Grantmaking

Comms Hub uses philanthropic funds to support pro-democracy and social justice movements worldwide. We believe that effective grantmaking fuels a continuous cycle of data-driven insights, community-building, and learning — empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) to achieve and sustain lasting social change.

We bridge grants management and project incubation, offering unique value through our data-driven, cross-issue approach. We fund and support CSOs that leverage actionable insights for narrative change, build critical mass through partnerships, and foster collaboration among diverse pro-democracy actors, amplifying their collective impact.

Comms Hub’s team includes seasoned grantmakers with extensive experience in managing grants and supporting CSOs. We ensure transparency, quality, and effectiveness in grantmaking. Our expertise spans various funding mechanisms, including fellowships, pooled funds, and participatory grant-making, allowing us to adapt to the diverse needs of our partners.

Beyond traditional grantmaking, such as open calls for proposals, targeted impact grants, regrating larger grants to multiple partners, and core funding, Comms Hub also serves as an incubator for emerging, mission-aligned organizations and activists. We are able to handle due diligence, financial, and operational matters for start-up civil society organizations, allowing them to focus on building their strategy and organization as they mature into independent entities. In addition to financial support, we provide ongoing guidance, mentorship, and access to research and capacity-building resources.

Our grantmaking philosophy is guided by several core principles, aiming to develop leadership, shift power dynamics, and transfer decision-making to the communities we serve. These principles shape our approach to funding and partnership:

Accountability and transparency: Our grantmaking is guided by clear, participatory, and accountable processes, shaped by local civil society partners.
Empowerment and context sensitivity: We adapt our approaches to the unique needs of our grantees, prioritizing meaningful engagement and collaboration as equal partners.
Active listening and continuous learning: We continuously improve our grantmaking through regular evaluation, data analysis, and lessons learned from our work in various countries.
Gender-conscious grantmaking: Rooted in feminist principles, our grantmaking addresses systemic discrimination and promotes gender equity. We apply a gender lens to our funding decisions, considering intersecting factors such as ethnicity, wealth, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Regular dialogue with grantees strengthens our commitment to equity and inclusion.