Grants for Global Development

Learn more about grants for global development by exploring Inside Philanthropy’s list of top global development nonprofits below. Subscribers can also explore funders using our Grantfinder Search Tool. Become a member.

Key Funders

Funding Trends

Global development is one of the oldest focus areas of modern philanthropy, and private funding in this area has long been dominated by large foundations engaging in conventional, top-down philanthropy. However, longstanding philanthropic sectors are now evolving as leading funders consider sustainability and equity, while emerging philanthropic leaders emphasize the importance of local decision-making and community solutions. Private philanthropy for global development has always been modest compared to official development assistance, but private grantmakers have moved considerable resources to address some of the world’s intractable problems, like diseases,hunger and inequality.

Traditional philanthropic involvement by large American foundations has been critiqued as a contemporary form of colonialism, as funders attempted to impose Western ideas and Western-led solutions around the world. IP’s Philip Rojc explores this issue in further depth here. Today, a number of the major funders for global development align their giving with the sustainable development goals set by the global community via the U.N. in 2015.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related catastrophes, and the war in Ukraine have all slowed progress toward achieving those goals. Leading private funders have made new pledges to address some of the gaps.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation dominates private funding across this giving landscape with a focus on agricultural development, global health, gender equality and the alleviation of poverty, among other interests. Gates’ recent commitments include support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as for agriculture and food security programs and education of healthcare workers around the world. Digital inclusion is another growing area of philanthropy for global development, as seen in the Gates Foundation’s 2022 commitment of $200 million to expand global digital public infrastructure.

Bloomberg Philanthropies, another major private funder for global development, focuses on diseases and the environment. The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation leads private funding for reproductive health and rights work worldwide. A more recent entrant to the field is mega-donor MacKenzie Scott, who, in just a few years, has made significant contributions in several African nations, Brazil and rural India, with a focus on women and girls, farmers, and socio-economic equity and inclusion.

As in most philanthropic sectors, equity and inclusion are growing priorities. The Ford Foundation, Omidyar Network, and Open Society Foundations have all joined the donor collaborative Funders Organized for Rights in the Global Economy (FORGE), which is dedicated to “funding a future that works for people and the planet.” They are supporting reforms informed by communities and workers to shift the balance of power in the global economy.

The gender justice and climate justice movements have also called for funders to support local and grassroots solutions, an approach taken up by grantmakers modeling an alternative to top-down philanthropy such as the Global Greengrants Fund and Global Fund for Women.

National / Multi-State Funders

ADDAX & ORYX FOUNDATION

The Addax & Oryx Foundation focuses its global development grants on self-sufficiency and economic growth and empowerment.

ADOBE FOUNDATION

Global development grants from the software company’s charitable arm go mostly toward economic security and employment, with an emphasis on technology.

AFRICAN WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT FUND

The African Women’s Development Fund makes grants to women’s organizations throughout Africa and, occasionally, in the Middle East.

ALL WITHIN MY HANDS

All Within My Hands was founded by the members of the heavy metal band Metallica. The organization supports community colleges, foodbanks and disaster relief in the U.S.

ALWALEED PHILANTHROPIES

Alwaleed’s grantmaking for global development works to alleviate poverty, provide famine relief, economic development, health, education, infrastructure, and social entrepreneurship.

ALSTOM FOUNDATION

The Alstom Foundation seeks global development projects focusing on economic development, social development, access to mobility, and access to energy and water.

AMERICAN EXPRESS

American Express’s community servicE initiative works with “nonprofit organizations to build volunteerism into their business model.”

ARGOSY FOUNDATION

Argosy’s stated funding interests include communities in need and human rights advocacy, but it’s open to global development grantseekers working in other areas.

ASHDEN TRUST

The Ashden Trust supports organizations improving the quality of life in poor communities by focusing on sustainable development.

SUSAN AND DONALD BABSON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

An approachable funder that supports diverse efforts in areas of exploitation, poverty alleviation, and social injustice. Tends to award one-year grants, easing entry for new applicants.

