Articles / Funding

Funding for people with disabilities

Grants, loans, incentives and competitions from government, development financiers, foundations and corporates. Amounts and eligibility as published by the funder; every card links to the funder's own application page. 34 programmes listed.

  • Grant Popular

    SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme (2026 intake open)

    SAB Foundation

    Grant funding plus two years of mentoring and business support

    A two-year enterprise development programme with grant funding, mentorship and skills, for small businesses that create jobs. Applications for the 2026 cohort are open.

    Small businessesWomen-ownedYouth (18–35)Rolling applications
  • Competition / award

    SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards

    SAB Foundation

    Prizes up to R1.3 million, plus development funding for finalists

    Annual awards with cash prizes for innovations that solve social problems and for businesses that empower people with disabilities.

    NGOs & social enterprisesStart-upsPeople with disabilitiesRolling applications

Grants are rare, loans are not

Most "government funding" is a loan or a cost-sharing incentive. True grants (NYDA, BBSDP, TIA seed, foundations) are competitive and paid to suppliers, not to you.

Get the paperwork first

CIPC registration, a SARS tax compliance pin, a business bank account, six months of statements and three quotations per item. Incomplete packs are the main reason for rejection.

Never pay to apply

No funder on this page charges an application fee. Anyone asking for a "processing fee" for NYDA, SEDFA or dtic money is a scam. Read our 2026 funding guide.