Power of Alumni: From Exchange to Action

The “Power of Alumni: From Exchange to Action” grant, offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to El Salvador, is a discretionary grant opportunity aimed at strengthening the impact and reach of American public diplomacy through support to alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The grant aligns with the Department of State’s objective of building enduring partnerships with foreign leaders and changemakers. Through engagement with past participants of these exchange programs in El Salvador, the initiative supports mutual interests in regional security, economic prosperity, and democratic governance. The grant’s primary aim is to empower the network of over 7,000 Salvadoran alumni who have participated in more than 15 different U.S. exchange programs. These individuals represent a wide range of sectors, including business, education, technology, public policy, and social innovation. The funding will facilitate activities and programs that leverage their leadership roles and collaborative potential. Specifically, it seeks to cultivate sustainable, alumni-led projects that align with U.S. policy goals and contribute to the long-term development of El Salvador, thereby indirectly supporting U.S. national interests. Spending under this grant must be used to implement programs that increase alumni engagement, build their professional and organizational capacity, and foster cooperation with local partners such as entrepreneurs, business leaders, and policymakers. Proposed projects should clearly identify the target audience, define specific and measurable outcomes, and demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period. Allowable expenses typically include program materials, workshop costs, outreach activities, and administrative expenses directly tied to program execution, though applicants should follow guidance provided in the full application package for precise eligibility of costs. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to nonprofit organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and are not institutions of higher education. This specific eligibility design likely targets local or regional entities operating in El Salvador that have a capacity for civic engagement but fall outside traditional U.S.-based nonprofit frameworks. No cost sharing or matching funds are required, and one award is expected to be made with a funding ceiling of $50,000 and a minimum floor of $30,000. The estimated total program funding available is $50,000. Applications opened on July 9, 2025, and the closing date is September 7, 2025. Applicants must submit their proposals via Grants.gov. There are no preliminary application deadlines such as letters of intent, and no tips, FAQs, or application questions have been provided in the source documentation. Contact for the opportunity is the Public Diplomacy office at the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, although no specific name, email, or phone number is listed in the notice. The opportunity does not explicitly state whether it is recurring. Based on typical U.S. public diplomacy programming and the nature of alumni engagement initiatives, recurrence is possible, but not confirmed in the grant documentation. The opportunity is currently open and actively accepting applications, and interested applicants should prepare to meet the stated deadline of September 7, 2025.