Apply For Funding At HCI

HCI Funding Program

Our organization is committed to providing financial assistance in the form of grants to organizations and individuals across our coverage areas. We extend our support to a wide range of groups, including NGOs, community-based organizations, orphanages, women’s groups, youth groups, self-help groups, and cooperatives. We recognize the unique challenges faced by various sectors of society and aim to offer critical financial aid to those who are working towards creating positive change in their communities. We are particularly focused on supporting initiatives that promote education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social welfare or community empowerment

This program is open to any registered organization. In some cases, we may approach pre-selected organizations, inviting them to apply for funding. This decision is based on intensive research and a thorough assessment, identifying that a partnership would be mutually beneficial in achieving our shared goals.

For this funding program, we operate under a model where we provide financial support to organizations to finance their own projects, We are not involved in the planning, design, or execution of the projects. The recipient organization is responsible for these aspects, and what we do is simply offer the funding to help them carry out their initiatives.

In addition to organizational support, we strongly encourage individuals to apply for grants, particularly those who face significant barriers to accessing resources.

How to Apply

For individuals, the process is straightforward: visit the application page or form and fill in your personal details. Write a short statement explaining why you need the grant, and attach any supporting documents.

Supporting documents may include identification cards, CVs, proof of financial hardship, summaries, outlines, business ideas, or proposals. These documents will strengthen your application and make it more competitive.

Part 1: Organization Details (For Organizations)

Provide your organization details:

Name of Organization
Contact Email
Registration Number (if applicable)
Country of Incorporation
Address of Organization
Contact Phone
Website URL/Social Media
Type of Organization (Select from dropdown)

Part 2: Project Details

Tell us about your project:

Project Title
Project Description: Provide a brief summary of your project. Tell us what it aims to accomplish and its impact.
Select Amount: Choose the funding amount that best fits your project needs.
Select Disbursement Method: Choose your preferred method of disbursement (e.g., bank transfer, mobile money, etc.).

Documents Upload

Upload the following supporting documents:

Document 1: Upload a document proving your organization is registered (e.g., registration certificate, license).
Document 2: Upload a document outlining your proposed project (e.g., project proposal, summary, or outline).
Additional Documents: Upload any supporting documents such as financial statements, business plans, identity documents of directors, recommendation letters, etc.

Bonus Tip

Provide a brief background of your organization, including the number of management members, how much your organization raises per year, and the sources of your funding. This will help strengthen your application.

Eligibility Criteria for Organizations and Individuals:

Registration Status: Organizations must be legally registered and in good standing with the relevant government authorities within their country of operations, providing valid proof of registration (such as certificates, tax compliance documents, or nonprofit status verification). Eligible entities must operate within our designated regions of coverage in Africa, Asia, or Europe, and demonstrate adherence to local regulatory requirements, including financial transparency and governance standards.

Purpose of Application: Organizations must demonstrate a clear commitment to community-driven initiatives that deliver measurable benefits in key focus areas such as education (including literacy programs, vocational training, or school infrastructure), healthcare (preventive care, maternal health, or disease prevention), or sustainable economic empowerment (skills development, microfinance, or livelihood programs). Proposals must explicitly outline how the project will directly engage and uplift local or grassroots communities, with verifiable impact mechanisms. Projects that lack a participatory approach, fail to address specific community needs, or primarily benefit external entities will not be considered.

Financial Transparency: Organizations are required to demonstrate transparent financial management and budgeting practices, with a strong track record of accountability and transparency as this are very crucial aspects we consider when reviewing applications.

History and Documentation: Organizations must have at least one year of verifiable operational history in delivering community services, including documented evidence of past projects, beneficiary impact reports, and financial records to demonstrate sustained commitment and effectiveness in their field of service.

Target Groups: Priority will be given to organizations that serve vulnerable, marginalized, or underserved communities, including but not limited to low-income populations, ethnic minorities, refugees, persons with disabilities, at-risk youth, elderly individuals in need, and other disadvantaged groups facing systemic barriers to opportunity and resources.

