Grant

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK) Funding for Early-Stage Social Ventures

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK)

Location: Organization must operate in Africa, Europe, India or the U.S.; DRK is based in San Francisco, USA
Level: Early-stage organizations (typically 3-5 years old)
Deadline: Rolling

A global venture-philanthropy funder that gives early-stage social ventures three years of unrestricted funding plus hands-on board support — open to organizations operating in Africa (incl. Uganda), with year-round applications.

## About the program The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK) is a global venture philanthropy firm that funds early-stage, high-impact social enterprises solving the world's most complex social and environmental problems. Founded on a venture-capital model, DRK 'finds, funds, and supports' exceptional entrepreneurs and their organizations to help them scale. It funds both mission-driven nonprofits and impact-first for-profits.

## What it offers Selected organizations receive three-year unrestricted funding — unrestricted capital intended to fuel capacity building and innovation — plus intense, hands-on support: a dedicated board-service role from DRK and specialist capacity-building across leadership and board development, fundraising capacity, financial sustainability, and scaling strategy. DRK reviews nearly 3,000 applications each year and funds up to 20 organizations per year. The exact dollar amount of the grant is not published on DRK's official site. The homepage notes 280+ investments made to date.

## Eligibility - Organization operates in Africa, Europe, India or the U.S. (Africa includes Uganda) - Early-stage social-impact organization solving major problems with scalable, systems-thinking approaches - Typically 3-5 years old; independent entity (nonprofit or impact-first for-profit) led by full-time founders

## How to apply Applications are accepted year-round — there is no deadline. Complete the online application (about 30-60 minutes) at drkfoundation.org/apply/, uploading a written executive summary, pitch deck, or business plan. Applications submitted by email are not considered. Organizations may re-apply up to twice, no sooner than one year after a decline.

Qualifications

None specific; organization must be an independent nonprofit or impact-first, mission-driven for-profit

Eligibility

Open to organizations operating in Africa, Europe, India or the U.S. — Uganda qualifies as an Africa-based operation. DRK funds early-stage social-impact organizations solving the world's biggest social and environmental problems with bold, scalable approaches. Organizations are typically between three and five years old (DRK generally does not fund organizations over 10 years old). Strong candidates are problem-first, systems-thinking, scalable (able to impact at least 10,000 lives within five years), geographically aligned, and structured as independent nonprofits or impact-first for-profits. For for-profits, DRK supports Seed to Series A and never leads rounds. Applications are accepted year-round — no deadline.

Healthcare jobs in Organization must operate in Africa, Europe, India or the U.S.; DRK is based in San Francisco, USA More from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK)

How to apply

Submit the online application at drkfoundation.org/apply/ year-round (no deadline); include an executive summary, pitch deck, or business plan.

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The Rotary Foundation

Uganda (via partnership with a qualified local Rotary club/district)

This listing is provided for information only. Rate My Musawo does not guarantee its accuracy and is not involved in the recruitment or application process.