Finding the right grants to apply for as a mental health NGO can be harder than it looks. Not all grants are accessible to African NGOs and not all are actually worth the time and effort it takes to apply. That is exactly what this post is about. To help you search smarter, find the opportunities that are actually worth your time, and improve your chances of securing the funding your organisation needs.
Key Things to Check Before Applying for a Grant
To make your search easier and avoid wasting time applying for grants you may not get, here are a few key things to keep in mind.
1. Check that you meet all the eligibility requirements
Do not assume that meeting a few of the requirements is enough. Grant funders can be strict, and many will disqualify applications that do not meet every single criterion. Go through the eligibility requirements carefully before you invest time in an application.
2. Pay attention to budget size restrictions
Some funders require that your organisation has already received and managed a certain amount of funding, while others cap how much your annual budget can be. Either way, your financial history matters. Make sure the grant is designed for an organisation at your stage.
3. Check for geographic restrictions
Not all grants are open to organisations from every part of the world. Before you get too excited about an opportunity, confirm two things. Where your NGO is registered and where you carry out your work. Both can affect your eligibility.
4. Be realistic about your chances
Just because a grant looks like a great opportunity does not mean your organisation is ready for it. Be honest with yourself about whether your NGO has what it takes to be competitive at that level. Applying for something you are not yet ready for uses time and energy you could spend on a more realistic opportunity.
5. Look at their past grantees
This is one of the most useful things you can do before applying. Look at the organisations the funder has previously supported. What do they have in common? What kind of work do they do? What stage were they at when they received funding? This tells you more about what the funder is actually looking for than their guidelines alone.
6. Check the deadlines and make sure you have enough time
Make sure you can gather all the required documents before the deadline. Rushing an application because you found it too late rarely results in a strong submission.
7. Tailor your application to each specific funder
Funders have specific criteria they look for, and a generic application will not get you far. Even if a grant says it supports organisations whose work aligns with the SDGs, that alone is not enough to make you competitive. Look at everything they require and make sure your application speaks directly to their priorities, language and values.
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Related: Active Mental Health Ngos In Africa You Should Know
How to Search for Grants More Effectively
These simple habits will save you time and help you find opportunities you might otherwise miss.
1. Use the right keywords
When searching within any platform or on Google, be specific. Try combinations like “mental health NGO Africa grant,” “open call mental health Sub-Saharan Africa,” or “health NGO funding Nigeria (or your country).” The more specific your search terms, the more relevant your results will be.
2. Sign up for email newsletters
Most of the platforms listed below have newsletters that send funding opportunities directly to your inbox. Sign up for them. And whenever you come across a funder you are interested in, sign up for their newsletter too. That way you will be among the first to know when their next round of applications opens.
3. Follow funders and platforms on social media
Many funding organisations announce open calls on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram before they appear anywhere else. Follow the platforms on this list and follow major international funders directly. Turning on post notifications for key accounts means you will not miss time-sensitive opportunities.
4. Check platforms regularly
Grant opportunities open and close quickly. Make it a habit to check the platforms on this list at least once or twice a month. Some of them update daily so the more frequently you check, the better your chances of catching something before the deadline passes.
Related: Grants Mental Health NGOs in Africa Can Apply For Right Now
Where to Find Grants for Mental Health NGOs
The good news is that you do not have to search blindly. There are websites and platforms that do a lot of the work for you by compiling and regularly updating lists of open funding opportunities.
AfricanNGOs.org
One of the most reliable and regularly updated resources specifically for African NGOs. They publish monthly roundups of funding opportunities across different sectors including health. Beyond the monthly lists, the site also publishes articles, resources and fundraising guidance to help organisations strengthen their capacity. Free to access and well worth bookmarking.
Advance-Africa.com
A free resource that lists grants and funding opportunities for NGOs across Africa, including health-focused ones. The site can be a little difficult to navigate at first, but it is worth exploring as it does post relevant opportunities that may not appear on other platforms.
DevelopmentAid.org
A large database that pulls grant opportunities from major international donors, including UNHCR and UNICEF. It covers African countries extensively and is updated daily. Mental health NGOs will need to search carefully using health-related filters to find relevant opportunities, as the platform covers many sectors. Free to create a basic account, though some detailed information requires a paid membership. Note that the site can be slow to load at times.
African NGO Fundraising Hub
The African NGO Fundraising Hub is a practical, Africa-led platform built specifically to help NGOs across the continent find and secure funding. One of its most useful features is a monthly roundup of funding opportunities, updated every single month with new grants and funding initiatives relevant to African NGOs across different sectors including health. Bookmark the page and check it every month so you never miss a new opportunity as soon as it is published.
AfriGrant
AfriGrant is a dedicated funding database built specifically for African startups, SMEs and NGOs. You can filter by sector including health, target region and funding type to find grants relevant to your organisation. They also deliver funding opportunities directly to your inbox once you set up your profile. Free to sign up with no credit card required, though a paid upgrade is available for full access.
Conclusion
Five websites may not sound like a lot. But if you commit to checking these platforms consistently every month, there is not a single month you will go without finding at least one grant worth applying for. The funding is out there. The key is staying consistent and knowing where to look.
Bookmark this post and come back to it whenever you are ready to start your search, and remember, finding the right grant is only the first step. How you apply matters just as much. Take your time, read the requirements carefully, tailor your application and give your organisation the best possible chance.
Author: Chinasa Lovlyn Nwachukwu has spent four years advocating for mental health across Africa. Her work focuses on empowering communities to take mental health seriously and inspiring others to become advocates in their own communities.
If you need help or know someone struggling with their mental health, please visit our resource page.
