The Power Of Nutrition

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £6.68m (2024); leverages total programming of $648m+ through co-financing model
• Success Rate: Not applicable - no public application process
• Decision Time: Partnership negotiations typically 6-12+ months
• Grant Range: $3.9m - $35m+ per programme
• Geographic Focus: Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (16 countries)
• Charity Registration: UK Charity #1160373

Contact Details

General Enquiries

• Email: info@powerofnutrition.org
• Phone: +44 (0)203 1413 900
• Address: 114-118 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5AA

Partnerships & Investment

• Andrew Davidson, Director, Partnerships & Brands: adavidson@powerofnutrition.org
• Mabel McKeown, Associate Director, Partnerships and Brands: mmckeown@powerofnutrition.org
• partnerships@powerofnutrition.org

Communications

• Jessica Bridges, Head of Communications and Advocacy: communications@powerofnutrition.org
• Phone: +44 (0)7452 819982

Website: www.powerofnutrition.org

Overview

Established in 2015 as a joint initiative by UK Aid, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, and the UBS Optimus Foundation, The Power of Nutrition is an independent UK-registered charity (1160373) that operates as a catalytic co-financing organization for national nutrition programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. With an annual income of £6.68m (2024), the organization leverages significantly larger funding pools through its innovative match-funding model, mobilizing over $648 million for the nutrition sector since inception.

The Power of Nutrition's distinctive approach differs fundamentally from traditional grant-making. Rather than accepting open applications, they work strategically with governments, multilateral development banks (World Bank, UNICEF), private sector partners, and carefully selected NGOs to co-design and co-finance large-scale nutrition programmes. Their vision is “a world where every child has the right nutrition to achieve their full potential,” pursued through partnerships that unlock new and diverse financing sources. As CEO Jim Emerson stated, they emphasize “impact, scale, flexible, evidence-based innovation, and most importantly partnership, collaboration and co-creation.” In 2022-2025, the organization committed to expanding their scope beyond stunting to address all forms of malnutrition, increasing multisectoral approaches to 75% of active programmes, and ensuring 60% of programmes engage local and national organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Power of Nutrition does not operate through traditional grant programmes with open calls. Instead, they create bespoke funding partnerships for national nutrition programmes. Recent co-investment examples demonstrate their approach:

• Rwanda Programme (2018-2023): $35m investment from Power of Nutrition leveraged $135m total (2018-2023), plus $5m in a $79m extension (2023-25)
• Burkina Faso Programme: $30m investment to support governmental efforts to tackle malnutrition
• Bangladesh Programme: $7.5m co-investment matched by partners, part of $15m total programme
• Nigeria Programme: $3.9m contribution within larger portfolio
• Liberia Programme: $5m investment matched by partners for $10m total
• Benin Programme: $5m investment co-matched for $10m total over 6 years

Financing Model: Every $1 invested by Power of Nutrition typically attracts $4-5 of additional funding from governments, the World Bank (IDA loans), UNICEF, and other institutional partners. Investors' funds are matched and then used to catalyze further government and institutional financing.

Priority Areas

• Child malnutrition in high-burden countries: Focus on countries where stunting prevalence exceeds 30% and more than 250,000 children are stunted
• Evidence-based interventions: Breastfeeding counseling, vitamin A supplementation, treatment of severe acute malnutrition, micronutrient fortification
• Multisectoral approaches (by 2025, 75% of programmes): Integration across health, social protection, education/early childhood development, food systems, WASH, and gender
• Local ownership: By 2025, 60% of active programmes engage local and national organizations
• Sustainable systems strengthening: Supporting governments to build capacity and systems rather than parallel aid structures
• Countries with government commitment: Programs must align with national government plans and demonstrate strong ongoing commitment

Geographic Focus (16 countries):

Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations seeking grants from the general population (they work exclusively with governments, multilateral institutions, and strategic implementing partners)
• Ad-hoc, small-scale projects not aligned with national government nutrition strategies
• Programmes in countries without demonstrated high burden of malnutrition or government commitment
• Standalone health interventions without multisectoral components (moving towards integrated approaches)
• Projects below minimum scale threshold (typically $10m+)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Mark Cutifani CBE (Chair): Former CEO of Anglo American (9 years), brings experience in building high-performance teams, stakeholder relationships, and sustainable value creation. Trustee since 2018, became Chair in July 2022. In his own words: "The organisation's unique model has the exciting opportunity to bring millions of dollars to nutrition."

