WELCOME TO THE AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION GRANT JOURNEY!
THIS PAGE SUMMARIZES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1. Grant Criteria and Eligibility Requirements
2. Application Process
3. Restrictions
4. Grant Amounts and Duration
5. Grant Journey Timeline
6. Evaluation and Selection Process
7. Reporting and Accountability

GRANT CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Azimuth World Foundation is dedicated to funding projects by grassroots Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities -led organizations aiming to improve access to Health and to safe Water and preserve territorial sovereignty and traditional ways of living in harmony with Nature for their own communities. We also focus on advocacy communications to raise awareness about the issues that affect the communities we serve.
All grant applications should align with this mission. 

To be eligible for funding from Azimuth World Foundation's Donor-Advised Fund, organizations must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Have a USA tax-exempt status (501 (c)(3))
• Have a USA Fiscal Sponsor or "Friends of" with tax-exempt status (501 (c)(3))
• Meet the criteria to be considered equivalent to a USA tax-exempt charity by NGOsource, i.e., pass an Equivalency Determination process. Please note that this process can be lengthy, costly and bureaucratic, and should only be pursued as a last resort. 

Our selection is guided by the following priorities: 

• Communities and organizations we have served before.
  We are committed to continuous support rather than single-time funding, and we seek to build enduring and impactful relationships with communities, organizations, and individuals and foster genuine relationships and reciprocal learning and growth.
  
  
• Underserved and under-resourced communities and lesser-known, lesser-funded, smaller organizations.
  We recognize the value of grassroots and small organizations that possess a deep understanding of local dynamics and can effectively implement targeted interventions. Furthermore, this criterion helps ensure culturally appropriate, relevant, and self-determined interventions.
  
  
• Communities facing severe and urgent problems.
  
  
• Empowerment of Women and Youth.
  Projects that seek to empower women and youth hold a special place in our selection process. We believe in the transformative potential of initiatives that focus on these groups, recognizing their role as change agents and catalysts for community development.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Ensure that your organization meets the criteria outlined above.
• Register your organization on the Grants Portal by creating an account.
• Stay updated by signing up for our newsletter, which provides reminders about important application deadlines.
• As soon as the cycle opens, fill in the application form and submit it.
• While the submission of requested documents and information is not obligatory, we encourage their inclusion because AWF’s Donor-Advised Fund will require your financial documentation to transfer the funds to your organization.*
• Feel free to enhance your application with supporting materials such as films, research papers, stories, or other resources. You can submit them as attachments via email to grants@azimuthworldfoundation.org or use a free file-sharing platform. 
• Remember to submit your application before the specified deadline, as late submissions cannot be accepted. Adhering to deadlines ensures that we can provide the necessary care and attention to each application and manage all requests equitably for all organizations and communities.
  
  *Azimuth World Foundation, as an Indigenous Peoples ally, is committed to decolonizing its grant-making process and fostering a culture of trust. Our aim is to ensure that the grant application process, the grants themselves, and the relationships we form with organizations are not unnecessarily burdensome, bureaucratic, or colonialist in nature. However, it is important to note that we must comply with the laws and regulations of the United States and adhere to the rules of the US Fiscal Policy in order to support organizations effectively. While certain requirements may be unavoidable, we strive to minimize any unnecessary complexities and maintain a collaborative and empowering approach throughout the grant-making journey.

RESTRICTIONS

• We exclusively fund projects by IPLC-led organizations that are intended to be implemented within the communities represented by the organization's leadership.
• Each organization can submit only one application per funding cycle. If an organization receives a grant in a cycle, they are not eligible to apply for the next cycle, but they can reapply after that.

GRANT AMOUNTS AND DURATION

• The maximum grant amount is USD 25,000.00, while the minimum grant amount is USD 15,000.00.
• If your project requires funding exceeding USD 25,000.00, we suggest considering two options: either scaling down the project or dividing it into phases and applying for funding for a single phase.
• Our preference is to support projects that can be fully implemented within a timeframe of approximately one year.

GRANT JOURNEY TIMELINE

• Two grant cycles per year: Spring and Fall
• The cycle opens around the 1st day of the month and closes around the last day of the month (~ 30 days) CST time.
• After submitting your application, check your inbox for Azimuth emails requesting clarifications.
• Applications marked as complete.
• Azimuth's assessment period (~ 2 months).
• Trustee informs Azimuth's Donor-Advised Fund of selected organizations.
• Processing time: US organizations: ~2 weeks, Non-US organizations with "Friends of": up to 3 weeks, Non-US organizations that require Equivalency Determination: over 9 weeks.
• After funds are disbursed, a Memorandum of Understanding is sent for approval and signing and a virtual meeting is requested.
• A "Voices From the Ground" about your organization and the project is recorded.
• Follow-up conversations to share successes and challenges scheduled as your time allows.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

To ensure a comprehensive evaluation and selection process, the following steps are undertaken:

• The Grants Manager conducts an evaluation and prepares a report.
• AWF's team, comprising the President and Communications Manager, conducts their evaluation.
• The Advisory Committee selects two projects for funding.
• The Trustees review the recommendations made and either affirm the decision or request an alternative.
• The final recommendation is presented to the Fund, which does its due diligence and disburses the grant amounts to the selected organizations.
  
  Note: Grant applications will only be evaluated once they are deemed complete. If you receive a request from us for additional information or documents, please provide them promptly to facilitate the review process and presentation to our board for evaluation.

REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Azimuth World Foundation recognizes the importance of reporting and accountability in our grant-making process. While we strive to avoid relying on reporting methods that may perpetuate colonialist practices, we value the opportunity to hear back from our grantees, learn from them and stay informed about the progress and developments of your projects. We believe in maintaining open lines of communication and being available to support you in overcoming any challenges you may encounter along the way. Additionally, we have a segment called Voices From the Ground that serves as both a communication tool for you and a means of reporting. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in participating in these short videos, as they enable us to share your experiences and achievements with a wider audience while promoting transparency and collective learning.

about Equivalency Determination
about US 501(c)(3) "Friends of"

Aceitamos candidaturas em português.
Informação sobre as bolsas em português.

Aceptamos candidaturas en español.
Información sobre becas en español.

Nous acceptons des candidatures en français.
Information sur les bourses en français.

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