Your nonprofit has a mission that crosses borders, but your funding search keeps hitting walls. Most grant databases focus on domestic opportunities, leaving international funding scattered across foundation websites, government portals, and regional programs that take hours to track down.
This guide compiles 75 active international grants from private foundations, government agencies, multilateral institutions, and corporate funders, organized by sector and funder type, with practical guidance on eligibility requirements and application processes for US-based 501(c)(3) organizations.
What counts as an international grant for nonprofit organizations
International grants for nonprofit organizations are funding awards from foundations, governments, corporations, or multilateral bodies that support charitable work across national borders. The term covers two distinct categories: grants from international funders (a German foundation supporting a US nonprofit) and grants for international programs (a US foundation funding work in another country).
Why does the distinction matter? Eligibility requirements differ depending on which type you’re pursuing. A US-based 501(c)(3) applying to the Ford Foundation’s global programs faces different compliance rules than one seeking European Commission funding for overseas work. Before you start writing applications, figure out which category fits your organization’s structure and mission.
Who funds international grants for nonprofits
Four main funder categories exist, and each operates differently. Understanding how they work saves you time chasing grants you’re unlikely to win.
Private foundations
Private foundations like Ford, Gates, and Rockefeller run on endowments and fund specific program areas tied to their founders’ priorities. Most require US applicants to hold 501(c)(3) status or work through a fiscal sponsor. Grant sizes range from $25,000 at smaller foundations to multi-million dollar awards from the largest funders.
Government agencies and bilateral donors
USAID, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Germany’s GIZ fund civil society organizations through competitive programs. Grants often exceed $100,000 but require extensive compliance documentation, detailed budgets, and quarterly or annual reporting. Expect six to eighteen months from submission to award.
Multilateral institutions and UN agencies
UN agencies, the World Bank, and regional development banks fund nonprofits through implementing partner arrangements or consortium models. Direct grants to smaller organizations are rare. Most funding flows through larger international NGOs or government ministries that then subgrant to community-based organizations.
Corporate foundations
Corporate philanthropy arms like Google.org and Johnson & Johnson Foundation align giving with company priorities. Grants often include in-kind support (technology, products, employee volunteers) alongside cash. Application processes tend to be shorter than government grants, though competition is intense.
| Funder Type | Typical Grant Range | Timeline | Compliance Level |
| Private Foundations | 25,000–500,000 | 3–9 months | Moderate |
| Government Agencies | 100,000–5 million | 6–18 months | High |
| Multilateral Institutions | 50,000–2 million | 9–24 months | Very High |
| Corporate Foundations | 10,000–250,000 | 2–6 months | Low to Moderate |
Top international foundation grants for nonprofit organizations
The following foundations maintain active global grantmaking programs. Each has a track record of funding US-based and international nonprofits.
Ford Foundation global grants
Ford Foundation funds work addressing inequality across eight regional offices worldwide. Program areas include civic engagement, creativity and free expression, gender and racial justice, and natural resources.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Gates Foundation concentrates on global health, poverty alleviation, and US education. The foundation frequently works through intermediary organizations rather than direct grants to smaller nonprofits. Unsolicited proposals are rarely accepted.
Open Society Foundations
Open Society Foundations fund human rights, justice reform, and democratic governance across more than 120 countries. Regional programs accept applications from local organizations, while thematic programs fund cross-border initiatives.
MacArthur Foundation international grants
MacArthur Foundation supports climate solutions, criminal justice reform, nuclear risk reduction, and journalism. International grantmaking focuses on specific geographies including Nigeria, Mexico, and India.
Mastercard Foundation
Mastercard Foundation prioritizes youth employment and financial inclusion, with primary focus on African countries. The foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy funds organizations creating pathways to dignified work for young people.
International grants for children and health focused nonprofits
Organizations serving children with disabilities, developmental delays, or health conditions can access funding from foundations specifically focused on pediatric populations and early childhood development.
