Apply for a Zuri Circle Grant

We pay attention to:

• Clarity – Do you clearly understand what you are building and who it serves?
• Skin in the game – What have you already done with the resources you have?
• Use of funds – How will this grant move you from idea to evidence or from stuck to progress?
• Discipline – Are you open to being held accountable, reporting back, and sharing your lessons with the community?
• Integrity – We value honesty about your numbers, your gaps, and your context. There is no need to perform.

You don't need a perfect pitch deck. You do need a real story, real work, and a clear next step.

You can apply if:

• You identify as a woman
• You are at least 18 years old
• You are building either:
  • — a business or income-generating project; or
  • — a professional path with a clear, concrete next step (for example, a licence, certification, or product development)
• You are based in Africa or part of the African diaspora
• You are willing to share honest information about your current situation (business, work, money, and constraints)

Being a current Zuri Circle member is an advantage but not always a strict requirement (depending on the cycle). Check the guidelines for this cohort.

Selected grantees may receive:

• Grant funding – a focused amount to move a clearly defined next step (for example, inventory, product development, registration, specific tools, or working capital for a pilot)
• Community visibility – spotlight within Zuri Circle spaces and, where appropriate, our wider platforms
• Check-ins and accountability – structured follow-up to review how funds were used, what worked, what didn't, and what's next
• Access to Zuri Circle resources – depending on the cycle, this may include circles, sessions, and tools relevant to your stage

Our goal is that, 6–12 months after a grant, something concrete has changed in your work and in how you show up as a builder.

To make your application easier, prepare:

• A short description of what you are building (business or professional path)
• A simple breakdown of how you would use the grant
• Any links that can help us understand your work (website, social media, portfolio, product photos, etc.)
• A realistic view of where you are now — including challenges, numbers where possible, and why this grant matters at this time

You do not need perfect branding or a complicated pitch deck. We care more about clarity and honesty.

• Demand is usually higher than the number of grants available; we cannot support every strong application
• Decisions are made by our internal team and, where relevant, trusted partners
• Our decisions are final and may not always come with individual feedback, although we try to share general learnings with the community
• Receiving or not receiving a grant does not affect your standing as a Zuri Circle member; many women grow significantly in the ecosystem with or without grant funding