Commonwealth Foundation Grants Program 2027

Applications are open for the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Program 2027, the Commonwealth Foundation’s 2026–2027 annual grants call for civil society and creative organisations working to advance democratic participation, development and social change in eligible Commonwealth countries.

The programme supports projects that use constructive engagement with governments and other decision-makers, creative advocacy, or both, to influence public discourse, policy, behaviour or decision-making.

About Commonwealth Foundation

The Commonwealth Foundation is an international organisation that supports civil society across the Commonwealth and funds projects that contribute to participation in democracy and development.

Its grants support organisations, networks and creative actors working with communities to promote social, cultural and political change and strengthen participation in decisions that affect people’s lives.

About Commonwealth Foundation Grants Program 2027

The programme funds standalone projects delivered by eligible not-for-profit organisations, networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives. Projects may run for one or two years and may be implemented at national, sub-national, regional or international level.

Every project must be implemented in at least the applicant’s or lead applicant’s country of registration. Multi-country projects must demonstrate strong local participation in every country where activities will take place.

• Expected project start: Between 1 August 2027 and 30 September 2027
• Project duration: One or two years
• Geographical scope: National, sub-national, regional or international
• Application platform: Commonwealth Foundation Grants Online Application System using SurveyMonkey Apply

Projects must address at least one of the Foundation’s strategic impact areas:

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

Gender and intersectionality must be integrated into the design and implementation of every project. Small states are a cross-cutting priority, and projects that meaningfully involve young people in leadership are encouraged.

Available Grant Types

1. Individual Organisation Grants
2. Collective Action Grants

1. Individual Organisation Grants

These grants are for eligible not-for-profit civil society organisations and creative organisations delivering standalone projects.

• Grant amount: £15,000 to £30,000 per year
• Maximum duration: Two years
• Organisation history: The organisation must have been registered and operating for at least three years
• Relevant experience: At least three years of demonstrable experience related to the proposed project and selected strategic impact area
• Community experience: Significant experience working in the communities where the project will be delivered
• Income limit: Average annual income below £2.5 million over the previous two years
• Funding proportion: The requested grant must not exceed 70% of the organisation’s average annual income over the previous two years

Organisations currently implementing a Commonwealth Foundation grant, or organisations that recently completed a grant but have not received the final payment, are not eligible for this grant type.

2. Collective Action Grants

These grants support eligible not-for-profit networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives working to strengthen participation and collective action.

• Grant amount: £15,000 to £20,000 per year
• Maximum duration: Two years
• Eligible applicants: Networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives
• Unregistered groups: An unregistered network or collective must nominate an eligible registered member organisation to act as lead applicant
• Relevant experience: The network, collective or lead applicant must have at least three years of demonstrable experience related to the proposed project and strategic impact area
• Community experience: Significant experience working in the communities where the project will be delivered
• Income limit: The collective or lead applicant’s average annual income must be below £2.5 million over the previous two years
• Funding proportion: The requested grant must not exceed 70% of the collective’s or lead applicant organisation’s average annual income over the previous two years

Networks, collectives and lead applicants currently implementing a Commonwealth Foundation grant, or those that recently completed a grant but have not received the final payment, are not eligible.

Eligibility & Requirements

• Applicants must be based in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country.
• The proposed project must address climate and environmental justice, economic inclusion, freedom of expression, or more than one of these areas.
• Projects must use constructive engagement with governments and other decision-makers, creative advocacy, or both to pursue change.
• Gender and intersectionality must be meaningfully integrated into project design and implementation.
• Projects must be implemented at least in the applicant’s or lead applicant’s country of registration.
• Multi-country proposals must show strong local participation in every country where activities will take place.
• An organisation, network or collective may appear in only one application under this call, either as a lead applicant or partner.
• Applicants must identify safeguarding risks and explain how those risks will be managed.
• Shortlisted applicants may be required to provide safeguarding policies or procedures, or to develop suitable safeguarding measures as a condition of funding.
• Creative organisations and creative collectives must submit a small selection of previous or current work demonstrating their creative practice and its relevance to the proposed project.

Required Application Materials

• Completed online application form
• Logic model prepared using the Commonwealth Foundation’s template
• Registration documentation
• Proof of not-for-profit status
• Governance information listing board members or trustees, including their roles, responsibilities and contact details

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide additional information, including a detailed project budget.

Monitoring, Reporting and Selection

Successful grant partners must develop a monitoring plan and submit narrative and financial reports in line with the grant agreement.

• One-year projects: An end-of-project narrative report and financial report are required.
• Two-year projects: Narrative and financial reports are required at the end of the first year and at project completion.
• Shortlisting: Shortlisted applicants are expected to be contacted by the end of February 2027.
• Final decisions: Successful applicants are expected to be informed by the end of June 2027.
• Unsuccessful applications: Individual feedback is not provided.

The Foundation typically receives around 3,000 applications for its grants call.

Application Details

• Deadline: 26 October 2026 at 13:00 GMT
• Submission method: Online through the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Online Application System using SurveyMonkey Apply
• Important restriction: Applications submitted by email or post will not be considered