• David Bull CBE (Deputy Chair): Former Executive Director of UNICEF UK (17 years), during which voluntary income grew from £13m to over £100m. Passionate nutrition advocate with extensive international development experience. Trustee since 2016.

• Eight additional trustees representing diverse expertise across finance, development, and nutrition sectors

Executive Leadership

• Chris Skeet (CEO and Finance Director): Over 25 years' experience in private equity, compliance software, healthcare, and nonprofit finance. Chartered accountant (trained with KPMG), MBA from University of Cape Town. With organization since July 2015.

• Jim Emerson (Senior Advisor to the Board): Strategic leader with 40+ years in international development. Former CEO of VSO, Plan International, and INTRAC. Emphasizes systems thinking, holistic nutrition solutions, and strengthening national systems: “Setting up these partnerships for multi-million-dollar programmes requires patience, flexibility, expertise, and time; the result is impact at scale and sustainability.”

Key Organizational Philosophy (from leadership):

The organization operates as a “small and nimble team” that is “creative and agile, seizing new opportunities to create impact, seeking bold solutions that create transformative impact for the communities we work alongside.” They emphasize that “nutrition is at the heart of every SDG; our 2030 agenda cannot be achieved if the potential of their children is compromised by poor nutrition.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Power of Nutrition does not have a public application process. They do not accept unsolicited grant applications from individual charities or NGOs. Funding partnerships are developed exclusively through strategic engagement at the national programme level.

Partnership Model:

• Partnerships are negotiated directly with governments (either the government itself or through their institutional partners like the World Bank and UNICEF)
• The organization works with “carefully selected” implementing partners chosen through rigorous due diligence
• Partner selection is based on “technical expertise, local knowledge and networks, relationships with local governments, on-the-ground presence, and culturally appropriate approaches”
• Implementing partners are selected for their specialization and complementary expertise (e.g., GiveDirectly for cash transfers, International Medical Corps for humanitarian responses, Nutrition International for nutrition-specific programming)

Initial Contact for Partnership Discussions:

Organizations interested in potential collaboration should contact:

• General inquiries: info@powerofnutrition.org
• Partnership opportunities: partnerships@powerofnutrition.org or direct contact with Andrew Davidson (adavidson@powerofnutrition.org) or Mabel McKeown (mmckeown@powerofnutrition.org)
• Communications/advocacy alignment: Jessica Bridges (communications@powerofnutrition.org)

Getting on Their Radar

For Government Partners Seeking Co-Financing:

• Governments interested in co-financing arrangements should approach through their World Bank country office or UNICEF country representation, as these are Power of Nutrition's primary implementation channels
• Government programmes must be embedded within national nutrition strategies and demonstrate commitment at the highest government levels
• The organization conducts partnership identification at country level through dialogue with government planning ministries and health sector leads

For NGO/International Organization Partners:

• Demonstrated sector expertise and track record: Power of Nutrition seeks organizations with “specialised expertise, local knowledge and networks.” Nutrition International's selection as implementing partner was announced publicly, highlighting the organization's deep technical capacity
• Existing relationships with national governments: The organization prioritizes partners with “strong, longstanding relationships with communities” and established government relationships
• Geographic and thematic alignment: Organizations should clearly align with Power of Nutrition's current operational geographies and strategic priorities (multisectoral approaches, local ownership, systems strengthening)
• Capacity for scale: Partners must demonstrate ability to implement at national scale, not pilot or project level
• Participation in global nutrition forums: Power of Nutrition actively engages in sector convenings (e.g., Nutrition for Growth Summit, Scaling Up Nutrition forums) where partnership discussions occur
• Private sector partnerships: For commercial entities, Power of Nutrition seeks partnerships that support nutrition objectives. They work with companies like Unilever and Cargill on nutritionally-relevant programmes

Strategic Approach:

The organization identifies partners through multiple channels: direct sector engagement, referrals from World Bank and UNICEF partners, and participation in global nutrition forums. They emphasize that partnership development requires “patience, flexibility, expertise, and time” and that they seek organizations demonstrating commitment to “impact, scale, flexible, evidence-based innovation, and partnership.”

