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Grant Opportunities

How we choose our projects

We support projects that align with our mission to sustain the path out of poverty for women and youth. These projects must also help to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To be eligible for funding, over 50% of the proposed project’s beneficiaries must be women or girls.

2026 Application Update

Returning grant partners: Applications for returning grant partners will be available in the grants portal starting on 30 April 2025. Please visit the grants portal to access the 2026 application.

New organizations: Applications for the 2026 cycle for new partners will be invited through an invitation-only process for funding. We will be extending invitations to apply to organizations who we believe align closely with our mission and strategy.

Organizations who are invited to apply for 2026 funding will be notified from April – June 2025.

Areas of Focus

Our goal is to empower women and youth with fundamental human rights. To accomplish this, we accept grant applications for projects focused on education, livelihood training, and health care. Note: projects funding humanitarian relief efforts are by invitation only.

  • Education

    Our education projects work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow, learn, and prosper.

    We look to empower girls and women through education so they can unleash their full potential within their community. We also educate boys on the critical role girls and women play in families and societies, to break down antiquated norms around gender.

    We fund education projects that focus on the following:

    • Reading, writing, and math programs
    • Financial education, from budgeting to business planning
    • GED training
    • Child educational TV programming
    • Digital advancements for remote learning
  • Livelihood Training

    Our livelihood training projects create economic opportunities and job prospects for women so they can earn their own incomes.

    Livelihood training equips women with the skills and experience they need to rise out of poverty permanently, and bring their families and communities along with them.

    We fund livelihood training that focuses on the following:

    • Computer skills training
    • Customer service training
    • Entrepreneurial strategies
    • Seed money for new businesses
    • Training in specific sectors, like farming
  • Health Care

    We fund projects that ensure proper access to health care for women and girls, including reproductive care.

    When women are at their healthiest, physically and emotionally, they can also succeed economically. No one should fear losing their job in order to take care of their physical or mental health.

    We fund health care projects that focus on the following:

    • Protecting reproductive rights
    • Providing healthcare to homeless populations
    • Providing access to free or low-cost care
    • Providing mental health assistance
    • Supporting emotional health and building self-esteem

Our education projects work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow, learn, and prosper.

We look to empower girls and women through education so they can unleash their full potential within their community. We also educate boys on the critical role girls and women play in families and societies, to break down antiquated norms around gender.

We fund education projects that focus on the following:

  • Reading, writing, and math programs
  • Financial education, from budgeting to business planning
  • GED training
  • Child educational TV programming
  • Digital advancements for remote learning

Our livelihood training projects create economic opportunities and job prospects for women so they can earn their own incomes.

Livelihood training equips women with the skills and experience they need to rise out of poverty permanently, and bring their families and communities along with them.

We fund livelihood training that focuses on the following:

  • Computer skills training
  • Customer service training
  • Entrepreneurial strategies
  • Seed money for new businesses
  • Training in specific sectors, like farming

We fund projects that ensure proper access to health care for women and girls, including reproductive care.

When women are at their healthiest, physically and emotionally, they can also succeed economically. No one should fear losing their job in order to take care of their physical or mental health.

We fund health care projects that focus on the following:

  • Protecting reproductive rights
  • Providing healthcare to homeless populations
  • Providing access to free or low-cost care
  • Providing mental health assistance
  • Supporting emotional health and building self-esteem

Grant Portal for Applicants

All grant applications must be submitted via our online grant portal. For the 2026 process, returning applicants can apply here. New organizations will receive an invitation with a link to apply.

How We Evaluate Applications

Our grantees must fall into one of the following categories:
  • A US-based 501(c)(3) organization
  • A United Nations agency or program
  • An international organization with a US-based 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
For organizations that meet this requirement, our Board of Directors uses the following criteria to evaluate applications:
  • Alignment with our mission to end poverty by empowering women and youth
  • Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Strong track record of success over a 3-year period or an extended pilot period
  • Sustainability with access to additional resources
  • Ability to track impact of the project or organization through reporting of results
  • Direct impact to women and children in need, with long-term benefits
  • Priority will be given to projects based in the following specific strategic locations: Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, New York City, Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, DC

2026 Grants Timeline

Application process opens by 30 April 2025. All applications are accepted through our online grants portal. Applications are due by 4 June 2025.

  • New Applications
    1 May–17 May
    Complete eligibility quiz
    17 May–15 June
    Complete full application
  • Returning Grant Partners
    1 May–15 June
    Complete full application
1 May–17 May
Complete eligibility quiz
17 May–15 June
Complete full application
1 May–15 June
Complete full application

New Applications

1 May–17 May
Complete eligibility quiz
17 May–15 June
Complete full application

Returning Applicants

1 May–15 June
Complete full application
30 April
Application process opens
4 June
Applications due
Mid-June through July
Virtual meetings or site visits
September
Financial reviews begin
October
Board decisions made 
November
Grantees notified
December
Funding delivered 

Frequently Asked Questions

New organizations will be invited to apply via a link. All applicants must apply via our grant portal and complete the eligibility survey. Once eligibility is met, the applicant will be prompted to complete the application. Applications are open to returning grant partners who have received funding in the last four years (from Program Year 2021 onward). Please visit the grants portal to check eligibility and to reapply.
The Foundation prioritizes funding projects in Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, New York City, and the Greater Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia area. That said, we occasionally fund projects in strategic locations that fall outside of these priority regions.

To be eligible for funding, over 50% of the proposed project’s beneficiaries must be women or girls.

After we have confirmed that you meet our eligibility criteria, you will need to share your organization’s financials, a detailed program proposal, a program budget, and measurable objectives.  

Invited applicants will be able to view the application and any updated or relevant instructions in the grants portal. The UNFCU Foundation team is available to answer any questions as your organization completes the application at grants@unfcufoundation.org.

Please refer to the timeline above the FAQ section of the website.
Returning applicants will have the option to copy select answers into this year’s application. We strongly encourage applicants to double check those answers to ensure accuracy and make updates accordingly. Please access the grant portal for more details.
Prior grant partners of the UNFCU Foundation within the last four years are eligible to apply via the returning application.
Projects which combine poverty alleviation strategies (through livelihood training, education and health care) with attention to positive impacts to the environment. Examples may include, but are not limited to: sustainable farming practices, development of green businesses, and programs which counter adverse impacts of climate change.
No. The applying organization should be the organization implementing the program. We have provided space in the application for the fiscal sponsor. Note, the EIN number of the fiscal sponsor must be provided.
No. Application information can be saved within the system and the use can return to the application to finish at submit at another time. Applications can be submitted early but will not be accepted after the due dates stated above.
Due to the volume of processing applications, we are not able to address questions by phone. However, please feel free to send clarifying questions regarding the application process to grants@unfcufoundation.org. For technical questions or issues with using the portal, please email support@foundant.com.

Additional Information for Applicants

Applicant tutorials are available to help navigate the grant application system.

New users: Please select on “Create New Account” to complete the registration process and create your logon credentials.

Existing users: Please enter your credentials and log in. If you forgot your password, please use the “Forgot your Password?” link to the left to reset your password.

Not sure? If you think that you or someone at your organization has already registered in the system, do not create a new account. Please contact us at grants@unfcufoundation.org for assistance.

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