OPEN — year-round nonprofit unrestricted social-impact grant pathway, competitively selected; qualified for-profit capital may be an investment rather than a grant.
International Including United States — Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Early-Stage Nonprofit Social Impact Grants (Up to $300,000; Rolling)
OPEN year-round: Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides up to $300,000 in unrestricted grant capital over three years to selected qualifying nonprofit social-impact ventures; mission-driven for-profits may instead receive equity investment, which is not a grant. Intended for independently operating post-pilot, pre-scale organizations benefiting underserved communities in the US, Africa, Europe or India. Official guidelines verified November 7, 2026.
FundingUp to $300,000 USD in unrestricted grant funding over 3 years for qualifying selected nonprofit grantees, generally in tranches. DRK may instead provide equity investment to eligible mission-driven for-profits; investment capital is not a grant. Up to $500,000 capacity-building in-kind support is not cash grant. No universal total pool or standard matching requirement published.
DeadlineOPEN year-round; no fixed application or LOI deadline. Initial DRK review normally 8–10 weeks; invitation-only interviews, diligence and closing follow for selected candidates.
Last verified2026-11-07
Required next actionConfirm a nonprofit/501(c)(3) or qualifying overseas equivalent, post-pilot/pre-scale, demonstrated underserved-beneficiary impact, scalable delivery and earned-income plan; if fiscally sponsored, prepare independent spinout plan. Gather documented pilot results, executive summary or pitch deck, problem/solution, impact metrics, scaling plan, sustainability model, founders'/leaders' resume/CV and submit online at https://www.drkfoundation.org/apply/ . Do not email applications. Clarify the funding instrument and final conditions directly with DRK during closing.
Broad Eligibility
Eligible independent early-stage post-pilot nonprofit impact organizations (501c3 or international equivalent; fiscal-sponsored only with intended independent spinout) operating US/Africa/Europe/India, supporting underserved populations with measurable results, scalable model, earned income or plan and full-time committed leadership. Usually 2–5 years old, not idea-stage or research-only; numerous legal form and activity restrictions. For-profit investments are NOT applicant grants.
Atlas Analysis
Official DRK Foundation overview, FAQ, and application form verified Nov7 2026. Program continuously open, no deadline. Capital up to $300,000 over 3 years as either unrestricted grant to nonprofit OR investment to for-profit, distinct. Up to $500k in-kind capacity excluded from cash amount. Appropriate grant catalogue listing specifically nonprofit financial assistance only. Applicant sectors health/education/community/economic and environmental, underserved focus, measurable outcomes, post-pilot/pre-scale global qualified geographies US Europe Africa India, scale 10k lives target, earned revenue plan, full-time founder. Exclusions 501c4/LLC/partnership/S-Corp; pure advocacy/research, no scaling, religious doctrine, etc. Exact matching requirement not stated publicly, reimbursement not asserted. Existing WordPress all-status search found no DRK/Draper Richards Kaplan record. Official source https://www.drkfoundation.org/apply/overview/; https://www.drkfoundation.org/apply/faq/; https://www.drkfoundation.org/apply/.
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation — Early-Stage Nonprofit Social Impact Grant Funding. The foundation accepts year-round applications from early-stage, scalable, impact-first organizations working to solve social and environmental problems for underserved communities. This Atlas listing concerns the nonprofit unrestricted-grant funding option. The funder also supports selected mission-driven for-profit enterprises through investment capital; equity investments are not grants and must not be described or counted as applicant grant awards.
Applicant funding: For qualifying nonprofits, DRK may provide up to $300,000 in unrestricted grant funding over a three-year period, usually in multiple tranches. The precise grant or investment instrument and tranches are determined during the final selection/closing discussions. The program also offers extensive mentoring, board and capacity-building support that may be valued at up to $500,000 in-kind; this is not cash grant funding. No guarantee of selection or the full amount is implied.
Eligibility: Applicants must be independent early-stage organizations with functioning programs or products, some demonstrated beneficiary impact and a realistic scale-up model. DRK supports organizations operating in the United States, Africa, Europe and India. Strong applicants serve vulnerable or underserved people, build on existing systems, have a measurable outcomes approach, aim to reach at least 10,000 people within five years, and have some earned income or credible plans to develop it. Nonprofit organizations recognized under 501(c)(3) or overseas equivalents qualify; fiscally sponsored projects generally must plan an imminent independent spinout. Leaders are expected to work full time or move to full time.
Exclusions: Idea-only or pre-pilot concepts, post-Series A entities, solely local models with no scale-up ambition, organizations primarily engaged in awareness/advocacy/field building, research-only work without direct intervention, programs advancing religious doctrine, and US 501(c)(4), S corporations, partnerships, LLCs and investment funds are excluded under the funder’s criteria. Organization age is generally two to five years, though not a strict cutoff; organizations over ten years old are usually not funded. A universal matching-fund ratio and reimbursement condition are not specified by the published program guidance; check any final grant agreement.
Deadline: OPEN — year-round, no fixed application deadline, as stated in the funder’s official FAQ. Initial application review commonly takes approximately eight to ten weeks; selected applicants may proceed through interviews, formal diligence, committee review and grant closing. Limited annual awards and rigorous selection apply.
How to apply: Review the official program overview and requirements and funding eligibility FAQ. Submit an application through the official online portal, with an executive summary, pitch deck or business plan describing the social problem, implemented solution, evidence of impact, scaling plan and earned-income sustainability; attach a current leadership resume/CV. Do not email applications. Reapplication after a prior rejection is limited by the funder’s stated policy.
Research verification: Official foundation program overview, application instructions, eligibility and FAQ reviewed November 7, 2026. This record publishes only the nonprofit grant-funding pathway; for-profit investment opportunities are disclosed separately and not represented as grants.
Source verificationReferenced source · www.drkfoundation.orgAtlas last verified this record 2026-11-07. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
