Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes the DIV Fund different?
A: Where should we start?

• We're truly an open innovation fund - we are open to the best ideas from anyone, anywhere, and operating across any sector, with real potential to measurably improve the lives of people living in poverty around the world

• We really care about evidence. We rigorously test innovations (e.g. through randomized control trials) and only scale what proves real, measurable impact. Evidence of impact is what ensures that every dollar goes further and that we only back the best solutions to scale.

• We don’t fund good intentions, we fund progress.  Our outcomes-based model ties money to results, releasing funding as innovators hit clear milestones. We don’t ask innovators to track every dollar spent; we would rather they focus on learning instead of reporting. The approach pushes innovators forward and gives them the flexibility they need while focusing on what matters most: growth and real impact.

• We aim high and expect some failures. Our tiered model is built for it: we place small bets on early ideas and bigger bets as evidence grows. Without taking risks, we wouldn't find transformative solutions.

• We don’t just fund innovators - we root for them, challenge them, and push them to succeed. We stay close so we know when they’re thriving and when they need some help to get through challenges. We provide innovators with flexible funding to give them the freedom to experiment, learn, and adapt, rather than stick to rigid plans or paperwork.

• Our model has proven successful time and time again. We've helped turn small pilots into global solutions, generated outsized social returns, and set the gold standard for innovation funding worldwide.

Q: Why focus on evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and scalability?
A: Good ideas are easy to find, but ones that actually work and keep working as they grow? That’s a lot harder. Evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and scalability are what turn big ideas into lasting impact, which is why these three criteria are at the center of every decision we make at the DIV Fund. Evidence of impact ensures every idea we back will actually improve lives, cost-effectiveness makes sure every dollar goes as far as possible, and scalability ensures impactful ideas grow and spread to the people who need them. The world’s problems are too big for small solutions and too urgent for ideas that don’t work - that’s why we rely on our proven model to guide every funding decision we make.

Q: Who can apply?
A: Anyone, anywhere. Really. Social entrepreneur? NGO? Researcher? Business? Yes. From Africa? Asia? South America? North America? Europe? Oceania? Yes! If you’ve got a great idea that can improve lives, we want to hear about it.

Q: What kinds of ideas do you fund?
A: We’re open by design - from health to education, energy to livelihoods, and everything in between. Do you have a big bold new idea? Let's hear it. Do you have a small incremental change to an existing idea or program that could unlock huge untapped potential? We want to know about it. We fund new technologies, services, and business models; we fund behavioral interventions and new ways to deliver goods and services; we even fund replications of proven innovations in new contexts. What matters most is potential: potential for measurable impact, cost-effectiveness, and meaningful scale.

Q: Why take risks when there's so little funding in development?
A: Without risk, there would be no breakthroughs. In a world of shrinking resources, we can’t keep funding business as usual - we need to find smarter, more cost-effective solutions that deliver real impact. Risk-tolerant, catalytic capital gives bold ideas the chance to be tested, refined, and proven. It mitigates early uncertainty so innovators can experiment, adapt, and build the evidence needed to attract larger, long-term investment. The difference between a good idea and a global solution is exactly this kind of capital. 

Q: Sounds good in theory, has it worked in practice?
A. Our model has funded over 300 innovations in 50+ countries, and backed innovations that have gone on to reach over 240 million people to date. For every $1 invested, DIV has generated an estimated $39 in social impact. Some of today’s most celebrated solutions in health, education, and livelihoods started as tiny DIV pilot grants. Turns out bold bets, when paired with evidence and discipline, can pay off. You can learn more about our past portfolio at USAID here.

Q: What’s next for the DIV Fund?

A. We’re grateful to have multi-year foundational funding secured, so new investments can be used where it matters most - fueling new ideas, deepening evidence, scaling proven solutions, and supporting the team that makes this work possible. We're now looking to unlock more catalytic capital to fuel new innovations and help millions of people worldwide. This is the moment to help shape the future of global development, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
 

Q: Sign me up! When does this become real?

A: We’re working on it! Applications will open in January 2026. Sign up to be notified when the DIV Fund launches - we’ll only use your email to let you know when application opens and maybe send the occasional exciting update (we promise we won't sell your information - we don't even know how we'd go about doing that, so don't worry).