Who is funding social impact in Latin America?

In 2025, Latin America faced one of the biggest blows to social funding: the closure of USAID. According to The Resource Foundation, its departure left a gap of over USD $2.3 billion in the region.

But the social sector didn't stop. Nonprofits began looking for new funding routes. Companies, foundations, and regional funds are gaining ground as key allies to drive social impact in the region.

In this list, we have gathered funding calls for the social sector in 2026. New opportunities, new partners, and new possibilities for nonprofits looking to scale their impact.

1. Companies and corporate funds

a. ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grant

• Amount: CAD $180,000 – CAD $1.2 million.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Education, democracy, and civic engagement.

Funds programs through Scotiabank based on their stage and ability to prove results, with amounts varying according to the project's scope.

b. Avery Dennison Foundation Grants

• Amount: USD $50,000 – USD $100,000.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Education, environment, gender, food security, and agriculture.

Supports nonprofits aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and with a direct connection to their communities.

c. CISCO Impact Crash Grant

• Amount: USD $75,000.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Education and technology.

Supports early-stage technological solutions for vulnerable communities.

d. The Gilead Foundation

• Amount: Upon request.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Health.

Focuses on research into the prevention, treatment, and education regarding critical diseases.

e. The Coca-Cola Foundation

• Amount: USD $5,000 – USD $2,000,000.

• Frequency: By invitation only.

• Causes: Human rights and environment.

Seeks projects dedicated to water access, recycling, employment, and entrepreneurship in vulnerable communities.

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2. Philanthropic foundations

a. Resilient Futures Call 2026

• Amount: USD $700,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/04/2026

• Causes: Environment, democracy, and civic engagement.

Supports early-stage ideas and initiatives that connect climate resilience with democratic leadership.

b. Seed, Grow and Sustain 3.0

• Amount: USD $10,000 – USD $100,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/06/2026.

• Causes: Human rights, gender, and inclusion.

Provides two-year funding for nonprofits using technology to advance inclusion and gender causes. Support covers research, campaigns, technological development, training, and advocacy.

c. Fundación Ama Amoedo Grants

• Amount: USD $10,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/09/2026

• Causes: Art and culture.

Supports production, research, and preservation initiatives that strengthen the Latin American art ecosystem.

d. Stanley 1913 Creators Fund

• Amount: Up to USD $50,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/13/2026

• Causes: Human rights, environment, food security, democracy, and civic engagement.

Funds nonprofits with less than 10 years of operation that are developing innovative solutions to social challenges.

e. Founders Pledge Requests for Funding

• Amount: USD $50,000 – USD $300,000.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Education, environment, health, food security, and agriculture.

Supports nonprofits with annual budgets exceeding USD $1M, proven models, and the capacity to scale.

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3. Multilateral institutions

a. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

• Amount: USD $500,000

• Frequency: Open call - 09/04/2026

• Causes: Food security and agriculture.

Funds projects that strengthen rural communities against climate change and improve their development opportunities.

b. Global Environment Facility - Small Grants Program - CSO Challenge Program

• Amount: Up to USD $300,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/15/2026

• Causes: Environment.

Supports civil society organizations that develop environmental solutions. In addition to funding, it offers technical support and training.

c. National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

• Amount: USD $50,000 - $100,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/21/2026

• Causes: Human rights, democracy, and civic participation.

Funds non-governmental organizations that strengthen democracy and human rights in countries with institutional challenges.

d. Development Innovation Fund (FID)

• Amount: EUR €50,000 – EUR €4 million.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Poverty and inequality.

Funds solutions with impact potential. It offers different stages of funding, from pilots to scaling, depending on the project's level of evidence and maturity.

e. Fondo de Acción Urgente para América Latina y el Caribe (FAU-LAC)

• Amount: USD $8,000 – USD $10,000.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Human rights, gender, and inclusion.

Provides rapid funding for organizations, collectives, and movements led by women and vulnerable racialized communities.

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4. Innovation awards and funds

a. Information Controls Research Program – Open Technology Fund

• Amount: USD $7,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/07/2026

• Causes: Human rights, democracy, and civic participation.

Supports applied research on censorship, digital surveillance, and free access to information.

b. Wellcome Discovery Awards

• Amount: GBP £3.5 million.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/22/2026

• Causes: Health and well-being.

Funds multidisciplinary teams conducting research to drive breakthroughs in human health and well-being.

c. DIV Fund Request for Proposals 2026

• Amount: Up to USD $1.5 million.

• Frequency: Open call - 12/31/2026.

• Causes: Poverty and inequality.

Funds innovative solutions in three stages: piloting, testing, and scaling. It is aimed at organizations with measurable solutions in the areas of poverty and inequality.

d. fal Research Grants

• Amount: Up to USD $3,000 in computing resources.

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Artificial intelligence, open technology, and innovation.

Provides access to computing resources for researchers and developers working on open-source artificial intelligence projects.

e. IRENA for Climate Investment Platform

• Amount: Mentorship and support.

• Frequency: Call based on program schedule.

• Causes: Renewable energy and climate transition.

Offers technical assistance to develop renewable energy projects. It also connects projects with financial institutions, investors, and other specialized partners.

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5. Specialized funds

a. Global South Civil Society Microgrants - Pulitzer Center

• Amount: USD $2,000 – USD $4,000.

• Frequency: Open call - 09/06/2026.

• Causes: Human rights and the environment.

Funds projects by civil society organizations and groups that use journalism to drive civic engagement. Prioritizes initiatives focused on tropical forests, oceans, climate, and labor rights.

b. Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants

• Amount: USD $10,000 – USD $15,000.

• Frequency: Open call – 09/15/2026.

• Causes: Democracy and civic engagement.

Funds local and community-based initiatives that promote peace and justice. Seeks to strengthen dialogue, participation, and solidarity networks from within communities.

c. Forest Conservation Fund 3rd Call

• Amount: From USD $20,000 per year.

• Frequency: Open call – 09/11/2026.

• Causes: Environment.

Offers funding for up to five years to protect natural forests. It is aimed at initiatives with at least 500 continuous hectares of forest.

d. Digital Defenders Partnership - Incident Response Fund

• Amount: USD $5,000

• Frequency: Year-round.

• Causes: Digital transformation and technology.

Provides rapid funding to nonprofits, activists, and journalists facing digital attacks or threats. It can cover equipment, digital security, incident response, and other urgent needs.