such as media, entrepreneurship, gender, climate, and technology. These opportunities aim to address critical issues and drive positive change in society.
It is crucial for organizations and individuals to explore diverse funding strategies to build sustainable revenue streams. These strategies include embracing adaptation and innovation, fostering collaboration, maintaining programmatic agility, focusing on local impact, and engaging in policy advocacy.
Here are some funding opportunities worth exploring for advancing your social impact projects:
- Swiss Research Foundation Grant Program – Deadline: June 30, 2025
- Lead2030 Challenge for SDG 6 – Deadline: May 26, 2025
- Network Solutions Youth Empowerment Fund – Phase 2 Grant – Deadline: May 18, 2025
- UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education Grant – Deadline: May 12, 2025
- African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) Economic Justice Grants – Deadline: May 27, 2025
The Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (FSM) offers funding for innovative research on EMF technologies and their effects on health, society, and the environment.
One Young World supports innovations that improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, with a focus on benefiting children and women.
World YMCA offers grants for youth-led solutions addressing local challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on climate change and underrepresented groups.
The UNESCO Prize recognizes contributions to girls’ and women’s education and supports innovative initiatives in this field.
AWDF supports organizations working to promote economic justice and equality for African women and gender-diverse individuals.
These funding opportunities provide valuable support for social impact projects and empower individuals and organizations to drive positive change in their communities. By exploring diverse funding sources and strategies, we can create more sustainable and impactful initiatives for a better future.
