Pre-Seed Community Development Impact Funders

Ashoka is one of the world’s leading organizations supporting social entrepreneurs. Founded in 1980, Ashoka pioneered the concept of social entrepreneurship and has built a global network of changemakers working to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Through its flagship Ashoka Fellows program, the organization identifies and supports high-impact entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and a powerful global network. Ashoka’s broader mission is to create a world where everyone is a changemaker, embedding social innovation across education, business, and civil society.

AI & TechnologyArts, Culture & MediaBuilt Environment

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation

Foundation

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK) is a global venture philanthropy firm that finds, funds, and supports early-stage social impact organizations solving the world's biggest social and environmental problems. Founded by William H. Draper III and Robin Richards Donohoe, who began investing together in the venture industry in 1994, the foundation was formally established in 2002 with a $14 million fund. DRK's core competency is identifying exceptional social entrepreneurs and supporting them intensely through a rigorous 3-year period with unrestricted capital and comprehensive support. This model enables their portfolio organizations to absorb catalytic and transformative capital downstream, helping them scale their impact effectively. The foundation has invested in more than 280 early-stage ventures and brings a venture capital legacy to the social sector.

Community DevelopmentImpact FinanceSocial Enterprise

gBETA Social Impact

Accelerator

gBETA Social Impact is a free, seven-week accelerator program that works specifically with startups and emerging nonprofits committed to making positive community and global impact. The program focuses on supporting companies building products or services that address equity in education and criminal justice reform. gBETA Social Impact operates as a comprehensive accelerator offering mentorship, office hours, sponsor connections, and learning opportunities culminating in a pitch night. As a free program, it removes financial barriers for social impact entrepreneurs and provides structured support through a seven-week intensive format that includes access to mentors, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. The program serves as an important gateway for social impact startups in underserved sectors like education equity and criminal justice reform. By offering free access to accelerator resources typically available only to traditional startups, gBETA Social Impact fills a critical gap in the ecosystem for mission-driven entrepreneurs. The program is sponsored by multiple organizations and operates as part of the gener8tor network, providing credibility and resources to emerging social ventures.

Community DevelopmentEducationSocial Enterprise

Halcyon

Accelerator

Halcyon is a leading impact accelerator that has been empowering early-stage social entrepreneurs since 2014. Founded by Dr. Sachiko Kuno and Kate Goodall, the organization takes its name from the historic Halcyon House in Georgetown, Washington, DC, reflecting its founding mission to provide a haven where bold founders tackling the world's most pressing problems can find support, optimism, and belief. Since its inception, Halcyon has supported over 650 entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries, helping them scale their sustainable, world-changing solutions through a bold, founder-first accelerator model. Halcyon's programs provide early-stage social entrepreneurs with critical resources including space, community, and access to networks. Their comprehensive support includes tailored business training for product-market fit, capital strategy, and leadership development, along with additional resources to help founders scale their ventures. Through Halcyon Fund I & II, the HVP Angels, and partnerships with their ecosystem, they educate and invest in impact-driven founders. The organization's far-reaching impact is made possible through the generous support of donors, supporters, partners, and a passionate global team dedicated to accelerating the impact-driven future of business.

Climate TechCommunity DevelopmentSocial Enterprise

Hustle Fund

Venture Capital

Hustle Fund is a venture capital fund that invests in hustlers at the pre-seed and seed stages, focusing on hilariously early startups. They position themselves as investors who back entrepreneurs with strong hustle and drive, regardless of traditional pedigree or background. The fund operates with a mission to democratize entrepreneurship and investing, offering extensive resources including blogs, books, newsletters, and educational content for both founders and investors. They provide practical, non-BS advice through multiple channels and maintain an active community of entrepreneurs and investors. Hustle Fund has created significant impact in the startup ecosystem by making angel investing accessible to people from all walks of life through their Angel Squad program, which includes over 2000+ angel investors. They matter because they're breaking down barriers in venture capital, teaching investment strategies to a broader audience, and fostering a community where aspiring entrepreneurs can learn, connect, and access capital regardless of their background or network.

