International Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The International Foundation supports global development organizations that address poverty amongst vulnerable and underrepresented communities, and the relationship between these communities and health, education and economic security.
IP TAKE: This foundation is relatively accessible and is willing to take risks, which makes it an attractive funder for grassroots organizations and NGOs new to the global development field. However, grantseekers should pay special attention to geographical restrictions. Apply through the foundation’s online application system at any time.
PROFILE: Established in 1948, the International Foundation advances “educational, medical, philanthropic, humanitarian, scientific and literary enterprises of all kinds.” The foundation funds U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that partner with vulnerable communities in the developing world. It prioritizes projects that support health, education and incomes, while increasing local capacity to sustain their benefits through empowerment. The foundation supports organizations and projects that empower local stakeholders and participants to deliver “measurable and sustainable change that is ‘owned’” by local communities. Its current focuses are on Public Health, Education, and Incomes.
The foundation limits its grantmaking to organizations that work in the Global South and fall somewhere in the World Bank’s low- to middle-income classification. In brief, the Global South refers to developing countries located in the Southern Hemisphere; however, the foundation works in certain regions, such as Latin America, the Caribbean (LAC), Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Grants for Global Development
While the foundation’s programs are few, its scope of the global development challenges is relatively broad. For instance, its education giving supports organizations that address literacy, access to basic education for pre-K through secondary school, and information technology. International’s income program has supported organizations that work in agriculture, food security, the environment, and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, its public health grantmaking supports water, sanitation and nutrition projects. Grantees should be aware that the foundation will not support organizations that work in regions of the Global South that have recently been hit by a natural disaster, those that are stymied by chronic instability, or countries that are actively in conflict.
Grants for Global Health
The International Foundation’s public health grantmaking supports “water, sanitation, and health (WASH)” initiatives, as well as family planning and reproductive, maternal, and childhood health.” It primarily invests in the Global South, namely the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, including West, Central and East Asia, as well as Oceania. Grant seekers should keep in mind that while the foundation supports NGOs working in a number of Global South countries, it will not support those working in regions of active conflict, chronic instability, or where natural disasters have recently occurred. These restrictions effectively eliminate a significant group of countries within its regions of focus—especially in Africa and the Middle East. It prioritizes projects that affect women and girls. Recent grantees include Cambodian Community Dream, Clean Water for Haiti, Initiative: Eau, Invisible Girl Project, and Saving Mothers.
Important Grant Details:
Grant amounts are typically limited to $25,000 or less. The foundation’s grantmaking centers around the “Global South,” including such as Latin America, the Caribbean (LAC), Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. For a closer examination of the kinds of NGOs and projects the International Foundation funds, read through its recent tax filings.
The International Foundation accepts applications at any time. International has also made it more straightforward for nonprofits to apply by offering a web-based application system. The process begins with an eligibility quiz.
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