Humanitarian Aid Program
Showcasing how the aviation community can join together to aid those in need.
The ISTAT Foundation Humanitarian Aid Program provides grant funding for humanitarian organizations across the globe that use the power of aviation to help save lives, promote human welfare and alleviate suffering.
Apply
The Humanitarian Commitee is accepting applications for 2021. Please review the below criteria and considerations prior to submitting an application.
Who qualifies for an ISTAT Foundation Humanitarian Grant?
Organizations registered as a charitable, nongovernmental entity focusing on aviation-related humanitarian prevention, relief and/or recovery efforts for:
- Natural disasters (drought, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc.);
- Human-generated disasters (conflict, social, industrial/transport accidents, etc.); or
- Health-related crises.
Other Considerations:
- This year, the Humanitarian Committee will prioritize aviation-related programs or projects (1) with a geographic focus in developing or under-resourced regions, (2) with innovations in Environmental Impact (ESG), or (3) in areas of urban mobility such as the “last-mile” provision in disaster relief.
- Organizations can only submit one application per year. Prior year recipients are able to apply in subsequent years.
- Umbrella organizations can only apply for a humanitarian aid grant if the proposed program or project is implemented by the umbrella organization itself.
- We do not fund capital infrastructure, for-profit projects, religious or political activities.
- As a point of reference, in 2020, the average humanitarian grant was valued at US$7,800.
- Application materials must be submitted in English.
The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, 1 September 2021. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application no later than Wednesday, 20 October 2021.
Apply Here
For more information on the ISTAT Foundation Humanitarian Aid Program, please contact ISTAT Foundation Headquarters.
Email: grants@istat.org
Airlink
Airlink, a rapid-response humanitarian relief organization that links airlines with pre-qualified nonprofits, was founded in 2010 by the ISTAT Foundation after responding to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed over $1.6 million in support of their initiatives.
Today, Airlink has transported more than 5,000 passengers and more than 3,000,000 pounds of cargo in support of a broad range of humanitarian initiatives. To learn more about Airlink and how you can support their mission, please visit airlinkflight.org.
Congratulations to the 2020 ISTAT Foundation Humanitarian Aid Grant Recipients
In 2020, the ISTAT Foundation granted US$125,000 to 16 organizations across the globe to support initiatives such as the air transport of patients and/or medical PPE supplies as a direct response to the pandemic or other health-related crises, cargo shipments of aid to support the relief efforts after the explosion in Beirut, and urgent flights transporting medical supplies and health education specialists to a remote base in Mozambique.
In addition, $115,000 was granted to Airlink in support of their humanitarian relief initiatives.
The ISTAT Foundation also provided direct COVID-19 relief with US$500,000 in substantial grant funding to 12 organizations worldwide. Learn more about the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 relief grants here.
- Aerobility - UK
- Angel Fight New England - USA
- Aviation Without Borders - USA
- Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust - UK
- Flying Angels Foundation Onlus - Italy
- Flying for Life - South Africa
- Irish Community Rapid Response - Ireland
- London Air Ambulance Limited - UK
- Lucy Air Ambulance - UK
- Mercy Air - USA
- Mission Aviation Fellowship - UK
- North Country Life Flight - US
- Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue - Australia
- Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria - Australia
- Wings of Hope - USA
Humanitarian Aid Committee
The 2021 Humanitarian Aid Committee is comprised of Richard Wall – Chair, Julian Balaam, Todd Freeman, Sylvain Gloux, Michael Halaby, Sandra Higgins, Mary Ellen Jones, Erin McGarry, James McCarthy, Christine Rovelli, Rod Sheridan and David Swan.