CAMERON AND JANE BAIRD FOUNDATION

Not to be confused with the Baird Foundation, the Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation funds a variety of global health and development nonprofits working around the world.

BANYAN TREE FOUNDATION

Global development grants mostly fund access to education, particularly for children and girls in Africa and South Asia.

BEIT TRUST

Global development grants here tend to prioritize issues that affect people in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

BENIFICUS FOUNDATION

Global development and health are smaller areas of giving for the Benificus Foundation, but several organizations have received steady support over the past several years.

BERGMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Bergman Family Foundation’s grantmaking funds educational, religious, and global humanitarian causes. The Foundation’s global grantmaking appears to prioritize African poverty and economic development.

BLACKROCK PHILANTHROPY

BlackRock Philanthropy typically supports larger global development organizations.

BLOSSOM FUND

The Blossom Fund prioritizes giving to organizations that address women’s economic justice, and development in Central America and Mexico. Prioritizes local/grassroots groups that may have a hard time obtaining grants elsewhere.

BOEING COMPANY

Major grantmaking areas of interest involve access to quality K-12 education and early learning programs, economic growth and improving access to healthcare.

BOHEMIAN FOUNDATION

This collaborative funder prioritizes public health, poverty alleviation and economic stability.

HOWARD G. BUFFETT FOUNDATION

Buffett backs global projects in conflict mitigation and agriculture-related food security programs. Grants often support groups working in Africa and Latin America.

ANN CAMPANA JUDGE FOUNDATION

The Ann Campana Judge Foundation supports organizations that work toward developing community water supplies and community sanitation in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua.

CAMPHILL FOUNDATION

Camphill awards modest grants to groups that build and restore schools in an effort to improve access to quality education in developing countries.

CAPITAL GROUPS COMPANIES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Capital Groups Companies Charitable Foundation invests in a variety of global development organizations located in the United States and working abroad. It prefers a broad approach and does not maintain specific grant programs.

CARGILL INC.

Cargill funds organizations that address hunger, improving nutrition, and increasing agricultural productivity.

CATERPILLAR FOUNDATION

The Caterpillar Foundation’s global development grantmaking centers on improving access to water and sanitation and has funded big WASH players like charity:water and Water.org over the years.

CHANEL FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the famed fashion house prioritizes grantmaking on economic resources, women, health and social protection, leadership, culture and sport, and emergencies.

CHEVRON FOUNDATION

Chevron’s Health program primarily supports programs and organizations that improve the well-being of Chevron employees; however, Chevron also makes health grants in communities around the world in which the company has a presence.

CHILD HEALTH FOUNDATION

Child Health seeks to prevent pervasive childhood illnesses around the world. Current funding priorities include malnutrition, enteric diseases related to water and sanitation, and respiratory diseases.

CHILDREN’S INVESTMENT FUND FOUNDATION

The foundation’s grantmaking priorities include education, healthcare, child survival, and nutrition. Most of CIFFs grantmaking revolves around helping children in the developing world.

CHINO CIENEGA FOUNDATION

Somewhat inaccessible funder prioritizes climate change, environmental sustainability, conflict avoidance/reconciliation, culture and youth, and sustainable development.

CHRISTENSEN FUND

The Christensen Fund supports the rights and efforts of indigenous peoples around the world.

CISCO FOUNDATION

Cisco awards grants to NGOs that foster economic development in marginalized communities around the world. It also supports education, economic empowerment, and critical human needs.

CITI FOUNDATION

A difficult funder for newcomers and smaller organizations, Citi’s global development grantmaking supports financial inclusion efforts and those related to increasing economic opportunities for young people.

CLARA LIONEL FOUNDATION

The Clara Lionel Foundation supports climate resilience, disaster relief, racial justice, global health, immigrants and refugees, and other issues of interest to the founder in the U.S., the Caribbean and other countries around the world, particularly in Africa.

COCA-COLA FOUNDATION

The foundation heavily emphasizes global development projects related to women’s empowerment, youth empowerment, clean water access, and conservation.

