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Types of Grants

NTT makes strategic, participatory, and flexible grants that strengthen civil society in Sri Lanka. Through these grant types, we invest in long-term partnerships, empower communities, and help build a more inclusive, democratic, and just society.

 

Our grantmaking supports:

core grants supporting civil society organisations with flexible funding for sustainability and growth by Neelan Trust

Core Funding

project based grants supporting community led innovation and sustainable impact by Neelan Trust

Project Funding 

small grants supporting grassroots groups women and youth for urgent community needs

Small Grants

Types of Grants

NTT makes strategic, participatory, and flexible grants that strengthen civil society in Sri Lanka. Through these grant types, NTT invests in long-term partnerships, empowers communities, and helps build a more inclusive, democratic, and just society.

 

Our grantmaking supports:

Core Funding

Project Funding 

Small Grants

Core Funding

We recognise that strong civil society organisations are essential for resilient societies. Through core grants, we provide flexible support that allows partners to:

  • strengthen governance, leadership, and internal systems;
  • retain skilled staff and invest in organisational learning; and
  • respond strategically to emerging challenges without being restricted to donor-driven project cycles.


Core funding is particularly important for community-based organisations and those representing vulnerable and marginalised groups who often have limited access to traditional funding sources. By investing in their institutional health and sustainability, we help level the playing field, ensuring that those closest to the issues have the capacity and resources to lead change. This approach reflects best practices in grantmaking, aligning with #ShiftingThePower by trusting partners to decide how resources are best used. It also contributes to sustainability and independence in civil society.

Project Funding

While flexibility is key, we also invest in project-based grants that enable partners to test new ideas, deepen thematic expertise, and implement innovative solutions within their communities. These projects are aligned with our thematic areas. NTT funds initiatives that are community-led, participatory, and rooted in local realities, ensuring impact beyond short-term deliverables. 

Small Grants

Small grants offer quick, flexible resources for grassroots groups, women, and youth collectives to respond to urgent needs and opportunities.

NTT’s small grants facility is designed to be fast, flexible, and responsive, allowing communities to address urgent needs. They embody the #ShiftThePower ethos by decentralising resources and decision-making, amplifying voices from the margins. Small grants can often serve as an entry point, helping emerging groups build credibility and capacity to later access larger, sustained funding.

 

NTT Practises a Hybrid Grantmaking Model

By combining core, project, and small grants, NTT employs a hybrid grantmaking model that balances flexibility with structure, and responsiveness with long-term vision.

  • Core grants strengthen institutions.
  • Project grants support innovation and targeted change. 
  • Small grants ensure responsiveness, inclusivity, and access for underrepresented voices.  

This layered approach reflects our belief that real transformation happens when communities, not donors, set the agenda, and when funding adapts to the lived realities of those driving change.

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