Applications are now open for the 2025 Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge. The Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge is an open call for applications or request for proposals (RFP) designed to provide catalytic grant funding to community organizations across the world. This year, the Foundation invites proposals from community organizations developing innovative employment solutions for low-income youth primarily between the ages of 15 and 24.

Funding Overview

The Foundation plans to award grants of $500,000 (USD) payable over two years to 50 community organizations working in select communities where Citi has a presence.
• Grants are meant to be catalytic in nature, supporting the piloting or expansion of ideas and projects in the field of youth employability.
• In addition to grant funds, the Citi Foundation will seek ways to support the selected grantees through volunteerism as well as hosting learning opportunities to promote shared lessons and best practices.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Applicant organizations must be registered as nonprofit entities under local law. For example, for U.S. entities, applicants need to be tax-exempt public charities as per Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
• Applicants must be able to submit their most recent externally audited financial statements, including auditor’s notes, covering some part of calendar year 2023 or a subsequent year.
• Applicant’s proposed program must align with the Foundation’s mission of supporting low-income communities as defined by local standards and definitions.
• Applicant’s proposed program must impact one or more of the target geographies

Africa

• Algeria, Cameroon, Côte D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia

Application Process

Registration Deadline:

Organizations must first register and confirm they meet the eligibility requirements to gain access to the Citi Foundation’s grantmaking portal. Eligible applicants will receive access to the portal within three business days. The deadline to register to apply is 12 p.m. New York time (Eastern Time) on March 4, 2025.

Application Deadline:

• Applicant organizations must submit their completed applications through the Citi Foundation’s online grant portal. The deadline to submit a completed application is 12 p.m. New York time (Eastern Time) on March 18, 2025.