Deadline to submit LOI: June 23, 2025
Since 2008, the Disability Rights Fund is committed to funding grassroots, national and regional organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). We believe that a vibrant disability rights movement reflects the diversity of communities.
Given our commitment to intersectionality in our new strategic plan, Disability-Led Futures for a Just World, we are interested in receiving applications from activists and organizations at the intersection of disability rights and our cross-cutting priorities:
- Gender justice
- LGBTQI+ rights
- Economic justice
- Climate justice
- Racial justice
- Youth rights
- Indigenous rights
New in 2025 Round
This is the first year when our grant round is no longer limited to our previous focus countries. In June, we are interested in receiving Letter of Interest (LOI) from organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East Asia, Haiti and the Pacific Island Countries.
For this 2025 grant round, we are also interested in learning about any initiatives you are planning as a follow up to this year’s Global Disability Summit. If your advocacy plans include tracking or building on GDS commitments, please make sure to mention that in your LOI. We are open to LOIs across a range of issues.
Most grants awarded in 2025 will be under $50,000, and will support 12 months of work.
Note: To access the LOI form in another language, click on the globe icon on the top right corner to choose your preferred language in the dropdown menu. We accept LOIs in English, Indonesian, French and Portuguese.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Timeline and Process
- Final grant decisions announced: November 21, 2025
- Letter of Interest (LOI) Open: June 5, 2025
- Deadline to submit LOI: June 23, 2025
- Invitations to apply shared with select organizations: July 18, 2025
- Deadline to submit full application: August 11, 2025
FAQ
- How do you define an organization of persons with disabilities (OPDs)? We consider an OPD to be an organization where the majority of staff, volunteers, and/or board members are persons who identify as people with disabilities and/or their family members.
- Where have you funded in the past? Our most recent focus countries included Haiti, Nigeria, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Indonesia, Nepal and many countries in the Pacific Islands.
- Do you provide emergency grants? Not at this time. We currently do not have a rapid response or emergency grant opportunity .
- In what languages can I submit a proposal? Due to our staff capacity, we accept proposals in English, Indonesian, French, and Portuguese only.
- Do you fund scholarships and conference attendance or training? No, not at this time.
- We have an active multi-year grant from DRF, which ends in December 2026. Can we apply for the 2025 round? No, only OPDs with grants ending in December 2025 can apply.
- Would you fund me for my individual activism and travel to the UN? No. We do not fund individuals.
- Do you fund capital projects or specific projects to make buildings more accessible? No, we currently do not fund building projects; however we do encourage organizations to budget for organizational needs which could include investments in infrastructure, among other things.
- Does DRF fund lobbying? No, DRF does not fund lobbying work as defined in U.S. legal terms. Lobbying refers to any advocacy for specific legislative change, including treaty ratification. Any lobbying projects will be referred to our sister fund, the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund(DRAF).
- Do you provide funds for service provision, including income generation? No we don’t provide grants for service provision.
- We are a governmental entity that works with persons with disabilities. Can we apply for funding? No, we cannot provide funds to governmental entities.
- We are a public school/university, and we would like to apply for funding. Are we eligible? No, we cannot provide funds to public institutions.
- Do all members of a mid-level coalition or national coalition have to be OPDs? No; however, the MAJORITY of organizations in the coalition should be OPDs. In addition, the lead applicant organization or managing partner of the coalition must be an OPD. Partnerships with human rights organizations or other entities, such as the media, are encouraged.
- What is a fiscal sponsor, and how do I apply? A fiscal sponsor is a registered non-governmental organization, community-based organization, or other organization that is able to receive foreign funds and agrees to disburse the funding to the grantee organization. If you select to apply via a fiscal sponsor, you must submit as part of your application the following additional documentation:
- Proof of legal registration of the fiscal sponsor
- Copy of the fiscal sponsor’s incorporation documents or constitution
- A memorandum of understanding that outlines the relationship between your organization and the fiscal sponsor and includes the signatures of the legal representative of the fiscal sponsor and your organization
- Fiscal sponsor’s organizational background, key personnel and contact information
- Bank account of the fiscal sponsor that is based in country of incorporation
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
