Disaster Relief Grants

About this grant

The A&O Shearman Foundation funds charities, social enterprises and community interest companies around the world. It is financed by contributions from A&O Shearman partners and supports the firm's social impact work as well as disaster relief efforts. Foundation grants cover access to justice, education and employment, and support disaster relief. The page lists three grant programmes: Global, London and Belfast. The page states that there is no open application process for disaster relief grants, so the disaster relief title on this row does not match a currently open call. The Global Grants Program is the programme described in detail. It offers one-year grants of up to GBP50,000, two-year grants of up to GBP100,000, or three-year grants of up to GBP150,000. Organisations may choose the size and duration that best suits the work. Up to 100 hours of pro bono legal and/or professional skills volunteering may be offered alongside the financial donation, subject to A&O Shearman team capacity. Organisations may ring-fence 20% of the grant for core funding that need not relate to the funded project. The Foundation is open to innovative projects, such as pilots of new approaches, and will also consider funding existing projects. It will fund projects alongside other donors and wants to develop active partnerships with grantees. Applicants must name an A&O Shearman colleague willing to champion the work. The Foundation does not fund individuals. The page states that the Global Grants Program is no longer accepting applications. Interested organisations are directed to a mailing list to be notified when the next round opens, which the page says will be later this year. Questions go to [email protected].

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are charities, social enterprises and community interest companies (CICs). Individuals cannot apply. The project should be in an area of considerable need, for example a country described as developing in the UNDP Global Multidimensional Poverty Index. Organisations that held a one-year Global Grants Program grant may apply for further funding from the next round after that grant ends. Organisations that held a two-year or three-year grant must wait two or three years respectively after the last grant year before reapplying. Applicants must name a current A&O Shearman colleague as champion, who may be anyone at the firm other than a member of the social impact team. The Global Grants Program is currently closed to new applications.

How it's scored

The page does not publish a scoring rubric, weightings or panel composition. It states that the Foundation is open to innovative projects, including pilots of new approaches, and will also consider funding existing projects. Applications are assessed with input from the social impact team, which is excluded from acting as champion. Applicants must show a need-based case in an area of considerable need and identify an eligible A&O Shearman champion.

Key requirements

• ✓No open application process; grants are by invitation only
• ✓Focus on disaster relief efforts globally
• ✓Deadline and specific amount information not publicly available

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) · $650K

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Allen & Overy Foundation offer?

Disaster Relief Grants offers $188K.

Who can apply for Disaster Relief Grants?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL; nonprofit, charity, social-enterprise, local-authority. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate adaptation funding helps communities, infrastructure and businesses prepare for heat, flooding, drought and sea level rise. Most of it is public and multilateral money, often targeted at vulnerable regions and delivered with local government. Calls usually ask for a climate risk assessment and evidence that local people shaped the plan.