# Alternative Sources of Support The following table contains alternate funding sources which support efforts relevant to the fields of Internet freedom, software development, journalism, and human rights, broadly speaking. Sources are organized by general subject matter. All funds listed below have annual solicitation periods, we do not include one-time funds. We're always seeking to grow this resource and make it as useful and inclusive as possible, so if you know of a funding source that should be on here, please let us know by contacting us at . *Note: This list is shared for information purposes only. OTF cannot assist with fundraising efforts of individual projects or refer projects to specific funders. Inclusion of a funding entity on this list does not represent an endorsement by OTF.* **This list was last updated in February 2026.** {% hint style="info" %} **You can stay up to date on all OTF submission deadlines and open submissions windows for other alternative funders by joining the OTF-announce mailing list, where we announce upcoming application deadlines.** [**Click here to join the OTF-announce mailing list**](https://groups.google.com/a/opentech.fund/forum/#!forum/otf-announce/join)**.** {% endhint %} ## Categories * [**Corporate Philanthropy**](#corporate-philanthropy) * [**Decentralized Web**](#decentralized-web) * [**Digital Rights**](#digital-rights) * [**ICT4D**](#information-and-communications-technologies-for-development-ict4d-including-deploying-internet-conne) * [**Internet Infrastructure**](#internet-infrastructure) * [**Fellowships and Scholarships**](#fellowships-and-scholarships) * [**Funding Directories**](#funding-directories) * [**Privacy and Security**](#privacy-and-security) * [**Rapid Response**](#rapid-response) * [Global Support](#global-support) * [Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (GBV)](#technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-gbv) * [Journalist & Scholar Support](#journalist-and-scholar-support) * [In-Kind Digital Infrastructure](#in-kind-digital-infrastructure) * [**Rapid Response: Region-Specific**](#rapid-response-region-specific) * [Africa](#africa) * [Americas](#americas) * [Asia](#asia) * [Europe](#europe) * [**Startup Incubators and Entrepreneurship**](#startup-incubators-and-entrepreneurship) * [**US Government Internet Freedom and Security**](#us-government-internet-freedom-and-security) ## Corporate Philanthropy | **Organization** | **Fund** | | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Amazon | [AWS Imagine Grant Program](https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/aws-imagine-grant-program/) | | Cisco | [Global Impact Cash Grant Program](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/csr/community/nonprofits/global-impact-cash-grants.html) | | | [Research Funding](https://research.cisco.com/research-funding) | | CloudFlare | [Project Galileo](https://www.cloudflare.com/galileo/) | | Comcast | [Innovation Fund](http://innovationfund.comcast.com/) | | Microsoft | [Nonprofit grants and credits](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/eligibility) | | Motorola | [Grants](https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/about/motorola-solutions-foundation/annual-grants.html) | | Google | [Project Shield](https://projectshield.withgoogle.com/public/) | | | [Impact Challenge](https://www.google.org/opportunities/) | | | [Summer of Code](https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/) | | Python Software Foundation | [PSF Grants Program](https://www.python.org/psf/grants/) | | Twilio | [Impact Fund](https://www.twilio.org/support-and-resources/impact-fund) | ## Decentralized Web | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Coinbase | [Venture Funds](https://www.coinbase.com/en-ca/ventures) | | DFINITY | [Developer Grants Program](https://dfinity.org/grants) | | Ethereum Foundation | [Ecosystem Support Program](https://esp.ethereum.foundation/applicants) | | Filecoin Foundation | [Filecoin Grants](https://fil.org/grants) | | Quadratic Funding | [Crowd-funding](https://www.wtfisqf.com/) | ## Digital Rights | **Organization** | **Fund** | | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Access Now | [Grants](https://www.accessnow.org/grants/) | | American Council of Learned Societies | [Digital Justice