COLLETTE FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the travel company, this funder focuses on getting kids food and other basic needs, particularly education. It seeks new local/grassroots outfits to support each year.

COMIC RELIEF U.S.

This U.K.-based funder supports global groups that address the root problems that contribute to the generational cycle of poverty. It also conducts work with U.S.-based organizations.

COMIC RELIEF U.K

This U.K.-based funder supports global groups that address the root problems that contribute to the generational cycle of poverty.

CONSERVATION, FOOD AND HEALTH FOUNDATION

The Conservation, Food and Health Foundation offers global development grants to organizations that work in least-developed countries around the world.

EVAN CORNISH FOUNDATION

This funder’s global development grantmaking focuses on food security, “root causes” of social and economic inequality, sustainable livelihoods, and gender equality.

CS FUND/WARSH MOTT LEGACY

The majority of the CS Fund/Warsh Mott Legacy food sovereignty grants support organizations working in the Global South.

CUMMINS FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the global power company makes grants to empower marginalized and underprivileged populations around the world.

DALIO PHILANTHROPIES

Dalio largely focuses on supporting orphans in China, but has also supported other global problems, which include polio eradication, microfinance, disaster relief, and conflict areas.

DEBLEY INC.

This funder primarily supports women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation. It might be tough for first-timers to get in the door as Debley tends to support existing grantees year after year.

JOHN DEERE FOUNDATION

Though many of its investments are domestic, the foundation still makes international grants every year in the areas of disaster relief, agricultural education, and agricultural technology as a means to reduce hunger.

MICHAEL AND SUSAN DELL FOUNDATION

Dell awards grants to organizations that address poverty, improve health care, expand educational opportunities, and increase family economic stability in India and South Africa.

DESAI FOUNDATION

The Desai Foundation’s grantmaking focuses on women and children in India.

DISABILITY RIGHTS FUND

Some of the DRF’s grantmaking supports the adoption of legal standards for the treatment, education and participation of disabled people in developing countries.

DOUGLAS B. MARSHALL JR. FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Marshall Jr. Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting education and related research projects in developing countries. It also focuses on factors that impact educational outcomes, such as food and water.

DRAPER RICHARDS KAPLAN FOUNDATION

Draper focuses on early-stage NGOs, and seeks grantees whose work has the potential to create effective, scalable solutions to pressing social problems in the U.S. and abroad.

DROPBOX FOUNDATION

This funder funds broadly in this space rather than name specifics – for now.

JOHN & ANNE DUFFY FOUNDATION

This funder tends to award modest grants to larger INGOs operating poverty alleviation efforts. It also supports groups working in food security, access to education and sustainable agriculture.

DUME WOLVERINE

A relatively small funder that tends to support large international organizations that take a broad-based approach to development issues.

EAGLEMERE FOUNDATION

Though this funder prioritizes environmental giving, it awards some grants in the development space, predominately for the general operations of large international groups.

ECOM FOUNDATION

ECOM is concerned with helping rural farming communities gain access to social services, education, healthcare, and sustainable agricultural practices.

eBAY FOUNDATION

The eBay Foundation invests in organizations whose work center on the intersection between entrepreneurship and technology to benefit vulnerable and marginalized populations. Its interests range from economic and global development, to refugees, the LGBTQ community, among others. It’s global development grants tend to focus on developing economic stability and opportunities amongst under-represented populations.

ELMA RELIEF FOUNDATION

ELMA awards grants to groups focusing on the health and well-being of Africa’s children. Main areas of funding interest include education, healthcare, and basic needs.

ELSEVIER FOUNDATION

The Elsevier Foundation’s global development grants generally support organizations working toward achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.

EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION

EMpower supports groups that are working to improve the lives of at-risk youth ages 10 to 24 in emerging market countries by funding projects related to education, health, well-being, and improving livelihoods.

FEMSA FOUNDATION

FEMSA largely supports water projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. It works on watershed conservation, disaster response, and projects related to safe water and sanitation.

