The Dana Foundation Grants Programme 2026 supports locally led organisations working to address the interconnected dimensions of poverty through flexible, multi-year funding designed to strengthen long-term community impact.

The focus areas include addressing multiple dimensions of poverty such as education, health, livelihoods, equality, and climate resilience, with an emphasis on cross-cutting interventions, systemic thinking that tackles root causes, evidence-based programming, and context-specific solutions designed by local communities.

This funding is designed for small to medium-sized organisations with annual budgets under €500,000 that are locally led and operate in regions experiencing high levels of multidimensional poverty. Eligible organisations are those governed and staffed by individuals from the communities they serve, ensuring strong local ownership and relevance of interventions.

The approach emphasises providing multi-year support through three-year grants, enabling organisations to plan strategically and invest in long-term impact. Funding is unrestricted, allowing partners the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed to advance their mission. Reporting requirements are simplified to reduce administrative burden, ensuring organisations can focus more on implementation rather than compliance. The average grant size is €50,000 per year, totalling €150,000 over three years.

The initiative follows a trust-based philanthropy model, where organisations are evaluated holistically rather than on individual projects. Partnerships are built on mutual trust and shared goals, with funders acting as collaborators rather than just financial supporters. Milestones are co-developed to reflect organisational priorities, and learning is prioritised over rigid adherence to predefined plans. Additional non-financial support may include facilitating connections with networks and other funders.

During the assessment process, organisations are expected to demonstrate strong community legitimacy and local leadership, along with sound governance and financial management systems. They must have robust safeguarding policies, a clear strategic vision supported by a theory of change, and well-designed programmes grounded in evidence. Monitoring and evaluation systems should enable continuous learning, and a strong commitment to ‘do no harm’ principles is essential.

For more information, visit The Dana Foundation.