If you are currently seeking financial support to launch an idea or expand your community impact, you’ve come to the right place. Landing open, international funding grants for East African nonprofits can be challenging. To save your team hours of searching for available funding calls, I’ve gathered 5 major international grant programs closing this September. If your organisation’s project aligns with these sectors, it’s time to put your documents together and send a proposal.
1. The Seed, Grow, and Sustain 3.0 Grant
The third cycle of Seed, Grow, and Sustain, Numun Fund is awarding $10,000-$100,000 to organisations working to advance feminist technology activism. The exact award amount depends on the organisation’s operational state and experience. Please note that the program doesn’t consider individual applicants; it’s specifically designed for organisations, networks, unregistered groups, collectives, and online-only initiatives with a minimum of two people.
- Application deadline: September 6
- Primary focus: Feminist tech activism and movement infrastructure
Related post: Grants for NGOs in Kenya: Free Funding Opportunities
2. Tara’s Circle 2026
Backed by the Tara for Women Foundation, Tara’s Circe 2026 is supporting early-stage, women-led initiatives with 15 individual cash awards of up to €4,000- €10,000 out of a pool of €100,000 non-dilutive funding. To qualify, you must be an 18+ woman who is a founder or co-founder and holding a leadership position. Also, the project must be at the seed stage. In addition to the funding support, the 15 winners will receive mentorship and enjoy investor network access and international visibility.
- Application deadline: September 17
- Primary focus: Sustainability, health & wellbeing, social innovation, education, & community development, technology & science, and design, culture, & impact-driven fashion.
3. UNEP Mountains ADAPT Small Grants
If you are looking for a funding opportunity for your CBO, consider submitting a proposal for the UNEP Mountains ADAPT Small Grants, which offers up to $30,000 to qualifying organisations working to create climate solutions in mountain regions. Beyond financial backing, the program will offer capacity development and training assistance to successful applicants.
- Application deadline: September 15
- Primary focus: Climate resilience
Related post: How to Get International Grants for CBOs in Kenya: 2026 Guide
4. NED (National Endowment for Democracy) Grants
Among the international grants for East African nonprofits are NED grants. Every year, NED disburses more than 2,000 grants to help nonprofits meet project goals geared towards creating sustainable democratic solutions. Your organisation must be operating within NED’s focus areas, including human rights, civic education, freedom of information, and a broad-based market economy.
- Application deadline: September 21
- Primary focus: Democracy
5.AU EU Youth Action Lab
The AU EU Youth Action Lab supports youth-led organisations with €42,000 Innovation Grants for projects that create innovative solutions to global challenges and €31,500 Entrepreneurship Grants for initiatives geared towards creating or strengthening economic opportunities for young adults.
- Application deadline: September 23
- Primary focus: Youth-led civic and economic empowerment
Bonus: Keep an Eye on Commonwealth Foundation Annual Open Call
As your team rushes to submit proposals for these five soon-closing funding calls, add the Commonwealth Foundation’s annual open call to your calendar for September 23, when it reopens. The foundation offers £60,000 grants to eligible civil society organisations running projects that support and promote participatory governance, climate reform, and health justice.