FAQ

Who is eligible?

Organizations (nonprofit and for-profit), individuals and academic institutions are eligible but we anticipate the bulk of grant funding to go towards nonprofit civil society organizations. The use of nonprofit fiscal sponsors is also acceptable.

Are non-US organizations able to apply?

Yes! Organizations based outside of the United States are encouraged to apply. But we reserve the right to decline applications from locations where grantmaking is restricted by applicable law, such as those subject to US state department sanctions programs.

Are individuals able to apply? 

Yes, individuals can also apply in their own capacity for the open call. A set-up that allows for reception of grants, such as a fiscal sponsor, is favorable but other options will also be considered on a case by case basis. 

If accepted, when would my grant start?

For the 2025 Open Call, the grant start date can be on or after August 1st, 2025.

If accepted, will I receive a project, core or general support grant?

The scope of the grant must relate to the scope of the work noted here in this call for concept notes and the type of grant will be commensurate with that. For example, if your organization’s work is entirely related to spyware accountability, a general support grant is possible. If your organization has a program dedicated to something that falls within this scope, a core support grant is possible. If this is a new program or there is no specific program dedicated to this work, a project support grant will be possible. If you are selected to move ahead, we will work together to identify the appropriate scope of the grant.

Do you provide support for indirect costs?

Yes. Indirect costs should be included in your total estimate. Core and general support grants do not have a set indirect cost rate as such grants are unrestricted. For restricted project support grants, the minimum indirect cost rate is 25%. Fiscal sponsorship fees may be included when calculating indirect costs for project grants, but there is no minimum indirect cost rate for fiscally sponsored projects.

If accepted, who will be managing my grant?

Grants are funded and managed through the New Venture Fund as fiscal sponsor of the Ford Foundation Dignity and Justice Fund.

How much funding is available?

The amount granted from this specific open call will vary based on the proposals we receive. In the past we have committed between $2M and $3M in total grants for each open call round.

How is this fund managed?

Funding will be managed by the Ford Foundation Dignity and Justice Fund established and advised by the Ford Foundation and designed to pool philanthropic resources to advance social justice globally. The Dignity and Justice Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Ford staff has convened a technical advisory council for the SAI, which includes experts from civil society, academia, and the private sector. Current SAI advisory council members are:

• Rasha Abdul Rahim, Independent

• Daniel Bedoya Arroyo, SocialTIC

• Ron Deibert, Professor of Political Science, and Director of the Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto

• Ivan Krstić, Head of Apple Security Engineering and Architecture

• Paola Mosso, Co-Deputy Director of The Engine Room

• Johanna Pruessing, Independent

Additional advisory reviewers may be brought on to support this specific open call.

Do donors to this initiative decide who gets the grants?

No, donors of the Fund do not have decision-making power over the grantmaking. An independent, global technical advisory council advises on the Fund's grantmaking strategy, with support from the Ford Foundation’s Technology & Society program. New Venture Fund makes the final grantmaking decisions based on recommendations from the Fund's advisory board, which consists of members of the Ford Foundation leadership team.

Can I conduct advocacy work or does it qualify as lobbying? 

Some advocacy activities may fall under the definition of lobbying as per US law. You can learn more about what does and does not constitute lobbying in this guide. Please note that due to requirements under US law, the fund is not able to support activities that do constitute lobbying as defined in the law.

Do concept notes have to be submitted in English language?

Yes, the primary language of this open call is  in english but feel free to note if it is not your native language or to use digital language translation services.

Timeline

May 9: Open Call Launches
June 27: Open Call Closes
July: Full Proposals Invited
August: Final grant decisions
September: Grants processed

(This timeline is subject to change)