Commonwealth Foundation Grant 2026-2027 (up to £15,000)

Overview

The Commonwealth Foundation grants programme for 2026-2027 supports civil society across the Commonwealth, including grassroots communities and creative actors, to advance meaningful social, cultural and political change. It backs projects that seek change through constructive engagement with governments and other decision-makers, through creative advocacy, or both. Creative advocacy means the intentional use of creative practices to influence public discourse, policy, behaviours or decision-making.

This year the Foundation is widening 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.

What you get

Funding comes through two grant streams. Individual Organisation Grants are for eligible not-for-profit civil society organisations, including creative ones, delivering standalone projects, with grants of £15,000 to £30,000 per year for up to two years. Collective Action Grants are for eligible networks, coalitions, alliances and platforms of civil society actors, including creative collectives, that work together to strengthen participation and collective action, with grants of £15,000 to £20,000 per year for up to two years.

Who can apply

Individual Organisation Grants are open to not-for-profit civil society organisations and creative organisations registered in eligible Commonwealth Foundation member countries. They must have been registered and operating for at least three years, with at least three years of demonstrable relevant experience and significant experience in the communities where the project will be delivered. The project must be implemented at least in the country of registration, and multi-country projects must show strong local participation in each country. Average annual income over the past two years must be under £2.5 million, and the requested grant must not exceed 70% of average annual income. Organisations currently implementing a Commonwealth Foundation grant, or awaiting final payment on a recent one, are not eligible.

All Collective Action proposals must advance at least one strategic impact area: freedom of expression, economic inclusion, or climate and environmental justice. They must show how gender and intersectionality informed the design and will be integrated throughout. Creative applicants should submit a small selection of previous or current work.

Key dates

The application deadline is October 26, 2026. Projects are expected to begin between 1 August 2027 and 30 September 2027.