Review and Approval Process

Our grant application process is designed to be efficient and thorough. Applications are reviewed within 14 days or less by a team of experts who cross-check all submitted information against government databases. Successful applicants will be notified via email, and funds will be disbursed through the payment method you selected during application. It is crucial that the organization name partially matches the name on your bank account, as discrepancies or falsified information will result in disqualification. Additionally, our system automatically disqualifies applicants who attempt to submit multiple applications.

Data Privacy, Security, and Verification

We prioritize the privacy and security of your personal data. All information provided during the application process is treated with strict confidentiality and stored securely in compliance with data protection regulations. Your information is used solely to assess eligibility for the grant. In some cases, we may conduct verification calls or site visits to confirm the authenticity of the information submitted. Applicants will be contacted in advance if additional verification is needed to finalize their application.

Post-Approval Instructions and Fund Disbursement

Upon approval, successful applicants will receive detailed instructions on how to access the funds, along with any required follow-up actions. It is important to carefully follow these instructions to avoid delays. For organizations, funds may be disbursed in partial payments. The first partial disbursement will be allocated to cover project expenses or address short-term goals. Following a final meeting with HCI and the drafting of a binding contract, the remaining funds will be disbursed.
Recipients are responsible for using the grant funds according to the purposes stated in their application. Misuse of funds may lead to revocation of the grant and potential legal consequences.

Appeals Process and Follow-Up Reporting

If your application is unsuccessful, you will have the opportunity to appeal within 7 days of receiving your decision. The appeals process requires submitting additional documentation to support your case, which will be reviewed by our team.
Additionally, we may request follow-up reports from grant recipients to ensure that the funds were used appropriately and had the intended impact. These reports help maintain accountability and transparency in the grant disbursement process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for this grant program?

This program is open to both individuals and organizations within our areas of coverage who need financial assistance to support their initiatives or needs.

How do I apply for the grant?

Apply by visiting our grants page and clicking on the button "Apply for a Grant Now" to get started.

Do I need to provide documents?

For individuals: Yes! Documents are mandatory, we may require proof of your need for assistance (e.g, disability forms, proposals, government issued ID or a letter from a local authority confirming your needs or any other relevant document.

For organizations: You must provide proof that your organization is registered or licensed. You may optionally provide identity documents or project plans to support your case. Note that applications with supporting documents are more likely to be approved.

How long does the approval process take?

This depends on the volume of applications we receive. Typically, approvals are completed within 14 days, though it may take longer if we have a high volume of applications or if your application requires additional review. Funds will be disbursed shortly thereafter.

How will I know if my grant is approved?

We will send an email to the email address you provided in your application. We advise that you keep an eye on your email after applying.

Can I track the status of my application?

Yes, our grants page includes a section for tracking applications. Once you apply, you’ll receive a unique code that allows you to monitor the status of your application through each stage. We’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.

We applied and did not get the full amount we requested for, why is this?

Our funding program receives a high volume of applications, and while we aim to support as many projects as possible, our available funds are limited. The amount awarded is based on several factors, including how well your project aligns with our funding priorities, the overall strength of your proposal, the availability of funds, and the competitiveness of other applications.

Our Bank froze the funds we received from HCI, what should we do?

It is common practice for banks to impose transaction limits or temporarily freeze funds as a precautionary measure, often guided by local jurisdiction regulations. This can happen as part of their anti-money laundering procedures. Please ensure that your bank account has no limits imposed on it. If your funds are frozen, please reach out to us immediately. We will work closely with your bank to help resolve the issue and have the freeze lifted.

We are currently contacting banks in advance in case there is an anticipated transfer, to whitelist accounts for smoother processing.

HCI has requested an online meeting with me/my organization. Why is this necessary, and is attendance mandatory?

HCI may request an online video meeting with applicants depending on several factors, including:

The size and scope of your organization
The amount of funding requested
Risk assessment findings by our evaluation team

These meetings serve important purposes:

Verifying organizational legitimacy and reducing potential fraud
Building familiarity with your team and project objectives
Establishing clear communication channels for future collaboration
Ensuring alignment between your goals and our funding priorities

Not all applications will require a meeting - we'll notify you if one is necessary for your specific case.