FIRELIGHT FOUNDATION

This foundation’s global development funding centers on women and girls. Adolescent girls’ empowerment, ending child marriage, and various education efforts tend to garner support here.

FLAHIVE FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder’s global development grants tend to focus on education in Sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti.

FLORA FAMILY FOUNDATION

This foundation, endowed with Hewlett money, awards limited grants to support work in developing countries. The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. Grant proposals are considered by invitation only.

J.C. FLOWERS FOUNDATION

The J.C. Flowers Foundation works with a wide range of partners to solve critical health and social problems affecting hard to reach, or “last mile,” communities. The Foundation’s global giving focuses its efforts on the cross border communities of Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

FLUOR FOUNDATION

An approachable funder that supports basic human needs and local community development, but only in places where the parent company operates.

FORD FOUNDATION

Ford makes grants to global development projects with an eye on empowering marginalized populations, mainly in developing nations. Ford has restructured its grantmaking to focus on global inequality in all forms.

FRIEDKIN CONSERVATION FUND

The Friedkin Conservation Fund also supports its mission by developing local communities in wildlife conservation regions and promoting engagement with the protection of their natural landscape.

GATES FOUNDATION

The Gates Foundation is a large, multi-faceted funder. It awards many grants annually to organizations that work on a range of social, economic, and health issues in the developing world.

GE FOUNDATION

The GE Foundation invests in global development organizations that work in least developed and developing countries across the globe.

JOHN F. & MARY A. GEISSE FOUNDATION

Approachable family funder established by Target’s founder supports a few major organizations but tends to prioritize smaller and grassroots organizations that address poverty alleviation and clean water in developing countries.

GENERAL MOTORS FOUNDATION

GM’s global development predominately funds projects that address low-income groups.

GERE FOUNDATION

The Gere Foundation does not name specific goals for its global development grantmaking, but tax filings reveal a broad interest in this area.

GHR FOUNDATION

GHR supports children and families, Catholic sisters, and seeks to strengthen communities and religious leadership. Most of its often sizable grants are awarded to religious-based groups.

WOMEN FIRST (FORMERLY VIRGINIA GILDERSLEEVE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION)

Dedicated to grassroots women’s empowerment organizations that are led by women. This is a great funder for small groups or those just starting out.

GIUSTRA INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

The Giustra International Foundation supports global organizations focused on global development, humanitarian and disaster relief, and security and human rights.

GIVE2ASIA

About 40% of Give2Asia’s grant facilitation concerns human rights and development in the 23 nations where the organization operates.

GLOBAL CATALYST FUND

Global Catalyst makes tech-heavy grants to groups working in the fields of poverty alleviation, social tolerance, and diversity projects around the world.

GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN

The Global Fund for Children approaches global development matters from a grassroots perspective as they relate to the world’s most vulnerable children.

GLOBAL HEARTHWORKS FOUNDATION

The Global Hearthworks Foundation invests in improving cookstoves and clean burning household fuels.

GOLDMAN SACHS

Goldman Sachs supports global development via the Goldman Sachs Gives program, which operates as a donor-advised fund directed by Goldman Sachs’s senior and retired executives.

HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION

Goldsmith’s grants in this space tend to focus on global poverty alleviation. Grants are awarded to groups working in developing countries, but Goldsmith appears to favor Africa in its grantmaking.

GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION

This funder’s reach encompasses most of the globe and focuses on schools and education, small and micro-enterprise, health and safety. It largely supports small/grassroots organizations, but occasionally supports larger organizations.

GREENBAUM FOUNDATION

The Greenbaum Foundation invests in animal advocacy, animal abuse prevention, animal sanctuaries, human rights and trafficking, human health, and education.

GREEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Supports global health and development efforts revolving around access to healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, and sustainable activities that create self-sufficient communities.

HALLORAN PHILANTHROPIES

Halloran focuses its global development on energy and water, education, community innovation, entrepreneurship, health, and business innovation.

GEORGE HANLEY FOUNDATION

Its global grantmaking in this area supports “clean energy access, sustainable agriculture, and women’s equality” in the developing world.

