NGO GRANT PROPOSAL

Table of Contents

Cover Section

·       Cover Letter

·       Executive Summary

Section 1.0: Organizational Background and Context

·       1.1 Organizational Profile

·       1.2 Mission, Vision, and Core Values

·       1.3 Historical Overview and Achievements

·       1.4 Governance and Management Structure

·       1.5 Organizational Experience and Past Partnerships

·       1.6 Target Beneficiaries and Geographic Focus

Section 2.0: Problem Statement and Rationale

·       2.1 Development Challenges in Target Communities

·       2.2 Institutional Challenges Facing HDI

·       2.3 Rationale for General Institutional Support

·       2.4 Alignment with National and Global Development Priorities

Section 3.0: Strategic Goals and Objectives

·       3.1 Overall Goal

·       3.2 Specific Objectives

·       3.3 Key Result Areas

·       3.4 Theory of Change

Section 4.0: Organizational Capacity and Institutional Framework

·       4.1 Organizational Structure and Key Personnel

·       4.2 Financial and Administrative Systems

·       4.3 Human Resource and Staff Development

·       4.4 Institutional Policies and Accountability Mechanisms

·       4.5 Governance, Leadership, and Decision-Making Framework

Section 5.0: Project Description and Implementation Plan

·       5.1 Overview of the 2026 Operational Program

·       5.2 Program Components and Key Activities

·       5.3 Institutional Strengthening Initiatives

·       5.4 Implementation Approach and Partnerships

·       5.5 Activity Matrix and Gantt-Style Timeline

·       5.6 Resource Allocation and Responsible Units

Section 6.0: Expected Results and Impact

·       6.1 Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

·       6.2 Quantitative and Qualitative Indicators

·       6.3 Baseline and Target Values

·       6.4 Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

·       6.5 Logical Framework (LogFrame) Matrix

Section 7.0: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework

·       7.1 Overview of the MEL System

·       7.2 Data Collection and Analysis Tools

·       7.3 Reporting, Feedback, and Learning Mechanisms

·       7.4 Accountability and Transparency Processes

·       7.5 Sample M&E Reporting Template

·       7.6 Data Flow Diagram and Information Management

Section 8.0: Sustainability Plan

·       8.1 Institutional Sustainability Strategies

·       8.2 Financial Sustainability and Income Diversification

·       8.3 Programmatic Sustainability and Community Ownership

·       8.4 Partnership and Network Sustainability

·       8.5 Three-Year Financial Sustainability Projection

·       8.6 Cost Recovery and Reinvestment Measures

·       8.7 Long-Term Vision Beyond 2027

Section 9.0: Risk Analysis, Mitigation, and Expansion Strategy

·       9.1 Overview of Potential Risks

·       9.2 Risk Identification and Categorization

·       9.3 Risk Mitigation and Management Strategies

·       9.4 Linkage Between Risk Management and Sustainability

·       9.5 Expansion Strategy Across Other Nigerian States

·       9.6 Implementation Timeline Summary

Section 10.0: Monitoring & Evaluation Plan Continuation, Conclusion, and Appendices

·       10.1 M&E Plan Continuation and Integration

·       10.2 Lessons Learned and Adaptive Management

·       10.3 Conclusion and Call for Partnership

Appendices

Appendix A: Comprehensive 2026 Budget Breakdown (USD)

Appendix B: Summary Charts

Appendix C: Organizational Structure

Appendix D: Implementation and Reporting Calendar (Summary)

Appendix E: Contact and Administrative Details

Cover Letter

HopeBridge Development Initiative (HDI)

12B Adekunle Fajuyi Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, Nigeria

Tel: +234-802-555-0198 | Email: info@hopebridge.ng | Website: www.hopebridge.ng

Date: October 24, 2026 

To: 

The Grants Director 

[Ford Foundation / USAID / UNDP] 

[Address Line] 

[City, Country] 

Subject: Grant Proposal Submission – General Institutional Support for HopeBridge Development Initiative (HDI), 2026 Operational Budget 

Dear [Grants Director’s Name], 

On behalf of HopeBridge Development Initiative (HDI), I am pleased to submit our proposal seeking general institutional support to fund multiple ongoing programs under our 2026 Operational Budget. 

