Financing opportunities

Bookmark this page and check back here monthly for updates and new funding opportunities.

Some programs listed require a UK, USA, or European partner. Contact us if you have eligible projects and we can assess a joint submission, or recommend other eligible partners.

If you are a funding partner, reach out here.

Global opportunities

Open Innovation Challenge

With a wide range of major funders this program target` technology innovation that can help agriculture and rural communities. Expanding internet into rural areas is a key component.

Deadline: Mar 30 2026

Grant amount: Up to US$360,000


Education Opportunity International Fund

Improving access to education, including digitalising education and schools.

Deadline: Apr 20 2026

Grant amount: Up to £60,000

Requires a UK charity partner. Talk to us.


Grants to foster community philanthropy

Specific grant making to establish power and economic activities within hyper local communities. A strong fit for community WiFi and telecom solutions, a speciality subject for unconnected.org. Should be an NGO, community group or other grassroots organisation. Talk to us

Deadline: Ongoing

Grant amount: Up to $20,000 per project


SEED Grants and THRIVE Grants

Welcome applications from NGOs from any region worldwide including areas o focus on Technology and Innovation for Social Good. This grant cycle aims to empower grassroots initiatives, drive sustainable development, and strengthen the capacity of people working towards positive social, economic, and environmental change. Targets small NGOs.

Deadline: December 20, 2026

Grant amount: US$50,000

Requires an NGO partner. Talk to us.


Zayed Sustainability Prize

Recognises and rewards small to medium sized enterprises and nonprofit organisations for impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainable solutions.

Deadline: June 2026

Grant amount: Up to US$1m


Gilchrist Educational Trust

Funds projects enhancing education and also equipment such as installing internet connectivity into a school. Focuses on small projects,1 school at a time.

A UK non-profit must lead the application. Talk to us

Deadline: Ongoing

Grant amount: Up to GBP£4,000


Overseas Aid for Humanitarian Causes

State of Guernsey funds charities undertaking development and humanitarian work in the world's least developed countries.

Requires a UK non-profit to apply. Talk to us

Deadline: March 2026

Grant amount: GBP£60,000


Empowering Early-Stage Social Impact Organizations

Available to for-profit and non-profits to scale social enterprises working on innovative, solutions to critical social challenges such a bridging the digital divide. Prefer Africa, Europe, India, and USA.

Deadline: Ongoing

Grant amount: Varies


2026 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Leadership Prize

A prize to reward exceptional leadership in delivering social good.

Three winners will each receive global recognition and membership in Tallberg leadership network.

  • Deadline: Mar 31 2026

    Grant amount: $50,000 unrestricted


Energy catalyst round 11

For projects which create new or improved energy access. Larger grants available for mid and late stage energy innovations.

Deadline: Mar 25 2026

Grant amount: Up to £300,00

Requires a UK partner. Talk to us.


Equitable access to connectivity

For projects that:

  • Facilitate affordable connectivity

  • Facilitate higher levels of digital literacy

  • Facilitate privacy and safe internet

Deadline: Apr 30 2026, then quarterly

Grant amount: Up to €40,000

48 percent are a partner of unconnected.org. Talk to us.


Equitable access to connectivity

Support practical, community-led solutions with clear learnings for the public good.

  • Internet provision

  • Education infrastructure

  • Blockchain for good

Deadline: Ongoing

Grant amount: Varies

GSR Foundation are a partner of unconnected.org. Talk to us.


Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures

Their mission is to catalyze innovation and impact by supporting early-stage startups and nonprofits that are building solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Deadline: Mar 31 2026

Funding amount: Based on business plan


Education, peace & development

Supports projects that promote education including school connectivity, international friendship and the advancement of world peace and development.

Requires a UK non-profit to apply and required 50% match funding. Talk to us

Deadline: if under £50,000 monthly, rolling applications. March and September deadlines for application over £50,000.

Funding amount: £50,000 recommended if a new relationship with the Trust.


Education, peace & development

Supports education and medical related projects globally. They seek to address better access to essential resources that may be preventing people from advancing their economic position. Requires a US 501c3 partner. Talk to us

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding amount: US$250,000


Support innovation life cycle stages

To catalyze innovation and impact by supporting early-stage startups and nonprofits that are building solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding amount: Varies depending on the stage of development of the innovation being introduced by the applicant. For example €50,000 for Pilot Preparation and €4m for Scale Up.

Requires a robust application and business plan. Talk to us


Funding to support innovation life cycle stages

Gives grants to NGOs and communities to three impact areas: education access, environmental sustainability and secure livelihoods.

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding amount: US$50,000 - US$100,000

Requires an NGO partner. Talk to us


Grants for agtech and rural communities

Best telecom and tech angle is agtech and digital tools for inclusive, sustainable and transparent Value chains as well as improving financial access for Smallholder Farmers.

Deadline: April 1 2026

Funding amount: US$1,500,000


Middle East and Africa opportunities

Specialised program to support female entreprenuers in Nigeria with low interest loans, mentoring, networking and more.

