The Leverage Fund Institute (LFI) is a pilot grant-making mechanism designed to strengthen community advice offices and grassroots formations across South Africa. The fund is rooted in a commitment to shifting power, resourcing frontline work, and supporting the everyday struggles of communities organising for dignity, justice, and access to basic rights.

We recognise that community advice offices and grassroots organisations operate at the coalface of inequality, often with limited resources but with deep legitimacy, trust, and knowledge of the communities they serve. This fund seeks to support that work in a way that is responsive, accessible, and grounded in solidarity rather than compliance.

LFI is guided by principles of political independence, decolonial grant-making, and participatory practice. This means we aim to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, respect different forms of organisation including informal structures, and create space for applicants to define their work, priorities, and impact in their own terms.

Being unregistered does not disqualify you from applying. Where necessary, we will explore appropriate mechanisms to support your participation.

Capacity and Financial Systems 

We recognise that organisations have different levels of administrative and financial capacity. You will be asked about your current systems and whether you may require a fiscal host to receive and manage funds on your behalf. This will not affect your eligibility and is only to help us understand how best to support you.

Core Work 

We want to understand the main issues you are working on and who you primarily support. This helps us understand your focus and the communities you serve. We are interested in your current realities regarding your current workload, and your most urgent challenges you are facing right now. This helps us understand where pressure is highest and where support is most needed.

We are also interested in how your work connects to others. This could include partnerships with community-based organisations, participation in networks or coalitions, and collective campaigns or shared struggles.  This is not about formal partnerships, but about understanding how you are part of a broader ecosystem of change.

There are no right or wrong answers. We are interested in how you understand your work and what change matters in your context. Your responses will also help us think about how best to support you beyond funding.

Supporting Documents 

Where available, please upload registration certificate, constitution, or trust deed, and confirmation of your bank account. If you are unable to provide these, please indicate this in your application and we will engage further. This will not automatically exclude you.

Support with the Application

We understand that not all applicants have access to computers, stable internet, or familiarity with online systems. We are working to ensure that the application platform is mobile-friendly and low-data where possible. You may request assistance with your application. This could include a further phone call where we talk through the questions together.

Our Approach

This fund is not only about disbursing resources. It is about building relationships, learning together, and strengthening the conditions for community-led change. We approach this work with humility, recognising that the most important knowledge and leadership already exists within communities.

We encourage you to apply in your own voice, grounded in your realities. Your work matters, and this fund exists to support and stand alongside it.

Please email [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance.