For non-profits and social enterprises across the continent, finding the right funding opportunity is a constant, critical challenge. While the passion and vision for change are abundant, navigating the vast ocean of potential funders can be overwhelming. The search for genuine grant listings in Africa often feels like looking for a needle in a haystack. Many organizations know the big names, but what about the hidden gems that could unlock your next project?
You need a reliable, curated list of resources to streamline your search and focus your energy on what truly matters: writing a winning proposal. This expert-vetted list goes beyond the obvious to bring you the top 10 websites you should be checking regularly for funding opportunities targeted at the African continent.
A Special Note on grantsdatabase.org
Before we dive into the alternatives, it’s essential to acknowledge the incredible value of our own platform. Here at grantsdatabase.org, we pride ourselves on being more than just a list. We are a dedicated ecosystem designed for African NGOs, offering a user-friendly interface and highly-vetted opportunities to prevent the scams we discussed previously. Our mission, as detailed on our About Us page, is to simplify the funding journey. We provide unique resources, like our guide on How to Spot Fake Grants, to empower you at every step. We remain your number one stop, but a smart fundraiser always diversifies their sources.
Now, let’s explore other valuable platforms to add to your fundraising toolkit.
1. FundsforNGOs
FundsforNGOs is a global powerhouse and an essential bookmark for any serious grant seeker. While it covers the entire world, its section dedicated to Africa is robust and consistently updated.
- Why it’s great: It offers a premium service with access to a massive database of grants, but its free resources, including sample proposals and fundraising tips, are incredibly valuable. It’s a fantastic starting point for identifying large, international foundations funding projects in your country.
2. Devex
Devex is more than a grant portal; it’s the media platform for the global development community. Tucked within its news, analysis, and job board is a comprehensive funding search engine.
- Why it’s great: Devex allows you to see the “funding pipeline,” offering insights into tenders and grants that are anticipated but not yet officially announced. This gives you a head start in preparing your proposals.
3. Terra Viva Grants Directory
Terra Viva has a specific focus on agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources in developing countries. If your NGO works within these niches, this directory is pure gold.
- Why it’s great: Its niche focus means less noise. You won’t have to sift through hundreds of irrelevant grants in health or education to find opportunities that match your mission.
4. VC4A (Venture Capital for Africa)
While its name suggests venture capital, VC4A is a vital resource for African startups and social enterprises. It lists numerous challenges, accelerator programs, and seed grants aimed at early-stage ventures.
- Why it’s great: It connects entrepreneurs directly with mentorship, training, and funding opportunities, making it an entire ecosystem for growth, not just a static list.
5. Mzuzah Africa
Mzuzah Africa is a pan-African platform specifically designed to connect youth-led and youth-focused organizations with development opportunities. It curates grants, fellowships, scholarships, and even conference invitations.
- Why it’s great: Its youth focus is unique. If your organization’s work is centered on empowering African youth, this platform speaks your language directly.
6. Profunding
Based in South Africa, Profunding offers a comprehensive database of donors and CSI (Corporate Social Investment) information for Southern African NGOs. However, many of the foundations it lists have a pan-African reach.
- Why it’s great: It provides deep intelligence on corporate funders, which are often harder to track than traditional foundations. This is a key resource for diversifying your funding base.
7. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
For academic institutions, researchers, and NGOs involved in scholarly work, the ACU grants page is a must-see. It lists grants, fellowships, and scholarships for students and staff at member universities.
- Why it’s great: It’s a highly respected and authoritative source for academic and research-focused funding, a niche often overlooked by broader grant portals.
8. Segal Family Foundation
While a direct funder and not a listing site, the Segal Family Foundation’s website is a valuable resource. They actively partner with over 200 organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa and transparently list their partners.
- Why it’s great: By studying their portfolio of grantees, you can understand their funding priorities and identify other potential funders who support similar work. It’s a great way to conduct donor research.
9. European Union – Funding & Tenders Portal
The European Union is one of the largest donors to Africa. Its official Funding & Tenders Portal is the central database for all calls for proposals and tenders funded by the EU.
- Why it’s great: Though the portal can be complex, it is the ultimate primary source. Learning to navigate it can unlock some of the largest and most impactful funding opportunities available on the continent.
10. Your Local UN and Embassy Websites
Don’t forget to look in your own backyard! Websites for the local United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office or the embassies of countries like the USA, Germany, Sweden, and Canada often have dedicated sections for local civil society funding.
- Why it’s great: These grants are specifically for your country, meaning less competition from across the continent. This is a crucial, often-missed source for powerful grant listings in Africa.
Conclusion: A Strategy for Success
Finding funding is not a game of chance; it’s a game of strategy. By bookmarking these platforms and dedicating time each week to review new postings, you move from a reactive to a proactive fundraising model. Combine these resources with the tailored experience on grantsdatabase.org, and you will significantly increase your chances of securing the funds needed to drive your mission forward. Happy hunting!
