October is almost coming to an end, but there are several funding opportunities still open to East African nonprofits, social enterprises, and general businesses. Whether you are looking to finance a local community project, create sustainable solutions, or scale an agribusiness, there are a range of opportunities to explore before the end of the month. Here are the top funding opportunities closing this October, along with the amount they offer and application deadlines.
A quick note: Not all East-African-based nonprofits are eligible for every opportunity on this list. Some are open to registered NGOs, while others target specific locations, and a few are accelerators or competitions rather than traditional grants. Before applying, ensure you read and understand the programme’s guidelines.
Funding Opportunities Closing in October 2026 at a Glance
| Funding opportunity | Amount Awarded | Deadline |
| UHAI EASHRI OBSAA Fund | $30,000–$80,000 annually, depending on tier | 23 October |
| Jobtech Alliance Mombasa | Up to $20,000 for selected qualifying ventures | 23 October |
| Halcyon Africa Agriculture Accelerator | $10,000 equity-free stipend plus other support | 23 October |
| Aidsfonds ActHIVate Fund | €52,500–€140,000 per eligible project | 25 October |
| Commonwealth Foundation Grants | £15,000–£30,000 annually, depending on stream | 26 October |
| Global EbA Fund | Up to $250,000 | 26 October |
| Conservation Leadership Programme | Up to $15,000 | 30 October |
| Agribusiness Growth Challenge | Competitive award of €6,000 or alternative prizes | 30 October |
| Van Doorn Foundation | Up to €5,000 | October application window |
| African Bird Club Awards | Up to £3,000 or £5,000, depending on award | End of October |
1. UHAI EASHRI OBSAA Fund — Flexible Funding for Community-Led Organisations
Deadline: 23 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time
Support offered: US$30,000–US$80,000 per year, depending on grant tier
UHAI EASHRI recently launched its first round of OBSAA Fund, which focuses on supporting organisations, collectives, and networks led by LGBTQ+ people and sex workers, through flexible, multi-year financial backing to ensure sustainable organisational development.
Who can apply?
To qualify, the applying organisation, collective, or network must be based in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, or Uganda.
The programme provides grants in three tiers:
- Community Roots: $30,000 annually for three years.
- Established Organising: $50,000 annually for five years.
- Strategic Scale: $80,000 annually for five years.
Interested in applying? Visit UHAI EASHRI’s official LinkedIn page to read about the OBSAA Round 1 announcement and multilingual application pack.
2. Jobtech Alliance Mombasa — Support for Employment-Focused Startups
Deadline: 23 October 2026
Support offered: Up to US$20,000 for qualifying ventures, plus technical assistance
If you are looking for grants and resources for small businesses in Kenya, Jobtech Alliance Mombasa’s support for employment-focused startups should be on your radar. It specifically focused on backing founders helping people secure job opportunities, earn income, or enhance their livelihoods through employment-focused digital platforms and services.
The opportunity is open to Mombasa-based businesses working to create solutions, such as connecting people to work, developing important skills, income generation, and providing services that contribute to the success of workers or small enterprises.
Who can apply?
You are eligible to apply if you’re operating a startup, an app, or digital services geared towards addressing the employment and income-generation needs of Mombasa residents.
You can still apply if you aren’t already operating from Mombasa, but you must be seriously working to expand there before July 2027.
You don’t have to be a registered company to qualify, but your initiative must primarily target businesses whose products or services are already in use.
If selected, you get access to industry networking opportunities, technical support, and founder events. Funding of up to $20,000 may be available, but not automatic, for all programme participants.
How to apply: Visit the Jobtech Alliance Mombasa founder call.
3. Halcyon Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Accelerator
Initial application deadline: 23 October 2026
Support offered: US$10,000 equity-free stipend, US$10,000 AWS credits, mentorship, and business development.
Halcyon’s Africa Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security Accelerator seeks to invest in early-stage, impact-driven ventures that create market-based solutions to address agriculture and food security challenges across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Consider applying if your business operations are centred on promoting and supporting climate resilience, agricultural productivity, or market connections. on improving smallholder farmer livelihoods, climate resilience, food access, agricultural productivity, or market connections.
Successful applicants will participate in a hybrid accelerator combining virtual sessions with residencies in Accra, Ghana, and Nairobi, Kenya, in 2027.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, you must:
- Have an early-stage business that operates in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Already have a working minimum viable product.
- Have some form of commercial traction, which can include paying customers, contracts, or paid pilots.
- Be dedicated to working full-time on the business
- Be 21 years or older by the time the programme commences
- Have a measurable social or environmental impact
How to apply: Visit Halcyon’s official programme page to complete the eligibility form by 23 October. If selected, you’ll be invited for the programme’s second round of application, where you’ll provide information about you and your venture in more detail.
Related post: 7 Tips for Writing Winning Grant Proposals: A Useful Guide for NGOs
4. Aidsfonds ActHIVate Fund — Grants for Community-Led HIV Responses
Deadline: 25 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET
Support offered: €52,500–€140,000 per organisation over the project period
Aidsfonds has launched its first ActHIVate Fund call to provide financial support to organisations championing community-led HIV services, advocacy, and more inclusive health systems.
€2 million is allocated to this funding round, targeting organisations working with transgender people and men who have sex with men in settings where access to healthcare remains restricted.
Who can apply?
Uganda is the only East African country eligible under the current call. Eligible applicants are community-led nonprofits that can demonstrate relevant experience in HIV-related advocacy and programming.
