Democracy, human rights, justice reform, policy advocacy
- Typical size
- $25k – $500k
- How to apply
- Major funder of policy think-tanks, watchdogs and reform coalitions. Apply via regional offices.
Advocacy & Democracy Funding
Political Lobbying & Civic Education Grants
A curated directory of foundations, EU programmes and UN funds that finance non-partisan policy advocacy, democratic reform, and civic education work — with typical award sizes and how to apply.
Vetted by our advisory team · updated quarterly
Policy advocacy & lobbying
Funders for non-partisan political advocacy
These donors fund policy research, watchdog work, reform coalitions and democratic strengthening — framed as advocacy, not partisan campaigning.
Democratic institutions, civil society, independent media
- Typical size
- $50k – $200k / year
- How to apply
- Rolling submissions. Funds NGOs outside the US working on democratic reform.
Pro-democracy activists, movements, independent media
- Typical size
- €10k – €150k
- How to apply
- Flexible, fast support. Even unregistered initiatives can apply.
Human rights defenders, electoral observation, advocacy
- Typical size
- €100k – €1M
- How to apply
- Annual country-based and global calls. Co-funding usually required.
Human rights, women's rights, freedom of expression
- Typical size
- £20k – £150k / year
- How to apply
- By invitation; identify a fit and write a concise letter of inquiry.
Civic empowerment, data & digital rights, financial transparency
- Typical size
- $100k – $1M
- How to apply
- Strategic, multi-year. Strong focus on accountability tech.
Social justice, civic engagement, governance
- Typical size
- $100k+
- How to apply
- Mostly invitation-based; build a relationship with programme officers.
Strengthening civil society, advocacy capacity
- Typical size
- $50k – $250k
- How to apply
- Letter of inquiry first. Particularly active in CEE and Africa.
Civic education
Funders for civic education & democratic citizenship
Programmes that finance voter education, youth civic engagement, media literacy and education for democratic citizenship.
Civic engagement, EU values, remembrance, equality
- Typical size
- €75k – €1M
- How to apply
- Annual calls. Requires multi-country partnerships of 3+ organisations.
Youth civic education, human rights education
- Typical size
- €10k – €50k
- How to apply
- Two deadlines per year. Good entry-level grant for civic ed NGOs.
Education for democratic citizenship, media literacy
- Typical size
- $8k – $26k
- How to apply
- Apply through your National Commission for UNESCO.
Democracy education, journalism training, civic dialogue
- Typical size
- €20k – €300k
- How to apply
- Thematic calls plus an open funding line for civic projects.
Citizens engagement, watchdog initiatives, voter education
- Typical size
- PLN 20k – PLN 200k
- How to apply
- Strong regional reach across Central & Eastern Europe.
Political education, rule of law, civic dialogue
- Typical size
- Project-based, varies
- How to apply
- Works through 80+ country offices; partner-led grants.
Democratic education, trade unions, social democracy
- Typical size
- Project-based
- How to apply
- Work via country offices; long-term partnership model.
Civic engagement, voter education, women's participation
- Typical size
- $100k – $300k (2 years)
- How to apply
- Annual call (usually Nov–Jan). 86% of funding goes to local NGOs.
Need help shortlisting?
Our advisors can match your organisation to 3–5 of these funders and review your concept note before submission.
Request a matching call