TOP ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A GRANT.

Are you looking for capital to start a new business or grow an already established business in Nigeria? Here is a compilation of some organizations that would give you some free $$$ to build your dream. Many would call it free money, but it’s best not to look at with such perspective as many of these grants have monitoring and evaluation systems in place to checkmate how they are utilized.

Though grants are mostly attributed to NGOs or social entrepreneurs, recently we have seen many SMEs or tech startups clinging to grants to boost their financial purse and in overall helping their business grow. So if capital is your biggest headache and obstacle right now find time to check out the following organizations.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation

The Tony Elumelu Foundation

An African non-profit organization founded in 2010 by Tony O. Elumelu. The foundation believes

that with the right support, entrepreneurs especially those in Africa can be empowered to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s prosperity and social development. Grants from the foundation goes into many sectors including the tech-enabled businesses. We have seen hundreds of businesses benefited from this foundation including CCHUB.

Shell LiveWIRE

A social investment programme that aims to help young Nigerians explore the option of starting their own business as a real and viable career option.

The programme operates mainly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and aims to inspire, encourage and support young people aged 18–35 to start up their own

businesses through the provision of finance and training.

African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)

The African Women’s Development Fund.

A foundation that supports local, national and regional women’s businesses. Founded by the wife

of the Governor-elect of Ekiti state in Nigeria. An organization like Community media trust has gotten $10,000 funding from them. If your business promotes women involvement in leadership and also relieve them of poverty, try checking out AWDF for some funding.

Hilden Charitable Fund

The Hilden Charitable Fund

The Hilden Charitable Fund awards grants to projects both in the UK and in developing countries. The aim of the fund is to address disadvantages, notably by supporting causes which are less likely to raise funds from public subscriptions. Hilden Charitable Fund grants are £5,000 but can continually fund more than a year as long as your business tractions meet their expectations.

Seedstars World

Seedstars World

They run 80+ local competitions where we identify the best seed-stage startups. In addition to the grant you can get from Seedstars their event is also lovely and brings together executives which usually good for high-level networking moves.

Though we are not 100% sure if the cash prize awarded at their events does not come with some equity demand, but it is widely sensed that it is a grant with options of equity funding.

She Leads Africa

She Leads Africa

It’s a community that helps young African women achieve business dreams. Other than the grant opportunity, they have amazing events and partners that provide free credits to businesses.

Through it acceleration program, She Leads Africa gives over 4 million cash prizes to amazing businesses as long as you meet their criteria. They really do not have huge criteria to access the funds, but there are over 5 hurdles to cross to claim it.

Ford Foundation.

Ford Foundation

Do you have ideas or business that addresses the following; Civic Engagement and Government, Creativity and Free Expression, Future of Work Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice, Internet Freedom, Just Cities and Regions, Natural Resources and Climate Change.

Then you are likely to get funding from Ford Foundation. The foundation makes grants through its headquarters and ten international field offices. In 2014, the foundation approved US$507.9 million in grants as it owes 90% of the non-voting shares of the Ford Motor Company.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

This foundation has invested heavily in Africa and especially Nigeria. The foundation focuses on developing countries, they focus on improving people’s health and wellbeing, helping individuals lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.

So if you have a business addressing things like; Increasing agricultural productivity, Enhance access to financial services, Improve nutrition, health care you can definitely secure some funding from the foundation.

Nigeria Federal Government YOUWIN Program:

A multimedia enterprise education initiative of the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Finance which aims to support young entrepreneurs as they PLAN, START and GROW their businesses. The program seeks to promote entrepreneurship as a viable career option for young Nigerians which in turn will create jobs and wealth.

There are many other organizations that give grants to businesses especially SMEs, but these few has been carefully selected as they have been doing this over time and have proven to be reliable with it. I hope to continually publish more revises as I notice them.