The first global fund backing political leadership innovation
The Better Politics Fund was created to meet a critical need: to reimagine how politics serves people, and who gets to shape it.
Democracy is in crisis.
Political leadership is the key lever for change.
We’re at a tipping point: trust in democracy is eroding globally, while institutions struggle to respond to rapidly evolving crises, from climate change and inequality to polarization.
At the root are failing political systems, anchored in outdated norms and practices that exclude many voices and fail to adapt.
Citizens in many countries agree: politicians as the key lever for change to improve democracy in their country.
Explore the Fund
What we fund
We fund at every stage of the political innovation journey, from the spark of an idea to scaled solutions embedded in political systems.
We support political changemakers who:
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Cultivate. Open doors and build pipelines for change, particularly for leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.
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Upskill. Equip both new talent and seasoned political leaders with the critical skills needed for our times.
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Support. Reform and strengthen political systems so representative leaders and new ideas can thrive.
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Connect. Make politics more impactful, connected, and responsive to the people it serves.
The Fund doesn't fund political parties, campaigns, or individual candidates. It supports initiatives that cultivate new leaders, build skills, reform systems, and connect politics more closely to people.
Political leadership is the meta-challenge of our time. Without trusted leaders on the frontlines of politics, we cannot effectively solve the pressing issues that confront us. The transformative power of political leadership is the key to forging a path towards a better future for the world.
— Daniel Sachs, Daniel Sachs Foundation
Types of support
We use different funding modalities ensuring both early-stage funding via open calls and larger grants.
Ideation Grants
up to €20,000
We support new, bold ideas from early-stage organizations or individuals that address urgent political and democratic challenges. These grants provide time, space, and seed funding.
Incubation Grants
up to €50,000
We provide funding and expert support to those ready to build their vision into sustainable and efficient organisations. This grant can be understood as a stepping stone to reach the next level of developing a sustainable organization.
Scaling Grants
up to €100,000
For those ready to scale their efforts and build more power we provide funding and support for organizations with a proven track record of sustained impact.
How we fund
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Funding where others won't or can't. Early-stage initiatives, bold bets.
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Participatory by design - we have a global Grantmaking Council—changemakers deeply rooted in their contexts—who review short lists of applications and scout innovative ideas.
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Light-touch, high-trust and flexible grant making, ensuring low overheads and efficient operations.
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Spotlighting political innovators in under-resourced regions (therefore, we do not fund in the United States). We welcome applications from anywhere in the world where we can legally fund.
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Support beyond funding. The almost 180 member Political Leadership Entrepreneur Network (PLEN)—a global, multi-partisan network of organizations from 60 countries reimagining political leadership for the 21st century. Grantees and relevant unsuccessful applicants are invited to join the Network for support, learning and exchange. Relevant applicants, whether they receive funding or not, can also join the Better Politics Accelerator, a 6-month online program and the only global launchpad for political leadership innovators and entrepreneurs.
The Fund is non-partisan. That means we don't support, promote, or benefit any specific political party or candidate. Grantees are welcome to engage across the political spectrum, work with politicians from different parties, or address contested political issues, as long as you don't take sides in electoral or partisan terms.
Grantees
35
Changemakers
supported
20
Countries
€1.4
million
Granted
Our history
The Better Politics Fund builds on the pioneering work of the Multitudes Foundation.
The work of Multitudes has supported changemakers building more inclusive, human, and hopeful politics across Europe, becoming a driving force in the continent's political innovation ecosystem through funding, strategic advice, and practical support.
In 2025, Multitudes joined forces with the Better Politics Foundation to create the Better Politics Fund.
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Our values
Non-partisan & democracy-focused
We work across political ideologies that support and believe in democratic institutions. No funding goes to parties, candidates or campaigns.
Equity & representation
We prioritize initiatives that open pathways for leaders from underrepresented backgrounds and work in under-resourced democratic contexts.
Flexibility & Support
We strengthen the political leadership innovation ecosystem, pairing flexible funding with long-term peer learning and capacity support.
Integrity & accountability
All grants follow a structured assessment and due diligence process, with independent board oversight and key input from a grantmaking council.
We are not just supporting political innovation; we’re shaping the conditions it needs to thrive. We’re here to back the builders of new politics, wherever they are, and I cannot think of a more important time to do so.
— Gauri van Gulik, Chair of the Better Politics Fund
Governance
The Better Politics Fund Global Grantmaking Council is a key part of the Fund's participatory grantmaking process. It brings together global changemakers with deep regional knowledge who provide expert input and review of all open call applications. Council members are trusted and networked within their political leadership ecosystems, deeply engaged with electoral politics and power dynamics, and rooted in communities underrepresented in politics. They share a belief in the power of political leadership to drive change.
Final funding decisions are made by the Better Politics Fund’s board. It is chaired by Gauri van Gulik and operates independently from the Better Politics Foundation’s board. The Fund board is informed by input from the Foundation and Global Grantmaking Council. This ensures independent governance and transparent accountability.
Funders collective
The Better Politics Fund brings together a community of like-minded funders operating at a local, national, regional or global level who are ready to start experimenting with innovative and collaborative funding mechanisms.
We welcome contributions from institutional donors, individuals, and aligned organizations who share our mission. Please get in touch with us.
Funding opportunities
We operate mainly through open calls and calls for nomination, drawing on trusted people — including members of our Grantmaking Council — to identify organizations working in their regions or issue areas.
Open opportunities:
Past opportunities:
We are a small team and have limited capacity to review unsolicited proposals. If you're interested in future funding opportunities, you can reach out to us at fund@betterpolitics.foundation. We'll do our best to respond, though it may take some time (3-4 months) given the volume we receive. We appreciate your understanding.