Funding Opportunities for NGOs, CBOs and Community Groups in Kenya

The non-profit sector is a major social and economic driver in Kenya, creating vital employment opportunities and significantly contributing towards community welfare, education, health, and environmental sustainability.

To successfully run these organisations, adequate funding is essential. Kenya boasts a diverse pool of funding streams from both local and international sources. But a mix of fierce competition and specific donor priorities makes attracting financial backing one of the biggest hurdles these organisations face. For this reason, knowing where to find relevant opportunities is just as important as having an excellent project idea.

From Commonwealth Foundaation Grants to TEEEM Foundation Community Impact Grant, there are many ways to finance your cause and make an impact. We have compiled the top funding opportunities for NGOs, CBOs, and community groups to simplify your search.

Current Funding Opportunities at a Glance

Opportunity	Funding	Deadline	Status
UHAI EASHRI OBSAA Fund – Round 1	Up to $50,000	Oct 23	Closed
Commonwealth Foundation Grants	Up to £30,000	Oct 26	Closed
Global EbA Fund – Small-Size Grants	Up to $250,000	Oct 26	Closed
Conservation Leadership Programme Future Conservationist Award 2027	Up to $15,000	Oct 30	Closed
Van Doorn Foundation Project Funding	Up to €5,000	Oct 31	🟢 Open
TEEEM Foundation Community Impact Grant	Up to $30,000	Nov 1	🟢 Open

UHAI EASHRI OBSAA Fund – Round 1

Application deadline: October 23, 2026

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, UHAI – The East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative (EASHRI), is committed to LGBTIQ, gender minorities, and sex worker-led organisations in East Africa. It’s the very first indigenous LGBTIQ fund in the region. UHAI strictly invests in organisations or programmes led by LGBTIQ+ or sex workers, so mainstream organisations aren’t eligible to apply. The initiative offers funding in three tiers:

Tier 1: Community Roots: USD 30,000/year for 3 years
Tier 2: Established Organising: USD 50,000/year for 5 years
Tier 3: Strategic Scale: USD 80,000/year for 5 years

Commonwealth Foundation Grants

Application deadline: October 26, 2026

Commonwealth Foundation’s current funding call supports nonprofit civil society organisations through:

Individual Organisation Grants. £15,000 to £30,000 individual grants per year for up to two years to eligible nonprofit civil society and creative organisations.
Collective Action Grants. £15,000 to £20,000 per year for up to two years to eligible coalitions, networks, alliances, and platforms of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and creative collectives and actors.

To qualify for funding, applying entities or groups must have been registered and in operation for at least three years. They must demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience relevant to the project and Commonwealth Foundation’s impact areas.

Your organisation must also have an annual income below £2.5 million, and the funding amount you are requesting must not be more than 70% of your annual income over the past two years. Find out more here. Learn how to prepare for the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Call.

Global EbA Fund – Small-Size Grants

Application deadline: October 26, 2026

The Global EbA Fund has recently announced its 8^th call for Small-Size Grants, offering up to $250,000 for eligible organisations working to overcome barriers to Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) scaling. The fund’s goal is to protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems against climate change by creating biodiversity and nature-based solutions. NGOs, INGOs, IGOs, and CBOs are all eligible to apply. So, if you are a CBO seeking international grant funding, consider submitting an application to be considered for the Small-Size Grants.

Conservation Leadership Programme Future Conservationist Award 2027

Application deadline: October 30, 2026

Established 40 years ago, the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is a training and capacity-building partnership between BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora, and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). It was formed to identify, support, and nurture conservationists in their early careers, and through its annual Future Conservationist Awards, it offers up to $15,000 project grants. Beyond funding, successful applicants also enjoy training and mentorship through the partnership’s global Alumni Network.

For 2027 awards, the application process is divided into two stages: Stage 1, where you submit a concept note, and Stage 2, where only shortlisted concepts are invited to complete a full application. Please find the concept note template and guidelines for completing the template. Project duration for this funding round is strictly 6-12 months.

Van Doorn Foundation Project Funding

Application deadline: October 31, 2026

Van Doorn Foundation invests in organisations providing vocational training to disadvantaged youth aged 14-28. It offers up to €5,000, which covers equipment, tools, and tuition fees. Please note that the foundation doesn’t offer the amount directly to the organisation. Instead, it pays the money to the local suppliers who provide those materials. Also, the foundation doesn’t cover the entire project cost; organisations applying are required to contribute at least 15% of the project budget. Learn how matching grants for nonprofits work.

To qualify, the organisation must meet eligibility requirements, which include operating with a clear educational objective and a training centre with no less than five years of experience in vocational training, within Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zambia.

TEEEM Foundation Community Impact Grant

Application deadline: November 1, 2026

TEEM (The Empathy, Equality, Entrepreneurship Mission) Foundation is committed to supporting organisations that work to bring sustainable, community-based solutions through innovation, education, empowerment, and service. Its Community Impact Grant Programme offers funding ranging between:

$5,000 – $10,000 for small community initiatives
$10,000 – $20,000 for growing impact projects &
$20,000 – $30,000 for large-scale community initiatives

Please note that the amount can be offered in full or in part, depending on the funding availability and the program’s priorities. Also, organisations in need of funding outside these ranges may be considered, so don’t hesitate to apply.

Before You Apply…

Before submitting an application for any of these funding opportunities, ensure you read and understand the eligibility criteria and that the programme is a good fit for your project. Have all the required documents ready for you before the application process.

Additionally, review your proposed project activities to ensure they align with the granting organisation’s priorities.

Lastly, reevaluate your non-profit to ensure it’s well prepared to manage funds effectively and meet any reporting requirements should you win the award.

For more valuable tools and guides, visit our Resources page and read our article on ‘Why Your CBO Isn’t Winning Grants‘ to identify what could be hindering you from successfully securing funds.