Decision Timeline

• Partnership negotiation timeline: 6-12+ months from initial discussion to programme agreement. Jim Emerson noted that “setting up these partnerships for multi-million-dollar programmes requires patience, flexibility, expertise, and time”
• Due diligence process: Comprehensive vetting of implementing partners to ensure “highest standards and expertise for each intervention”
• Programme implementation: Once agreed, programmes typically run 5-7 years

Success Rates

Not applicable. The Power of Nutrition works through direct partnership negotiation rather than competitive application. All partnerships that reach agreement are funded.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The organization works through negotiated partnerships rather than application-based processes. Unsuccessful partnership discussions may be revisited if circumstances change, but there is no formal reapplication framework.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Power of Nutrition Model

The most critical factor for potential partners is understanding that Power of Nutrition operates fundamentally differently from traditional grant makers. They are not seeking to fund existing organizational plans; they are seeking to co-design transformational nutrition programmes at national scale. As their partnerships website states, they provide “flexible and collaborative programme design to support your objectives.”

What Power of Nutrition Values in Partnerships

Based on documented statements from leadership and their partnership approach:

1. Systems Thinking and Multisectoral Vision: CEO Jim Emerson emphasized the need to understand “the inter-connectedness of poverty, health, education, justice, climate, politics, conflict, economics.” Power of Nutrition increasingly funds programmes that integrate nutrition with WASH, social protection, education, food systems, and gender - by 2025, targeting 75% multisectoral programming.

1. Genuine Local Ownership: The organization explicitly rejects “parallel aid structures that undermine local ownership and scalability.” They seek partners committed to “strengthening national systems” rather than working around government structures. By 2025, they committed 60% of programmes will engage local and national organizations.

1. Evidence-Based Innovation with Flexibility: They seek “evidence-based, high-impact solutions” but with “flexible implementation structures that deliver impact at scale.” They work with partners able to adapt approaches to local contexts while maintaining evidence-based core interventions.

1. Scale Orientation: Minimum investment typically $10m+, with focus on countries where stunting prevalence exceeds 30% and more than 250,000 children are stunted. They fund “large-scale, high impact nutrition programmes” not small projects.

1. Partnership and Collaboration Mindset: Leadership emphasizes “partnership, collaboration and co-creation” as paramount. They seek organizations that can “work closely with local governments” and serve as bridges between international expertise and local implementation.

Recent Funded Examples

• Rwanda: Leveraged $135m+ through combination of World Bank IDA loans, government funding, and Power of Nutrition co-investment. Demonstrates the model at scale.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Partnership expanded to include Rotary International and other sector organizations. Demonstrates Power of Nutrition's role in convening diverse partners (private sector, NGOs, government, donors) around shared nutrition objectives.
• Ethiopia: Collaboration with Rotary International on malnutrition programming demonstrates their work with both traditional development actors and philanthropic organizations.

Partner Types They Work With

The organization's 2023 Impact Report showed they work with:

• International development organizations (UNICEF, World Bank, UNICEF's implementing partners)
• Specialized nutrition NGOs (Nutrition International)
• Humanitarian organizations (International Medical Corps)
• Cash-focused implementers (GiveDirectly)
• Private sector partners (Unilever, Cargill, PVH Corp)
• Philanthropic organizations (Gates Foundation, Rotary International)
• Academic institutions for monitoring, evaluation, and learning

What Doesn't Work

• Submitting unsolicited applications (they do not review or respond to standard grant proposals)
• Approaching with small-scale or pilot project concepts
• Proposing standalone nutrition interventions without multisectoral connections
• Lack of government partnership (they fund government-led or government-aligned programmes)
• Inability to operate at national scale

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Not a Traditional Funder: The Power of Nutrition is not a grant maker in the traditional sense - organizations cannot apply. They are a catalytic co-financing partner for large national nutrition programmes. Approach them only if your organization is involved in strategic government partnerships for national-scale nutrition programming.