HDI is a Lagos-based non-profit organization established in 2012 to promote inclusive development, human rights, and economic empowerment among vulnerable populations in Nigeria. Our mission is to build resilient communities through empowerment, education, and social justice, with a focus on youth, women, and marginalized groups. 

Over the past decade, HDI has implemented over 60 community-based projects across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States, directly benefiting more than 120,000 individuals. Our work spans three thematic areas: 

1. Youth Empowerment and Employability, 

2. Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Inclusion, and 

3. Civic Participation and Social Accountability. 

For 2026, HDI seeks USD 750,000 in institutional support to sustain and expand these programs while strengthening our organizational systems. This funding will help us: 

- Enhance staff capacity, digital systems, and governance structures. 

- Deliver livelihood, gender equity, and civic education programs in 15 urban and peri-urban communities. 

- Improve monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems to ensure transparency and measurable outcomes. 

The requested grant will contribute to the **United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). 

We believe this partnership will significantly strengthen HDI’s institutional resilience and enable us to scale our impact nationally. We are grateful for the Ford Foundation’s (or USAID’s/UNDP’s) continued commitment to advancing inclusive development and would be honored to collaborate toward shared objectives. 

Thank you for considering our proposal. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss this partnership further. 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Funmi Adebajo 

Executive Director 

HopeBridge Development Initiative (HDI) 

Email: funmi.adebajo@hopebridge.ng | Tel: +234-802-555-0198 

1.0 Executive Summary

The HopeBridge Development Initiative (HDI) is a Lagos-based, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting inclusive and sustainable community development across Nigeria. Established in 2014, HDI has evolved into a trusted civil society organization implementing programs that empower marginalized groups, foster youth and women’s entrepreneurship, improve access to education, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen community health systems.

For the 2026 fiscal year, HDI seeks institutional support funding of USD 450,000 from both local and international donors. This grant will support HDI’s core operational budget, enabling the organization to continue implementing its five flagship programs and strengthen organizational systems in administration, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and strategic communications. The requested funds will not only sustain ongoing interventions but also expand HDI’s reach to an estimated 15,000 direct beneficiaries across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States.

HDI’s operational philosophy is rooted in the belief that community-driven change is the foundation of sustainable development. Over the past decade, the organization has implemented over 30 successful projects funded by partners such as ActionAid Nigeria, UNDP Small Grants Programme, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and private sector donors. These interventions have transformed thousands of lives through entrepreneurship training, health awareness campaigns, digital literacy for youth, and climate-resilient community projects.

The 2026 institutional support proposal is designed to enhance HDI’s organizational efficiency and impact through the following objectives:

1.     Strengthen institutional capacity through human resource development, governance, and improved administrative systems.

2.     Sustain and expand programmatic interventions in five core thematic areas: Education, Youth Empowerment, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability, and Community Health.

3.     Enhance visibility and donor engagement through improved communication, reporting, and accountability mechanisms.

4.     Promote financial sustainability through diversified funding sources and strategic partnerships.

5.     Improve monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems for data-driven program design and impact measurement.

The proposal aligns with several international frameworks including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:

·       SDG 1: No Poverty

·       SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

·       SDG 4: Quality Education

·       SDG 5: Gender Equality

·       SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

·       SDG 13: Climate Action

Through this grant, HDI will consolidate its strategic direction and ensure that its community interventions remain evidence-based, inclusive, and scalable. The 2026 institutional support will also enable the organization to upgrade its digital tools, staff training, and monitoring systems — essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

Ultimately, this proposal seeks partnership from donors who share HDI’s vision of a resilient, empowered, and self-reliant society.

2.0 Organizational Background and Profile

2.1 Legal Status and Registration

HopeBridge Development Initiative (HDI) is a registered non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organization under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with registration number CAC/IT/NO 785642. The organization maintains its head office at No. 14, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos State, with a network of community focal points and partner organizations across South-West Nigeria.

2.2 Vision and Mission Statements

·       Vision:
A society where every individual has the opportunity and capacity to live a productive, dignified, and sustainable life.

