About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Applications are now open for the Dana Foundation Grants Programme 2026, offering up to €150,000 in flexible funding to support locally led organizations working to address multidimensional poverty and drive sustainable community impact.
Business Formation
This program is designed to empower grassroots organizations with long-term, unrestricted funding, enabling them to implement scalable, community-driven solutions.
About the Programme
The Dana Foundation Grants Programme focuses on supporting locally led, evidence-based initiatives that tackle interconnected social and economic challenges.
The program adopts a trust-based philanthropy approach, prioritizing flexibility, reduced administrative burden, and long-term partnerships with grantees.
Rather than funding short-term projects, the initiative supports organizations holistically, allowing them to respond to evolving community needs and scale their impact sustainably.
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Funding Details
Selected organizations will receive:
Up to €150,000 total funding over 3 years
Approximately €50,000 per year
Unrestricted funding (flexible use based on organizational needs)
Simplified reporting requirements
Long-term partnership support
The funding model is designed to strengthen organizations, not just individual projects.
Focus Areas
The programme supports initiatives addressing multidimensional poverty, including:
Education access and quality
Health and well-being
Livelihoods and economic empowerment
Social inclusion and equality
Climate resilience
It also encourages:
Dana Foundation updates
Systems-thinking approaches
Community-led solutions
Evidence-based programming
Cross-sector interventions
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, organizations must:
Be locally led and community-based organizations
Have an annual budget under €500,000
Operate in regions with high levels of multidimensional poverty
Demonstrate strong governance and financial management systems
Have a clear strategy or theory of change
Show evidence of impact and learning systems
The program prioritizes organizations deeply rooted in the communities they serve.
Foundation program guide
Programme Features
Key highlights of the program include:
Multi-year funding (3 years)
Flexible and unrestricted grants
Reduced reporting requirements
Emphasis on organizational strengthening
Focus on long-term systemic impact
This approach ensures that organizations can focus more on impact and less on administrative constraints.
How to apply
Application details
To apply for this opportunity, please contact the provider directly. Make sure you have your CV, personal statement, and any required documents ready.