World Connect International, Uk

Charity Number: 1194944

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £194,066 (2023)
  • Success Rate: 94-95%
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $7,500 (£800 - £6,000 approx.)
  • Geographic Focus: Global South (24+ countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia)

Contact Details

Website: www.worldconnect.org.uk

Email: phigdon@worldconnect-us.org

Phone: +447464248644

Registered Address: 24 Old Bond Street, c/o Price Bailey, London, W1S 4AP

Overview

World Connect International, UK is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered in June 2021 (charity number 1194944) as the UK arm of World Connect, Inc., a US-based development organization. The charity invests directly in grassroots, community-led development projects across the Global South, working in partnership with local leaders to drive self-sustaining change. With over 1,600 projects funded globally affecting more than one million lives, the organization has invested over $5 million across 42 countries. World Connect UK was founded in 2022 and has funded 32 projects specifically in Malawi, Ecuador, Rwanda, and Ghana. The organization maintains an exceptional 94-95% project success rate, with 82% of projects sustaining their work beyond the initial investment period. Notably, 53% of funded projects are women-led.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

International Grants Program: $1,000 - $7,500

  • Available to Established Field Partners affiliated with specific networks including CorpsAfrica Volunteers, YALI Mandela Washington Fellows, Global Health Corps Alumni, Teach for All Network Fellows, Peace Corps (returned and active), Voluntary Service Overseas, and LEAP Africa
  • Rolling application basis through online portal
  • Requires collaboration between three key actors: Local Leader, Community Organization, and Established Field Partner

Accelerator Grants: Up to $1,000

  • Currently available only in Malawi and Rwanda
  • For potential partners not associated with Established Field Partner Networks
  • Focused on women-led businesses, community environmental enterprises, community health worker projects, and sustainable schoolyard initiatives

Regional Power Centers:

World Connect operates five regional hubs staffed by local experts:

  • Mudzi Connect (Malawi)
  • World Connect Rwanda
  • Guate Conecta (Guatemala)
  • World Connect Ecuador
  • World Connect Nigeria

Priority Areas

  • Health: Community health worker programs, safe childbirth initiatives, health facility improvements
  • Education: School infrastructure, learning environment improvements, keeping girls in school
  • Economic Opportunity: Women-led businesses and cooperatives, seed capital for community enterprises
  • Environment: Sustainable environmental projects, water access improvements, food security

Key Principles:

  • Community-led design and implementation
  • Minimum 25% community co-investment (at least 10% cash)
  • Projects must demonstrate impact on women and marginalized populations
  • Participatory development with grassroots decision-making
  • Women's leadership facilitation

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations focused on evangelism or religious conversion
  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation
  • Projects outside the Global South (no UK-based organizations eligible)
  • Projects without community co-investment
  • Individual applications (must be through Established Field Partner networks)
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Governance and Leadership

UK Executive Director and Director of Programs: Patrick Higdon

  • Responsible for overall program quality, integrity, and strategy
  • Seven years as Program Manager with World Connect
  • Serves as charity representative in the UK and supports the UK Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees (as of 2025):

  • Hafsat Abiola (appointed August 2020) - President of Women in Africa, founded Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), background in political leadership and women's empowerment
  • Kemal Ahmed (appointed September 2024) - Partner at CGM UK Advisors Ltd, 26+ years in institutional asset management, previous board roles with International Rescue Committee
  • Andrew Ian Henry Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford (appointed August 2020) - Runs Bedford Estates and Woburn Abbey, World Connect supporter since 2005
  • Christopher Cabot (appointed August 2020) - President of Value Retail Plc, background in investment banking and retail
  • Stephanie Cabot (appointed October 2024) - Literary agent with background in finance and talent representation
  • Sarah Caplin (appointed December 2022) - Former TV executive (BBC and ITV), legal background, involved with various charitable organizations
  • Kristina Kenworthy (appointed September 2024) - Solicitor with banking background and environmental law expertise, also trustee of Citizens Advice Mole Valley
  • Emmanuelle Lepic (appointed September 2023) - Ceramicist, previous work in art galleries (Tate Gallery, Serpentine Gallery), co-founded Relay for Refugees
  • Esme Lovell Smith (appointed August 2020) - Senior Business Planning Manager at Value Retail PLC
  • Ilia Tchelikidi (appointed August 2020) - Founder of United Capital Group, background in investment and corporate finance
  • Sara Boillot (appointed February 2025)

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: World Connect does NOT accept applications from UK-based organizations. This charity exclusively funds community-led development projects in the Global South (developing countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia).