·       Mission:
To empower communities through education, skills development, gender equality, environmental protection, and inclusive health initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods and social justice.

2.3 Core Values

HDI’s operations are guided by the following core values:

·       Integrity: Transparency and accountability in all organizational dealings.

·       Equity: Promoting fairness, inclusiveness, and non-discrimination.

·       Empowerment: Building the capacity of individuals and communities to take charge of their development.

·       Innovation: Adopting creative, data-driven approaches to problem-solving.

·       Collaboration: Partnering with communities, government, and other stakeholders for greater impact.

·       Sustainability: Ensuring long-term results through environmentally and socially responsible practices.

2.4 Governance and Management Structure

HDI operates through a well-defined governance structure consisting of:

·       Board of Trustees: A seven-member board providing strategic oversight, policy direction, and fiduciary responsibility.

·       Executive Director: Responsible for overall leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder relations.

·       Program Management Team: Comprising five thematic leads who manage program design, implementation, and reporting.

·       Finance and Administration Department: Oversees budgeting, procurement, financial reporting, and compliance.

·       Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Unit: Ensures data collection, project evaluation, and performance analysis.

·       Communications and Partnerships Unit: Handles donor relations, branding, advocacy, and visibility.

This structure ensures operational accountability, transparency, and clear lines of reporting.

2.5 Thematic Focus Areas

1.     Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship:
HDI implements vocational and digital skills training programs that equip young people with marketable skills and business development support. Over 2,000 youths have graduated from the “Skill4Life” program since 2018, with 60% successfully employed or self-reliant.

2.     Education and Literacy Development:
Through initiatives like “Bridge2Learn,” HDI promotes access to quality education by supporting underprivileged children with learning materials, remedial classes, and digital learning hubs. In 2024, the program reached 3,500 pupils across four local government areas.

3.     Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment:
HDI’s “WomenRise Project” supports women through cooperative financing, advocacy on gender-based violence (GBV), and leadership training. Partnerships with WAPA (Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation) and the UN Women have enhanced its reach.

4.     Community Health and Well-being:
HDI promotes preventive healthcare through health education, reproductive health awareness, and mobile medical outreach in underserved communities. Its “Healthy Futures Campaign” has reached over 10,000 beneficiaries since inception.

5.     Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action:
HDI runs the “Green Communities Program,” focusing on waste management education, tree planting, and youth-led climate adaptation initiatives in coastal and flood-prone communities.

2.6 Key Achievements

·       Trained over 5,000 youths in entrepreneurship and digital literacy since 2017.

·       Facilitated education access for 7,200 children through community learning programs.

·       Provided health screening and awareness to 15,000 community members.

·       Implemented five women-led cooperative networks supporting microenterprise development.

·       Distributed 20,000 tree seedlings and led community sensitization on climate adaptation.

·       Secured three partnership grants (2019–2024) totaling $280,000 from international and local agencies.

2.7 Strategic Partnerships

HDI has cultivated partnerships with:

·       Lagos State Government agencies (WAPA, Ministry of Youth and Social Development).

·       International NGOs such as ActionAid, Oxfam, and UNDP.

·       Corporate organizations including Access Bank, Flutterwave, and Nigerian Breweries.

·       Local community-based organizations and networks under the Nigerian Network of NGOs (NNNGO).

2.8 Organizational Capacity

HDI maintains a dedicated staff of 18 full-time professionals, 12 project officers, and over 60 volunteers. The organization utilizes an integrated digital management system for accounting, project tracking, and data reporting, ensuring efficient coordination and accountability. The organization’s financial management practices adhere to international standards, using QuickBooks accounting software and undergoing annual external audits by a certified firm.

2.9 Funding History and Growth

From 2015 to 2024, HDI’s annual budget grew from $20,000 to $320,000, reflecting donor confidence and operational credibility. However, sustaining this growth trajectory requires institutional funding to strengthen its internal systems, diversify its revenue base, and ensure continuity of impact.

2.10 2026 Institutional Support Request

For 2026, HDI is seeking $450,000 in total funding support, allocated as follows:

This grant will enable HDI to maintain essential staff, deliver integrated community programs, enhance internal systems, and position the organization for long-term sustainability.