Saturday is international & global development day on The Grant Brief.

Both of these funders open annual windows in midsummer, and both can fund international work. But they operate at very different scales and serve very different corners of the sector.

What we know: Over 169 grants totaling $4.1M since 2023, with a median of $20,000. The foundation made 51 international grants across 7 countries, with India receiving 28 grants ($588K), followed by Mexico and South Africa. Top U.S. concentration is Virginia (44% of domestic grants), with Florida, Maryland, and California following. Human services is the dominant sector, with arts/culture, housing, and international work rounding out the mix. Top recipients include Wolf Trap Foundation ($315K over 4 grants), Arlington Academy of Hope ($285K), and Friends of Thai Daughters ($201K).

Realistic fit: Smaller, founder-led 501(c)(3)s with budgets between $300K and $3M doing direct service work for disadvantaged populations. Non-sectarian only; at least 90% of grant funds must reach beneficiaries.

What we know: Ploughshares made 113 grants totaling $8.3M since 2023, with a median of $74,000. That median sits well above the listed $50,000 cap because the program also makes larger core support grants through the same pipeline. All 113 grants went to U.S.-based organizations; 55% landed in Washington, D.C. alone. The program advertises global scope, but our 990 data shows zero direct foreign grants, meaning international work likely flows through U.S.-domiciled partners. Top recipients: Global Zero Action ($714K), Union of Concerned Scientists ($365K), and Middlebury ($340K).

Realistic fit: D.C.-based or nationally operating policy, advocacy, or research organizations already working on nuclear risk, arms control, or diplomacy. This is a tight thematic niche with a small, established grantee pool.

If your organization doesn't work on nuclear security or direct poverty-alleviation services for disadvantaged populations, neither of these is the right fit. Gupta is the more accessible of the two, especially for smaller global development nonprofits.

Closing soon (separate from this week's theme):

Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, WANTO grants. Closes in 9 days (July 6). Expands apprenticeship pathways for women in nontraditional occupations.

dol.gov/agencies/wb