Grants](https://www.acls.org/programs/acls-digital-justice-grants/) | | Data Empowerment Fund | [Initiatives](https://dataempowerment.fund/#initiatives) | | Digital Freedom Fund | [Grants](https://digitalfreedomfund.org/grants/) | | Digital Defenders Partnership | [Various Programs](https://www.digitaldefenders.org/funds/) | | Disability Rights Fund | [Grants](https://www.disabilityrightsfund.org/for-grantseekers/) | | Ford Foundation | [Grants](https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/) | | International Women's Media Foundation | [Grants](https://www.iwmf.org/our-programs/) | | Lacuna Fund | [About](https://lacunafund.org/apply/) | | Mama Cash | [Grants](https://www.mamacash.org/apply-for-a-grant/) | | OAK Foundation | [Grants](https://oakfnd.org/grant-making/) | | Sigrid Rausing Trust | [Grants](https://www.sigrid-rausing-trust.org/what-we-do/) | | Third Wave Fund | [Mobilize Power Fund](https://www.thirdwavefund.org/mobilize-power-fund) | | Youth Power Fund | [Grant](https://www.rtyouthpower.org/aboutthefund) | ## **Information and Communications Technologies for Development (ICT4D) including Deploying Internet Connectivity** | **Organization** | F**und** | | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | [Global Grand Challenges](https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/) | | Catholic Relief Services | [ICT4D](https://www.crs.org/our-work-overseas/ict4d) | | CRDF Global | [Grants](https://www.crdfglobal.org/grants/funding-opportunities) | | International Development Research Center (IDRC) | [Funding](https://www.idrc.ca/en/funding) | | Internet Society Foundation | [Research Program](https://www.isocfoundation.org/grant-programme/research-grant-programme/?_gl=1*12o2g3d*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI0OTI4MjM4NS4xNzI0NDM4NTI5*_ga_BQY6ZNFJLB*MTcyNDQzODUyOC4xLjAuMTcyNDQzODUyOC4wLjAuMA..) | | | [Resiliency Program](https://www.isocfoundation.org/grant-programme/resiliency-grant-program/?_gl=1*12o2g3d*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI0OTI4MjM4NS4xNzI0NDM4NTI5*_ga_BQY6ZNFJLB*MTcyNDQzODUyOC4xLjAuMTcyNDQzODUyOC4wLjAuMA..) | | | [SCILLs Program](https://www.isocfoundation.org/grant-programme/scills-grant-programme/?_gl=1*12o2g3d*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI0OTI4MjM4NS4xNzI0NDM4NTI5*_ga_BQY6ZNFJLB*MTcyNDQzODUyOC4xLjAuMTcyNDQzODUyOC4wLjAuMA..) | ## Internet Infrastructure | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ---------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Internet Society Foundation | [Connecting the Unconnected Program](https://www.internetsociety.org/funding-areas/connecting-the-unconnected/) | | | [Sustainable Peering and Infrastructure Program](https://www.internetsociety.org/funding-areas/sustainable-peering-ixp/) | | National Telecommunications and Information Administration | [Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program](https://broadbandusa.ntia.gov/funding-programs/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-bead-program/timeline) | | | [Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program](https://broadbandusa.ntia.gov/funding-programs/tribal-broadband-connectivity) | | US Department of Agriculture | [ReConnect Loan and Grant Program](https://www.usda.gov/reconnect) | ## Fellowships and Scholarships | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) | [Science & Technology Policy Fellowships](https://www.aaas.org/programs/science-technology-policy-fellowships) | | American Council of Learned Societies | [Fellowship Program](https://www.acls.org/programs/acls-fellowship-program/) | | Al Jazeera Media Institute | [A](https://institute.aljazeera.net/en/fellowship)[l Jazeera Fellowship](https://institute.aljazeera.net/en/fellowship) | | Alfred P. Sloan Foundation | [Sloan Research Fellowships](https://sloan.org/fellowships/) | | Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society | [Fellowship Program](https://cyber.harvard.edu/getinvolved/fellowships) | | The British Academy | [Researchers at Risk Fellowships](https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/researchers-at-risk-fellowships/) | | Cara | [Academics at Risk Fellowship](https://www.cara.ngo/what-we-do/caras-fellowship-programme) | | Clooney Foundation for Justice | [Waging Justice for Women Fellowship](https://cfj.org/waging-justice-for-women/fellowships/) | | Coding