Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme 2026/2027 for Civil Society Organizations (£60,000 in Grants)

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Applications are open for Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme 2026/2027. The Foundation’s grants programme supports civil society across the Commonwealth including grassroots communities and creative actors—to advance meaningful social, cultural and political change.

This year, the Foundation is expanding its funding offer to create new opportunities for civil society networks, coalitions, alliances and collectives, building on several years of support for grassroots communities and creative organisations.

Applications must address one or more of our three funding priorities. All applicants are required to demonstrate how they intend to integrate considerations of gender and intersectionality into their project design and implementation.

Two Grants Streams

We offer funding through two complementary grant streams:

Individual Organisation Grants
- For eligible not-for-profit civil society organisations, including creative organisations, delivering standalone projects. Grants are available from £15,000 to £30,000 per year for up to two years.
Collective Action Grants
- For eligible networks, coalitions, alliances and platforms of civil society actors, including creative collectives, working together to strengthen participation and collective action. Grants are available from £15,000 to £20,000 per year for up to two years.
Please see the guidance documents for full information about both grant streams. Our frequently asked questions provide further information on the new Collective Action Grants and changes to this year’s call, as well as answers to common questions about Individual Organisation Grants and the application process.

Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme Funding Priorities

Applications must address one or more of our three priority themes: climate and environmental justice, economic inclusion and freedom of expression.

Eligibility Criteria

Individual Organisation Grants
- Open to not-for-profit civil society organisations and creative organisations registered in eligible Commonwealth Foundation member countries.
- Applicants must have been registered and operating for at least three years, with a minimum of three years’ demonstrable experience relevant to the proposed project and our strategic impact areas. This may include constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, or using arts and creative expression to influence narratives, policy or public discourse.
- Applicants should also have significant experience of working in the communities where their proposed project will be delivered.
Collective Action Grants
- Open to not-for-profit networks, such as coalitions, alliances or platforms of civil society organisations (CSOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), groups, creative actors or creative collectives in eligible Commonwealth Foundation member countries.
- If the network or collective is not a registered organisation, a registered civil society organisation that is a member of the collective must act as lead applicant on its behalf.