One of the world’s most recognized brands, Google, is offering African nonprofits a chance to compete for grant funding as part of its 2018 Impact Challenge. This is Google’s first philanthropic engagement on the continent with a commitment of $20 million over the next five years to improve livelihoods in African communities. The challenge, facilitated by the company’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, is seeking innovative projects by nonprofits and social enterprises in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, which focus on creating economic opportunity.
The Process
Submissions from organizations in each country will be reviewed by a distinct group of local judges and the public will also get an opportunity to vote. Projects will be reviewed based on the following criteria and the top 12 finalists in each country will receive either $150,000 or $250,000 in funding.
Project Criteria
- Community Impact: Does the proposed project create economic opportunity? Does it improve the lives of people in our country?
- Innovation: Does the project present unexpected solutions to unmet needs?
- Reach: Does it have the potential to scale directly or to serve as a model for other communities? Will its scope grow over time?
- Feasibility: Is the project plan (or business plan) well thought-out, and the team well equipped to execute on it?
The Impact Challenge winners in each country will also receive mentoring and access to resources to support their work during the grant period. Applications close on July 4, 2018.
For more information visit the following links:
https://impactchallenge.withgoogle.com/southafrica2018