The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing gender equality, women’s leadership, and women’s rights in Nigeria. Since its founding in 2011, NWTF has supported women-led organizations, empowered young women, promoted women’s political participation, and funded advocacy projects across Nigeria.

Every year, NWTF issues grants to registered local organizations (NGOs/CBOs) that are women-focused or women-led. Grants typically support initiatives around gender equality, women’s rights, elimination of gender-based violence (GBV), community mobilization, and institutional strengthening.

What the 2025/2026 Grant Cycle Offers

• Grant categories & amounts:
  • Category A (Institutional strengthening): ₦3,500,000 – ₦4,000,000
  • Category B (Community mobilization / project-focused): ₦4,500,000 – ₦5,000,000
• Project duration: Typically 4 to 6 months (depending on cycle — e.g. the 2026 grant runs January–April 2026)
• Support beyond funding: Apart from grant money, NWTF also offers mentorship, capacity-building support, and institutional strengthening — helping organizations build sustainable structures rather than just run a short-term project.

Who Can Apply — Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must meet the following:

• Be a registered local NGO or Community-Based Organization (CBO) operating in Nigeria.
• Have been operational for at least 2 years.
• Be women-focused or women-led, meaning majority of staff or board members are female.
• Have functional administrative, financial, human-resource and information management systems in place.
• Present innovative, realistic project proposals with clear objectives and defined target audiences.

Bonus (Encouraged): Applications from organizations working with or led by young women (18–35 years), persons with disabilities (PWDs), or from hard-to-reach / underserved communities are particularly encouraged.

Note: NWTF does not accept proposals focused on political party campaigns, government agency projects, purely profit-driven ventures, or religious conversion initiatives.

What Types of Projects NWTF Supports

NWTF’s grant aims are generally around:

• Strengthening women-led institutions
• Fighting gender-based violence (GBV)
• Promoting women’s leadership, inclusion, and participation in governance
• Community mobilization and advocacy for women’s rights
• Empowerment, capacity building, and policy-change efforts for better gender equality across Nigeria

How to Apply — Step-by-Step Guide

1. Visit the NWTF official website — application details are posted under “Call for Grant Application.”
2. Download the proposal templates and guidance documents — NWTF provides a downloadable package (via a Google Drive link) containing all required forms.
3. Complete the application package — fill out the proposal, project description, budget breakdown, organizational profile, and required attachments (e.g., registration certificates, proof of existence, board composition, prior activities).
4. Review eligibility carefully — ensure your organization meets all criteria (women-led or women-focused, registration, functional structure, etc.).
5. Compose a clear, realistic proposal with measurable objectives — outline project goals, target group, expected impact, timeline (4–6 months), and sustainability plan.
6. Submit via email — send completed application to grants@womenfund.org before deadline.
7. Await acknowledgment and possible follow-up — NWTF reviews submissions and may request additional documents or clarifications.

Application Link & 2025/2026 Deadline

• Official Application Portal: https://womenfund.org/call-for-applications/
• Grant Application Forms & Guidelines: Provided in a downloadable package via Google Drive link on the application page.
• 2026 Grant Submission Deadline: 12th December 2025

⚠️ Important: Deadlines can change. Always check the official NWTF site to confirm before finalizing your submission.

What to Watch Out For (Common Mistakes to Avoid)

• Submitting after the deadline — late applications are typically rejected.
• Proposals that don’t focus primarily on women’s rights, gender equality, or women-led initiatives — these get disqualified.
• Incomplete organizational documentation or weak institutional structure (e.g. no proper accounting system or board composition) — such applications rarely succeed.
• Proposing for-profit or religious-conversion projects — NWTF explicitly rejects those.

Why NWTF Grant Matters

• Provides significant financial support (₦3.5M–₦5M) for 4–6 months — enough to kickstart impactful community projects or organizational strengthening.
• Offers mentorship and capacity-building, not just cash — helping local NGOs/CBOs to build sustainable structures and long-term impact.
• Encourages women leadership, inclusion, and community mobilization — creating spaces for women’s voices and rights advocacy across Nigeria.

FAQs

1. What kinds of organisations can apply for NWTF grants?

Local NGOs or Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) registered in Nigeria for at least 2 years, with predominantly female leadership/staff, and a focus on women’s rights, gender equality, or community service.

2. Can a brand-new group apply?

No — NWTF requires a minimum of 2 years of operation before eligibility.

3. Is the grant only for activism or advocacy?

Not necessarily. NWTF also supports institutional strengthening and capacity-building for women-led organisations.

4. What types of projects are usually funded?

Projects addressing gender-based violence, women’s leadership and inclusion, community mobilisation, advocacy for reforms, and empowerment initiatives for women and marginalized groups.

5. Do I need to pay to apply?

No. NWTF application and grant participation are free of charge. Legitimate NGOs/CBOs submit applications via email without paying any fees.

Wrapping Up…

The NWTF Grant 2025 (and now 2026 cycle) offers a powerful opportunity for women-led and women-focused NGOs/CBOs in Nigeria to access funding, capacity-building, and mentorship — enabling them to drive real change on issues from gender equality to community development.

If your organization meets the eligibility criteria, now is an excellent time to download the grant documents, craft a strong proposal, and apply before the December 12, 2025 deadline.