Eligible Applicants: Projects must be sourced through “Established Field Partner” networks including:

  • Peace Corps (returned and active volunteers)
  • CorpsAfrica Volunteers
  • YALI Mandela Washington Fellows
  • Global Health Corps Alumni
  • Teach for All Network Fellows
  • Voluntary Service Overseas
  • LEAP Africa
  • Other approved partner networks

Application Process:

  1. Ensure the project idea and design originate from the community
  2. Complete screening process at worldconnect.global/submit-projects/screen
  3. Submit application through online grant application tool
  4. Provide detailed budget showing community contribution (minimum 25% of total project cost, with at least 10% in cash)
  5. Demonstrate how project will impact women and marginalized populations

Community Co-Investment Requirements:

  • For a $5,000 grant: minimum $500 cash contribution + $750 in-kind or additional cash
  • Total community contribution must equal at least 25% of requested grant value
  • At least 10% must be cash; remaining 15% can be in-kind or additional cash

Decision Timeline

The complete process, from Expression of Interest to grant award, typically takes 3-4 months.

Projects are reviewed as a group, with the NYC Connect Advisory Committee (for certain programs) assessing applications and championing projects showing exceptional promise.

Success Rates

World Connect maintains exceptional success metrics:

  • 94-95% project success rate - nearly all funded projects achieve their goals
  • 82% sustainability rate - projects continue beyond initial investment
  • 53% women-led - majority of funded projects led by women
  • Less than 1% loss rate - minimal funding lost or misused
  • 142 projects funded in 2020, with 64% led by first-time grantees
  • 153 projects launched in 2019 across 25 countries

For every $1 World Connect invests, communities raise an average of $1.55, demonstrating strong community ownership and commitment.

Reapplication Policy

Information not publicly available. Contact the organization directly regarding reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Community-Led Design is Critical: World Connect explicitly states “it is critical that the project idea and design come from the community.” Projects imposed from outside or designed primarily by external partners are unlikely to succeed.

Strong Community Co-Investment: Successful projects demonstrate significant community ownership through cash and in-kind contributions. The organization values communities that contribute beyond the minimum 25% requirement.

Women's Leadership: With 53% of funded projects being women-led and the organization's explicit commitment to facilitating women's leadership, projects that center women's voices and leadership have strong alignment.

Participatory Development Approach: World Connect embraces a model where “communities assess their own needs and priorities, establish their own project goals, and define success on their own terms.” Applications should demonstrate genuine community participation in all stages.

Clear Impact on Marginalized Populations: Applications must explicitly demonstrate understanding of how the project will impact women and marginalized populations. This is a required component of the application.

Realistic Budgets with Local Spending: World Connect tracks that 95% of funding is spent locally. Budgets should reflect local procurement and local leadership compensation.

Sustainability Beyond the Grant: With 82% of projects sustaining beyond the initial investment, applications should articulate clear plans for long-term sustainability.

Alignment with Established Field Partner Networks: Success depends on having an active connection to one of World Connect's Established Field Partner organizations. Independent organizations cannot apply directly.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This funder only supports projects in the Global South - UK organizations are not eligible. If you're seeking funding for UK-based work, this is not the right funder.
  • Exceptional success rates make this attractive for eligible applicants - 94-95% of funded projects achieve their goals, suggesting thorough vetting and strong support systems.
  • Community ownership is non-negotiable - The 25% co-investment requirement (minimum 10% cash) ensures communities have genuine stake in project success.
  • Access requires connection to specific networks - You cannot apply independently; must be affiliated with Peace Corps, CorpsAfrica, YALI, Global Health Corps, or other approved Field Partner networks.
  • Women's leadership is prioritized - Over half of funded projects are women-led; centering women's voices strengthens applications.
  • Think long-term sustainability - With 82% of projects continuing beyond the grant period, demonstrate how impact will endure.
  • Budget scrutiny is thorough - World Connect reviews budgets closely to ensure line items match proposed activities and that 95% will be spent locally.

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References

  • Charity Commission, “Annual Report and Accounts for Year Ending 31st December 2023, Charity Number 1194944,”