Deadline: Ongoing

Amount: Loans based on business plan

Other: Incubator program included

Empower Her Nigeria


Creating pathways for improved education for refugees in the Middle East.

Deadline: Feb 23 2026

Grant amount: GBP£100,000

Al Madad Foundation Spring Grant for Education


Technology Innovations Agency - Sth Africa

A range of funding instruments including loans and grants for commercialising existing ICT or developing new technology. Look also at the regular “Calls” for grants, such as those for technology for disaster prevention.

Deadline: Ongoing. Watch for “Calls”

Grant amount: Ranges


United Nations Development Program aimed at accelerating ed-tech startup across Africa. Can include business ideas that connect schools for inclusive education.

Deadline: Feb 18 2026

Grant amount: Incubator

UNDP - Timbuktoo Edtech Incubator


Startup accelerators

Not cash funding, but 3 month equity free support program. Available globally. Includes, mentoring, access to experts, training and product benefit and discounts for hosting and AI.

Africa Deadline: Mar 18 2026


Growth accelerators

Partners with founders to devise a customized Development Plan. This plan focuses on supporting the social enterprises to address challenges and reach milestones that will have the greatest impact on their business growth.

Africa Deadline: Mar 18 2026

Capital amount: US$75,000


Technology Innovations Agency - Sth Africa

Katapult Africa aims to support impact startups operating on the continent, with a focus on agritech, foodtech, and climate tech solutions. This is an equity investment program.

Includes and accelerator program.

Deadline: Ongoing

Grant amount: $150,000-$500,000


The AEDIB Joint Innovation Facility (JIF)

The Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) is an Africa–Europe funding and collaboration mechanism designed to scale digitally enabled and commercially viable digital innovations through strong cross-border partnerships.

Requires an EU collaborator with an African lead organisation. Talk to us

Deadline: Apr 30 2026

Grant amount: Up to €200,000


Co Creation and Mastercard Foundation program

CcHUB in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is calling for applications to EdTech Fellowship focused on supporting early-stage innovators developing inclusive, solutions that improve learning outcomes in Nigeria. Tech connectivity is included.

Nigeria only. Talk to us

Deadline: Apr 10 2026

Grant amount: Up to US$100,000 + accelerator


Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia

Any project geared towards the improved welfare at the grassroots level is considered for funding if it targets Education; - Primary health care; - Poverty relief; and - Support for those less privileged.

Deadline: Mar 31 2026

Grant amount: $66,000

Zambia only


Americas opportunities

Fund projects where internet can generate inclusive and shared economic growth that benefits Colombian communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Colombian communities & farmers.

Deadline: Feb 11 2026

Grant amount: Up to CAD$50,000

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives - Colombia


Fund projects to improve the delivery, efficiency, and resiliency of urban services. Should include the provision of US based products to create digital environments, such as Starlink. Talk to us

Deadline: Mar 13 2026

Grant amount: US$100,000 - $700,000

Smart Cities Grants - across the Americas


Yunus SB Patient Loans

Financially sustainable social-business entrepreneurs with the potential to scale their impact can receive patient loans and tailored growth support.

Deadline: Ongoing

Grant amount: US$100,000 - $500,000 patient debt facility


The Alstom Foundation seeks to encourage economic development of remote and disadvantaged communities. Tehcnology should advance local markets, education, health and other facilities.

Must apply with an NGO. Talk to us

Deadline: Mar 10 2026 to find Alstom employee, then Apr 10 2026.

Grant amount: Average funding is €60,000 per project

Creating a global impact projects


WK Kellogg foundation accepts application for Chiapas and Yucatan Peninsula to imporve the loives of children from the use of technology and internet connectivity.

Deadline: Ongoing.

Grant amount: Can range for US$50,000 to US$5,000,000

Improving children’s lives


Asian opportunities

Nikkei Asia Award to recognize impactful innovation originating in Asia that advances social and economic transformation.

Deadline: Jun 14 2026

Grant amount: Approx US$30k

Awards for Impact Innovation


The Alstom Foundation seeks to encourage economic development of remote and disadvantaged communities. Tehcnology should advance local markets, education, health and other facilities.

Must apply with an NGO. Talk to us

Deadline: Mar 10 2026 to find Alstom employee, then Apr 10 2026.

For project in the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia.

Grant amount: Average amount is €60,000 per project

Creating a global impact projects


Bridging the Digital Divide

Fund projects that help tackle the digital divide for disadvantaged people. Projects running for around 12 months are strongly encouraged. Must apply with NGO partner. Talk to us. Access Foundation are a long term partner of unconnected.org.

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding amount: £15,000 - £50,000


The Foundation manages a variety of funding mechanisms that support Internet development in the Asia Pacific.

These are:

  • Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF Asia)

  • Foundation Community Assistance

  • Trust Discretionary Funding

Opening: Soon. Q1 2026

Grant amount: Approx US$200k

Awards for Impact Innovation