it Forward | [Civic Digital Fellowship](https://www.codingitforward.com/fellowship/) | | CrossCulture Programme | [Strengthening Civil Societies](https://www.ifa.de/en/fundings/ccp-fellowships/) | | Echoing Green | [Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship and Leadership Development Programs](https://www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship) | | Eisenhower Fellowships | [International and USA Fellowships](https://www.efworld.org/fellowship-programs/) | | Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) | [EPIC Law Fellowship](https://epic.org/epic/jobs.html) | | Ethereum Foundation | [Team Next Billion Fellowship](https://nxbn.ethereum.foundation/fellowship) | | Google | [Public Policy Fellowship](https://www.google.com/policyfellowship/) | | The Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy | [Grants for current PhD candidates](https://www.horowitz-foundation.org/apply) | | ICANN | [Fellowship Program](https://www.icann.org/fellowshipprogram) | | | [NextGen@ICANN Program](https://www.icann.org/public-responsibility-support/nextgen) | | International Cities of Refuge Network | [The ICORN Programme](https://www.icorn.org/apply) | | Internet Archive | [DWeb Camp Fellowship](https://dwebcamp.org/fellowships/) | | Internet Society Foundation | [African Peering and Interconnection Forum Fellowship](https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowships/afpif/) | | | [Early Career Fellowship](https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowships/early-career/) | | | [Mid Career Fellowship](https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowships/mid-career/) | | | [Pulse Research Fellowship](https://pulse.internetsociety.org/fellowship) | | | [Youth Ambassador Fellowship](https://www.internetsociety.org/policy-programs/youth-ambassadors/) | | Kairos Fellowship | [F](http://www.kairosfellows.org/)[ellowship](http://www.kairosfellows.org/) | | Mozilla | [Fellowships](https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/what-we-fund/opportunities/) | | National Endowment for Democracy (NED) | [Fe](https://www.ned.org/fellowships/)[llowships](https://www.ned.org/fellowships/) | | National Science Foundation (NSF) | [Graduate Research Fellowship Program](https://www.nsfgrfp.org/) | | Open Society Foundations | [Open Society Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/open-society-fellowship?eligibility=1) | | Outreachy | [Mentorships and internships](https://www.outreachy.org/) | | Princeton University | [Siegel Public Interest Technology Summer Fellowship](https://citp.princeton.edu/programs/siegel-public-interest-technology-summer-fellowship-pit-sf) | | PrivacyCo/Top10VPN.com | [Digital Rights Research Grant](https://www.top10vpn.com/research-grant/) | | Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) | [Fellowships](https://www.rcfp.org/fellowships/) | | Reporters Without Borders Germany | [Berlin Scholarship](https://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/stipendien/berliner-stipendienprogramm/ausschreibung-bewerbung) | | | [Deyda Hydara Scholarship](https://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/en/scholarships/deyda-hydara-scholarship) | | | [Rest & Resilience](https://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/stipendien/auszeit-stipendium) | | Shuttleworth Foundation | [Fellowship](https://www.shuttleworthfoundation.org/fellows/) | | Siegel Family Endowment | [Siegel Research Fellowship](https://www.siegelendowment.org/research/fellows/) | | The Social Science Research Council | [Fellowships](https://www.ssrc.org/how-we-work/fellowships/) | | Stanford PACS Digital Civil Society Lab | [Fellowships](https://pacscenter.stanford.edu/research/digital-civil-society-lab/fellowships/) | | TechCongress | [Congressional Innovation Fellowship](https://www.techcongress.io/congressional-innovation-fellowship) | | | [Senior Congressional Innovation Fellowship](https://www.techcongress.io/senior-congressional-innovation-fellows) | | University of York | [Protective Fellowship Scheme](https://www.york.ac.uk/cahr/defenders/) | | Voqal | [Fellowship](https://voqalpartners.org/fellowship/) | ## Funding Directories | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) | [Who Can Fund