Fund Design, or how you set up, promote, shortlist and make decisions on funding, can be a game changer in terms of meeting your social value or community investment objectives.
ActionFunder supports a range of fund types to suit different fund designs and programmes. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right approach for your goals.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of funds available to you as a funder:
1. Classic Funds (Auto-Apply)
How it works
Classic funds use ActionFunder’s matching technology to automatically match your fund to eligible projects based on the criteria you set – location, grant size, focus area and beneficiary group.
What this means for you
- Set your fund criteria carefully during the setup process – this determines the quality and relevance of your matches
- Matched projects will appear in your fund match list for you to review
- You don’t need to actively promote the fund for it to reach relevant organisations, though promotion will always boost application numbers and quality.
Key features
- Criteria-based matching
- Broad reach within your defined parameters
- Best for funders who want a high volume of relevant applications with minimal manual outreach
2. Active Apply Funds
How it works
Active Apply funds circumnavigate automatic submission. Non-profits must actively choose to apply, making this a more traditional grant application process.
What this means for you
- Applicants self-select, which can result in more considered and tailored applications
- You may receive fewer but more intentional submissions compared to Classic funds
- Promotion is important to drive awareness and encourage applications
Key features
- Listed in eligible non-profits dashboards
- Applications are not auto-applied
- More deliberate application process
- Best for funders who want applicants to actively engage with the fund criteria before applying
3. Private Funds (Invite Only)
How it works
Private funds are not publicly listed and do not appear in any non-profit’s dashboard. Access is by invitation only, via a private link shared by you or ActionFunder.
What this means for you
- You have full control over who can apply
- Ideal for pre-selected cohorts, existing relationships, or programmes with very specific eligibility requirements
- You or ActionFunder will need to proactively share the private link with intended applicants
Key features
- Not publicly listed
- Invite-only access
- Full control over applicant pool
- Best for targeted or closed programmes where eligibility is tightly defined
4. Summary
| Fund type | Visibility | How applications come in |
| Classic | Listed on non-profits dashboards | Auto-applied based on criteria |
| Active Apply | Listed on non-profits dashboards | Non-profit applies via fund page |
| Private | Not listed | Invite only via private link |
Still have questions? Your Customer Success Manager is here to help, or reach out to us at customersuccess@actionfunder.org.