Who funds International Development nationally

If you work in international development, you already know that the money comes from somewhere specific. The funders below are the ones writing the largest checks nationally for this work. Knowing who they are, what they actually fund, and how they think about grants is half the battle before you ever pick up the phone.

Gates Foundation

The Gates Foundation distributes roughly $6.2 billion annually across global health, education, poverty alleviation, and development work. International development is core to their mission. Their giving tends to run around $495K per grant on average, though their portfolio spans from smaller project grants to much larger commitments. If your work aligns with their stated priorities in global health or economic development, they are worth understanding deeply. This is a relationship-first funder; getting on their radar through board members, program officers, or peer networks matters more than a cold application.

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Foundation To Promote Open Society

Open Society distributes about $478 million per year into education, human rights, international development, and economic empowerment. Their international development grants tend to land around $269K on average. They fund work on governance, justice, and social change across the globe, often taking a longer view than many funders. They are particularly interested in organizations that build capacity and advance systemic change. Getting to know their regional and thematic teams before you apply is the smart move.

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Leona M & Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust

The Helmsley Trust gives out roughly $437 million annually, with a meaningful portion directed to international health and development. Their typical grant runs around $298K. They fund global health initiatives, education, and community development, often with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainable impact. They are accessible to well-researched organizations with clear theories of change. Start by understanding their current priority regions and health focus areas before you approach.

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Good Ventures Foundation

Good Ventures distributes about $354 million per year into education, international development, and human services. Grants tend to run around $308K on average. They fund a mix of direct service, research, and systems change work, often with a willingness to take on emerging or unconventional approaches. They are known for being thoughtful and engaged funders who want to understand the problem deeply. Building a relationship with their program team early is worth the time.

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John D & Catherine T MacArthur Foundation

MacArthur gives roughly $349 million annually across social justice, environment, international development, and education. Their grants tend to be smaller on average, typically around $130K, which means they fund a broader range of organizations and project sizes. They are particularly interested in systems change, human rights, and peace and security work globally. They fund through a mix of open calls and relationship-based giving, so knowing their program officers and getting invited into their thinking is valuable.

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Next steps

These five funders represent serious, sustained commitment to international development. The real work now is understanding which of them align with your specific geography, population, or approach. If you want Funding Findr to keep an eye on a particular funder relationship or cause area for you, reply and let us know. We read everything.

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