EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £4.8 million / $6.1 million (FY2023)
• Average Grant Size: $42,500 (FY2022)
• Grant Range: Single-year to multi-year grants (up to 10 years)
• Geographic Focus: 15 emerging market countries across Latin America, Asia, Africa, Turkey, and Russia
• Total Impact to Date: $58.4 million awarded through 1,609 grants
• Youth Impacted: 1 million directly, 3 million lives touched

Contact Details

UK Office:

• 3rd Floor Paternoster House, 65 St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AB
• Phone: +44 203 488 7516
• UK Partnership Inquiries: Zaryna Lee

US Office:

• 106 W. 32 ST, The Yard, New York, NY 10001
• Phone: +1 212-608-4455
• US Partnership Inquiries: Robin Barnes

Other Regional Contacts:

• India: Ankita Das
• Singapore/Hong Kong: Simren Sekhon

Website: empowerweb.org

Overview

Founded in 2000 by a group of finance professionals working in emerging markets, EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation has evolved into a sophisticated global grantmaking organisation focused exclusively on marginalised youth aged 10-24. Registered as UK charity 1118916, EMpower operates with a distinctive model: 100% of funds raised from individual donors go directly to grantee partners, with board directors and the Leadership Council underwriting all management, general, and fundraising expenses.

The organisation currently operates in 15 countries across Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru), Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa), Asia (China/Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam), Turkey, and Russia. With offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Delhi, plus presence in Argentina, Mexico, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, and Turkey, EMpower takes a “patient capital” approach, providing sustained support to local organisations for up to 10 years.

In FY2023, EMpower awarded $6.1 million through 126 grants, directly affecting 99,000 young people. Since inception, the foundation has awarded over $58.4 million through 1,609 grants to organisations working with marginalised youth. The average grant size has increased significantly from $30,200 in FY2019 to $42,500 in FY2022—a 41% increase demonstrating their commitment to more meaningful funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

EMpower employs a phased partnership model that evolves over time:

Phase 1: Single-Year Programmatic Support

• Initial grants for specific programmes
• Average grant: $42,500
• Focus on establishing partnership and assessing results

Phase 2: Multi-Year Programmatic Support

• Available after several years of successful partnership
• Demonstrates solid organisational capacity
• Nearly half of renewal grants in FY2022 were multi-year

Phase 3: Negotiated General Support

• Focus on organisational strengthening
• Flexible funding for up to 10 years total
• Reserved for proven long-term partners

Priority Areas

EMpower focuses on three key building blocks for youth futures:

Economic Well-Being

• Livelihoods and economic development programmes
• Skills training and employment preparation
• Entrepreneurship support

Safe, Healthy Lives

• Mental health support
• Health education and services
• Protection from violence and exploitation

Inclusive Learning

• K-12 and STEM education
• Alternative education pathways
• Life skills training

Cross-Cutting Priorities:

• Women and girls' equity (especially emphasised)
• Locally-led solutions
• Programmes addressing cycles of disadvantage
• Youth voice and leadership (Youth Fellows programme)

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations based in UK or other developed countries (they fund only in emerging markets)
• Programmes not focused on youth aged 10-24
• Organisations without established track record
• Short-term or one-off projects
• Programmes outside their 15 target countries

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Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Nisha Dhawan - CEO (succeeded Cynthia Steele in December 2024)

Cynthia Steele - Strategic Advisor (former President and CEO, served 2019-2024; with EMpower since 2005; serves on US, UK, and HK boards)

Board Chairs

• James Donald - US Board Chair (Lazard Asset Management)
• Jeremy Llewelyn - Global Executive Committee Chair
• Swatee Deepak - UK Co-Chair
• Aasha Pai - HK Co-Chair
• Aleem Jivraj - HK Co-Chair

Notable UK Board Members (per Charity Commission Register)

• Mary-Therese Barton - Pictet
• Nicolette Naylor - Ubuntu Global Philanthropy
• Swatee Deepak - Social Justice and Philanthropic Consultant
• Toby West - Global Head of Marketing, MarketAxess
• Marc Christopher Balston - Investment Banking
• Ozan Tarman - Banker
• Pontso Mafethe - Director

Mission Statement

“EMpower partners with local organisations in emerging market countries to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities.”

How to Apply to Empower - The Emerging Markets Foundation

How to Apply

EMpower does not have a public application process. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. Instead, EMpower identifies and approaches potential partner organisations through their in-country programme teams and board networks.

How Organisations Are Selected

EMpower's selection process is relationship-driven:

• In-Country Programme Teams: EMpower maintains programme staff based in each country they serve who identify potential partners through deep local knowledge and sector connections
• Board and Network Referrals: Board members with emerging markets expertise identify organisations through their professional and philanthropic networks
• Sector Research: The foundation conducts active research to identify high-performing local organisations working with marginalised youth
• Initial Contact: EMpower initiates contact with organisations that align with their mission and demonstrate strong local impact

Getting on Their Radar

While EMpower doesn't accept unsolicited applications, organisations can increase their visibility:

Build Relationships with EMpower Board Members and Staff:

• Review EMpower's board composition on their website to identify members with connections to your sector or region
• Attend sector events in your country where EMpower programme staff may be present
• Research EMpower's existing grantees in your country to understand their profile

Leverage Existing Grantee Networks:

• Connect with current EMpower partners in your region (listed on empowerweb.org)
• Participate in youth sector networks where EMpower partners operate
• Build reputation for innovative, effective work with marginalised youth

