Whetstone Connectivity Fund
Getting our partners online affordably, consistently, and fast enough to do the work that matters.
Impact Centre for Policy Research Executive Director Andrew Munganga with his organisation's new Starlink terminal.
The Whetstone Connectivity Fund (WCF) is a new initiative designed to address a real challenge: many of our partners struggle to access affordable, consistent, and high-speed internet.
For partner organisations, this issue adds unnecessary friction to day-to-day activities, wastes countless man-hours, and increases costs. Fundamentally, slow and unreliable internet prevents partners from doing what they do best: effectively spreading the ideas of freedom in their home countries. But with the arrival of Starlink and its rollout to over 150 countries worldwide, a high-quality, low-cost solution now exists.
WCF grants are intended to support partners to set up a Starlink terminal and cover the costs of a one-year subscription. In doing so, we hope to directly expand their capacity to do more work online more efficiently, while relieving them of what is often one of the most persistent and frustrating challenges they face.
Moreover, Starlink has demonstrated its ability to help pro-liberty activists, educators, and dissidents circumvent censorship and communications blackouts imposed by authoritarian regimes, another critical concern for many of our partners.
14
Organisations Supported
10
Countries - 9 in Africa, 1 in Asia
$1,083
Average Grant Size
Fifteen times faster
The original pilot to test this concept was with a Whetstone Freedom Fund partner. After receiving a Starlink terminal, their internet speed was 15 times faster than before. When reflecting on the impact Starlink has had on their connectivity, their CEO had this to say:
"If think tanks like mine gain access to Starlink, it would be a game changer for the liberty movement in the developing world."
Organisation for Liberty & Entrepreneurship's newly-installed Starlink on their offices in Yambio, South Sudan.
The inaugural round of grants
In March 2026, we were delighted to award the inaugural round of grants. We supported 14 organisations with connectivity grants in the first round and hope this will prove to be a game-changer for those partners for years to come. One recipient of WCF support said:
“The Starlink connectivity has enhanced our ability to conduct research, participate in virtual engagements, collaborate with regional and international partners, access knowledge resources, and improve the overall efficiency of our operations.”
Unfortunately Starlink is not yet available in some partner countries. As access to Starlink continues to expand, we will aim to raise additional funds to support our partners in those countries.
Support the Fund
If you would like to support the Whetstone Connectivity Fund or discuss its work further, please do get in touch.
Alexander Hammond, IATP