Me? Database](https://www.awid.org/feminist-funding-resources#wcfmdatabase) | | bond | [Funding Opportunities](https://www.bond.org.uk/funding-opportunities/) | | CIVIS | [Donor Finder](https://www.civicus.org/index.php/donor-finder) | | FOSS Maintainer Funding | [Funding Opportunities](https://github.com/mechko/awesome-maintainer-funding) | | Knight Foundation | [Grants database](https://knightfoundation.org/programs/) | | Renewable Freedom Foundation | [Digital Rights Funding Sources](https://renewablefreedom.org/grants/funding-sources/) | | SOLVE MIT | [Open Challenges](https://solve.mit.edu/challenges#open-challenges) | | Team Community | [Funding Opportunities](https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=Fundraising_Opportunities) | | The Reva & David Logan Foundation | [Grant Finder](https://loganfdn.org/grants/) | | TripleFunds | [Calls for Proposal](https://triple-funds.com/calls-for-proposals/) | | UK Research and Innovation | [Funding Finder](https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/?filter_council%5B%5D=820) | | University of Illinois | [Fellowship Finder](https://apps.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship-finder/) | ## Privacy and Security | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Mozilla Foundation | [Mozilla Open Source Support (MOSS)](https://wiki.mozilla.org/MOSS) | | | [Mozilla Technology Fund](https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/what-we-fund/programs/mozilla-technology-fund-mtf/) | | Next Generation Internet (NGI) | [NGI Open Calls](https://www.ngi.eu/opencalls/) | | NLNet Foundation | [Open programs](https://nlnet.nl/funding.html) | | Open Source Technology Improvement Fund (OSTIF) | [Grants](https://ostif.org/) | | Prototype Fund | [Open programs](https://prototypefund.de/en/) | ## Rapid Response ### Global Support | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Access Now | [Digital Security Helpline](https://www.accessnow.org/help/) | | Amnesty International | [Security Lab Helpline](https://securitylab.amnesty.org/get-help/) | | Civil Rights Defenders | [Emergency Fund](https://crd.org/emergency-fund/) | | Derechos Digitales - | [Fondo de Respuesta Rápida](https://www.derechosdigitales.org/sobre-el-fondo-de-respuesta-rapida/) | | Digital Defenders Partnership | [Incident Emergency Fund](https://www.digitaldefenders.org/incident-emergency-fund/) | | Dignity For All | [Rapid Response](https://www.dignitylgbti.org/rapid-response-financial-assistance) | | | [Security Training](https://www.dignitylgbti.org/security-trainings) | | Freedom House | [Embattled CSOs (Emergency)](https://www.csolifeline.org/emergency-assistance) | | | [LGBTI Assistance Program](https://freedomhouse.org/program/dignity-all-lgbti-assistance-program) | | Frontline Defenders | [Emergency Contact](https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/emergency-contact) | | | [Protection Grants](https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/programme/protection-grants) | | Global Fund for Women | [Crisis Fund](https://www.globalfundforwomen.org/what-we-do/crisis-fund/) | | International Media Support | [Safety Fund](https://www.mediasupport.org/about/safety-fund/) | | | [Global Safety](https://www.mediasupport.org/what-we-do/safety-for-journalists/#global-safety) | | International Federation for Human Rights | [Grants for HRDs at Risk](https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/human-rights-defenders/financial-support/grant-application-for-human-rights-defenders-at-risk) | | Lifeline | [Emergency Assistance](https://www.csolifeline.org/emergency-assistance-1) | | | [Resiliency Grants](https://www.csolifeline.org/resiliency-grants) | | ProtectDefenders.eu | [Emergency Support](https://protectdefenders.eu/protecting-defenders/#emergency) | | SOS-Torture Network | [ Emergency material support to human rights defenders at risk](https://www.omct.org/en/resources/news/emergency-material-support-to-human-rights-defenders-at-risk) | | Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights | [Opportunity Grant](https://urgentactionfund.org/our-grants/opportunity-grant/) | | | [Security Grant](https://urgentactionfund.org/our-grants/security-grant/) | ### Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) | **Organization** | Helpdesks | | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | AwasKGBO |

