We believe local leaders best understand the unique needs of their communities.  That’s why we come alongside and invest in small, locally led nonprofit organizations doing grassroots poverty alleviation in underserved communities.  Our approach to partnership is rooted in listening, solidarity, and mutual learning. 

We offer one-year grants for new partners, multi-year grants for past partners, and opportunities for our partners to network and share their expertise with one another.  All of the funding for our small grants comes from ordinary donors who give one day of their annual wages to support global poverty alleviation.

Partner Criteria

• Organization is legally registered as a nonprofit or non-governmental organization, and is headquartered in the country where programs are implemented.
• Organization is founded and led by nationals.  We prioritize organizations led by indigenous people, women, and/or people with lived experience of the needs the organization is addressing.
• Organization is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors or Trustees.
• Organization has been operating for at least 3 years.
• Organization has a clear mission related to alleviating poverty for vulnerable people. 
• Organization has an active website.
• Annual audits are routinely conducted and organization is in good standing. 
• Organization’s annual budget is no more than $1 million USD.  We prioritize smaller organizations with budgets between $100,000 – $500,000 USD.
• Grant funds requested are no more than 30% of the organization’s total annual budget.
• Project is in a country ranked low or medium on the Human Development Index.
• Project meets one or more basic needs, leading to improved jobs and skills, food security, water and sanitation facilities, children’s education, and/or maternal and child healthcare (see example).
• Project has outcomes that can be measured and reported on within the grant period (see example).
• Project builds resilience for people experiencing vulnerability to climate change, social exclusion, human trafficking, and/or forced displacement (see example).
• Participants play an active role in contributing their knowledge, skills and resources to implement project activities (see example).
• ODW does not fund the following: child sponsorships, school scholarships, orphanages, sporting events, cultural shows, tourism, or businesses run by a nonprofit.