Grant for Early-Stage Social Impact Orgs & Businesses

This foundation provides funding and extensive in-kind support to early-stage social impact organizations addressing urgent social or environmental challenges with scalable, innovative solutions. Eligible organizations must be post-pilot, pre-scale, and structured as independent nonprofits or mission-driven for-profits, with a focus on underserved populations. In addition to capital, grantees receive hands-on operational support, a dedicated board member, and access to a global community. Applications are accepted year-round, and the selection process is rigorous, involving multiple interviews and a formal diligence phase.

• Organizations must be early-stage (post-pilot, pre-scale), ideally 2-5 years old, but younger or older may be considered.
• Must address urgent social or environmental problems with innovative, scalable solutions.
• Must directly benefit underserved populations.
• Must operate in Africa, Europe, India, United States, or occasionally Latin America.
• Must be independent entities (nonprofit or mission-driven for-profit, including US 501(c)3, C corps, B corps, hybrids, or fiscally sponsored with plan to spin out).
• Must have or plan to develop earned income revenue streams.
• Must have measurable evidence of impact from pilots.
• Not eligible: idea/pre-pilot stage, post-Series A, awareness/advocacy-only, research-only, religious, 501(c)4, S-Corp, LP/LLP, LLC, investment funds, or projects without direct intervention.

• Submit application via DRK website.
• Participate in exploratory interviews with DRK team.
• Provide legal and financial documents during diligence.
• Co-create a multi-year plan with DRK during diligence.

• Up to $300,000 in unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over three years.
• Up to $500,000 in in-kind operational and technical support.
• Dedicated DRK board member for three years.
• Access to DRK’s portfolio and alumni community.