NextWorldNow Community Investments (NWN) - 2025 Grants

We study the requests and make funding decisions. We welcome scale-able partnerships with other organizations on joint projects.  We invest in solutions built to last, looking beyond short term fixes to address long standing problems. We continue to refine our process as we learn more about what works and what does not. NWN is a non profit private foundation with United States 501 (c) (3) status.

Our Aim

We invest in and support community development projects requiring modest capital. We fund projects that are owned by the local community, whose social impact and return on investment can be measured, and whose success can be sustained. In the spirit of innovation, we aim for a diverse "portfolio" of projects and geographies to spread creative solutions.

We work to discover and apply best practice social investment models on a small scale personal level. Our process invites ongoing direct connection with the sponsored community rather than an anonymous one-time donation. We believe it is possible to invest in projects that increase the wellbeing of communities while avoiding unintended harm. We operate with minimal overhead and a goal of funneling nearly 100% of grant resources to the intended community project.

Approach

We look for community leaders who are solving difficult social problems. We will apply our own time, resources, skills, and assets to help plan the projects as needed.

Grants, in addition to interest free loans, are a part of our investment plan. We use a simple approach to the grant-making and work with community leaders on their plans while allowing them to determine how best to use the resources to achieve them.   

Grant Awards

Projects funded to date:  

• Uganda (2023) - combination aquaponics and hydroponics facility (fish and vegetable production)
• South Africa (2023) - sewing center for grandmothers, training and production center
• Ukraine (2022) - skill training for Roma women: professional sewing and entrepreneurship, psychosocial support
• Ghana (2022) - ecotourism:  development of visitor center at local natural resource area (waterfalls and caves) 
• Tanzania (2022) - agronomic and business training for biofortified crop production
• Nicaragua (2021) - water system enhancement for small rural community, solar pumps
• Rwanda (2021) - food processing center for women's coop farmers
• Suriname (2020) - local fish farm for food security and commercial marketing
• Ecuador (2020) - electronic medical record (EMR) for a rural health clinic
• Columbia (2019) - "vertical farming" urban agribusiness prototype
• Zimbabwe (2019) - commercial tea and medicinal products from Resurrection plant  
• Uganda (2018) - low pressure drip irrigation system using drought resistant seed crops 
• Philippines (2018) - taro root cultivation and processing for commercial sales (taro chips)
• Mongolia (2017) - greenhouses to support seasonal food production and produce marketing
• India (2017) - skill training: silk weaving, reeling, embroidery, and business management 
• Kenya (2016) - solar powered computer lab for rural community school, students & adult learners 
• Zambia (2015) - four rural health clinic facilities for expecting mothers