HASBRO CHILDREN’S FUND

Hasbro Children’s Fund’s global grantmaking takes the form of “grants, sponsorships, product donations and/or volunteer engagement” in countries where Hasbro has a corporate presence.

DOROTHEA HAUS ROSS FOUNDATION

The Dorothea Haus Ross Foundation funds both small and large community organizations that work with vulnerable children in order to secure their health, safety, and development.

HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST

Helmsley’s global health grantmaking is limited to select African countries and focuses on food security, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, and neglected tropical diseases.

WILLIAM AND FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION

Hewlett’s top funding priorities in the global development space are women’s empowerment, pushing for greater government transparency and accountability, and more effective policymaking processes.

CONRAD N. HILTON FOUNDATION

The foundation’s global development grantmaking supports the work of Catholic sisters around the world, safe water, and disaster relief.

CHARLES EVANS HUGHES MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

Hughes does not have a separate global development program. Instead, it makes its global development related grants more generally to organizations that address development and environmental rights or justice.

ROY A. HUNT FOUNDATION

The Hunt Foundation’s international development program works to “improve the socio-economic welfare and holistic well-being of women and children living in poverty in developing countries.”

IMPACT LEBANON

The Impact Lebanon supports various efforts to support the Lebanese community through initiatives related to activism, volunteerism and diverse programming.

INDIGO TRUST

Supports technology-driven projects to narrow the income gap and digital divide in Africa. Indigo often supports small organizations, which makes it an excellent funder for newer and grassroots organizations.

INNOCENT FOUNDATION

U.K.-based Innocent Foundation funds programs that address food insecurity and severe acute child malnutrition. Supports only U.K.-registered organizations.

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

An approachable funder that focuses its global development grantmaking on health, education and economic security. However, its giving features specific geographic limitations.

IROH FOUDNATION

The IROH Foundation, formerly Ra5, supports “emerging organizations” working in global development and global health.

ISORA FOUNDATION

Isora supports organizations promoting improved health, education and economic development. Isora also supports groups advocating for social justice.

VIOLET JABARA CHARITABLE TRUST

The trust awards grants to groups focusing on economic development, reproductive health, women’s welfare, peacebuilding, microfinance, social entrepreneurship, and education in the Middle East.

JACKMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Jackman does not identify specific areas of global development grantmaking. However, it seems to prioritize intersecting concerns such as healthcare and extreme poverty.

JEPHCOTT CHARITABLE TRUST

This U.K.-based funder supports organizations working in the fields of population control, education, and health.

JOCHNICK FOUNDATION

The Jochnick Foundation invests in global development organizations that address people living in developing countries.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON FAMILY OF COMPANIES FOUNDATION

Internationally, Johnson & Johnson’s philanthropy focuses on projects related to women and children’s empowerment, disease prevention, and strengthening the global healthcare workforce.

JP MORGAN CHASE

This funder’s global development grantmaking centers on financial stability and workforce readiness. It tends to support major organizations but has also funded smaller groups.

KANS AND KANDY CHARITABLE TRUST

Funds education and poverty-alleviation projects with a focus on least developed countries.

KHAKI FOUNDATION

The Khaki Foundation was created to aid the most vulnerable members of society with essential needs and educational endeavors to alleviate poverty and suffering.

LACEWING FOUNDATION

Support is usually modest, going to small and grassroots groups that provide health and education programs for women and children around the world.

LAUDER FOUNDATION

Lauder gives globally, most often to the Aspen Institute.

LAWRENCE FOUNDATION

Mainly funds efforts in poverty alleviation and healthcare, with a smaller number of grants to disaster relief.

LEGACY ALCOA FOUNDATION

Addresses various sustainability-themed projects such as mass transit in urban areas and recycling. The foundation makes investments in the 31 countries where its corporate arm conducts business.

LEMELSON FOUNDATION

The Lemelson Foundation supports work and economic opportunity via its entrepreneurship and regional ecosystems funding areas.

LUSH COSMETICS

The cosmetics company Lush focuses its philanthropic giving on environmental conservation, animal welfare and human rights.