Community DevelopmentImpact Finance

Interledger FoundationNew

Foundation, Grantmaker, Accelerator, Fellowship

The Interledger Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit working to make digital payments more open, affordable, and accessible. It supports open payment technology and funds the developers, researchers, educators, and organizations building on it. Its work began with the Interledger Protocol, created in 2015 by Stefan Thomas and Evan Schwartz. The goal was to help money move between different banks, wallets, currencies, and payment networks as easily as information moves across the internet. The foundation became a nonprofit in 2019 and began operating publicly in 2021. Briana Marbury serves as president and CEO. Stefan Thomas chairs the board, and Evan Schwartz remains a director. The organization is based in San Francisco but has a distributed international team. The foundation supports three main technologies. The Interledger Protocol moves value between different financial systems. Open Payments gives developers a standard way to add payment features to their products. Rafiki provides open-source software that banks, wallets, and other regulated financial institutions can use to connect. The foundation does not charge a fee for using the protocol and has no investors. Grantmaking is also a major part of its work. The foundation reports awarding more than $21 million to over 300 projects across more than 45 countries. Its programs support payment infrastructure, education, research, leadership, public policy, and creative work exploring how financial systems are built. Grants range from small campus awards of up to $5,000 to larger fellowships and accelerator programs offering between $50,000 and $92,000. The foundation reported $96.4 million in net assets and $10.6 million in charitable distributions for the year ending December 2024. This financial base allows it to fund open payment technology and expand access to financial services without relying on protocol fees or outside investors.

AI & TechnologyArts, Culture & MediaCommunity Development

Kapor Capital

Venture Capital

Kapor Capital is an Oakland-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies that close gaps in access and opportunity for historically underserved communities. The firm backs founders building scalable businesses that improve outcomes across education, healthcare, financial services, workforce development, housing, food systems, and justice. Kapor Capital combines venture investing with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting entrepreneurs whose products and services create measurable social and economic impact while generating venture-scale returns.

Community DevelopmentEducationHealth & Wellness

Katapult

Venture Capital

Katapult is a Norwegian impact investor that accelerates and invests in technology companies solving the world's greatest challenges. They focus on highly scalable impact tech startups, with specific investment programs including Katapult Ocean for startups with positive ocean impact and Katapult Africa for climate-tech startups addressing Africa's pressing challenges. The organization operates through a comprehensive platform approach, combining investment with accelerator programs to strengthen their support for promising impact tech startups. Since 2017, they have conducted 10 flagship accelerator programs and 3 corporate accelerators, while also establishing the Katapult Foundation in 2020 to focus on building the impact community and education around impact investment. Katapult has established significant influence in the global impact investment ecosystem, having invested in 169 companies across 47 different countries. Their platform approach enables domain experts to launch lean and efficient investment vehicles, while initiatives like Katapult Future Fest, Katapult X, and the Nordic Investment Network help build the broader impact investing community and demonstrate their commitment to scaling both profit and impact.

Clean EnergyClimate TechCommunity Development

LiftFund

CDFI

LiftFund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to expanding economic opportunity through affordable small business financing, technical assistance, and entrepreneurial support. Since 1994, LiftFund has helped underserved entrepreneurs access capital and business resources that traditional financial institutions often overlook. The organization provides loans, grants, business coaching, capital readiness programs, and community partnerships that help entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow businesses while creating jobs and strengthening local economies.

Community DevelopmentImpact Finance

Moonshot Platform

Accelerator, Grantmaker

Moonshot Platform is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership accelerator and global community supporting young changemakers closest to the world’s most urgent challenges. Through its two-year Moonshot Journey, the organization provides grants, mentorship, scholarships, capacity building, peer community, and access to global networks that help emerging leaders scale social and environmental impact. Founded by Yemi A.D., Moonshot Platform supports young innovators building projects, nonprofits, startups, and community initiatives across climate, education, health, economic opportunity, technology, and social justice. Its programs include the Moonshot Awards, Moonshot Camp, Moonshot Summit, Impact Labs, and mentor pathways.

AI & TechnologyArts, Culture & MediaClimate Tech

NextLadder Ventures

Impact Fund, Venture Capital, Grantmaker

NextLadder Ventures is a time-bound initiative investing in transformative navigation technology (NavTech) so more Americans can reclaim their path to progress. Backed by Ballmer Group, Gates Foundation, John Overdeck, Stand Together, and Valhalla Foundation, NextLadder blends philanthropic and market capital to expand access to people-centered, tech-enabled solutions that help families overcome barriers to economic mobility. Over the next 15 years, the venture aims to empower millions of Americans to reach their potential by 2040.

AI & TechnologyCommunity DevelopmentEducation

Praxis

Accelerator, Fellowship, Venture Capital, Incubator

Praxis is a global venture-building ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, and culture makers motivated by faith to address major social and cultural challenges. Through accelerators, fellowships, mentorship, and community-building programs, Praxis helps founders build “redemptive ventures” focused on renewal, restoration, and long-term societal impact. The organization supports both for-profit and nonprofit ventures across sectors including education, healthcare, technology, community development, social innovation, and ethical entrepreneurship.

