Grants in Nigeria are generally on the increase as many NGOs rely on them to fund their social impact programmes. A grant is a financial award given to an institution or organization by a government or other parastatals for the benefit of a project. Grants remain one of the main revenue sources for NGO, social enterprises and Charities. In this article, we highlight a few grants for NGOs in Nigeria.
1. United States African Development Foundation (USADF) grants
The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) was created by the United States Congress with a mission to provide funds that promote community-based, self-help economic and development activities in Africa. USADF support focuses on community groups and small businesses that actively benefit the marginalized and underserved populations and provides up to $250,000 in grants to these groups in Africa. Marginalized groups refer to people that have significant needs that are not being currently addressed by existing governments programs or parastatals.
USADF provides funding for Agricultural Cooperatives, Community-based Organizations, African Intermediary Organizations as well as Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. These grants usually range between $50,000 and $250,000.
USADF currently operates in 21 African countries: Benin, Mauritania, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Niger, Burundi, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Swaziland, Liberia, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Mali, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
2. Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) grants
One of the many grants in Nigeria, is the AECF which was launched in 2008. It is a development institution grant which supports businesses to innovate, create jobs, leverage investments and markets in an effort to create resilience and sustainable incomes in rural and marginalized communities in Africa and has so far supported 268 companies in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa across sectors of agriculture and Energy.
The AECF targets investments and grants in Agriculture and agribusiness, Renewable energy and adaptations to climate change, Rural financial services and rural communications systems.
3. United State Agency For International Development (USAID)
USAID is the world’s premier international development agency that works advances U.S. national security and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. They provide development assistance and foreign aid to help partner countries on their own journey to self-reliance by providing help to lift lives, build communities, and establish self-sufficiency.
Every year the USAID introduces different programs and grants opportunities for underdeveloped areas of the world with up to $16.8 billion to assist with economic development and humanitarian projects such as the USAID Advancing Nutrition Program that was created to assist underserved communities with key issues relating to malnutrition.
4. Center For International Private Enterprise Grant
CIPE is a non-profit, organization that provides financial assistance to non-government business organizations. The organization was founded on the belief that countries need to build market-oriented, self-reliant & democratic institutions in unison.
CIPE works with local business leaders to expand the opportunity for inclusive growth through market-led solutions with programs that promote a rule-based system which emphasizes principles of democratic governance, enables entrepreneurship, opens trade, and fights corruption. CIPE and its global partner network create knowledge and practical tools to drive local change.
5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) Grants
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization that comprises of 190 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
This organization consists of a grant review committee that ensures that funds are channeled properly and will be used for the right reason before being awarded.
6. United Nations Democracy Funds (UNDEF)
The United Nations is an international organization comprising of 193 member states committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society and promote human rights with grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. These grants are mostly awarded to non-governmental organizations and civil bodies that are aligned with their goals.
Grants are extremely competitive, and applications are scrutinized. As an NGO, consider applying to a large number of them as opposed to a few. In this article, we have reviewed a few grants in Nigeria relevant to NGOs and social enterprises.
