Building a better future
Charting a path towards a more inclusive,
resilient, and connected world.
The +1
Global Fund
The +1 Global Fund is a collaborative platform for discovering, strengthening, connecting, and amplifying locally-led change in the Global South.
The Fund leverages a networks-of-network model, in partnership with globally recognized organizations, to source high-impact changemakers working with vulnerable and last-mile communities. Through a nomination-based framework, we identify, invest in, and develop the capacity of historically overlooked and under-funded social innovators.
The Fund brings together philanthropists, foundations, and partners who collectively believe that the engine for change lies in the efforts of locally-led, earlier-stage, and high-potential organizations. The +1 Global Fund is organized by sector– WASH, education, food security, health– each supported by multiple funders who pool funds and form a community of practice that seeks to:
- Shift power to those closest to the problems and best positioned and most qualified to lead change.
- Build a more diverse “applicant pool” of organizations that are traditionally overlooked and underfunded.
- Encourage sharing, learning, and collaboration within new, emergent networks.
- Elevate our sights beyond individuals and organizations to sector-based reform.
- Foster resilience amongst a network of community-based organization in vulnerable and last-mile communities.
Speed
Network
Support
How It Works
The +1 Global Fund is organized into cycles, consisting of five consecutive 12-week rounds. In each of these cycles we focus on one sector (e.g. WASH) in a targeted part of the world (e.g. Sub-Saharan Africa).
At the core of the Fund is a network-based set of interlocking programs that activate existing networks and catalyze new, emergent one through:
- Catalytic funding: A network-of-network funding model that leverages peer nominations to identify high performing, locally-led organizations in specific sectors.
- Community building: A cohort-oriented accelerator program focused on organizational development, individual coaching, and peer-to-peer engagement.
- Network strengthening: A multi-day hackathon that convenes all participants to learn, share, and collaborate.
- Access + promotion: increased exposure and access to impact networks through partners and funders.
Currently, we are working on four separate cycles focused on WASH, education, food security, and health.
Learn more about our approach and rationale for creating the +1 Global Fund.
Network Partners
Recommend several Nominators—well-connected individuals who are rooted in the issue and region of focus
+1 Awardees
Selected organizations receive flexible funding, organizational development support, opportunities to connect with peers and potential partners, promotion, and more
Network Partners
Recommend several Nominators—well-connected individuals who are rooted in the issue and region of focus
+1 Awardees
Selected organizations receive flexible funding, organizational development support, opportunities to connect with peers and potential partners, promotion, and more
Network Partners
Network Partners— well-established and recognized institutions that have extensive networks of proximate leaders– play a critical role in the +1 Global Fund. Network Partners are asked to identify Nominators—leaders within specific issues and/or regions who recommend locally-led initiatives for potential +1 Fund support.
Network Partners have:
- Expansive channels through which they can identify Nominators
- Demonstrated inclusivity and equity, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations
- Connected to the specific issue and/or region of interest
- Active engagement with, and support for their network
- Capacity and interest partnering with the +1 Global Fund
If you are are interested in learning more please let us know.
Funding Partners
The +1 Global Fund is a collaborative funding model of like-minded funders who seek new and innovative ways to support networks of locally-led, community-based organizations.
Together we are striving to reimagine who and how social change occurs and in doing so, redefine the role funders play in its progress. In time, we hope these efforts will influence the philanthropic space to:
- Move away from fomenting competition and rivalry among potential grantees, to creating a landscape of synergies and collaboration.
- Remove the hurdles and gatekeepers that prevent those traditionally left out—who are also often the most marginalized—to access support.
- Streamline and ease funding through trust-based and participatory mechanisms.
- Collaborate more frequently and with greater intentionality.
- Allocate resources and attention towards ecosystems and networks in pursuit of long-term social change.
If you are a funder interested in learning more please let us know.
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