Requesting Funding from Founders Pledge: A Guide for Applicants – Up to 5 Million in Grants
Founders Pledge, a global community of entrepreneurs committed to doing good through evidence-based philanthropy, offers strategic funding opportunities to charitable initiatives tackling the world’s most pressing issues. Through its Requests for Funding process, Founders Pledge expands the range of charitable programs it evaluates by welcoming applications from prospective grantees that align with its values and giving philosophy.
Although the grant application form is designed to be quick — taking between 5 and 15 minutes to complete — prospective applicants are advised to first review Founders Pledge’s past grantees to determine whether their work fits the organization’s criteria. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
How Founders Pledge Can Support Your Work
There are three principal pathways through which Founders Pledge supports high-impact programs:
Small to Mid-Sized Grants:
Most grants awarded fall between $50,000 and $300,000, funded through one of Founders Pledge’s internal charitable Funds. Occasionally, larger amounts are considered in special cases.
Large One-Time Grants:
For exceptionally promising initiatives, Founders Pledge has the ability to recommend one-time grants of up to $5 million to affiliated major donors.
Ongoing Program Recommendations:
Programs that demonstrate sustained impact may be recommended regularly to Founders Pledge members. These endorsements often result in recurring funding streams from various donors within the network, at different levels of investment.
Who Should Apply
Founders Pledge is particularly interested in organizations and initiatives working in the following four cause areas:
1. Global Health and Development
Applicants in this domain should focus on interventions that demonstrate cost-effectiveness. Benchmarks for consideration include the ability to:Buy vitamins and supplements
Save a life for under $4,000
Avert a Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) for under $70
Double an individual’s income for less than $30
Initiatives contributing to economic growth are also welcomed. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) can be persuasive, they are not required for eligibility.
2. Global Catastrophic Risks
Founders Pledge supports projects aimed at:
Reducing the likelihood of conflict between global superpowers
Managing risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence
Minimizing threats from dual-use biomedical technologies
3. Climate Action
The focus in this area is on underfunded yet high-potential climate solutions, particularly those that are neglected by mainstream philanthropic or governmental efforts. Programs with a clear, evidence-based theory of change are especially encouraged.
4. Animal Welfare
Applications are encouraged from organizations involved in:
Corporate campaigns in underrepresented regions
Innovative approaches such as plant-based meat alternatives and cellular agriculture
Efforts to increase public R&D funding for sustainable food systems
How the Process Works
Applicants must complete a simple online form that gathers basic information, such as:
Applicant’s full name and organization
Contact email
Geographical base of operations
Non-profit registration status
Chosen cause area
Once submitted, applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Due to the volume of interest, individual feedback is not guaranteed. If the applicant does not receive a response within one month, they should assume that their proposal is not being pursued at this time.
If further details are required, a member of the Founders Pledge team will reach out directly.
For questions or clarification, applicants can contact requestsforfunding@founderspledge.com, clearly stating the nature of their inquiry in the email subject line.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be able to demonstrate alignment with Founders Pledge’s evidence-based and cost-effective approach to philanthropy.
Organizations do not need to be registered non-profits, but must provide transparency regarding their legal and financial structure.
Preference is given to initiatives operating in low-resource or underfunded regions, or those addressing neglected global issues.
Legal and Privacy Considerations
By submitting the application form, applicants agree to Founders Pledge processing their data in accordance with its Privacy Policy. Founders Pledge operates as a registered non-profit in the US, UK, and Germany.
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