What We Fund

Experienced, dedicated social entrepreneurs with a developed idea for a non-profit organization based in the United States are invited to apply for the Draper Richards Kaplan grant.

We fund:

• Organizations by providing unrestricted dollars.
• Organizations at the beginning of their development. On average, organizations are 0-3 years old and the entrepreneur is prepared to execute an ambitious plan. Often there is a pilot operating, but not in all cases.
• Organizations based in the United States only.
• Organizations that are national or global in reach and social issue.

We do not fund:

• Local community-based organizations
• Research
• Scholarships
• Think tanks
• Conferences or one-time events
• Organizations planning to influence policy through lobbying
• Programs promoting religious doctrine

Some common reasons organizations are not considered eligible for funding:

• Organization is no longer at the early stages of its development.
• Organization is local, rather than national or international, in scope. A local organization is one that focuses on a defined region or location and does not plan to expand its reach or service area.
• Organization is a program of a larger organization, rather than a stand-alone entity.
• Organization does not plan to be a 501c3.
• Organization is not located in the United States.
• Entrepreneur does not choose to make the organization a full-time commitment.
• Idea is not unique or is a replication of a program that already exists.
• Idea is unfocused. The organization is trying to solve too many problems or is using too many models and programs to achieve its goals.
• Idea and/or implementation strategy lacks clarity. The plan is not comprehensive or is hard to understand.
• Scaling plan is not viable. The revenue model or the operational model is not sustainable.
• Idea will not create systemic social change. The solution presented does not address root causes or deliver enduring benefits.
• There is not a plan to measure outcomes.
• Model does not have large-scale impact.

We do not accept resubmissions.