Funding Friday
To all who celebrate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for another wonderful year of support and growth. I hope this year brought valuable prospects for our companies. Please note that we will be taking next Friday off, but we’ll be back with fresh updates on January 10th.
Happy reading and happy Friday,
Jesse Orndorff
Global
🌿 Open Call for Dierenpark Amersfoort Wildlife Fund
📝 The Dierenpark Amersfoort Wildlife Fund is accepting applications to support global projects focused on nature conservation and species preservation. This initiative provides financial assistance for endeavors such as protecting endangered species, conducting veterinary research, reforestation efforts, and animal sheltering.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Endangered Species Protection: What innovative strategies can be implemented to safeguard endangered species in their natural habitats?
Community Involvement: How can local communities be effectively engaged in conservation projects to ensure sustainable outcomes?
Long-Term Conservation Planning: What measures can be taken to ensure the continuity and success of conservation projects over time?
🔗 Open Call for Dierenpark Amersfoort Wildlife Fund
🎙️ Content is Queen Micro-Grants for Podcasters 2024
📝 Content is Queen has announced the next round of their Micro-Grants for Podcasters Programme, offering creators worldwide the opportunity to receive funding and support to bring their podcast ideas to life. This initiative aims to help podcasters overcome obstacles in producing captivating trailers, original pilots, or standout episodes for existing series.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Diversity in Podcasting: How can micro-grants empower underrepresented voices in the podcasting industry?
Global Reach: In what ways can supporting podcasters globally enhance cross-cultural communication and understanding?
Innovation in Audio Content: What new formats or topics could emerge from providing financial support to emerging podcasters?
🔗 Content is Queen Micro-Grants for Podcasters 2024
Asia Pacific
🚀 Techstars Tokyo Accelerator Program – Japan
📝 The Techstars Tokyo Accelerator is an inclusive program designed to empower startups innovating across various industries. This sector-agnostic initiative supports groundbreaking ideas in areas such as Deeptech, Fintech, Cleantech, and Climatetech, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to scale impactful solutions and drive global innovation.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Emerging Technologies: How can startups leverage emerging technologies to address global challenges and drive innovation?
Cross-Industry Applications: In what ways can solutions in Deeptech, Fintech, Cleantech, and Climatetech intersect to create comprehensive advancements?
Accelerator Impact: How do accelerator programs like Techstars Tokyo influence the growth trajectory and success rates of startups?
🔗 Techstars Tokyo Accelerator Program – Japan
🌏 Earth Journalism Network's Asia-Pacific Media Grants 2025
📝 The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is accepting applications for its Asia-Pacific Media Grants 2025. This initiative aims to enhance environmental journalism in the region by supporting projects that increase the quality and quantity of environmental coverage, particularly focusing on engaging at-risk communities and amplifying their voices in the media.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Environmental Awareness: How can media organizations effectively raise public awareness about environmental challenges in the Asia-Pacific region?
Community Engagement: In what ways can journalists involve at-risk communities in environmental reporting to ensure their perspectives are represented?
Innovative Reporting: What new approaches can be employed to make environmental news more engaging and informative for diverse audiences?
🔗 Earth Journalism Network's Asia-Pacific Media Grants 2025
🌿 WWF-India's Conservation Catalyst Programme 2025
📝 The World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) has launched the Conservation Catalyst Programme (CCP) 2025 to support grassroots conservationists and organizations dedicated to preserving wildlife and habitats. This initiative aims to empower awardees to become more effective, structured, and impactful in their conservation efforts.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Grassroots Empowerment: How can supporting local conservationists lead to more sustainable and impactful environmental preservation efforts?
Capacity Building: What strategies can be employed to enhance the effectiveness and organizational structure of grassroots conservation organizations?
Community-Led Conservation: In what ways can local communities be engaged and empowered to take a leading role in conserving their natural environments?
🔗 WWF-India's Conservation Catalyst Programme 2025
🌾 Chitkara AgriXcelerator Program 2025 – India
📝 The Chitkara AgriXcelerator Program 2025, hosted by the Chitkara Innovation Incubator Foundation (CIIF) under the NIDHI Accelerator Program of the Department of Science & Technology, is a high-impact initiative tailored for Agritech startups ready to scale. This structured accelerator journey empowers ventures with market validation, expert mentorship, and access to strategic networks.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Agritech Innovation: How can emerging technologies revolutionize traditional agricultural practices in India?
Startup Ecosystem: What role do accelerators play in bridging the gap between innovative agritech solutions and market readiness?
Sustainable Agriculture: In what ways can agritech startups contribute to sustainable farming and food security in India?
🔗 Chitkara AgriXcelerator Program 2025 – India
Africa
🌟 Acumen East Africa Fellowship 2025
📝 The Acumen East Africa Fellowship is a transformative leadership development program designed for individuals dedicated to addressing poverty and injustice in East Africa. The program equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and community support necessary to enhance their leadership capabilities and amplify the impact of their social initiatives.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Leadership in Social Change: How can targeted leadership programs empower individuals to effectively tackle systemic issues in their communities?
Community Building: In what ways does a supportive cohort contribute to the personal and professional growth of social innovators?
Scalability of Impact: What strategies can fellows employ to scale their solutions to poverty across diverse regions in East Africa?
🔗 Acumen East Africa Fellowship Program
🌟 KBF Africa Prize 2025-2026
📝 The KBF Africa Prize is a biennial award presented by the King Baudouin Foundation to African organizations that have made significant contributions to transforming society and sustainably improving lives across the continent. The prize emphasizes initiatives that address challenges in innovative ways, demonstrate resilience in changing contexts, have a long-term vision, and empower individuals to shape their futures.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Innovative Solutions: How can African organizations develop transformative approaches to address persistent challenges on the continent?
Resilience and Adaptability: What strategies enable organizations to remain effective amidst constantly changing environments?
Empowerment: In what ways can initiatives empower local communities to take control of their development and future?
💉 HIV Prevention Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women and Other Vulnerable Youth Populations
📝 USAID is seeking applications for the "HIV Prevention Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women and Other Vulnerable Youth Populations – DREAMS North" program. The initiative focuses on reducing HIV incidence among AGYW aged 10-24 in seven districts across three provinces in South Africa.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Targeting Vulnerable Groups: How can the DREAMS North program effectively address the unique challenges faced by AGYW in high-incidence HIV areas?
Scalability of Health Programs: What strategies can USAID use to scale health initiatives like DREAMS while maintaining quality and impact?
Youth Engagement: How can young women and other vulnerable youth populations be empowered to actively participate in shaping health programs that directly affect them?
🚴♀️ Choova Njinga Innovation Challenge – Malawi and Zambia
📝 The Choova Njinga Innovation Challenge seeks transformative and scalable bicycle-based solutions to enhance livelihoods in rural Malawi and Zambia. Supported by USAID’s IDEAS program, this initiative addresses critical mobility challenges by empowering communities with innovative transportation approaches.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Mobility Solutions: How can bicycle-based innovations improve access to essential services and economic opportunities in rural communities?
Scalability: What factors contribute to the successful scaling of transportation solutions in diverse rural settings?
Community Empowerment: In what ways can enhanced mobility foster economic development and improve quality of life in underserved areas?