AJA Foundation Grants 2026 | Funding for Water, Education and Healthcare Projects Worldwide

The AJA Foundation provides philanthropic funding to organizations working to create sustainable impact in three major areas: clean water, quality education and fundamental healthcare. The Foundation funds projects globally, with particular emphasis on initiatives that address essential needs and improve opportunities for underserved communities.

Important update: The AJA Foundation’s official application page currently states that invitations for new grants are paused and applicants should check back later in 2026 for updates. Therefore, this is not currently an open grant call.

About the AJA Foundation

The AJA Foundation seeks to address unequal access to essential resources by supporting organizations working in areas it considers fundamental human rights.

Its primary focus is on:

• Clean and sustainable water
• Quality education
• Fundamental healthcare

The Foundation’s approach is centered on supporting organizations that can create sustainable and measurable impact for communities that lack access to essential resources.

Areas of Funding

1. Water

The Foundation supports sustainable water initiatives, particularly projects serving rural communities in Africa.

Its water work focuses on helping communities gain access to sustainable clean-water systems and improving the long-term health, social and economic conditions associated with access to water.

2. Education

The education pillar supports organizations helping disadvantaged students overcome financial or academic barriers.

Projects can focus on improving educational access and creating opportunities for students who may otherwise face significant obstacles to achieving their educational goals.

3. Healthcare

The healthcare pillar supports organizations delivering fundamental healthcare to underserved populations, particularly in developing countries.

The Foundation’s healthcare work includes support for organizations providing essential services in communities where access to healthcare is limited.

Who Can Be Considered?

The Foundation prioritizes organizations whose missions align with its philanthropic pillars and whose programmes demonstrate potential for sustainable impact.

Projects should fall within one or more of the Foundation’s focus areas:

• Water
• Education
• Healthcare

The Foundation’s geographic service area is global, meaning projects can be located in different parts of the world.

How the Application Process Works

When applications are being accepted, the process begins with a short message to the Foundation explaining how an organization’s programme aligns with one of its philanthropic pillars.

The Foundation reviews the initial inquiry and may invite an organization to submit a full grant proposal if there is sufficient alignment with its mission and funding is available.

If invited to submit a full proposal, the organization receives instructions for accessing the online application and has 60 days to complete the submission.

A full proposal may take up to six months to review before a funding decision is made.

Letters of Intent

The Foundation’s published process states that Letters of Intent are generally accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed application deadline, and applicants can expect a response in approximately six weeks.

However, the current application page specifically states that invitations for new grants are currently paused. Prospective applicants should therefore monitor the Foundation’s official website for the next update rather than assuming that a new application can currently be submitted.

Grant Amount

There is no single fixed grant amount stated by the Foundation.

Grant sizes vary depending on the programme, and the Foundation directs applicants to its funding history for examples of previous awards.

Recent funding records show awards across the three pillars, including grants to organizations working in Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti and other locations. For example, the Foundation’s 2026 funding history lists a $600,000 UNICEF water grant for Guinea, a $400,000 grant to Makolekole in Zambia, and several education and healthcare grants.

Global Funding

The AJA Foundation funds projects globally. Its funding history demonstrates support for organizations across multiple countries and regions.

The Foundation’s stated impact includes investments in water, education and healthcare initiatives designed to address fundamental needs and expand access to opportunities.

What Organizations Should Prepare

Organizations interested in applying when new grant invitations reopen should be prepared to demonstrate:

• A clear connection to water, education or healthcare.
• A programme capable of creating sustainable impact.
• The community or population the project serves.
• The development challenge being addressed.
• How the proposed work aligns with the Foundation’s philanthropic priorities.
• The expected impact of the project.
• Evidence of the organization’s ability to implement the proposed programme.

Applicants should always check the official application page for the latest requirements before submitting anything.

Current Application Status

Applications for new grant invitations are currently paused.

The Foundation advises prospective applicants to check back later in 2026 for updates.

How to Apply When Applications Reopen

Organizations should visit the official AJA Foundation application page for updates and instructions:

AJA Foundation – How to Apply

Applicants should not assume that the historical rolling-LOI process means applications are currently open, because the Foundation’s current page explicitly indicates that new grant invitations are paused.

Conclusion

The AJA Foundation Grants provide potential funding opportunities for organizations working to expand access to clean water, quality education and fundamental healthcare.

The Foundation funds projects globally and has supported a wide range of organizations addressing essential needs in underserved communities. Grant sizes vary depending on the programme and previous funding records demonstrate awards ranging from smaller project grants to substantial multi-year investments. (AJA Foundation)

However, organizations interested in applying should note that new grant invitations are currently paused. Prospective applicants should monitor the official AJA Foundation website for announcements later in 2026 and use the intervening period to prepare a strong project concept aligned with one of the Foundation’s three funding pillars.

Discover more opportunities on the OFY Webpage.