Where to Find Grants for International Economic Development
Getting that first grant takes a lot of time and effort for most grant seekers. People all over the world turn to GrantWatch for assistance when looking for funding for nonprofits or small businesses furthering economic development.
The scope of financial assistance grants can include financially struggling individuals, families, communities, or tribes; general operating costs for your nonprofit or small business; and meeting basic nutritional needs.
Other areas to search for international grants include community service grants, education and literacy, workforce development and advancing technology, improving medical conditions, and meeting healthcare needs. You can also find international grants for such critical areas as conflict resolution in war-torn regions of the globe, farming and agriculture to provide for people’s needs, as well as export opportunities for the world market, improving the transportation infrastructure, and expanding a country’s travel and tourism sectors.
The first rule to remember when searching for a grant is to always check your eligibility. Don’t waste time applying for a grant if you don’t meet the funder’s eligibility requirements.
Once you win a grant, finding another is easier due to having gone through the process already, having built a relationship with the funder, having much of the required paperwork already on file, and having gained familiarity with the process.
Grants from US Government to Support International Development
Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, Agencies, and IHEs to Support International Development Strategies, Deadline: 9/11/19.
Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, governmental organizations, and international and multilateral organizations to pilot and test creative international economic development strategies. Funding is intended to support ideas that can dramatically improve or save the lives of impoverished populations in developing countries.
Innovations are not required to be technology-based but should be evidence-based. Other criteria are cost-effectiveness, and that will ultimately reach millions of people and become sustainable – not needing continued outside support.
These grant submissions can include applications to fund:
- New technologies.
- New ways of delivering or financing goods and services.
- More cost-effective adaptations to existing solutions.
- New ways of increasing uptake of existing proven solutions.
- Policy changes, shifts, or nudges based on insights from behavioral economics.
- Social or behavioral innovations.
- Economic Development
Grants for Nonprofits
Nonprofits eligible for international grants can be based in the United States and serve other countries, or based in other countries. There are grants for refugee and immigrant needs, justice, quality of life, disaster relief, and all other categories listed on GrantWatch.
Here are two international grants that can be used for education, community and economic development, social services, the environment, workforce development, and the environment.
Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits for Basic Human Needs and Human Resources Development, Deadline: Ongoing.
Grants in the areas of basic human needs, human resources development, and the promotion of international cooperation. Within this funding category, the Foundation will especially respect trans-national, cross-border activities, local and regional undertakings that may fall outside the reach of the public sector or other donor agencies, and initiatives to tackle pressing issues and long-range or persistent problems that require prompt and systemized care.
Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits for Education,Social Service, Economic Development, and Environmental Programs, Deadline: Ongoing.
Grants to International nonprofit organizations and educational institutions for charitable programs and projects that focus on the areas of education, social services, community and economic development, and the environment. The funding source considers requests for operating, program, capital, or endowment support. Priority is given to organizations that feature employee volunteer participation.
In-Kind Grants:
An In-kind grant is a contribution of goods or services, other than cash grants – that speaks to the expertise or product of the funding source.
In-Kind Grants of Technical Resources and Assistance to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits to Improve Software Operations, Deadline: Ongoing.
In-kind grants of technical resources and expertise to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations to implement a software initiative. This program is intended to help nonprofits improve their operations by increasing efficiency and expanding outreach. Applicants should demonstrate how the project will engage as many users/supporters as possible. This grant is ideal for entities that have a high volume of internet traffic and are looking to expand on it.
This grant is wide in scope. Any project that assists or enables organizations that are focused on improving the well-being of humanity and/or the natural environment are welcome under this grant.
Competition for grants for start-up businesses and nonprofits is steep. Perhaps it’s even higher in Africa than in other areas of the world.
Here are some differences that exist in what’s considered a grant in Africa and some other countries.
Three types of grants African businesses and nonprofits encounter when looking for funding on their continent include direct grants, equity grants, and repayable grants.
Direct Grants:
Direct Grants are cash awards given as part of the start-up capital or budget for expansion of a business. Direct grants are generally given only to those with substantial skin in the game – those who’ve invested a substantial amount of their own money in the total of investment capital required for the project.
Equity Grants:
What Americans would call investment capital is often referred to as “equity grants” by African funders. Here the grant funders obtain partial ownership or equity in the business.
Repayable Grants
When we in the United States talk about grants, we generally refer to money given for a specific purpose that does not need to be repaid. In Africa, and some other countries, some funders offer a type of loan they call “repayable grants.” Repayable grants are offered to business owners, that are to be repaid over a period of time from revenues once a business is up and running. If for some reason the business fails the loan does not need to be repaid.
