Dorothea Haus Ross Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that seek to ensure basic needs and human rights including sustenance, education, healthcare, and security to the most vulnerable children throughout the world. 

The Foundation's current grants programs focus on children with disabilities; those who have been trafficked or are at risk of being trafficked; and refugee or displaced children.

Funding Areas:

We focus on supporting three groups of vulnerable children with particularly critical needs and also programs that enable entrepreneurs to build sustainable economic communities for their children and families. We note the overlap and diversity of these populations and do, on occasion, support organizations whose work may be in allied or supporting areas. We aim to promote the dignity of all children and facilitate the child’s active and full participation in their community.

• Trafficked and exploited children

Program Targets:

-Prevention/Public Education Awareness

-Rescue/Safety/Care

-Education/Rehabilitation

-Inclusion/Long-Term Care Solutions

-Community-based Anti-child marriage Initiatives

• Children with disabilities

Program Targets:

-Community-based Rehabilitation

-De-institutionalization and strengthening of Family and Community-Based Care Models

-Education to Reach Full Potential

-School and Community Inclusion

-Creation of local capacity to provide assistive, mobility and prosthetic devices

• Displaced and refugee children

Program Targets:

-Safety/Housing/Reunification with Family

-Stability/Play

-Development of focused PTSD and other treatment programs

-Education/Expedited Curriculum/Vocational Training

-Family reunification for unaccompanied minors

• Sustainable Economic Communities

Program Targets:

-Model programs of village-level and entrepreneur-led economic development

-Focus on vulnerable communities and families, specifically refugees, adolescent girls, indigenous, and families with disabled children.

We regret that we are unable to respond to the volume of unsolicited applications and receive proposals by invitation only. However If, after thoroughly reading our program guidelines, reviewing the list of grants made over the past four years, and confirming that your organization is a US Government recognized 501(c)(3) organization and that your program work is in the developing world, you are invited to send a brief description of your organization, the program that you feel best fits our guidelines and a link to your website (max 1 page). 

If there is a close fit between our program and yours, we will respond with a note asking for additional information. 

We usually do not fund General Operating Support, Capital Grants, and Capacity Building grants.