Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
Capital and substantial operational support for early-stage, scalable, impact-first organisations.
Rolling applicationsShare this opportunity
Is this worth your time?
Best considered by a post-pilot social enterprise seeking both capital and close organisational support. It is not a quick small grant for an idea or a one-off community project.
Ubunifu editorial assessment, not an organiser eligibility decision.A stronger fit when...
Independent, impact-first organisations operating in priority regions including Africa, with an intervention in use and early evidence of benefit to underserved people. Leaders should be full-time or moving there and able to pursue substantial scale.
Pause or look elsewhere when...
Idea-stage work, a model intended to remain only local, or leadership unwilling to engage closely for three years. For-profit applicants must understand the investment route rather than assume all DRK support is a donation.
What the support actually means
Up to USD 300,000 is provided over three years through grants or investment capital, usually in tranches. Operational support includes a DRK board-service role. The instrument and conditions are settled during the closing process.
Costs and commitments: Instrument and tranches are negotiated; board-service engagement is central.
Your costs, time and commitments
Applications are accepted year-round, but selection is highly competitive. The relationship involves sustained management and governance engagement, not just receiving funds. Review the implications for your board and fundraising plan.
How selection or access works
DRK looks for evidence, financial sustainability, scalability, a deep understanding of the problem and a collaborative leadership team. Its preferred post-pilot/pre-scale stage matters more than a polished story.
Preparation and application steps
Get these ready first
Preparation advice; the organiser determines mandatory documents.
- Organise pilot outcomes with definitions and limitations, not only activity counts.
- Explain how earned income or another durable model supports growth.
- Prepare an ownership/governance summary and a practical plan for expanding reach.
Your next steps
- Compare your current stage with the official funding criteria.
- Discuss internally whether the operational and board relationship fits the organisation.
- Apply through the online form, not an email pitch, and respect the reapplication policy.
Questions to confirm and guide sources
Questions to confirm before committing
- Grant versus investment terms and tranche conditions for your entity.
- Board responsibilities, reporting and how the relationship interacts with existing investors.
Sources behind this decision guide
Reviewed 2026-11-05. Guidance is not a guarantee that an application window remains open.
Full programme facts and official sources
Who this is for
Early-stage impact-first organisations with demonstrated potential; Africa is an eligible operating region.
- Stage
- Early traction and scalable impact
- Sector
- Impact-first enterprises
- Support type
- Grant or investment; terms vary
- Costs and commitments
- Instrument and tranches are negotiated; board-service engagement is central.
- Deadline
- Rolling applications; confirm current fit and reapplication rules.
- As published
- Rolling applications; confirm current fit and reapplication rules.
- Format
- Africa and other designated regions.
- Event dates
- Organisation-specific engagement over three years.
- Travel and visa support
- No general travel entitlement confirmed.
- Documents and preparation
- Online application followed by leadership, financial, legal and impact diligence.
- How to apply
- Present evidence of the solution and a credible scaling model using the official application.
- Applicant route
- Direct application through DRK's Apply route.
Official sources
DRK official application overview Source checked 2026-11-05
DRK official FAQ Source checked 2026-11-05
Check before committing
Not automatically an equity-free grant and not suitable for an unsupported idea alone. Check reapplication restrictions.
Listing, saving and community ratings do not verify the organiser, guarantee eligibility or promise selection. Check the official terms before committing time or money.