Grantmaking criteria

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

EMpower will only consider letters of inquiry from organizations that meet and demonstrate ALL of the following criteria. Organizations must:

• Be a non-governmental organization (NGO), with proof of registration, based in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ghana, India (currently Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal), Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Turkey or Vietnam.

  • Have a track record of 3+ years work, demonstrable results and interest in measuring results and learning.
  • Work directly with young people (ages 10-24) to improve their health and wellbeing, education, leadership or livelihoods (see EMpower’s specific interests within each portfolio).
  • Be committed to using recommended good practices to empower, skill and engage youth.
  • Have a clear mission and vision, and effective, dedicated leadership and staff.
  • Have a strong commitment and ongoing connection to, knowledge of, and respect in the communities served
  • Have diversified funding and an annual organizational budget between US $80,000 and US $2 million.

EMpower does not support

  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, physical disability or sexual orientation in policy or in practice
  • Emergency or disaster relief alone
  • Applicants for scholarships, stipends, conferences, etc.
  • Individuals
  • Programs promoting religious beliefs
  • Lobbying or political campaigns
  • Programs related to specific diseases/conditions; hospitals, clinics or direct health care delivery
  • Land acquisition or construction of new buildings
  • Deficit reduction

How to Apply

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE NUMBER OF EMAILS WE RECEIVE, WE ONLY WILL RESPOND TO LETTERS OF INQUIRY THAT MEET AND ADDRESS ALL THE GRANTMAKING CRITERIA ABOVE.

If your organization meets the above criteria, please follow the instructions below on how to submit a letter of inquiry.

Application Process for Eligible Organizations

If after reviewing the criteria above you believe your organization is eligible, you may submit a letter of inquiry to contactus@empowerweb.org.

Download EMpower’s letter of inquiry format in English or Spanish.

Our interest is in keeping the consideration process as simple and straightforward as possible. The letter of inquiry should be 3-5 pages total.

Please paste the text of your inquiry into the body of an email. Due to the risk of computer viruses and spam, inquiries sent with attachments will not be opened. EMpower reviews inquiries in the order they are received.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.