AI & TechnologyCommunity DevelopmentSocial Enterprise

Rockefeller Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the world’s largest and most influential philanthropic organizations, focused on advancing human well-being through large-scale investments in energy access, food systems, health, economic opportunity, climate resilience, and emerging technologies. Founded in 1913, the foundation partners with governments, nonprofits, corporations, and local communities to tackle systemic global challenges through innovative finance, data, and technology-driven solutions. The foundation is known for making ambitious “big bets” aimed at improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in underserved and economically vulnerable communities.

AI & TechnologyClean EnergyClimate Tech

SEED SPOT

Accelerator

SEED SPOT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates, accelerates, and invests in diverse entrepreneurs who are creating solutions to social problems. They focus on supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs through comprehensive programs including accelerators, mentorship, and capital access across key areas like health and wellness, environmental sustainability, equality and economic opportunity, civic engagement, and education. The organization operates with a mission to make entrepreneurship accessible to all by surrounding entrepreneurs with resources, mentors, business fundamentals, community partners, and capital sources. Their unique approach centers entrepreneurs' needs and lived experiences, with particular emphasis on serving those underserved by traditional systems and programs. They offer multiple specialized programs including Impact Accelerator, Retail Brand Accelerator, Mental & Behavioral Health Impact Accelerator, and Youth Entrepreneurship initiatives. SEED SPOT has demonstrated significant impact in the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, having served over 3,000 entrepreneurs and facilitated $122 million in capital raised. Their work has created over 5,300 jobs and generated $306 million in revenue, with 76% of their supported entrepreneurs being traditionally underrepresented and 56% being women founders. The organization addresses 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, making them a crucial player in scaling social impact ventures globally.

Community DevelopmentSocial Enterprise

Smart Family Fund

Grantmaker

The Smart Family Fund is a family-led philanthropic fund focused on supporting early-stage nonprofits and social entrepreneurs tackling meaningful social challenges. The fund provides first-time grants, mentorship, and strategic guidance to organizations that show strong potential for scalable impact but may not yet have the traction or data required to secure larger institutional funding. By acting as an early believer in emerging nonprofit leaders, the Smart Family Fund helps organizations validate programs, strengthen operations, and prepare for long-term growth and larger philanthropic partnerships.

Community DevelopmentEducationSocial Enterprise

Techstars

Accelerator

Techstars is the original mentorship-driven accelerator that operates a global network of 3-month accelerator programs focused on early-stage startups across various tech verticals. They invest in startups led by founders building solutions for the future, providing capital investment, intensive mentorship, and access to their worldwide network of over 1,100 mentors. Techstars operates under a "Give First" philosophy, helping entrepreneurs without expecting immediate returns by combining capital, mentorship, partnerships, and community-building initiatives. Their accelerator model features small class sizes and focuses on helping founders find product-market fit, gain traction, and access ongoing capital and mentorship throughout the program and beyond. Since 2006, Techstars has established itself as a major force in the startup ecosystem, having helped launch thousands of companies including dozens of unicorns like Chainalysis, Zipline, and DataRobot. Their impact extends across more than 150 countries, with 125 of their portfolio companies achieving market caps greater than $100 million, demonstrating their significant influence in scaling startups into world-changing businesses.

Community Development

Village Capital

Impact Fund

Village Capital is an impact investment organization that unlocks social and financial capital for startups solving the world's biggest problems. They focus on three key thematic areas: Climate Innovation & Adaptation, Economic Mobility, and Equitable Access to Essential Services, supporting entrepreneurs through accelerator programs and comprehensive resources. Their mission centers on creating real impact by ensuring that startups and ecosystems grow together symbiotically. Village Capital operates by partnering with locally-led Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) to co-deliver programs, while also equipping these partners with tools, methodologies, and curriculum to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems. Village Capital matters because they reimagine the entire entrepreneurship support system and build tools that benefit the broader community. They unlock capital through various financing structures including equity, debt, and revenue-share arrangements, connecting impact-creating startups with the appropriate type of capital for their specific needs. Their approach of working with local partners and supporting featured founders like QuinTerra and Tierra de Monte demonstrates their commitment to driving measurable environmental and social impact.

Community DevelopmentImpact FinanceSocial Enterprise

Pre-Seed Community Development Funders

17 impact funders on Causeartist invest in community development at the pre-seed stage. This archive helps founders raising pre-seed capital find aligned investors active in Community Development. Open individual profiles for check size, geography, portfolio companies, and application links.