Deadline Date: July 13, 2026
The DBS Foundation Grant is designed to support innovative, purpose-driven businesses that are working to improve the lives of vulnerable communities by strengthening social and financial resilience across key markets in Asia.
The focus areas of this grant include providing access to essential needs such as food and nutrition, basic education, healthcare and mental health support, as well as fostering financial inclusion through improved financial and digital literacy, upskilling opportunities, and enhanced employability pathways. The programme also prioritises solutions that enable people at all life stages to age with dignity, purpose, and joy, reflecting a broader commitment to long-term human development and inclusion.
The grant targets businesses with scalable and financially sustainable impact models that demonstrate innovation and measurable social outcomes. Applicants are expected to have at least a two-year track record of delivering and evaluating social impact, along with a clear and focused plan for using grant funding to expand operations and deepen impact over the next two years. Strong leadership with a clear mission-driven commitment is also a key requirement, ensuring that impact remains central to business growth.
Eligible businesses must be formally registered and operating in one of five markets: Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, or Taiwan. The programme is not open to not-for-profit organisations, charities, cooperatives, religious organisations, election campaigns, general fundraising initiatives, or sponsorship-based entities, ensuring that support is directed specifically toward scalable business models with measurable impact potential.
The grant funding is intended to catalyse growth and cannot be used for past expenses or previously funded activities. Instead, it is designed for future-focused investments such as entering new markets, research and development of new products, improving services, and building infrastructure to support expansion. All funding must be clearly justified with a structured plan demonstrating how it will contribute to scaling both business operations and social impact.
Beyond financial support, the DBS Foundation Grant provides a wider ecosystem of non-financial benefits. These include mentorship, networking opportunities, capacity-building programmes, exposure through DBS platforms, and access to potential partners and collaborators across Asia. Selected businesses also gain recognition as purpose-driven organisations, helping to enhance credibility and visibility within the impact ecosystem.
Overall, the grant aims to empower businesses that combine commercial sustainability with meaningful social change, enabling them to expand their reach, strengthen their operations, and contribute to more inclusive and resilient communities across the region.
For more information, visit DBS Foundation.
