Are you a not-for-profit civil society organisation, network, coalition, alliance, platform or creative collective in an eligible Commonwealth country? The Commonwealth Foundation’s 2026–27 annual grants call is now open, with two funding streams for civil society and collective action.
⏰ Deadline: 26 October 2026 at 1:00 PM GMT
⏳ 29 days left as of 27 September 2026.
What funding is available?
The Foundation is offering two streams. Individual Organisation Grants provide £15,000–£30,000 per year for up to two years. Collective Action Grants provide £15,000–£20,000 per year for up to two years for eligible networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives.
Applications must address at least one of three priorities: climate and environmental justice, economic inclusion, or freedom of expression. Gender and intersectionality must be considered in project design and implementation.
Important eligibility checks
The requested grant cannot exceed 70% of the applicant’s or lead applicant’s average annual income over the previous two years, and that average annual income must be below £2.5 million. Applicants also need at least three years of relevant experience and significant experience working with the communities where the project will be delivered. Projects are expected to begin between 1 August and 30 September 2027.
Documents to prepare
The official call requires an online application plus supporting documentation, including a logic model using the Foundation’s template, registration evidence showing the applicant or lead applicant is not-for-profit, and governance information listing board members or trustees and their roles.
How to strengthen your application
General application guidance: start with eligibility before writing. Make the problem specific and evidence-based, show how affected communities informed the project, and connect activities to a realistic pathway for policy, practice, behaviour or public-discourse change. Build the logic model early so objectives, activities, outputs and outcomes remain consistent.
A common mistake is leaving evidence, governance documents or the logic model until the final days. Use the remaining time for evidence collection and internal review, not just drafting.
Official source and application
Read the official Commonwealth Foundation grants call
Open the official application system
Always verify the latest eligibility and guidance directly with the Foundation before submitting.
Useful next steps
Before committing staff time, use the Africads Should We Apply? Grant Checker to test opportunity fit. If you need help structuring application documents, GrantsWriterAI can support the drafting process, but review every output against the donor’s official requirements.
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