The recent shifts in the development policies of the U.S. and some of the largest donors in Europe such as the Netherlands and Belgium, have shaken the international development sector. Some vital areas of international development, such as advocacy, climate, culture, education, and gender equality, are at the bottom of, or have been removed from, the funding list for these governments. To support the DevelopmentAid expert community to navigate these funding challenges, we have compiled a list of 25 independent foundations that still support projects in these fields.
In January 2025, federal grant funds in the U.S. underwent critical changes with the Trump administration’s Executive Order 14151, “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”. Besides the funding ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) projects, it was leaked by National Science Foundation staff that this executive order also implemented an extra scrutiny mechanism based on a list of banned words. Advocacy, gender, bias, and discrimination are a few examples of words that can trigger project reviews or exclude proposals from future funding grants. However, the U.S. is not the only country that is reforming its development policies. In February, the Netherlands announced a major shift in its international aid strategy with significant cuts in funding and projects being phasing out in areas such as climate, gender, education, and culture.
Although these recent changes are of real concern, they do not mean that opportunities have disappeared altogether. We have compiled a list of 25 organizations that continue to support impactful projects in these areas and whose funding is independent of government contributions. This list includes corporate-affiliated and private foundations, community-based organizations, and even one fundraising start-up. They are based either in the U.S. or Europe but support individuals and/or organizations with local, national, and international projects.
Advocacy
#1 – Europe Foundation
The Europe Foundation – formerly the Eurasia Partnership Foundation Georgia –aims to promote civic participation and democratic governance in Georgia. It has already granted €16M in funding to 400+ organizations.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Georgia
Awards in: Georgia
Size: 51 – 200 employees
Europe Foundation all-time grant calls published on DevelopmentAid
#2 – Open Society Foundations
The Open Society Foundations support groups and individuals with projects to make their communities more fair, free, and harmonious. In total, it has awarded over 50,000 grants in various sectors, including education and advocacy.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 501 – 1000 employees
Open Society Foundations all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#3 – Elton John AIDS Foundation
The Elton John AIDS Foundation is a charity that has ambitions to eradicate AIDS while supporting those infected with HIV. It funds innovative prevention programs as well as education and advocacy campaigns.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: UK
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 501 – 1000 employees
Elton John AIDS Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#4 – Balkan Green Foundation
The Balkan Green Foundation’s mission is to advance sustainable development within the Western Balkans. This non-profit funds projects in various sectors such as environment, energy, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Kosovo
Awards in: Western Balkans
Size: 201 – 500 employees
Balkan Green Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#5 – Ignite Philanthropy
Ignite Philanthropy is a donor fund that focuses on ending violence against children. It finances projects at the intersection of human rights, youth, and advocacy.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 51 – 200 employees
Ignite Philanthropy all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
Climate
#6 – Minor Foundation for Major Challenges
The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges provides funding to high-risk, non-profit projects that focus on zero-carbon ideas. Since 2018, it has awarded over €2M in funding to 35 projects.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Norway
Awards in: Europe
Size: 51 – 200 employees
Minor Foundation for Major Challenges all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#7 – Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust contributes to the improvement of people’s health by supporting researchers to tackle serious health-related challenges. It has different strategic grant areas, including one dedicated to the interplay between climate and health. Between 2023 and 2024, the Wellcome Trust contributed £1.5B in funding.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: UK
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 501 – 1000 employees
Wellcome Trust all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#8 – Clif Bar Family Foundation
The Clif Bar Family Foundation supports grassroots groups working to transform food systems and improve community health. Climate justice is one of its priority areas.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A
Awards in: U.S.A
Size: unknown
Clif Bar Family Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#9 – Cariplo Foundation
The Cariplo Foundation has a track record of 30 years of supporting projects that foster strong and inclusive communities. It has provided a total of €3.7B in funding to thousands of projects in Europe and Africa.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Italy
Awards in: Europe and Africa
Size: 51 – 200 employees
Cariplo Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#10 – Hurtigruten Foundation
The Hurtigruten Foundation aims to create a positive impact on Hurtigruten’s destinations along the Norwegian coast in collaboration with their guests, partners, and private donors. It funds organizations worldwide providing their projects impact Norway’s coastal ecosystems.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Norway
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: unknown
Hurtigruten Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
Culture
#11 – Wells Fargo Foundation
The Wells Fargo Foundation is focused on building an inclusive and sustainable future. Its funding prioritizes projects and organizations in financial health, housing affordability, small business growth, and sustainability. However, the cultural sector represents around 12.5% of its grants.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: U.S.A.