Contact Regional Representatives Directly:

• UK organisations working in emerging markets can contact Zaryna Lee for institutional partnership discussions
• Organisations in specific regions can reach out to regional contacts (India: Ankita Das; Singapore/Hong Kong: Simren Sekhon; US: Robin Barnes)
• Note: These contacts are primarily for institutional partnerships (corporate/foundation funders), but can provide guidance on EMpower's work

Demonstrate Alignment with EMpower's Model:

• Establish strong track record of working with marginalised youth aged 10-24
• Focus on one or more of their priority areas (education, health, livelihoods)
• Show capacity for long-term partnership and organisational learning
• Operate in one of EMpower's 15 target countries

Decision Timeline

Given EMpower's proactive identification model, there is no standard application timeline. However:

• Initial grants are typically for one year, allowing EMpower to assess the partnership
• Partnership development can take several years before multi-year funding is offered
• Board meetings occur periodically throughout the year
• Organisations report that EMpower engages in extensive due diligence before making initial grants

Partnership Duration

• Minimum: 1 year (initial programmatic support)
• Maximum: 10 years (total support across all phases)
• Typical progression: Single-year grants → Multi-year programmatic → General operating support

Application Success Factors

What EMpower Values in Partners

Local Embeddedness and Knowledge

EMpower strongly prioritises organisations with deep cultural and programmatic knowledge of their communities. Their Annual Report, “Driving Change, Shaping Future,” emphasises that “local organisations that work with marginalised young people—and have the knowledge and solutions needed to break cycles of disadvantage” are central to their model.

Long-Term Commitment and Learning

EMpower seeks partners willing to engage in multi-year relationships. Organisations must demonstrate “results, accountability and learning” throughout the partnership. The foundation values partners who can evolve and strengthen organisationally over time.

Focus on Marginalised Youth

Priority goes to organisations working with youth aged 10-24 who face significant barriers, with special emphasis on girls and young women. Successful partners address critical transition periods in young people's lives.

Organisational Capacity

While EMpower provides capacity building support, they look for organisations with “solid organisational capacity” before advancing to multi-year funding. This includes financial management, governance, and monitoring and evaluation systems.

Flexibility and Responsiveness

EMpower notes they provide “flexible funding” and value partners who can “respond and adjust” to changing contexts. Organisations that demonstrate adaptability while maintaining programmatic quality are favoured.

Recent Funding Examples

EMpower's grants have supported:

• Life-skills training programmes for marginalised youth
• Mental health support services for young people
• Education access initiatives including STEM programmes
• Livelihood development and economic empowerment programmes
• Programmes in India, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey, Nigeria, Ghana, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil

Common Barriers

Based on EMpower's model, organisations face challenges if they:

• Are not based in one of EMpower's 15 target countries
• Work primarily with adults or children outside the 10-24 age range
• Lack established track record or organisational infrastructure
• Do not have connections to EMpower's network or in-country teams
• Seek only short-term or project-specific funding rather than partnership

Key Quote from Leadership

EMpower's approach is characterised by “open dialogue and trust” with grantee partners, “forming trusting conversations about the issues they face and their solutions.” They emphasise that their Programme Team is “based in-country” and “deeply embedded in the regions they serve,” enabling them to identify and support the most effective local organisations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not a UK grant maker for UK organisations: EMpower raises funds in the UK but makes grants exclusively to local organisations in 15 emerging market countries, not to UK-based charities
• No public application process: EMpower identifies and approaches potential partners through in-country programme teams and board networks; unsolicited applications are not accepted
• Build relationships strategically: Connect with EMpower's existing grantees, board members with expertise in your region, or attend sector events where their in-country programme staff may be present
• Long-term partnership model: Be prepared for a 10-year potential relationship that progresses from single-year programmatic grants to multi-year and ultimately general operating support
• Demonstrate local expertise: EMpower prioritises organisations with deep cultural knowledge and locally-grounded solutions to youth marginalisation
• Focus on girls and young women: While serving all marginalised youth aged 10-24, EMpower places special emphasis on programmes benefiting girls and young women
• 100% funding model: Individual donations go directly to programmes (management costs covered by board), making EMpower an attractive partner for maximising donor impact
• Significant funding increases: Average grant size increased 41% from FY2019 to FY2022, demonstrating EMpower's commitment to providing meaningful, substantial support to partners

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Anglo American Foundation
• The Ashmore Foundation
• The Shm Foundation
• Shell Foundation
• Ubs Optimus Foundation Uk
• Belron Ronnie Lubner Charitable Foundation
• Ea Foundation
• The Genesis Charitable Trust (genem Foundation)
• The Happold Foundation
• Chartered Institute For Securities & Investment Future Foundation

References

• EMpower official website: https://empowerweb.org/
• UK Charity Commission Register: EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Limited, Charity No. 1118916: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1118916&subid=0
• EMpower Annual Report “Driving Change, Shaping Future”: https://empowerweb.org/about-us/reporting-financials
• EMpower Board of Directors: https://empowerweb.org/about-us/board
• EMpower Grantmaking Model: https://empowerweb.org/how-we-do-it/empowering-youth-through-grantmaking
• EMpower Institutional Partnerships: https://empowerweb.org/support-us/institutional-partnerships
• EMpower Global Reach: https://empowerweb.org/global-reach
• Inside Philanthropy - EMpower profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/grants/empower
• Foundation Directory - Candid, EMpower profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=EMPO004
• EMpower Youth Fellowships: https://empowerweb.org/about-us/youth-fellows