Apply For Funding

What do you do when you have a vision for improving your community — for both today AND for the future — but you don’t have all the skills, tools, or funds to make that vision a reality? 

Those missing puzzle pieces are the barriers standing in the way of far-reaching progress. For your idea to take flight, you need those pieces in place.

Maybe your idea would…

  • Open up profitable opportunities for local farmers

  • Create more jobs and reduce poverty

  • Expand education so today’s children can become tomorrow’s leaders and problem-solvers

  • Provide better quality health care to save more lives

If your vision is a solution that could lift up your community in a sustainable way, we want to hear from you!

“Let us make our future now, and let us make
our dreams tomorrow’s reality.” 

— Malala Yousafzai

Share Your Ideas With Us

Are you a changemaker with a goal to strengthen your community so it can take control of its own destiny? Do you envision a day when your community doesn’t need to rely on outside sources to thrive? If so — and if you’re part of an organization, program, non-profit, faith group, or small business — we encourage you to apply for funding.

We would love to hear your ideas about improving your community as a whole and creating lasting change.

Imagine the thrill of watching all the missing puzzle pieces fall into place. Imagine the excitement of seeing your solution in motion, making the lives of the people around you better. That’s what we want to help you achieve!

SAF’s core focus areas for funding include new approaches to sustainable community development driven by changemakers like you and informed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

SAF also welcomes applications for funding from organizations that promote digital literacy and behavioral health.

If your organization's vision aligns with these Sustainable Development Goals, read on to learn more about funding options and requirements.

“Most who come to our community want to talk to the bosses. And it was quite different when Danika came.
She wanted to talk to people and take the time to understand how they feel.”

— Tebenkana Denis, Farmer & Community Agriculture Development Patron & SAF Changemaker

Funding Options

There are two types of funding available through SAF.

Early Stage/Foundation Funding

(Up to $15,000 USD)

This direct funding from SAF offers a quick turnaround time. We’ll link arms with you and establish a true mentorship to guide you on how to scale your project.

Scale Funding/Crowd-Funding

(Any Amount)

This is ideal when your project already has the research and metrics to support its position as a scalable solution. SAF works with you to attract funding via our website by creating and sponsoring digital and social media campaigns.

Eligibility Requirements 

If you can answer “yes” to all of the following questions, we encourage you to take the next step and submit your application!

  1. Does your project solve a community-identified challenge?

  2. Are you proposing an innovative solution beyond what is currently happening in your community today?

  3. Are you proposing a sustainable solution with the potential to generate ongoing income to drive results? Does your organization’s project activate change that contributes to long-lasting community well-being?

  4. Are you aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?  

  5. Is your project in the early stages of application?

  6. Is your organization willing to partner with SAF for measurement, process improvement, monitoring, and reporting outcomes for the duration of the partnership agreement?

  7. Is your organization legally authorized to conduct business in the country and local environment where the proposed project will take place?

  8. Is the expected budget for the project under $15,000 USD?

Apply for Funding & Tell Us About Your Ideas!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Funding applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there’s no specific due date.

  • In your application, share in detail with SAF how your idea, solution, or program will help to achieve one or more of SAF’s core United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for your community. In your letter of intent (2 pages or less), explain the approach and expected outcomes for your project in its quest for sustainable community development. Please include how you plan to measure the impact (in alignment with SDGs).

  • You’ll receive a receipt notification by email to confirm we received your application. Once your project details are reviewed by SAF, we’ll reach out to you with a decision as well as any funding and timeline details. You can expect to be contacted within two (2) weeks of submission at the email address on the original application form.

    Funding decisions are made on an on-going basis, and timeline to funding is dependent upon application-readiness.

Funding

  • Once your project details are finalized and approved by SAF, we’ll reach out to you with funding details. We’ll contact you at the email address you provided on the original application form.

  • All grant recipients must participate in SAF’s Sustainable Growth Program, which is a collaborative coaching agreement between the changemaker (that’s you!) and SAF. This agreement defines an ongoing structure for

    1. Financial sustainability for the organization receiving the funds

    2.Processes and tools for monitoring and evaluating outcomes

    3. An ongoing strategic roadmap to continue producing benefits

    Each SAF changemaker who receives funds must submit monthly standard reports and participate in scheduled planning and strategy meetings with SAF advisors.

Eligibility

  • Funds and supporting resources will be available to community organizations and programs, non-profits, faith groups, and small businesses with community impact in developing areas of the world. SAF accepts applications from global organizations that meet the eligibility requirements above and want to achieve sustainable goals for their communities. Currently, applications are only being accepted from Uganda. SAF will announce expansion as the model expands and can be shared in other emerging economies.

  • Yes, for-profit organizations can apply for funding! For example, small businesses that are directly contributing to community development through their services are eligible to apply. All organizations that apply must articulate how the funding will create sustainable, positive outcomes for their communities.

  • Yes, SAF welcomes applications from partnerships and groups! In fact, SAF considers them more favorably if the solution creatively uses interdisciplinary approaches to achieve a coordinated sustainable solution. Partnership collective applications are still subject to the $15,000 cap investment for early stage initiatives.

  • Yes! This type of funding would fall under the more flexible Early Stage/Foundation Funding option and would ideally illustrate the prototype efforts for progressing to the next stage of solution development.

  • All applications for funding must align with at least one of the SAF core focus areas:

    1. Innovations in sustainable community development

    2. Business and legacy strengthening

    3. Advocacy for behavioral health, trauma recovery, or bridging the digital divide

    To be considered for funding, the project ideas in your application must be aligned with one of these SDGs. Your proposed project should positively impact the community as a whole.

  • As a previous SAF grant recipient, you may reapply for start-up grant support after two (2) years. (Follow-up crowdsourcing support for a funded project may be considered sooner.) Please note that preference is given to first-time applicants.

Apply for Funding & Tell Us About Your Ideas!