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EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.3M
Grant Range
$43K - $0.2M

EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5.3 million (FY2024)
  • Total Awarded Since 2000: $58.4 million in 1,609 grants
  • Grant Range: $43,000 - $165,000+ (typical single-year grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Emerging market countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Turkey, and Russia
  • Partnership Duration: Up to 10 years of support
  • Application Process: By invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

US Headquarters: 106 W. 32 ST, The Yard, New York, NY 10001 Phone: +1 212-608-4455 Email: us@empower.org Website: https://empowerweb.org

UK Office: c/o Cape Ann Asset Management, 1 Duke's Mews, London, W1U 3ET Phone: +44 203 488 7516 Email: uk@empower.org

Hong Kong/Singapore Office: Room 12112, 10/F, YF Life Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Email: kh@empower.org and sg@empower.org

India Office: WeWork, Eldeco Centre, Block A, Shivalik Colony, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, 110017 Email: india@empower.org

South Africa Office: A37 Katherine and West, 114 West Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2031

Overview

EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation was founded in 2000 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025. Based in New York City with offices in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Delhi, and South Africa, EMpower partners with local organizations in emerging market countries to enable marginalized young people to transform their lives and communities. Since inception, the foundation has awarded $58.4 million in 1,609 grants to 224 organizations, directly impacting the lives of 1 million youth and touching 3 million lives overall.

In FY2024, EMpower distributed $5.3 million in grants to 150 local organization grantee partners across 15 countries. The foundation operates with a distinctive funding model where Board Directors and the Leadership Council underwrite all management, general, and fundraising expenses, ensuring 100% of donor contributions go directly to programmatic work with marginalized young people. EMpower emphasizes long-term partnerships, providing up to 10 years of flexible funding support as long as mission alignment continues and grantees demonstrate results, accountability, and learning.

Leadership transitioned in 2024-2025, with Cynthia Steele serving as outgoing President and CEO after nearly 20 years with the organization, and Nisha Dhawan (previously Vice President, Impact & Influence) taking over as the incoming CEO. Both emphasize empathy-grounded leadership and systemic change as core to EMpower's approach.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

EMpower provides a progressive partnership model with three stages:

  • Initial Programmatic Support: Typically 12-month grants for program-specific work
  • Multi-Year Programmatic Support: After several years of successful partnership, grants may extend to 2-3 years
  • General Operating Support: Long-term partners (up to 10 years total) may receive flexible general support

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Chicas en Tecnología (CET), Argentina: First grant to enable 60 marginalized young women (ages 17-23) to acquire programming and life skills for IT sector employment
  • Africa Queer Youth Initiative, Nigeria: $43,000 (first grant) to help 10 young LGBTQI+ people increase self-esteem and establish sustainable livelihoods
  • Suna ve İnan Kıraç Vakfı (SVİKV), Turkey: First grant to develop girl-centered programming reaching 150 young people and 100 caregivers
  • Streets International, Vietnam: $55,500 for 12-month vocational training in culinary arts and hospitality for 56 young people
  • Red Nose Foundation, Indonesia: $43,000 for learning programs supporting 900 primary school students and entrepreneurship for 20 young people

Priority Areas

EMpower invests in programs across three interconnected priority impact areas aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Economic Well-Being (SDGs 1 & 8)

  • Vocational skills training and employability programs
  • Life skills development for meaningful work
  • Entrepreneurship support for young people
  • Engagement with local economies and job placement

2. Safe, Healthy Lives (SDGs 3 & 5)

  • Physical and mental health support
  • Gender-based violence prevention and response
  • Mental health programming for adolescents
  • Safe spaces for LGBTQI+ youth

3. Inclusive Learning (SDG 4)

  • K-12 and STEM education programs
  • Quality education access for marginalized youth
  • Critical thinking and leadership development
  • Gender equity in education

Target Population:

  • Youth ages 10-24 who are most vulnerable, living in poverty and/or precarious circumstances
  • Emphasis on gender lens and empowering young women and girls
  • Focus on emerging market countries where communities are marginalized from economic growth

Organizational Requirements:

  • Organizations must have existed for at least three years
  • Must employ a gender lens focused on empowering young people
  • Must have diversified funding sources
  • Organizational budget between $70,000 and $3 million per year
  • Strong organizational capacity and demonstrated results

