Emergency Funds

The following is a compilation of rapid response funds, resources to support the development of proposals, and links to guides and resources to explore other types of financing for organizations. All funds have eligibility criteria, several requiring the organization to be a part of the network initially, or have been previously vetted. As such, please review eligibility criteria carefully.

Please note that we have no connection or further insights into the funds listed below. Eligibility criteria which are publicly curated are noted under each description, as well as a link to the website.

Descriptions and eligibility criteria taken from this Devex Article- https://www.devex.com/news/5-rapid-response-funds-for-organizations-affected-by-the-us-aid-freeze-109443

Bridge Fund

Description: The goal is to enable “high-impact” organizations to “get back to work to prevent unnecessary harm and disruption to millions of people.”

Eligibility Criteria: “According to information on its website, donations will go to organizations that deliver “extraordinary impact at scale and cost-effectively,” those that work directly with communities, and those that are not dependent on a single source of revenue.” “Eligible organizations include those that work on health, water and sanitation, agriculture and food security, climate adaptation, livelihood and economic prosperity, education, and humanitarian response. Organizations must have been vetted and “undergone extensive due diligence” by funders such as top philanthropic organizations and/or bilateral and multilateral funders such as the U.S. government. They must be willing to report their results and impact and need to be approved by the fund’s investment committee which is composed of senior officials from different networks, funds, and foundations.”

Website for more information: https://www.foreignaidbridgefund.org/

Application/Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqx087BbfmW5C-cJqo1WxUmqJX221l0pC7nhywwKBsmi_5GA/viewform

GlobalGiving Community Aid Fund

Description: GlobalGiving, known for its crowdfunding platform that connects donors with grassroots projects globally, is also fundraising for $1 million to support local organizations impacted by the freeze.

Eligibility Criteria: GlobalGiving has vetted thousands of nonprofit partners over the years in more than 170 countries, and the fund is aimed at supporting these organizations, but with priority given to local, national, and small organizations that are directly or indirectly impacted by the aid freeze.

Website for more information: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/globalgiving-community-aid-fund/#menu

Website to apply to be listed on global giving: https://www.globalgiving.org/dy/v2/pe/application/start.html

NEAR Bridge Funding Window

Description: The Network for Empowered Aid Response, which is composed of 287 local and national civil society organizations operating in 41 countries in the global south, has partnered with three funders — the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Irene M. Staehelin Foundation, and the Vitol Foundation — to provide an initial $800,000 for those impacted by the aid freeze.

Eligibility Criteria: The funding is for its member organizations that were vetted by the network when they joined. But for access to this specific fund, NEAR is also collecting data on the impact of the freeze on a member organization’s overall budget and operations and is prioritizing those that are providing lifesaving humanitarian and development services. They are also prioritizing smaller organizations whose budgets are less than $1 million.

Website for more information: https://www.near.ngo/the-change-fund-bridge-funding-window

Founders Pledge Rapid Response Fund

Description: an initiative where entrepreneurs pledge to commit a portion of their personal wealth to charity, has partnered with the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, which provides recommendations on the best charities people can donate to. Their goal is to also bridge funding gaps left by the U.S. aid freeze.

Eligibility Criteria: At present, eligible grantees are those that the two organizations have already evaluated and assessed to be “highly cost-effective,” and that have been heavily affected by the aid freeze.

Website for more information: https://www.founderspledge.com/funds/rapid-response-fund

Keep the Lights On

Description: The Stop TB Partnership launched a $3 million fundraising campaign, called “Keep The Lights On,” to sustain the work of tuberculosis survivor networks and local community organizations combating TB that have been affected by the aid freeze

Eligibility Criteria: The campaign is specifically targeting organizations whose funding under round 12 of the Stop TB Partnership’s Challenge Facility for Civil Society has been suspended because of the freeze, as well as Stop TB Partnerships at the country level. The eligible organizations are listed here: https://www.stoptb.org/cfcs-round-12

Website for more information: https://www.stoptb.org/news/keep-lights

Rapid Response Financial Assistance — Dignity for All: LGBTQI+ Assistance Program

Description: Freedom House signed a grant agreement with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) for Dignity for All Emergency Assistance to ODA countries. Organizational grants of up to $15,000 are available. Depending on the pace of spending, they can provide additional or reduced funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• The activist/organization must have a track record of human rights work for at least six months.

• The threat must be related to their LGBTQI+ rights work and have occurred in the past three months.

• Independent references must be able to verify the threat and the applicant’s history of human rights activism.

• Requests should not seek funds for core operational costs or programmatic expenses.

• Eligible organizations may be informal or unregistered, including networks, community-based organizations, student groups, campaigns, and initiatives.

Website for more information: https://www.dignitylgbti.org/rapid-response-financial-assistance

To apply, contact [email protected] and let us know how we can contact you securely before sending sensitive information. To apply by PGP/GPG encrypted email (recommended), please use our public key.

This information can also be accessed on this google sheet. If you would like to share any emergency and bridge funding opportunities that are not listed above, please submit them here.