The Enterprises for Development, Growth, and Empowerment (EDGE) Fund will unleash business capabilities and influence commercial operations in the service of advancing development objectives.
The USAID Enterprises for Development, Growth, and Empowerment (EDGE) Fund is designed to unleash private sector impact on global development challenges. Rather than focus solely on using government dollars to leverage greater private sector investment—the scope of most traditional development finance—the EDGE Fund will realize partnerships that unleash business capabilities and influence commercial operations in the service of advancing development objectives. In the past, such partnerships have increased the representation of women in corporate supply chains, helped distribute vital medicines to remote communities, and spurred the provision of crucial agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers. These partnerships all benefitted, not solely from private capital, but from private expertise—from a company’s strategic edge in a given domain. In the current (2023-2024) funding window, the EDGE Fund is providing $50 million to entrepreneurial USAID missions and technical offices worldwide for partnerships with the private sector that drive more inclusivity, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Which partnership activities are eligible for support?
- The EDGE Fund will support the execution of private sector engagement activities that otherwise would not occur due to budgetary and operational factors within USAID that constrain collaboration with the private sector.
- The EDGE Fund will support concepts and partnership opportunities that advance and leverage core business interests and capabilities that address development challenges and needs.
How can private sector entities become EDGE Fund partners?
The application window to the 2024 EDGE Fund has CLOSED. Expressions of Interest submitted which were incorporated into applications from a USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office are currently under review. Future opportunities for EDGE funding, subject to availability of funds, will be promoted here. We continue, however, to welcome your expressions of interest in collaborating with USAID through use of this EDGE Fund inquiry form. In addition, Prospective USAID partners are also invited to reach out to USAID technical counterparts to explore partnership opportunities outside of EDGE Fund via the corporate partnering portal.
Is there a co-investment requirement?
Yes, potential private sector partners MUST commit resources that at least equal the level of funding being requested from the Fund. The ratio of private sector resources to USAID resources should be at least 1:1. All resources should be critical to driving the desired results of the collaboration. Examples of resources can be financial investments, in-kind contributions, full time equivalent staff or combinations of such resources. The contributions cannot be resources that the private sector would have contributed or expended regardless of the proposed collaboration with USAID, but should instead be resources that are specifically identified and mobilized as a consequence of developing the new or expanded activity with USAID. A consortium of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises may form to jointly demonstrate the co-investment commitment.
Which private sector entities are eligible to collaborate on a funding request?
- For-profit, commercial entities and their affiliated foundations;
- Financial institutions, investors, and intermediaries;
- Business associations and cooperatives;
- Micro, small, medium and large enterprises that operate in the formal and informal sectors; and
- American, local, regional, and multinational businesses.
For organizations not listed above that are interested in seeking other types of funding from USAID, please visit https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us.
Additional partnership opportunities
There are many opportunities for businesses to collaborate with USAID across all sectors and areas where we work. Private sector entities interested in sharing initial ideas for collaboration with USAID are encouraged to connect with appropriate USAID staff to discuss partnership opportunities. You can learn more about USAID priorities across our global Missions and technical Offices and Bureaus, and visit WorkwithUSAID.gov to explore collaboration opportunities and find relevant contacts across the Agency.