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations in developed/high-income countries
  • Large international NGOs or organizations with budgets exceeding $3 million
  • Standalone research or advocacy projects without direct programming
  • Religious proselytization
  • Organizations without a gender equity focus
  • Organizations that have not been operating for at least three years

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Cynthia Steele - Outgoing President and CEO (with EMpower since 2005)
  • Nisha Dhawan - Incoming CEO; Vice President, Impact and Influence (with EMpower since 2012)
  • Deborah Leaver - Vice President, Programmes
  • Adam Heuman - Vice President, Global Development & Marketing
  • Suvidha Hughes - Vice President, People & Operations
  • Frehiwot Tarekegn - Vice President, Finance

Regional Programme Directors

  • Anusha Naicker - Regional Programme Director, Africa
  • Daniel Parnetti - Regional Programme Director, Latin America
  • Marat Yu - Regional Programme Director, East and Southeast Asia
  • Heera - Director Programme, India

Board Leadership

EMpower maintains three regional boards in New York, London, and Hong Kong/Singapore, plus an India Advisory Council. Board members are predominantly professionals from financial services, particularly emerging markets trading, asset management, and investment banking.

US Board Chair: James Donald (Portfolio Manager/Analyst, Lazard Asset Management, Board since 2010)

UK Co-Chair: Swatee Deepak (Social justice and philanthropy leader, Board since 2020)

Hong Kong/Singapore Co-Chairs:

  • Aleem Jivraj (Chief Operating Officer Global Markets, Nomura, Board since 2016)
  • Aasha Pai (Philanthropic Advisor/Global health consultant, Board since 2012)

Notable board members include representatives from Goldman Sachs, Citi, Barclays, Société Générale, PIMCO, Wellington Management, and other major financial institutions, reflecting EMpower's unique model where the financial services community underwrites operational costs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: EMpower does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding.

EMpower proactively identifies and reaches out to potential partner organizations through its own research, networks, and field presence. The foundation describes taking "a holistic approach in working with partners" and emphasizes "identifying strong partner organisations who are leaders within the nonprofit space."

Organizations cannot submit applications unless specifically invited by EMpower staff. The foundation's Regional Programme Directors actively research and monitor organizations working in their regions and initiate contact when they identify strong potential partners whose work aligns with EMpower's mission and criteria.

Getting on Their Radar

While EMpower does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in emerging markets with youth ages 10-24 can position themselves to be noticed:

Regional Networking:

  • EMpower has offices and staff in New York, London, Hong Kong/Singapore, Delhi, and South Africa. Organizations should be aware of which EMpower office covers their geographic region
  • The foundation's Regional Programme Directors actively work in their regions: Africa (Anusha Naicker), Latin America (Daniel Parnetti), East/Southeast Asia (Marat Yu), and India (Heera)
  • EMpower staff attend sector conferences and events related to youth development in emerging markets

Building Visibility:

  • Organizations that are recognized leaders in their local nonprofit space are more likely to come to EMpower's attention
  • Partnerships or collaborations with other EMpower grantees may lead to referrals
  • Strong organizational capacity, demonstrated results, and commitment to gender equity are critical
  • Publishing impact data and sharing programmatic learnings through sector platforms can increase visibility

Contact Strategy:

  • Organizations may contact the EMpower office nearest to them or covering their geographic region to introduce their work, though this does not constitute a formal application
  • Focus communications on organizational impact, youth outcomes, and alignment with EMpower's three priority areas
  • Be prepared to demonstrate at least three years of operational history, budget between $70,000-$3M, diversified funding, and strong organizational capacity

Decision Timeline

For invited partners, EMpower's grantmaking follows a structured timeline:

Grant Review Cycles:

  • EMpower's US, UK, and Hong Kong/Singapore Boards each hold grant approval meetings typically 1-3 times per year
  • Regional Programme Directors work with invited organizations to develop grant proposals between board meetings
  • The foundation conducts due diligence including organizational capacity assessments, financial reviews, and program evaluations

Initial Partnership:

  • First grants are typically for 12 months of programmatic support
  • Organizations demonstrate results over the initial grant period while building partnership with EMpower staff

Long-term Partnership Development:

  • After several years of successful single-year grants, organizations may be invited to apply for multi-year programmatic funding (2-3 years)
  • Partners demonstrating exceptional results, strong organizational capacity, and deep mission alignment may eventually receive negotiated general operating support
  • Maximum partnership duration is 10 years, after which organizations "graduate" from EMpower support

Success Rates

Not applicable - EMpower does not accept open applications, so traditional success rate metrics do not apply. The foundation carefully selects organizations to invite for partnership based on extensive research and vetting before formal grant proposals are developed.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - EMpower's model focuses on long-term partnerships with invited organizations rather than repeated application cycles. Organizations that successfully complete initial grants are typically invited to continue the partnership through subsequent grant stages over time.