MARQUIS GEORGE MACDONALD FOUNDATION

MacDonald supports diverse global development causes, but poverty alleviation appears to be a priority. Often supports large international development organizations.

MAI FAMILY FOUNDATION

Mai awards grants toward poverty alleviation efforts in poor countries. The foundation also makes program-related investments, which can be substantial.

MARR-MUNNING TRUST

The U.K.-based Marr-Munning Trust seeks organizations that work to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable and marginalized populations in least developed countries.

MARS WRIGLEY FOUNDATION

Mars funds global Development initiatives that work to improve “lives in mint- and cocoa-growing communities and the local communities in which Mars Wrigley operates.”

MARY’S PENCE

This is a grassroots funder that supports the social, physical, and economic well-being of women in North America, Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

MASTERCARD FOUNDATION

Entirely independent from the credit card company, the MasterCard Foundation focuses its global development grantmaking on financial inclusion, education, and youth livelihoods.

MATTEL CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION

Grantmaking priorities for the venerable toymaker are children’s health, literacy, and after-school programs. The foundation awards grants to NGOs working in the approximately 150 countries where Mattel operates.

McCONNELL FOUNDATION

McConnell’s global funding interests are divided between peace-building and conflict resolution in Nepal, water, sustainable livelihoods, and improving justice systems in Laos.

MCJ AMELIOR FOUNDATION

This funder’s global development giving goes to a variety of larger INGOs and smaller groups around the world.

METLIFE FOUNDATION

The MetLife Foundation supports programs that alleviate poverty, empower women, and foster financial inclusion, as well as to increase kids’ financial understanding.

MEYER FAMILY FUND

The Meyer Family Fund’s global development related grants typically focus on economic stability and sustainability.

NEIL AND AMELIA MCDANIEL CHARITABLE TRUST

McDaniel tends to support large INGOs that address poverty alleviation in least-developed countries, but grants are fairly modest.

MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION

Aims to improve the livelihoods of local communities in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America with a heavy emphasis on natural resources and agriculture.

MICROSOFT PHILANTHROPIES

Global development funding here supports work on access to technology in finance, healthcare, payment systems, education, and agriculture.

MOODY’S FOUNDATION

This foundation’s grants for global development focus on financial literacy and small businesses.

MONEYGRAM FOUNDATION

This funder’s sole grantmaking focus helps vulnerable and disadvantaged children gain access to education and learning resources.

MORGAN STANLEY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operations focuses global development giving on helping kids through access to quality healthcare, education and job skills.

MOSAIC FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the fertilizer company, this funder heavily focuses on improving food security in developing countries by helping smallholder farmers increase crop yields.

MOZILLA FOUNDATION

Mozilla’s grantmaking for global development stems from its Common Voice program, which operates in East Africa and leverages Mozilla’s “open-source voice data set to unlock social and economic opportunities.”

MULAGO FOUNDATION

The foundation operates like a philanthropic venture philanthropy fund to support early-stage organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit, working to help the rural poor by taking proven solutions to scale.

FREDERICK MULDER FOUNDATION

Mulder’s global development grantmaking support projects that address poverty alleviation and institutional frameworks that perpetuate poverty cycles.

NDUNA FOUNDATION

Nduna is a small funder that is keenly focused on helping children, particularly in risky conflict and post-conflict countries in Africa. It has invested in work on education, food security, human rights, and health.

NEW COMMUNITY FUND

The Fund strongly prioritizes programs that advance women’s rights and economic opportunity.

NEW ISRAEL FUND

NIF funds grantmaking for economic development primarily through its Social and Economic Justice focus area. These grants aim to “reduce social and economic gaps as a means of safeguarding democracy and building a cohesive society.”

NEW FIELD FOUNDATION

This low-key funder strives to bring transformative change in rural female farmer populations in Africa by advocating for greater access to capital, increased land rights, and freedom from violence.

NEW SOCIETY FUND

Though the New Society Fund does not have a website to guide applicants, tax filings suggest an interest in funding organizations that support economic development, human rights, and renewable energy around the world.

