List Of Funding Organizations In South Africa: For NGOs, NPOs & Startups

Securing reliable funding is the single greatest challenge for organizations working to create positive change in South Africa. Whether you are a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), a community project, or a social enterprise, knowing where to look for grants and funding is the first critical step towards sustainability.

This article provides a comprehensive list of funding organizations in South Africa, categorised by donor type to help you quickly identify the right partners for your mission. Beyond just a list, we’ll also offer key insights on how to approach these organizations to maximize your chances of success.

Also check: How To Apply For NGO Funding In South Africa Online

Understanding the South African Funding Landscape

Before applying, it’s crucial to understand the different types of funders and what they typically support. They generally fall into three broad categories:

1. Corporate Social Investment (CSI): These are funds from large companies mandated to contribute to socio-economic development. They often focus on specific themes like education, entrepreneurship, or health.
2. Government Grants and Funding: Provided by national and provincial departments to support initiatives that align with public policy goals.
3. International Donors and Foundations: These are foreign agencies and foundations that provide funding for development work in South Africa, often with a broader regional or thematic focus.

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Comprehensive List of Funding Organizations in South Africa

Here is a detailed list of key funders, broken down by category.

Category 1: Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Funds

Corporate funders are a major source of support. They often have structured application processes and clear focus areas.

• The Anglo American Group: Focuses on education, health, enterprise development, and community resilience in their host communities and nationwide.
• Sasol Social Investment: Key focus areas include education (particularly STEM), sustainability, and community development, primarily in the areas where they operate.
• Absa Foundation: Supports initiatives in financial literacy, education, and health & wellbeing, with a strong focus on empowering youth and women.
• Nedbank Foundation: Concentrates on education, job creation, and the environment, often through structured programmes and partnerships.
• Standard Bank Top Women: Empowers women-led businesses and organizations through funding, networking, and recognition platforms.
• Old Mutual Foundation: Focuses on education, entrepreneurship, and financial education, aiming to create resilient and sustainable communities.
• Investec CSI: Supports education and entrepreneurship, with a notable focus on high-potential individuals and organizations.

Category 2: Government Funding & Grants

Government funding is often tied to specific policy objectives and requires strict compliance.

• National Development Agency (NDA): A key government agency that provides funding and capacity-building support to civil society organizations, particularly those fighting poverty.
• National Youth Development Agency (NYDA): Offers grant funding to youth-owned enterprises and youth-led community organizations.
• Department of Social Development (DSD): Provides funding to NPOs that deliver social welfare services aligned with the department’s mandates.
• Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic): Offers various incentive schemes and grants for enterprises, including those with a social impact, to promote economic growth and job creation.
• Technology Innovation Agency (TIA): Funds South African innovators and entrepreneurs in the technology and science sectors.

Category 3: International Donors & Foundations

These organizations often provide larger, more long-term funding but are highly competitive.

• The BRICS Grants: Focuses on challenging inequality in all its forms, supporting work in social justice, economic fairness, and democratic governance.
• The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation: Supports civil society, education, and community development, with a strong focus on building sustainable communities.
• The Global Fund: Provides significant funding for organizations working in the health sector, specifically on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
• USAID (United States Agency for International Development): Funds a wide range of projects in democracy, human rights, governance, health, and economic growth.
• The European Union (EU) Delegation to South Africa: Provides grants for projects that align with EU-South Africa cooperation strategies, often in areas like human rights, environment, and education.
• The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Foundation: A German foundation that supports projects focused on democracy, human rights, climate justice, and socio-ecological transformation.

Category 4: Specialist & Sector-Specific Funders

These organizations focus on very specific causes or types of organizations.

• The DG Murray Trust (DGMT): A prominent South African foundation that focuses on conceptualizing and implementing initiatives to improve education, early childhood development, and public health.
• The FirstRand Foundation: Comprises the FirstRand, FNB, RMB, and WesBank foundations, funding in education, health, enterprise development, and arts and culture.
• The Oppenheimer Generations Foundation: Focuses on conservation, education, and systemic change across Africa, including South Africa.
• The Albert Wessels Trust & The Nozala Trust: These trusts, associated with Shoprite, provide funding to organizations working in social welfare, education, and health.

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How to Successfully Apply to These Funding Organizations

A list is only the first step. To convert an opportunity into funding, you need a strategic approach.

1. Do Your Research (Beyond the List): Don’t just mass-apply. Visit each funder’s website from this list of funding organizations in South Africa and understand their specific focus areas, geographic preferences, and application windows. A perfect proposal sent to the wrong funder is a waste of time.
2. Build a Solid Organizational Foundation: Ensure your NPO is fully compliant. This includes:
   • Valid NPO registration status with the Department of Social Development.
   • Up-to-date governance documents (Constitution, Board Meeting Minutes).
   • A clean and professional financial record, preferably with audited financial statements.
3. Craft a Compelling Proposal: Your application should tell a powerful story. It must clearly articulate:
   • The Problem: What specific issue are you addressing? Use local data.
   • Your Solution: How does your project provide a tangible, measurable solution?
   • Your Team: Why is your organization the right one to implement this?
   • The Budget: A clear, detailed, and realistic budget that aligns with your activities.
4. Cultivate Relationships: Funding is not just transactional. Attend webinars and networking events hosted by these donors. Engage with them on social media. Building a relationship before you apply can make your application stand out.
5. Prepare for Reporting: Funders need to see impact. Have a robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework in place from the start, so you can report back on your successes and lessons learned.

FAQs –  List of funding organizations in south africa 2025

Where can I get funding for my NPO in South Africa?

The BRICS Grants offer funding for NPOs in South Africa, you can start your application HERE

Where or how to find funding sponsors in South Africa?

Check BRICS Grants website if your projects fall in the category of funding they offer, generally, they offer funding opportunities for business startups, NPO, research funding and more.

Where or how to find funding in South Africa?

Check various international organizations such as UN, BRICS Grants etc they offer various forms of funding.

Conclusion: Africa Grant Opportunities

This list of funding organizations in South Africa is a starting point for your journey to financial sustainability. The landscape is dynamic, with new funds and focus areas emerging regularly. 

The key to success lies in targeted research, organizational readiness, and the ability to demonstrate a clear, measurable impact.

Use this guide as your roadmap. Identify the 5-10 funders that most closely align with your work, delve deep into their requirements, and begin building the relationships and proposals that will power your mission forward. T

he resources are available; it’s now about crafting the right key to unlock them.