for grantseekers

DUE TO THE NUMBER OF INQUIRIES WE RECEIVE, WE CANNOT RESPOND TO EVERY REQUEST. PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY GROUPS THAT MEET THE GRANTMAKING CRITERIA BELOW WILL RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

Grantmaking Criteria

EMpower supports programs to improve the lives of marginalized youth through education, health, livelihoods or leadership development. We generally support service-related activities as well as organizational capacity-building, rather than research or policy dialogue.

EMpower will only consider letters of inquiry from organizations that meet ALL of the following criteria:

They must work directly with young people (ages 10-24) to improve their health, education, leadership or livelihoods (see EMpower's specific interests and criteria within each portfolio)
They must be based in one of these emerging market countries: Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal), Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Vietnam.
They must have:
- A proven track record (3+ years work and demonstrable results)
- Clear sense of mission
- Strong leadership and effective staff
- Interest and willingness to measure results
- Commitment to, knowledge of, and respect in the community served
- Multiple existing sources of funding
- An annual organizational budget under US$1.5 million
- Proof of NGO registration in the country for which you are seeking support

EMpower does not support organizations that:

discriminate, in policy or in practice, on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, physical disability or sexual orientation.
promote religious beliefs

EMpower does not support:

Individual applicants
Emergency or disaster relief
Conferences
Lobbying or political campaigns
Land acquisition or construction of new buildings
Deficit reduction
Programs that address specific disabilities, chronic diseases or conditions

How to Apply

If your organization meets the above criteria, please click here for instructions on how to apply.