Commonwealth Foundation Grants 2026–27: Up to £60,000 Available
The Commonwealth Foundation Grants open for applications on 23 September 2026, offering funding to civil society organisations, networks, and creative collectives across eligible Commonwealth countries.
Overview
The Commonwealth Foundation Grants open an open call providing financial support for projects seeking to influence public policy, public discourse, behaviours, and decision-making. The programme supports initiatives that use constructive engagement with governments and decision-makers or creative advocacy to bring about positive social, cultural, or political change.
There are two primary funding streams available:
- Individual Organisation Grants: Providing £15,000 to £30,000 per year for up to two years for standalone projects.
- Collective Action Grants: Providing £15,000 to £20,000 per year for up to two years for eligible networks, coalitions, alliances, and creative collectives.
Benefits
Successful applicants will receive funding to implement projects beginning between August and September 2027. Projects must focus on one or more of the Foundation's strategic impact areas:
- Climate and environmental justice
- Economic inclusion
- Freedom of expression
Projects are expected to integrate gender and intersectionality into their design and implementation, and youth-led organisations or projects involving young people are strongly encouraged.
Eligibility
Applicants must generally meet the following criteria:
- Be a registered not-for-profit civil society or creative organisation, or an eligible network, coalition, alliance, or platform based in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country.
- Have been registered and operating for at least three years with demonstrable experience relevant to the proposed project.
- Have an average annual income of less than £2.5 million, requesting no more than 70% of that average annual income over the previous two years.
- Not be currently implementing a Commonwealth Foundation grant or awaiting a final payment from a recently completed grant.
How to Apply
Applicants must first register for a SurveyMonkey Apply account and submit a complete online application form along with mandatory supporting documentation before the deadline. Required items typically include a logic model, registration certificates, board or trustee details, and relevant annual accounts or audited statements depending on the grant amount.
Deadline
Applications open on 23 September 2026 at 12pm GMT and close on 26 October 2026 at 12pm GMT.