1. Government-First Approach: Funding flows through government partnerships. If your organization seeks funding, you likely need to be part of a government-led initiative or partnering with the World Bank/UNICEF on their programmes, not approaching Power of Nutrition directly.

1. Scale is Non-Negotiable: Minimum programme size is typically $10m+, targeting countries with specific malnutrition burdens (>30% stunting, >250,000 stunted children). Small and mid-sized NGOs are unlikely to be lead partners but may be implementing partners within larger programmes.

1. Multisectoral Integration Requirement: The organization is actively shifting toward integrated approaches combining nutrition with WASH, social protection, education, food systems, and gender. Single-sector nutrition programming is decreasing in their portfolio.

1. Partnership, Not Application: Success requires demonstrating capacity for genuine partnership, collaboration, co-creation, and commitment to systems strengthening rather than parallel implementation. The process takes 6-12+ months of relationship-building and negotiation.

1. Get on Their Radar Through Sector Engagement: For organizations seeking partnership, visibility comes through sector forums (Nutrition for Growth Summit, Scaling Up Nutrition), government relationships, World Bank/UNICEF networks, and demonstrated excellence in technical nutrition work - not through formal applications.

1. Strategic Timing Matters: The organization is actively expanding their work 2022-2025, increasing local organization engagement, and moving into multisectoral approaches. Organizations aligned with these priorities are better positioned for partnership discussions.

References

• Charity Commission UK. (2025). THE POWER OF NUTRITION - Charity #1160373. Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1160373&subid=0

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). Impact Report 2023. Retrieved from https://www.powerofnutrition.org

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). About Us. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/about-us

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). Our Work. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/our-work

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). The Power of Nutrition and NGOs – A powerful partnership. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/the-power-of-nutrition-and-ngos

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). Partnerships. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/partnerships

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). The Power of Nutrition and the World Bank. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/the-power-of-nutrition-and-the-world-bank

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). The Power of Nutrition and UNICEF – An important partnership. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/the-power-of-nutrition-and-unicef

• The Power of Nutrition. (2023). My First 100 Days: Reflections from CEO, Jim Emerson. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/blogs/my-first-100-days-reflections-from-ceo-jim-emerson

• The Power of Nutrition. (2022). Nutrition in a Rapidly Changing World: Transforming Global Nutrition Financing - The Power of Nutrition's Strategy for 2022-25. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/news/nutrition-in-a-rapidly-changing-world-transforming-global-nutrition-financing-the-power-of-nutritions-new-strategy-for-2022-25

• The Power of Nutrition. (2022). Board Leadership Reshuffle - Mark Cutifani Becomes Chair. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/news/the-power-of-nutrition-announces-board-leadership-reshuffle-as-former-anglo-american-ceo-mark-cutifani-becomes-chair

• The Power of Nutrition. (2024). Why High Net Worth Individuals Should Partner With The Power of Nutrition. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/why-high-net-worth-individuals-should-partner-with-the-power-of-nutrition/

• The Power of Nutrition. (2025). Nutrition for Growth 2025: Reflections After a Successful Summit. https://www.powerofnutrition.org/news/nutrition-for-growth-2025-reflections-after-a-successful-summit

• Global Nutrition Report. (n.d.). The Power of Nutrition - Nutrition Growth Commitment Tracking. https://globalnutritionreport.org/resources/nutrition-growth-commitment-tracking/the-power-of-nutrition/

• Nutrition International. (n.d.). Nutrition International Selected as Implementing Partner to Work with The Power of Nutrition. https://www.nutritionintl.org/news/all-news/nutrition-international-selected-as-implementing-partner-to-work-with-the-power-of-nutrition/

• Rotary International. (n.d.). The Power of Nutrition Partners with Rotary and Other Organizations for New Malnutrition Program in Ethiopia. https://www.rotary.org/en/power-nutrition-partners-rotary-other-organizations-new-malnutrition-program-ethiopia

• World Bank. (2015). New Fund Targets Billion Dollars for Children's Nutrition. Press Release. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/04/16/new-fund-targets-billion-dollars