Projects are expected to run from April 2027 to December 2028
How to apply: Visit the Aidsfonds ActHIVate Fund page and access the full eligibility requirements. You can submit your application through this page.
5. Commonwealth Foundation Grants 2026–2027
Deadline: 26 October 2026, 1 p.m. GMT
Support offered: £15,000–£30,000 annually, depending on grant stream
The Commonwealth Foundation’s current grants call is among the funding opportunities closing this October. It targets civil society organisations working to advance social, political, and economic change.
The funding programme has three focus areas:
- Climate and environmental justice.
- Economic inclusion.
- Freedom of expression.
The programme offers support through two funding streams:
- Individual Organisation Grants: £15,000–£30,000 per year for up to two years, supporting eligible nonprofit civil society and creative organisations.
- Collective Action Grants: £15,000–£20,000 per year for up to two years, supporting eligible coalitions, networks, alliances, and collectives.
Who can apply?
East African countries eligible include Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. To qualify, organisations must have at least three years of experience and meet legal registration, project, and income requirements.
Before submitting an application, read the guidelines thoroughly to ensure your proposed project is aligned with the foundation’s current priorities.
How to apply: Visit the Commonwealth Foundation’s official grants page, read the guidelines, and use its online application portal. Learn how to prepare for the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Call.
6. Global EbA Fund — Small-Size Grants for Climate Adaptation
Deadline: 26 October 2026
Support offered: Up to US$250,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months
If you are seeking funding opportunities for NGOs, CBOs, and community groups, the Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Fund is among the top programmes to consider. The fund invests in organisations working to overcome systemic barriers for EbA scaling by addressing institutional and technical capacity constraints, generating high-quality data and evidence, learning networks, and fostering investment readiness.
It’s currently on the 8th call for proposals for its Small-Size Grants, which offers up to $250,000
Who can apply?
NGOs, civil society organisations, research institutions, and other legally recognised organisations working on ecosystem-based adaptation are eligible to apply.
How to apply: Review the Global EbA Fund small-size grants call and submit through the official online platform.
7. Conservation Leadership Programme — Future Conservationist Awards 2027
Concept note deadline: 30 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. GMT
Support offered: Up to US$15,000 per project
The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) recently announced its call for the 2027 Future Conservationist Awards.
Through the programme, successful applicants gain access not only to up to $15,000 in funding but also to training and mentorship through its global Alumni Network.
The programme’s focus areas include climate impact & adaptation, biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, social development, community participation, environmental policy, human-wildlife conflict, and environmental education & citizen science.
Who can apply?
You are eligible to apply if you are in a team of three early-career conservationists undertaking a project that aligns with the programme’s focus areas in low- and middle-income countries.
Team members must be early in their conservation careers, with no more than 5 years of professional experience. The proposed projects must run for six to twelve months.
The proposed project must go beyond academic research, and the applicant must demonstrate this in the submission.
You must also not request more than $15,000 and be prepared to contribute at least 50% of the project budget. Not sure how matching grants work? Read our guide to learn more.
How to apply: Visit the website, review the official CLP Future Conservationist Award guidelines. You can then download the concept note template and submit your application.
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.
8. Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026 — Business Growth Awards
Deadline: 30 October 2026
Support offered: Competitive €6,000 funding award or alternative business-support prizes
This is a free competition for young entrepreneurs running agribusinesses, particularly those growing maize, cashew, cocoa, or livestock. You must take three short online courses on the atingi e-Academy, then submit your business plan. If you succeed, you get a €6,000 funding, along with a laptop, and a chance to participate in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme.
Who can apply?
The programme is open to agripreneurs based in Sub-Saharan African countries.
How to apply: Review the opportunity on the East African Community Youth Agribusiness Portal and follow the official Agribusiness e-Academy application instructions.
Related post: Agricultural Grants and Resources in Kenya – 2026 Guide
9. Van Doorn Foundation — Vocational Training Project Grants
Application deadline: 31 October 2026
Support offered: Up to €5,000 per project
The Van Doorn Foundation invests in organisations working to enhance access to vocational education and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
If you are a nonprofit or training institution with operations centred on skills development, apprenticeships, or employment-related programmes, you should consider applying.
Who can apply?
Eligible organisations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
To qualify, your organisation must have an educational objective, vocational training expertise (at least 5 years of experience), and the necessary facilities to conduct training sessions.
You must have a feasible project plan and raise at least 15% of the project budget.
How to apply: Complete the initial application form from the Van Doorn Foundation’s official website and follow its email submission instructions.
10. African Bird Club Conservation and Expedition Awards
Deadline: End of October 2026
Support offered: Up to £3,000 for Conservation Awards or £5,000 for Expedition Awards
If you are working on a project that’s geared towards protecting African birds and their habitats, the African Bird Club’s conservation awards is among the funding opportunities closing this October to apply.
Eligible activities include bird surveys, habitat conservation, environmental education, local conservation training, and awareness initiatives.
Who can apply?
African-based individual or institutional projects
For expedition awards, only individuals or institutions with larger, more ambitious projects outside their home countries are eligible to apply.
You can only submit one proposal per funding round.
Successful projects in this round should not begin before the February 2027 funding decisions.
How to apply: Download the appropriate application form from the African Bird Club’s official awards page and submit it using the instructions provided.
Disclaimer: Funding opportunities and eligibility requirements can change. This article reflects the information available on 20 October 2026. Always consult the official funder’s website before applying. GrantsHaven is not affiliated with the listed funding organisations and does not guarantee funding.