Organizations and Companies that support start-ups and nonprofit organizations with grant.

There are many organizations and companies that support startups and nonprofit organizations with grants. Here are some key ones:

Global Grant Providers for Startups & Nonprofits

1. Government & Multilateral Grants

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Grants – Provides grants for small businesses and startups, especially in research and innovation.

European Commission Grants – Offers funding for startups, nonprofits, and social enterprises under programs like Horizon Europe.

African Development Bank (AfDB) Grants – Supports African startups and nonprofits with funding for development projects.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Provides grants for sustainable development projects worldwide.

World Bank Grants & Funding – Offers funding opportunities for businesses and nonprofits in developing countries.

Global Innovation Fund (GIF) – Provides grants and risk capital to startups with social impact.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Funds nonprofits and social enterprises working on development challenges.

2. Corporate Grant Programs

Google for Startups Accelerator & Google Impact Challenge – Supports innovative tech startups and social impact nonprofits.

Microsoft AI for Good & Microsoft for Startups – Offers funding, mentorship, and technology for social impact projects.

Facebook Community Accelerator – Grants and mentorship for nonprofits and community-focused startups.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Activate – Provides cloud credits and funding for early-stage startups.

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud & Grant Programs – Funds nonprofits and social enterprises.

Visa Everywhere Initiative – Provides grants and funding for fintech startups.

Coca-Cola Foundation – Grants for social impact and nonprofit projects.

PepsiCo Foundation Grants – Supports social enterprises, food security, and community development.

3. Startup-Focused Grant Programs

Y Combinator Startup Grants – Provides seed funding and mentorship for early-stage startups.

Techstars Foundation Grants – Supports underrepresented founders and social entrepreneurs.

Seedstars World Competition – Provides funding and acceleration for startups in emerging markets.

MIT Solve – Grants and investment for startups solving global challenges.

Echoing Green Fellowship – Grants for social entrepreneurs with impactful ideas.

Acumen Fund – Grants and funding for businesses solving poverty-related issues.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grants – Funds innovative projects in health, education, and poverty alleviation.

4. Philanthropic & Nonprofit Grants

Ford Foundation Grants – Supports nonprofits and social enterprises in human rights, education, and economic justice.

Rockefeller Foundation Grants – Funds social impact initiatives and sustainable development projects.

MacArthur Foundation Grants – Provides funding for social innovation and nonprofit organizations.

Skoll Foundation Grants – Supports social entrepreneurs solving global challenges.

Ashoka Fellowship & Grants – Funds changemakers working on social innovation projects.

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative – Funds education, healthcare, and science nonprofits.

Open Society Foundations – Grants for nonprofits working on democracy, justice, and human rights.

Securing a grant from organizations that support startups and nonprofits requires a strategic approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to successfully apply and increase your chances of winning grants.

1. Understand Grant Requirements

Each grant provider has specific eligibility criteria, so carefully read the guidelines before applying. Pay attention to:

Target Audience – Is the grant for startups, nonprofits, or specific sectors?

Funding Focus – Some grants prioritize sustainability, innovation, women-led businesses, social impact, etc.

Application Deadlines – Ensure you submit on time.

Funding Amount & Use – Some grants cover operational costs, while others focus on research, product development, or community impact.

2. Develop a Strong Grant Proposal

A compelling grant proposal is essential. Your proposal should include:

A. Executive Summary

Clearly state your mission, problem-solving approach, and why you need funding.

Keep it concise and impactful.

B. Problem Statement

Explain the issue you are addressing with data and real-world examples.

Show why your project or startup is a solution.

C. Goals & Objectives

Define measurable goals with specific outcomes.

Example: Instead of "helping small farmers," write "increasing small farmers' income by 30% through access to sustainable farming practices."

D. Project Plan & Implementation Strategy

Detail your approach, including timelines and key milestones.

Explain how you will execute the project effectively.

E. Budget Breakdown

Provide a clear and justified budget on how the funds will be used.

Avoid vague categories—be specific (e.g., $10,000 for equipment, $5,000 for training, etc.).

F. Impact Measurement

Explain how you will measure success (KPIs, monitoring, and evaluation strategies).

Use past case studies, testimonials, or pilot project results if available.

3. Build Credibility and Track Record

Grant organizations want to fund projects with a high chance of success. To increase credibility:

Highlight past achievements, partnerships, or testimonials.

Show endorsements from experts, local authorities, or industry leaders.

If you’re a startup, emphasize traction (users, revenue, pilot programs, or investor backing).

If you're a nonprofit, showcase impact stories and community testimonials.

4. Submit a Well-Structured Application

Follow the formatting guidelines given by the grant provider.

Double-check for errors, inconsistencies, and missing details.

Submit required documents (business registration, tax forms, project reports, etc.).

Use clear and professional language—avoid jargon.

5. Apply to Multiple Grants

Diversify your grant applications to improve chances of success.

Keep a spreadsheet to track deadlines and requirements for each grant.

Customize applications based on the specific focus of each grant.

6. Leverage Networking & Partnerships

Attend grant workshops, webinars, and industry events to connect with grant providers.

Build partnerships with other organizations to enhance credibility.

Reach out to past grant winners to learn from their experiences.

7. Follow Up & Maintain Relationships

If you don’t win a grant, request feedback for improvement.

Keep in touch with grant providers for future opportunities.

Share updates on your project’s progress to build long-term relationships.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

 Submitting incomplete applications

 Using generic proposals that don’t match the grant focus

Providing vague or unrealistic project budgets

 Lacking measurable impact goals

 Missing application deadlines