Bernard van Leer Foundation early childhood grants
Bernard van Leer Foundation funds early childhood development programs in urban environments through its Urban95 initiative. The foundation supports organizations working with children from birth to age three and their caregivers. Geographic focus includes Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation children’s grants
Hilton Foundation funds early childhood development, foster youth services, and programs for children with developmental disabilities. Grant sizes typically range from $100,000 to $1 million over multiple years.
UNICEF civil society partnerships
UNICEF partners with civil society organizations for program implementation rather than traditional grantmaking. Organizations can register as implementing partners through UNICEF country offices. Partnership opportunities focus on child protection, health, nutrition, and education.
Johnson and Johnson Foundation international grants
Johnson & Johnson Foundation funds maternal and child health programs, particularly in underserved communities. The foundation prioritizes initiatives addressing preventable causes of maternal and infant mortality.
Tip: Organizations providing early intervention services for children with special needs, like Cara Mia Kids Foundation, align well with funders prioritizing early childhood development. Bernard van Leer Foundation and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation both explicitly fund programs serving children from birth to age five.
International grants for education and youth development nonprofits
Global Partnership for Education grants
Global Partnership for Education funds education systems in developing countries through government-level grants. Civil society organizations participate through country-level education coalitions rather than direct applications.
Dubai Cares grants
Dubai Cares, based in the United Arab Emirates, funds education programs in developing countries with emphasis on early childhood development and education in emergencies.
Jacobs Foundation grants
Jacobs Foundation, headquartered in Switzerland, funds child and youth development research and programs. Geographic focus includes Switzerland, Côte d’Ivoire, and global research initiatives.
International grants for women and gender equality nonprofits
Global Fund for Women
Global Fund for Women provides flexible funding to women-led organizations worldwide through a participatory grantmaking model. Grant sizes typically range from $5,000 to $30,000.
Mama Cash grants
Mama Cash funds feminist, women’s rights, and LGBTQI organizations globally. Grants support both project-specific work and general operating costs.
UN Women Fund for Gender Equality
UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality supports women-led organizations advancing gender equality. Grant sizes range from $100,000 to $300,000 over two to three years.
International grants for environment and climate nonprofits
Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme
The GEF Small Grants Programme, administered by UNDP, funds community-based environmental projects up to $50,000. The program operates in over 125 countries through national coordinators.
Climate Works Foundation
Climate Works Foundation funds climate mitigation and clean energy initiatives globally. The foundation works primarily through intermediary organizations and regranting partners.
Packard Foundation international environment grants
David and Lucile Packard Foundation funds ocean conservation, climate mitigation, and reproductive health programs. International environment grantmaking focuses on specific geographies including the Western Pacific and Latin America.
International government and multilateral grants for NGOs
Government and multilateral grants require more extensive documentation and longer timelines than foundation grants.
European Commission civil society grants
The European Commission funds civil society through multiple mechanisms including the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). Applications require detailed logical frameworks, risk assessments, and financial projections. Most grants require co-financing from the applicant organization.
USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad
The ASHA program funds US nonprofits supporting educational and medical institutions outside the United States. Eligible activities include construction, equipment, and institutional development.
Global Affairs Canada grants
Global Affairs Canada funds civil society organizations through the International Assistance Innovation Program. Canadian organizations receive priority, though international partnerships are eligible.
Corporate international grants for nonprofit organizations
Google.org Impact Challenge grants
Google.org funds technology-based solutions to social challenges through periodic Impact Challenges focused on specific themes or regions. Awards include cash grants and Google product credits.
Coca-Cola Foundation global grants
Coca-Cola Foundation funds water stewardship, women’s economic empowerment, and community wellbeing programs. The foundation prioritizes initiatives in communities where Coca-Cola operates.
Pfizer Foundation grants
Pfizer Foundation funds health systems strengthening and healthcare access programs globally. The foundation prioritizes initiatives addressing non-communicable diseases and healthcare workforce development.
