ActionFunder hosts different types of funds. How you find them – and how you apply – depends on the fund type.
To know whether your project has been submitted to a fund, check your project management page which will list live applications (from your dashboard, click ‘manage’ next to your project name).
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of funds:
1. Classic Funds (Auto-Apply)
How it works
- Your project is automatically applied to a fund based on eligibility criteria (e.g. location, grant size, focus area, beneficiary group)
- The fund will appear in your dashboard with an ‘Applied’ tag next to the project. You may have to select ‘explore all funds’
What you need to do
- Review the fund details
- Create or edit a project to align with the fund
Key features
✔ Automatically applied
✔ Listed in your dashboard
✔ No need to search or self-identify eligibility
2. Active Apply Funds
How it works
- These funds are listed in your dashboard, but projects are not automatically applied.
- You need to actively decide whether your project is suitable
- You can create a new project or apply with an existing project
What you need to do
- Visit the fund page
- Read the fund description and check the eligibility criteria
- Click the ‘Apply now’ button and submit a new or existing project
Key features
✔ Listed in your dashboard
✖ Not auto-applied
✔ More like a traditional grant application process
3. Private Funds (Invite Only)
How it works
- These funds are not publicly listed and do not appear in your dashboard.
- Access is by invitation only.
What you need to do
- You can only apply if you’ve been invited by the funder or ActionFunder
- Use the private link provided and create a project or use an existing one
Key features
✖ Not listed in your dashboard
✖ Not auto-applied
✔ Invite-only access
4. Summary
Here’s a summary of the different funds
Classic → Dashboard → Auto-applies
Active Apply → Dashboard → Apply via fund page
Private → Invitation only → Apply via private link
5. Recommendations for success:
- Make sure your project aligns with the fund criteria
- If you do edit your project, make sure to re-publish so that it is applied to the fund
- Be clear and specific about who you support, what you’ll do, and the difference it will make.
- Use plain language – avoid jargon where possible.
If you have any further questions or need support, our team is always happy to support you – hello@actionfunder.org