By the NGOs.ke Editorial Team. Updated 5 November 2026.
The LEAP Fund 2026 is a US$1.5 million round of grants, US$100,000 to US$150,000 each, open to non-profit organisations registered in Kenya, among six other countries. The deadline is 6 November 2026 at 4:59pm West Africa Time, which is 6:59pm in Nairobi. The fund is run by the Drive Electric Campaign, and the grants fund local coalitions that push for electric mobility policy. With roughly a day left, here is who can apply, what it pays for, and what to check before you submit.
What is the LEAP Fund?
LEAP stands for Leapfrogging to E-Mobility Acceleration Partnership. The Drive Electric Campaign describes this as the fourth round of the fund. The call, titled “Strengthening Local Coalitions to Accelerate the E-Mobility Transition in Africa and Southeast Asia”, is a request for proposals (RFP) for projects over an 18-month period.
The money is for advocacy and coalition-building rather than buying vehicles. That matters for Kenyan civil society: you do not need a fleet or a charging network to qualify.
Key facts at a glance
- Total funding: US$1.5 million
- Grant size: US$100,000 to US$150,000
- Number of grants: 10 to 12 organisations
- Project length: 18 months
- Eligible countries: Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia and Nigeria
- Deadline: 6 November 2026, 4:59pm West Africa Time (UTC+1)
Who can apply from Kenya?
According to the funder’s page, an applicant must meet three conditions:
- It is a non-profit or charitable organisation legally registered in an eligible country, Kenya included.
- It is able to receive grant funding from a US-based organisation.
- It has not previously received funding from the Drive Electric Campaign. Funding from other ClimateWorks programmes is accepted.
The page says extensive e-mobility expertise is not required, and it welcomes organisations from adjacent fields such as renewable energy, sustainable transport and environmental policy. A Kenyan PBO or registered non-profit working on clean air, urban transport, energy access or public health could therefore be a credible applicant. If your registration papers are not in order, see our guide to PBO annual returns in Kenya before you apply.
What can the grant pay for? The three tracks
The call is organised around three tracks, and every project must also connect to one of the fund’s key policy areas, which are listed in the full RFP guidance document rather than on the web page.
- Track 1, Institutional Readiness and Policy Design: research, technical assistance and training that lay the groundwork for e-mobility policy.
- Track 2, Mobilising Business Voices: strengthening coalitions of companies, such as fleet operators and utilities, that advocate for electric vehicles and smarter policy.
- Track 3, A People-Powered Transition: building coalitions that engage workers, drivers, health advocates, youth advocates and communities.
For most NGOs, Track 3 is the natural fit. Think boda boda and matatu worker groups, or health and clean-air advocates who can show how dirty transport affects people in Nairobi and other towns.
How do I apply with one day left?
The process has two steps, as the funder describes them. First, read the complete RFP guidance, which covers eligibility, evaluation criteria, track priorities, submission instructions and the application questions. Then submit through the “Apply now” form on the Drive Electric Campaign’s LEAP Fund page. Questions can go to leapfund@driveelectriccampaign.org.
A realistic plan for the time left: confirm your registration and bank details first, since the funder needs to be able to transfer money to you from the US. Then draft your answers offline and paste them into the form. Our concept note guide for Kenyan NGOs helps you build a tight pitch fast.
What the web page does not tell you
Several details sit only in the RFP guidance, or are not published at all, so read the document before you commit. The public page does not state the selection criteria and their weighting, the list of key policy areas, budget rules such as overhead limits, how the US$1.5 million is split across the seven countries, or notification and start dates. It also does not say whether the applicant must itself be a multi-member coalition. Do not assume. Check.
If you miss this round, keep an eye on other opportunities. Our November 2026 grant deadlines list and the guide to rolling grants with no deadline are updated as calls open.
Frequently asked questions
Is the LEAP Fund open to Kenyan NGOs?
Yes. Kenya is one of seven eligible countries, and the applicant must be a non-profit or charitable organisation legally registered there.
How much can a Kenyan organisation receive?
Grants range from US$100,000 to US$150,000 over 18 months, with 10 to 12 organisations funded across all eligible countries from a total of US$1.5 million.
What is the LEAP Fund deadline in Nairobi time?
The deadline is 4:59pm West Africa Time on 6 November 2026, which is 6:59pm East Africa Time.
Do we need electric vehicle experience?
No. The funder says extensive e-mobility expertise is not required, and organisations from related sectors are welcome.
Can an organisation that already got Drive Electric Campaign money apply?
No. Prior funding from the Drive Electric Campaign rules an applicant out, although funding from other ClimateWorks programmes does not.
Details are taken from the Drive Electric Campaign’s LEAP Fund page as of 5 November 2026. Confirm all terms in the official RFP guidance before applying.
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