NEXTWORLDNOW

Invests in development projects, including microloans, schools and clean water to benefit marginalized populations in both developing and developed nations.

NIGER DELTA PARTNERSHIP

NDP centers its global development grantmaking on peacebuilding and economic development within the nine Niger Delta region states.

HENRY E. NILES FOUNDATION

Primary areas of international grantmaking at the Henry E. Niles Foundation include education, economic self-sufficiency, access to healthcare, public health, and sanitation.

NOVO FOUNDATION

NoVo’s global grantmaking largely revolves around female empowerment and ending violence against adolescent girls and women.

OMIDYAR NETWORK

The Omidyar Network works on a range of global issues with an eye toward economic and political empowerment. Omidyar engages in both traditional grantmaking and impact investing.

JESSE H. AND SUSAN R. OPPENHEIMER FOUNDATION

Global development grants from this low-profile Texas-based foundation mostly go to larger international groups. Grants are modest, though usually multiyear.

OSPREY FOUNDATION

The Osprey Foundation’s interests are broad, but united by spirituality and a vision of “a world of equality, tolerance, and equanimity.” Global grants are largely focused on water and sanitation issues in developing countries.

PACE ABLE FOUNDATION

The Pace Able Foundation supports global development organizations that focus on financial inclusion and technology.

PALMER FOUNDATION

The Palmer Foundation supports U.S. based organizations working abroad.

PEERY FOUNDATION

The Peery Foundation invests in poverty relief efforts around the world, focusing its grantmaking on sustainable entrepreneurship, education, youth crime and violence, maternal health care, and WASH.

PENTAIR FOUNDATION

This corporate funder focuses on food, water and education in developing countries.

PEPSICO FOUNDATION

Pepsi supports a number of global development challenges in underserved communities around the world including access to water, sustainable agriculture, job readiness, and women’s empowerment.

PATRICIA PRICE PETERSON FOUNDATION

Approachable funder supports programs for youth, especially education, in vulnerable and marginalized communities in Panama and throughout Central America.

PERSHING SQUARE FOUNDATION

The Pershing Square Foundation is keenly interested in backing transformative and sustainable development approaches. This funder likes to be on the cutting edge, and its global giving is growing.

PIMCO FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the investment management firm is dedicated to empowering women and girls, and funds programs that address the disproportionate burden of poverty on women globally.

IRWIN ANDREW PORTER FOUNDATION

A great funder for grassroots groups. Among other areas, IAP focuses its giving on microfinance, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and education.

DAVID AND ELAINE POTTER FOUNDATION

U.K.-based funder that focuses on education, STEM subjects, and teacher training in southern African countries.

PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO FOUNDATION

This foundation focuses its global development grantmaking largely on water and sanitation projects in the world’s least-developed countries and other select regions.

PURLEY OVERSEAS TRUST

This U.K.-based funder awards modest grants to local groups that can accomplish much with limited funds. Interests include farming, healthcare, education and water.

ROBERTSON FOUNDATION

This foundation of a hedge fund billionaire is low profile and difficult to access, but supports a range of global health and development projects, often with substantial funding.

ROCKDALE FOUNDATION

Rockdale supports education, leadership, and children and youth projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Prioritizes groups working in Sierra Leone.

ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION

This well-known major grantmaker invests in NGOs working on various facets of international economic development, including agriculture, energy, and youth unemployment.

ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND

The RBF currently funds two global development initiatives in China and the Western Balkans.

ERICH AND HANNAH SACHS FOUNDATION

The Sachs Foundation’s Micro-Loans initiative primarily supports microlending programs in Central America, South America, and Africa to “develop business and employment opportunities for low income individuals and families.”

ALAN AND BABETTE SAINSBURY CHARITABLE FUND

The Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund supports youth employment, freedom of speech, peacebuilding, and reconciliation.

SALL FAMILY FOUNDATION

Sall concentrates its global development-related grantmaking on lifting smallholder farmers out of poverty. The foundation also supports large international health organizations that work in developing countries.

