Impact Areas & Grant Criteria
1. Education Access
ADF supports organizations that aim to reduce systemic barriers to primary, secondary, and vocational education, especially among marginalized populations such as women, girls, and communities underserved due to race, disability, socioeconomic status, or geography.
Grants in this area focus on:
- Enhancing enrollment and retention of underserved individuals in formal education.
- Providing direct learning opportunities tailored to the needs of excluded or disadvantaged groups.
- Supporting innovative education models that address the root causes of educational inequity.
2. Environmental Sustainability
ADF seeks to fund programs that increase climate resilience, promote sustainable practices, and support environmental stewardship at the community level.
Priority areas include:
- Education and awareness-building on issues such as waste reduction, energy and water conservation, recycling, and sustainable packaging.
- Initiatives that strengthen ecosystem resilience and help communities adapt to climate-related challenges.
- Direct environmental interventions (e.g., forest conservation, water preservation) that improve both ecological and socioeconomic outcomes.
3. Secure Livelihoods
ADF aims to improve economic inclusion by funding programs that expand workforce development, entrepreneurship, and job readiness for disadvantaged communities.
Key focus areas:
- Increasing access to vocational training and livelihood support for populations experiencing gender, racial, or economic disparities.
- Empowering women in the workforce, including programs that promote gender equity and improved workplace conditions.
- Removing barriers to meaningful employment, especially for those excluded from mainstream economic opportunities.
Grantmaking Considerations
In addition to alignment with impact areas, ADF evaluates potential grantees based on the following criteria:
- Need-Based Prioritization: Preference is given to projects in communities facing the greatest disparities, as identified using tools like the UN Human Development Index.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Organizations must demonstrate a commitment to DEI in both program design and internal practices, and actively foster trust with the communities they serve.
Guiding Principles
ADF’s approach to philanthropy is grounded in three core principles:
- Trust-Based Philanthropy: ADF prioritizes open communication, transparency, and long-term partnerships over transactional relationships.
- Responsive Grantmaking: ADF supports both proactive initiatives and responsive efforts, including employee-driven giving and disaster relief.
- Proactive Engagement: The Foundation actively seeks innovative partners that use human-centered design and community-driven approaches in areas of high need.
Ineligible Activities
ADF does not fund the following:
- Conferences, special events, or fundraising activities
- Scholarships, fellowships, or travel grants for individuals
- Political parties, candidates, or election-related activities
- For-profit ventures
- Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Endowments or institutional reserves
- Organizations that discriminate based on age, gender, race, disability, religion, or other protected characteristics
Application Process
ADF uses a multi-step online application system to ensure alignment and efficiency in its grantmaking process:
- Create a profile and complete the Eligibility Form via ADF’s grant portal.
- Foundation staff will review the form and notify applicants via system email regarding the outcome.
- If aligned, the applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal.
- ADF may request additional information during the review process.
- Applicants will be notified of the final decision through the online system.
All applicants, regardless of funding decision, receive a formal response.