Size: unknown
Wells Fargo Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#12 – The Wolfson Foundation
The Wolfson Foundation has operated since 1955, distributing over £1 billion in funding to projects across the UK. It mainly focuses on research and education, but 25% of its grants are dedicated to the cultural sector.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: UK
Awards in: UK
Size: unknown
The Wolfson Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#13 – “la Caixa” Foundation
The “la Caixa” Foundation is committed to the progress of society by aiding projects in four key areas of action: social development, education, health, and research. It mainly funds projects, individuals, and organizations based in Europe, but grants have previously been awarded all over the globe.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Spain
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: unknown
“la Caixa” Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#14 – Eurasia Foundation
The Eurasia Foundation strives to empower citizens and communities worldwide. In 2023, this organization awarded nearly $4M in funding. It finances work in many sectors, including social development, science, and culture.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A
Awards in: Asia, U.S., Ukraine, Moldova
Size: 51 – 200 employees
Eurasia Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#15 – FORD Foundation
The Ford Foundation provides support to organizations that tackle inequalities and promote social justice. Since 2006, it has distributed $609M in funding to 1,500+ grantees.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 51 – 200 employees
FORD Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
Education
#16 – Spencer Foundation
The Spencer Foundation is committed to sponsoring high-quality research in the field of education. In 2023, this foundation awarded over 4,500 grants, totaling €13M in funding.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 2 – 10 employees
Spencer Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#17 – Mazda Foundation
The Mazda Foundation supports initiatives that promote community development. Education, environment, and employment are just some of its target sectors. Since 1992, the foundation has distributed $12.5M in funding.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: U.S., Australia, New Zealand
Size: 51 – 200 employees
Mazda Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#18 – Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood
The work of the Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood is centered on improving the welfare of children. It provides incubation and funding for impactful research and development projects, including those in the education sector.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: U.S.A.
Size: unknown
Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#19 – Novo Nordisk Foundation
The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and sustainability of communities. It has already donated over €2.1 billion to projects across different sectors, including research, social causes, and education. This foundation mostly supports projects based in Europe, but some grant calls are open worldwide.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Denmark
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 51 – 200 employees
Novo Nordisk Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#20 – Foundation for Enhancing Communities
The aim of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities is to enhance community development through philanthropy. It gives funding to projects across diverse sectors, including health, culture, and education.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: U.S.A.
Size: 11 – 50 employees
Foundation for Enhancing Communities all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
Gender
#21 – Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation aims to “help all people lead healthy, productive lives”. Since its inception, this private foundation has already committed over $77.6 billion in grants.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: Europe, U.S., China
Size: 1001 – 5000 employees
Gates Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#22 – IFundWomen
IFundWomen is not a typical foundation. It is a startup with a funding platform built to empower female entrepreneurs to obtain capital through crowdfunding campaigns and grants. IfundWomen has already raised over $200M in funding for small businesses.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 2 – 10 employees
IFundWomen all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#23 – American Psychological Foundation
The American Psychological Foundation is devoted to the advancement of psychological research to improve human lives. Mental health, discrimination, and gender diversity are a few of the focus topics of this organization.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: U.S.A.
Awards in: U.S.A.
Size: 2 – 10 employees
American Psychological Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#24 – King Baudouin Foundation
The King Baudouin Foundation works to build better societies across the world by promoting and facilitating philanthropy. It has already supported nearly 5,000 organizations and individuals with over €151 million in funding.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Belgium
Awards in: Worldwide
Size: 51 – 200 employees
King Baudouin Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
#25 – Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation seeks a more sustainable and diverse world by empowering art, knowledge, and science projects. It has already financed more than 1,850 grants, mostly in Portugal and Armenia.
More about this organization:
Headquarters: Portugal
Awards in: Europe
Size: 201 – 500 employees
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation all-time grant calls on DevelopmentAid
See also: 10 donor alternatives to USAID with open grant calls
To listen: US Aid Freeze: immediate effects of the Executive Order | A dialogue with Matthew Robinson
Sign up for free to benefit from the DevelopmentAid platform and create a personalized alert to remain informed about the latest grant opportunities. Upgrade to a membership to unlock full access to grant intelligence in your sectors of interest.
