Apply for the 2027 Commonwealth Foundation Annual £60,000 Grant

The Commonwealth Foundation Annual Grant provides Commonwealth civil society organizations with grants of up to £60,000.

The goal of these open call grants is to encourage constructive interaction between decision-makers and civil society, including civil society involvement in the formulation and application of policies. 

Application Deadline: 26 October 2026 at 1:00 p.m. GMT

Tell Me About The Award:

The Commonwealth Foundation’s annual Open Grants Call supports civil society organisations, grassroots communities, creative organisations, networks, coalitions, alliances and collectives working to achieve meaningful social, cultural and political change.

There are two grant streams:

• Individual Organisation Grants: £15,000–£30,000 per year for up to two years.
• Collective Action Grants: £15,000–£20,000 per year for up to two years.

Projects must address at least one of the Foundation’s three funding priorities and demonstrate how gender and intersectionality will be integrated into project design and implementation.

Which Fields are Eligible?

Projects must focus on at least one of:

• Climate and environmental justice
• Economic inclusion
• Freedom of expression

Projects may also incorporate creative advocacy, youth participation, gender equality and intersectional approaches.

Type:

Civil Society / Project Grant

Who Can Apply?

Individual Organisation Grants

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit civil society or creative organisations that:

• Are registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country.
• Have been registered and operating for at least three years.
• Have at least three years of relevant experience.
• Have significant experience working in the communities where the project will take place.
• Have average annual income below £2.5 million over the previous two years.
• Request no more than 70% of their average annual income.
• Are not currently implementing a Commonwealth Foundation grant or awaiting a final payment from a recently completed grant.

Collective Action Grants

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country.

An unregistered network or collective can apply through an eligible registered member organisation acting as the lead applicant.

Newly registered organisations, networks or collectives with less than three years of operation are not eligible.

How Are Applicants Selected?

Applications are assessed against the Foundation’s eligibility and assessment criteria, including:

• Track record of advocacy work.
• Clarity of the problem being addressed.
• Strength and feasibility of the proposed approach.
• Evidence of consultation with intended beneficiaries.
• Organisational capacity to deliver the project.
• Commitment to gender equality.
• Relevance and timeliness of the proposed project.

The Foundation typically receives around 3,000 applications.

Shortlisted applicants are expected to be contacted in February 2027, with successful applicants informed before the end of June 2027.

Which Countries Are Eligible?

Organisations must be registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country.

The source directs applicants to the Commonwealth Foundation’s eligible-country map and eligibility quiz. It does not provide the complete country list in the supplied text.

Where Will the Award Be Taken?

Projects must be implemented in the applicant or lead applicant’s country of registration, although activities may also take place in other eligible Commonwealth Foundation member countries.

Multi-country projects must demonstrate strong local participation in each country of implementation.

How Many Awards?

The source does not specify a fixed number of grants.

What Is the Benefit of the Award?

Individual Organisation Grants

• £15,000–£30,000 per year
• Up to two years
• Maximum potential grant value: £60,000 over two years

Collective Action Grants

• £15,000–£20,000 per year
• Up to two years
• Maximum potential grant value: £40,000 over two years

The requested grant cannot exceed 70% of the applicant’s average annual income over the previous two years.

How Long Will the Award Last?

Up to two years.

Projects are expected to begin between 1 August 2027 and 30 September 2027.

How to Apply:

1. Check that your organisation or collective meets the eligibility requirements.
2. Complete the Commonwealth Foundation eligibility quiz.
3. Confirm that your country is on the eligible-country list.
4. Register through SurveyMonkey Apply.
5. Select the appropriate grant stream.
6. Complete the online application form.
7. Provide the required supporting documentation.
8. Review and submit the application before the deadline.
9. Confirm that the application has been successfully submitted.

Applicants should also review the relevant Guidelines for Applicants, Application Questions, FAQs, Logic Model Template and How to Apply Guide before submitting.

Visit the Application Webpage for Details