SATTER FOUNDATION

The philanthropic vehicle of finance couple Muneer Satter and Kristen Hertel, this under-the-radar funder supports education, health, and health policy groups in developing countries.

SC JOHNSON GIVING

Gives mostly small grants for economic development, access to healthcare, education, and lifting up poor and vulnerable populations within the global communities in which the company operates.

SCHOONER FOUNDATION

The Schooner Foundation’s international grants fund human rights, peace-building, global security, and economic opportunity.

CAMERON SCHRIER FOUNDATION

The Cameron Schrier Foundation takes a broad approach toward its global development investments, which prioritize Africa.

ARTHUR B. SCHULTZ FOUNDATION

This is a relatively small NGO that awards grants to organizations working in developing countries in the areas of women’s empowerment and mobility solutions for the disabled.

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

The foundation seeks to improve the lives of at-risk youth, women, and indigenous peoples. It also addresses youth sexual and reproductive health project through its Central America & Mexico Youth Fund (CAMY Fund).

SEEDS, SOIL, & CULTURE FUND

The Seeds, Soil, and Culture invests in smallholder farming organizations that help farmers manage and conserve local seeds and farming knowledge.

M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN FOUNDATION

Supports education reform in Philadelphia, and globally, supports livelihood opportunities, education, food and water access, and agricultural projects in Africa, India, and Central America.

SKEES FAMILY FOUNDATION

Skees concentrates global development grants on poverty alleviation, with a focus on education and job creation. Doesn’t accept unsolicited funding requests, but grants are unrestricted.

SKOLL FOUNDATION

Skoll largely focuses on social entrepreneurs working in one of its areas of interest, which includes education, economic opportunity, health, environmental sustainability, peace-building and sustainable markets.

SMALL FOUNDATION

The Small Foundation focuses its grantmaking on eradicating extreme poverty and chronic hunger in sub-Saharan African countries.

STARBUCKS FOUNDATION

Priority areas include fostering job opportunities for young people, water, sanitation and hygiene, and local community development.

STONE FAMILY FOUNDATION

The majority of global development funding from this U.K.-based foundation goes to WASH initiatives, but some funds also support adult mental health and disadvantaged youth projects.

SUMMIT FOUNDATION

Summit focuses on adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights but also considers gender equality.

SWIFT FOUNDATION

The Swift Foundation’s global grantmaking often centers on indigenous populations and building sustainable local economies.

THOUSAND CURRENTS

Focuses its grantmaking efforts on empowering women, economic development, and climate change as it relates to the lives and livelihoods of local communities.

TINKER FOUNDATION

This approachable foundation supports global development efforts in Latin America. It focuses on giving to projects that support democratic governance, education, and sustainable resources management.

PHILIP AND IRENE TOLL GAGE FOUNDATION

This hard-to-approach funder does not specify areas of grantmaking interest, but it does largely support overseas projects, particularly those that link global health and development.

TOMBERG FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES

The Tomberg Philanthropies awards global development grants to poverty alleviation organizations working in the United States and around the world.

TOSA FOUNDATION

This low-profile funder awards grants to groups engaged in different facets of international development. Though Tosa gives to grassroots outfits, its major development dollars tend to support to larger organizations.

TRAFIGURA FOUNDATION

This foundation uses a broad approach toward its global development grantmaking. It prioritizes rural economic development, education, vocational training, and social entrepreneurship projects that are sustainable.

TRIPADVISOR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The TripAdvisor Charitable Foundation does not name specific goals for its global development grantmaking, but recent tax filings suggest a commitment to projects and organizations that aim to create economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities around the world.

TURING FOUNDATION

The Turing Foundation’s education initiative supports global development with a strong focus on developing countries in Africa.

UBS OPTIMUS FOUNDATION

The UBS Optimus Foundation is a grant-making foundation that offers UBS clients a platform to use their wealth to drive positive social and environmental change. It prioritizes programs that improve children’s health, education and protection, and programs tackling environmental and climate issues.