At AmplifyChange, we strive to ensure our funding approach is strategic, impactful, and responsive to the needs of civil society. Partnership Grants, our largest grant type, are a critical part of our portfolio. They support grassroots collaborations that drive systemic change in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). In order to meet our strategic goals, we’ve made the decision not to run an open call for Partnership Grant applications at this time.
Our Partnership Grants focus on supporting organisations with the capacity to lead large-scale initiatives that drive systemic change in advancing SRHR. These grants require a high level of technical expertise, organisational capacity, and established networks to ensure effective implementation and sustained impact. In our first Partnership Grant funding round in 2021, we received 641 proposals for only three available grants. Sadly, 76% of submitted proposals were either financially ineligible for the grant or did not meet funding round criteria – meaning a large number of organisations had dedicated many hours of work to apply for a grant they could not receive.
When we receive large numbers of ineligible grant applications, it leads to longer application processing times and reduces efficiency in evaluating proposals. It also diverts resources away from the critical core work of supporting grantee partners and monitoring impact. As an organisation that strives to simplify our application processes and make them accessible, AmplifyChange wants to ensure that groups applying for funding have the best chance of success.
This time, instead of an open call, we will be inviting applications from a carefully selected group of organisations. As before, we expect to give around three Partnership Grants in this upcoming funding round. By opting for a more targeted approach to awarding Partnership Grants, we can focus our attention on organisations that have demonstrated readiness to take on this level of funding. This approach also enables us to align with AmplifyChange’s strategic priorities, such as addressing underfunded priority areas or amplifying voices from marginalised communities.
This decision reflects our commitment to equity and fairness. By inviting select organisation to apply, we can minimise the burden of unsuccessful applications on grassroots groups who may not yet be ready for this level of funding. This approach allows us to focus on partnerships that are most likely to deliver transformational impact in advancing SRHR.
At AmplifyChange, we remain committed to transparency and inclusivity. We encourage organisations that may not be eligible for Partnership Grants to explore our other funding opportunities. We plan to open an Opportunity Grant funding round later in 2025, specifically tailored to support the growth and impact of smaller organisations.
The decision to hold an invite-only Partnership Grant funding round reflects our ongoing commitment to effectively and equitably support the SRHR movement. We thank our partners for their understanding and collaboration as we work together to drive meaningful change.