How to qualify for international grants as a 501(c)(3)
US-based 501(c)(3) organizations can receive grants from international funders and make grants for international programs, though specific IRS requirements apply.
When a US nonprofit funds work by a foreign organization, the IRS requires either expenditure responsibility (detailed oversight of how funds are used) or an equivalency determination (documentation that the foreign organization meets US public charity standards). Many foundations handle this process themselves, but smaller funders may require the US grantee to conduct the determination.
Required documentation for most international grant applications:
- IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status
- Most recent Form 990
- Audited financial statements (typically two to three years)
- Board of directors roster with affiliations
- Organizational budget and project budget
How to apply for international grants for nonprofit organizations
1. Research funder fit before writing
Review the foundation’s recent grants through their website, annual reports, or Form 990 filings (for US foundations). Look for organizations similar to yours in size, geography, and program focus.
2. Prepare core nonprofit documentation
Gather organizational documents before beginning applications. Most funders request the same core materials: determination letter, 990s, audited financials, board list, and organizational budget.
3. Build a compelling letter of inquiry
Many foundations require a letter of inquiry (LOI) before accepting full proposals. The LOI typically runs two to three pages and includes the problem you address, your proposed solution, your organization’s qualifications, and a budget summary.
4. Draft a full proposal and logical framework
Full proposals expand on the LOI with detailed project descriptions, timelines, budgets, and evaluation plans. Government and multilateral funders often require logical frameworks showing the relationship between activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact indicators.
5. Submit, follow up, and steward the relationship
After submission, follow the funder’s stated timeline before inquiring about status. If funded, meet all reporting deadlines. If declined, request feedback when appropriate.
Where to find and track international grant opportunities
Candid Foundation Directory
Foundation Directory Online (now part of Candid) is the primary research tool for US foundation grants. The database includes international foundations and allows filtering by geographic focus, subject area, and grant size.
FundsforNGOs
FundsforNGOs aggregates international funding opportunities categorized by sector (health, education, environment, human rights) and region. The site offers both free listings and premium subscriptions.
Devex Funding
Devex tracks international development funding including government tenders, foundation grants, and multilateral opportunities.
GrantWatch
GrantWatch lists grant opportunities across sectors with filters for international funding. The site includes both US and international opportunities.
Funding early intervention for children through global partnerships
International foundations increasingly prioritize early childhood development as a funding area. Organizations providing therapy, developmental support, and family services for young children with special needs align with this global priority.
US-based nonprofits with strong domestic programs can position themselves for international foundation support by documenting outcomes, building evaluation capacity, and articulating how their model addresses global challenges in early childhood development.
Read More Donating early intervention for children development in Los Angeles
Frequently asked questions about international grants for nonprofit organizations
What is the 33% rule for nonprofits?
The 33% rule refers to IRS public support requirements for 501(c)(3) public charities. To maintain public charity status, an organization generally receives at least one-third of its support from government grants, contributions from the general public, or a combination of both.
How much funding do international grants typically provide to nonprofit organizations?
International grant amounts vary widely. Small foundation grants start around $5,000 to $25,000. Mid-size foundation grants typically fall between $50,000 and $250,000. Large institutional grants from government agencies can exceed $1 million.
Are international collaboration grants available for US-based nonprofits?
Yes, many international funders specifically support cross-border partnerships. Programs like the International Visegrad Fund support regional civil society cooperation. US foundations including Ford and MacArthur fund collaborative initiatives between US and international organizations.
Can a small nonprofit without existing international programs receive international grants?
Small nonprofits can receive grants from international foundations for domestic programs when their work aligns with the funder’s global priorities. A US organization providing early intervention services for children with developmental delays, for example, could apply to foundations funding early childhood development globally.
How long does the international grant application process typically take from submission to funding?
Foundation grants typically take three to nine months from initial inquiry to funding decision. Government grants often require six to eighteen months. Multilateral grants can extend beyond eighteen months.