Event-агентство | CPRK | Ми працюємо на результат

💼 GRANTS

January 10, 2026

· 8 min reading

Fundraising for small organizations: where to start

It seems like big donors only look at big ones. That's a myth. There's a separate class of grants for new and small organizations — and there's a clear plan to reach them.

The most common mistake small organizations make is to immediately apply for large EU or USAID grants. It's like trying to run a marathon without preparation. Fundraising has its stages — and you should start with the first one.

Step 0: Check the organization's readiness

Before you start looking for grants, answer these questions honestly. Most donors check this before even reading your application.

✓

Official registration as a legal entity

✓

Separate bank account of the organization (not personal)

✓

A clear description of the mission and target audience — 2–3 sentences

✓

At least one completed activity with evidence (report, photo, list of participants)

✕

Reporting or auditing does not yet exist

Most large grants require at least 1 year of reporting. Start with microgrants — they are available without this.

✕

The organization has been in existence for less than a year

EU and UN usually require 2+ years. There are exceptions - see the terms of the specific call.

Where to start: microgrants

Microgrants are your first step. Less competition, simpler reporting, fewer track record requirements. And most importantly, after the first grant, the next one becomes much easier.

Donor

Sum

Feature

🇺🇸 Ambassador's Fund (USA)

Up to $25,000

The most affordable start. Application through the embassy website

🇺🇦 Renaissance Foundation — microgrants

€5,000 — €20,000

Understands Ukrainian realities. Regular calls. irf.ua

💼 Corporate CSR programs

$5,000 — $30,000

Microsoft, DTEK, other companies. Less formalized

🏛️ Local Embassies of Scandinavia

€10,000 — €50,000

Small programs with less stringent requirements

🌍 Google.org Community Impact

Up to $50,000

For digital and social initiatives. Annual competition

5 steps to your first grant

01 Do at least one documented activity

Even a free event for 30 people is proof of capability. Take photos, collect signatures, write a short report. Without proof, there is no track record.

💡 Tip: Lists of participants with signatures are the simplest and most valuable document

02 Subscribe to the newsletters of 5–7 donors

EU Funding Portal, embassy websites, irf.ua, NGO hub mailing lists. Calls appear without warning - whoever finds out first has more time to prepare.

03 Find a mentor organization for the first consortium

Find an NGO that has already received international grants and offer a partnership. They expand your reach — you gain experience and a first entry in the track record.

💡 Tip: Lists of participants with signatures are the simplest and most valuable document

04 Prepare a basic package of documents

Articles of Association, extract from the register, bank details, CVs of the director and key team members, a short presentation of the organization on 1–2 pages. This is required for any application.

05 Apply for your first microgrant and don't give up.

The first bid rarely wins. That's normal. Ask for feedback from the donor—most will provide it. Use it for your next attempt. The second and third times are much easier.

💡 Tip: If you are rejected, write to the donor and ask for an explanation. This is legitimate and useful.

Debunking myths

✕

MYTH: “Big donors only fund big ones”

✓

FACT: Most major donors have separate programs for small and new organizations. The Ambassador's Fund and local embassies are specifically geared toward them.

✕

MYTH: “We need an experienced grant writer to apply”

✓

FACT: For microgrants, the forms are simple. It is more important to clearly describe the problem and the solution - you know this better than any consultant.

✕

MYTH: “If we get rejected, we’re not good enough”

✓

FACT: Competition in most calls is 1 in 5–10 applications. Rejection almost never means that your organization is bad. Often it is a matter of the details of the application or inconsistency of the topic.

💡 MAIN

The first grant is always the hardest — and it opens the door to all the others. After it, you have a track record, understanding of the process, and confidence. Assign a fundraising person on your team — even if it’s 10% of one person’s time. Without a systematic approach, grants don’t happen by accident.

Fundraising for small organizations: where to start

It seems like big donors only look at big ones. That's a myth. There's a separate class of grants for new and small organizations — and there's a clear plan to reach them.

The most common mistake small organizations make is to immediately apply for large EU or USAID grants. It's like trying to run a marathon without preparation. Fundraising has its stages — and you should start with the first one.

Step 0: Check the organization's readiness

Before you start looking for grants, answer these questions honestly. Most donors check this before even reading your application.

✓

Official registration as a legal entity

✓

Separate bank account of the organization (not personal)

✓

A clear description of the mission and target audience — 2–3 sentences

✓

At least one completed activity with evidence (report, photo, list of participants)

✕

Reporting or auditing does not yet exist

Most large grants require at least 1 year of reporting. Start with microgrants — they are available without this.

✕

The organization has been in existence for less than a year

​EU and UN usually require 2+ years. There are exceptions - see the terms of the specific call.

Where to start: microgrants

Microgrants are your first step. Less competition, simpler reporting, fewer track record requirements. And most importantly, after the first grant, the next one becomes much easier.

Donor

Sum

Feature

🇺🇸 Ambassador's Fund (USA)

Up to $25,000

The most affordable start. Application through the embassy website

🇺🇦 Renaissance Foundation — microgrants

€5,000 — €20,000

Understands Ukrainian realities. Regular calls. irf.ua

💼 Corporate CSR programs

$5,000 — $30,000

Microsoft, DTEK, other companies. Less formalized

🏛️ Local Embassies of Scandinavia

€10,000 — €50,000

Small programs with less stringent requirements

🌍 Google.org Community Impact

Up to $50,000

For digital and social initiatives. Annual competition

5 steps to your first grant

01

Do at least one documented activity

Even a free event for 30 people is proof of capability. Take photos, collect signatures, write a short report. Without proof, there is no track record.

​💡 Tip: Lists of participants with signatures are the simplest and most valuable document

02

Subscribe to the newsletters of 5–7 donors

EU Funding Portal, embassy websites, irf.ua, NGO hub mailing lists. Calls appear without warning - whoever finds out first has more time to prepare.

03

Find a mentor organization for the first consortium

Find an NGO that has already received international grants and offer a partnership. They expand your reach — you gain experience and a first entry in the track record.

​💡 Tip: Lists of participants with signatures are the simplest and most valuable document

04

Prepare a basic package of documents

​Articles of Association, extract from the register, bank details, CVs of the director and key team members, a short presentation of the organization on 1–2 pages. This is required for any application.

05

Apply for your first microgrant and don't give up.

The first bid rarely wins. That's normal. Ask for feedback from the donor—most will provide it. Use it for your next attempt. The second and third times are much easier.

💡 Tip: If you are rejected, write to the donor and ask for an explanation. This is legitimate and useful.

Debunking myths

✕

MYTH: “Big donors only fund big ones”

✓

FACT: Most major donors have separate programs for small and new organizations. The Ambassador's Fund and local embassies are specifically geared toward them.

✕

MYTH: “We need an experienced grant writer to apply”

✓

FACT: For microgrants, the forms are simple. It is more important to clearly describe the problem and the solution - you know this better than any consultant.

✕

MYTH: “If we get rejected, we’re not good enough”

✓

FACT: Competition in most calls is 1 in 5–10 applications. Rejection almost never means that your organization is bad. Often it is a matter of the details of the application or inconsistency of the topic.

💡 MAIN

EU and UN usually require 2+ years. There are exceptions - see the terms of the specific call.

💡 Tip: Lists of participants with signatures are the simplest and most valuable document

💡 Tip: Lists of participants with signatures are the simplest and most valuable document

Articles of Association, extract from the register, bank details, CVs of the director and key team members, a short presentation of the organization on 1–2 pages. This is required for any application.