Overview
The Start Fund releases funding within 72 hours for crises that attract little attention and no major appeal. It is one of the fastest humanitarian funding mechanisms in existence — but it is available only to members.
How much
Up to £300,000 per member agency per crisis alert, or up to £60,000 for member agencies placed on Tier 2.
How membership works
Start Network is decentralised. Organizations join through a national or regional hub, each managing its own membership of NGOs and civil society organisations in that country or region. Begin with an expression of interest to a current or prospective hub.
Eligibility requirements
- Registered non-profit with three years of clean accounts, no outstanding governance issues, not on the UNSC sanctions list
- Accountable for programme performance through robust monitoring and evaluation
- Demonstrable commitment to humanitarian principles and quality standards such as the Code of Conduct or Sphere
- Signatory to the Declaration of Intent and Collaboration Agreement
- Annual financial contribution
Practical note
The three-year clean-accounts requirement is the gate most applicants fail. If your financial records would not survive that test today, treat it as the first piece of work.
Always confirm eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the donor's own page before applying.