Application Success Factors

What EMpower Looks For in Partner Organizations

Organizational Criteria:

  • Operational Track Record: At least three years of organizational history demonstrating consistent programming and results
  • Right-Sized Budget: Annual organizational budget between $70,000 and $3 million (not too small to absorb capacity-building support, not too large to need EMpower's level of funding)
  • Gender Lens: Clear focus on empowering young women and girls, or explicit gender equity framework in all programming
  • Diversified Funding: Multiple funding sources showing organizational sustainability and ability to leverage EMpower's investment
  • Local Leadership: Organizations led by people from the communities they serve, with deep contextual understanding

Programmatic Alignment:

  • Direct Service to Youth Ages 10-24: Programs must directly serve young people in the critical transition from childhood to adulthood
  • One or More Priority Areas: Clear fit with Economic Well-Being, Safe/Healthy Lives, and/or Inclusive Learning
  • Comprehensive Approach: Recognition of the interconnectedness of education, health, and livelihoods rather than single-issue programming
  • Demonstrated Impact: Evidence-based programming with clear outcomes and ability to measure youth-level change

Partnership Readiness:

  • Capacity for Growth: Organizational openness to capacity building, learning, and potentially scaling programs over time
  • Results Orientation: Systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning; willingness to adapt based on evidence
  • Accountability: Strong financial management, transparent governance, and commitment to reporting
  • Relationship Building: Interest in long-term partnership (up to 10 years) rather than transactional funding relationship

EMpower's Distinctive Partnership Approach

EMpower emphasizes that "real change takes time and trust." The foundation's model differs from traditional grantmaking:

  • Patient Capital: Willingness to support organizations through challenges and growth over 10-year timeframes
  • Flexible Funding: Progression from restricted programmatic support to general operating support as partnerships deepen
  • Beyond Financial Support: Capacity building through workshops, site visits, connections to other funders, linking partners to experts, and facilitating peer learning among grantees
  • Network Benefits: Access to EMpower's global network of 150+ current partners and board members from financial services sector

Red Flags That May Prevent Partnership

  • Organizations with budgets below $70,000 (may lack capacity to absorb support) or above $3 million (may not need EMpower's level of funding)
  • Absence of gender equity focus or unwillingness to adopt gender lens
  • Operational history less than three years
  • Single-source funding with no diversification strategy
  • Weak monitoring and evaluation systems
  • Resistance to capacity building or organizational learning
  • Focus on advocacy/research without direct service programming
  • Religious organizations engaged in proselytization

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation Only: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. EMpower proactively identifies partners through research and networks in emerging markets.

  • Long-term Vision: EMpower seeks 10-year partnerships, not one-off grants. Organizations should be prepared for deep, sustained engagement including capacity building.

  • Geographic Focus: EMpower exclusively funds organizations in emerging market countries (Latin America, Asia, Africa, Russia, Turkey). US-based organizations are not eligible unless working directly in these regions.

  • 100% Program Funding: EMpower's board covers overhead, so all donated funds go to programs. This commitment to efficiency is central to their identity.

  • Youth Ages 10-24: The specific age range is non-negotiable. Programs must directly serve adolescents and young adults in this developmental window.

  • Gender Lens Required: All partners must demonstrate commitment to gender equity and empowering young women and girls, regardless of program focus area.

  • Financial "Sweet Spot": Organizations with annual budgets between $70,000-$3M are ideal. This ensures partners can absorb capacity building support while genuinely benefiting from EMpower's funding level.

  • Build Regional Visibility: Since EMpower proactively identifies partners, becoming a recognized leader in your sector and geography increases chances of being noticed by Regional Programme Directors.

  • Network Through Current Partners: Connections to existing EMpower grantees may lead to referrals and introductions to foundation staff.

  • Focus on Results and Learning: EMpower values accountability, monitoring/evaluation capacity, and organizational commitment to learning and adaptation over time.

References

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