Website
Contact:

| | Centro S.O.S Digitial |

Website
Contact:

| | CyberBeaver |

Helpdesk
Contact:

| | Digital Rights Foundation |

Website

Contact:

| | ECHAP |

Website
Contact:

| | FemBloc |

Website
Contact:

| | Luchadoras MX |

Website
Contact:

| | Maria d'Ajuda |

Website
Contact:

| | Meri Trustline |

Website
Contact:

| | Mujeres Activistas por el Software Libre |

VDBG Dashboard
Contact:

| | Navegando Libres por la Red |

Website
Contact:

| | One Love Sisters Ghana |

Website
Contact:

| | PurpleCode Collective |

Website
Contact:

| | TechHer |

Website
Contact:

| | TechSakhi |

Website
Contact:

| | Técnicas Rudas |

Website
Contact:
PGP Key Fingerprint:
055B 46F2 8105 5B95 E98E DEEF 728D B5E4 A7C2 E4FE

| | Vita Activa |

Website
Contact:

| ### Journalist & Scholar Support | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) | [Journalists in Distress Fund](https://cjfe.org/journalists-in-distress-fund/) | | Free Press Unlimited | [Reporters Respond](https://www.freepressunlimited.org/en/projects/reporters-respond-emergency-funding-for-the-media) | | Institute of International Education | [Scholar Rescue Fund](https://www.scholarrescuefund.org/for-scholars/) | | International Federation of Journalists | [IFJ Safety Fund](https://www.ifj.org/safety-fund.html) | | International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) | [IWMF Emergency Fund](https://www.iwmf.org/programs/emergency-fund/) | | Media Legal Defence Initiative | [Legal Assistance](https://www.mediadefence.org/get-help) | | Reporters Without Borders (RSF) | [Individual Support](https://rsf.org/en/individual-support) | | Rory Peck Trust | [Crisis Fund](https://rorypecktrust.org/how-we-help/crisis-fund/) | | | [Therapy Fund](https://rorypecktrust.org/how-we-help/therapy-fund/) | | Scholars at Risk Network | [Support for Scholars Under Threat](https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/get-help/) | ### In-Kind Digital Infrastructure | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | | eQualit.ie | [Deflect](https://equalit.ie/portfolio/deflect/) | ## Rapid Response: Region-Specific ### Africa | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Defend Defenders | [Digital Security Helpdesk](https://defenddefenders.org/get-help/) | | SMEX | [Helpdesk](https://smex.org/helpdesk/) | ### Americas | **Organization** | **Fund** | | -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Fondo Accion Urgente | [Rapid Response Grants](https://fondoaccionurgente.org.co/en/what-we-do/rapid-response-grants/) | | Maria d'Ajuda | [Feminist Helpline](https://mariadajuda.org/index-en.html) | | Navegando Libres | [Feminist Helpline](https://navegandolibres.org/linea-de-acompanamiento-feminista/) | | Vita Activa | [Feminist Helpline](https://vita-activa.org/) | ### Asia | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ---------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights Asia & Pacific | [Security and Well-Being Grants](https://www.uafanp.org/security-and-well-being-grants) | | | [Resourcing Resilience Grants](https://www.uafanp.org/resourcing-resilience-grants) | | | [Webs of Safety and Care Grants](https://www.uafanp.org/webs-safety-and-care-grants) | ### Europe | **Organization** | **Fund** | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism | [Helpdesk](https://protectdefenders.eu/protecting-defenders/) | | Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF) | [Urgent Grants](http://emhrf.org/urgent-grants/) | ## Startup Incubators and Entrepreneurship | **Organization** | **Fund** | | ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Code for Science and Society | [Digital Infrastructure Incubator](https://incubator.codeforscience.org/) | | Comcast NBCUniversal | [LIFT Labs](https://lift.comcast.com/) | | Global Innovation Fund | [Funds](https://www.globalinnovation.fund/) | | Google | [Google for Startups](https://startup.google.com/) | | HiiL | [Justice Accelerator](https://www.hiil.org/programmes/the-justice-accelerator/) | | iHUB | [ Funding](https://ihub.co.ke/) | | Mach37 | [Funding](https://www.mach37.com/) | | National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) | [Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)](https://www.nist.gov/tpo/small-business-innovation-research-program) | | National Science Foundation (NSF) | [Seed Fund](https://seedfund.nsf.gov/apply/get-started/) | | New Media Ventures | [Funding Intake](https://www.newmediaventures.org/intake) | | Unicef | [Innovation Fund](https://unicefinnovationfund.org/) | ## US Government Internet Freedom and Security | **Organization** | **Fund** | | --------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Department of State | [Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL)](https://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm) | | National Science Foundation (NSF) | [Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504709) | | | [Computer Systems Research (CSR)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503306\&org=CNS\&from=home) |