Population Matters

Registered charity 1114109 · since 2006populationmatters.org·International·Updated 30 October 2026

At a glance

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.

Key takeaways

Population Matters' grant work runs through Empower to Plan, which backs independent grassroots projects on family planning, reproductive and sexual health, gender equality and environmental protection, with a stated geographic priority of worldwide.
Its annual giving and grant range are not stated, so there is no published figure to size a request against, and a modest ask tied to a specific project suits a small grants programme.
Its stated method is by invitation only and it does not accept unsolicited requests, though it encourages organisations that know of, or are part of, an organisation aligned with its mission to apply, so a known connection is the more realistic route in.
Partnerships are chosen for alignment with its mission and values and a proven record of impact, and each new partnership runs for at least two years, so a long-term commitment and evidence of results matter.
Organisations other than selected grassroots NGOs, and projects outside family planning, gender equality and environmental protection, are not eligible under Empower to Plan.

Overview

Population Matters is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1114109).

Population Matters is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1114109). It exists to advance the education of the public on human population worldwide and its impact on sustainability. Its Empower to Plan initiative, a small grants programme, supports grassroots projects on family planning, sexual and reproductive health, gender equality and environmental sustainability, and uses crowdfunding to do so.

What they fund

Priority Areas

Population Matters funds independent grassroots and community-led projects through Empower to Plan, working with selected NGOs and international organisations. Its support centres on voluntary family planning and reproductive and sexual health, with related work in gender equality, education and environmental protection. The programme backs projects that help women, girls and communities make informed choices, strengthen access to healthcare and family-planning services, and protect the natural world. It selects organisations aligned with its mission and values and with a proven record of impact. Its partnership approach emphasises equity, shared ownership, local leadership, mutual accountability and sustainable change, with each new partnership running for at least two years.

Themes

Family planning
Gender equality
Environmental protection
Reproductive health

Geographic Focus

Priority: Worldwide.

What they don't fund

Empower to Plan only: Organisations other than selected grassroots NGOs; Projects other than independent grassroots projects delivering family planning, gender equality and environmental protection

How to apply

Organisations that know of or are part of an organisation aligned with Empower to Plan’s mission to empower communities and individuals are encouraged to apply.

Who can apply:

Empower to Plan
- Grassroots NGOs that work to improve the lives of women, girls and communities and protect the natural world.
- Organisations that align with our mission to empower communities and individuals through Empower to Plan

Application success factors

What the charity says:

It selects grassroots NGOs taking practical action that aligns with its mission and values and that have a proven track record of impact.
Its partnerships emphasise equity, shared ownership, local leadership, mutual accountability and sustainable change.

Where they fund

Where it says it funds

International

Similar funders

Funders supporting work similar to Population Matters.

Benefit MankindNo public processGave £4.7M International Planned Parenthood FederationInvitation onlyGave £89.3M Save the Children UKInvitation onlyGave £154M ZVM Rangoonwala FoundationMixed deadlinesGave £2.3M One to One Children's FundNo public processGave £13,209 Be Kind FoundationNo public process The Georg and Emily von Opel FoundationRollingGave £1.9M World Children's FundRollingGave £242k Jephcott Charitable TrustRollingGave £166k Unicef UkNo public processGave £59.7M

Five years of accounts

Financial year	Income	Expenditure	Grants paid	Accounts document
year to 30 June 2021	£839,964	£845,604	£14,914	Accounts for year to 30 June 2021
year to 30 June 2022	£973,981	£987,514	—	Accounts for year to 30 June 2022
year to 30 June 2023	£2,964,356	£1,051,100	£18,441	Accounts for year to 30 June 2023
year to 30 June 2024	£3,211,312	£1,166,794	—	Accounts for year to 30 June 2024
year to 30 June 2025	£1,738,246	£1,203,877	—	Accounts for year to 30 June 2025

Income vs grants paid

IncomeGrants paid

Total value each financial year

YE 2021

£14,914 grants

YE 2023

£18,441 grants

Grants paid stayed within income across the 2 years shown.

Grants paid, year to 30 June 2021; year to 30 June 2023: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).

— No grants figure for those years.

Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.