Federal Community Development Grants

This competition provides over $4.2 million in cash prizes and resources to U.S.-based individuals and teams developing innovative solar energy technologies, with a focus on supporting solutions that benefit underserved communities.

This notice is subject to availability of funding. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FULL NOFO FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Gaborone Bureau of African Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that are community-initiated and involving schools, clinics, co-operatives, associations, training, or community improvement projects. Please follow all instructions below. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The U.S. Ambassadors Special Self-Help (SSH) program is a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects. This Self-Help fund provides small, short-term grants (one year) to community groups that are working to improve the basic economic and social conditions of their villages or communities. This notice is subject to availability of funding. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FULL NOFO FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Gaborone Bureau of African Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that are community-initiated and involving schools, clinics, co-operatives, associations, training, or community improvement projects. Please follow all instructions below. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The U.S. Ambassadors Special Self-Help (SSH) program is a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects. This Self-Help fund provides small, short-term grants (one year) to community groups that are working to improve the basic economic and social conditions of their villages or communities. Special consideration will be given to projects which: Support high impact, quick implementation activities that benefit a large number of people within one year without requiring further SSH assistance Are within the ability of the local community to operate and maintain Are not in any way initiating, continuing, or supplementing technical assistance programs Are a direct response to the initiative and aspirations of the local community Ensure broadly accessible, reliable, and economically sustainable water and sanitation services for health, security, and prosperity (not issues directly relating to agriculture or household level) Assist special populations which may be vulnerable or at-risk on a temporary or chronic basis such as the disabled, orphans, children and at-risk youth, ethnic minorities, the elderly, female heads of households, or other socially excluded groups Provide social assistance Conditions SSH funds can be used for: Seeds and supplies for agriculture, except for fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides Water-related projects such as wells, latrines, pumps, boreholes, tanks, and fish ponds School equipment and supplies including desks, chairs, laboratory equipment and library items Communal construction equipment such as brick-making machines Miscellaneous durable goods, e.g. a stove or refrigerator for a school or hospital, or a washing machine for a clinic Small construction projects, e.g. construction of classrooms, community centers, etc. Funding Restrictions Remodeling or renovating an existing facility that is in disrepair as a result of neglect or lack of money Activities with unmitigated and negative environmental consequences (such as dams or roads through forest lands) Purely religious or church projects. However, those that genuinely assist the whole community, without regard to religious affiliation, may be funded Military activities (including those relating to police, prisons or other law enforcement activities) Purchase of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides Sports equipment or uniforms for a national sports team Musical instruments or uniforms for a national orchestra or dance company Student bursaries Salaries for existing positions Ongoing needs for education/training Vehicles or tractors Office supplies such as pencils, paper, forms and folders Office equipment such as computers, fax machines, or photocopiers Private businesses Cost Sharing or Matching Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO. There is a requirement for cost sharing, matching, or cost participation (e.g. funds, material and/or labor) of 10%. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Application guidelines can be requested via email, [email protected] or at the U.S. Embassy Botswana Main Gate. The U.S. Ambassadors Special Self-Help Fund will accept applications from March 05, 2024 until May 17, 2024. Any application that is received after the deadline, is incomplete, or is missing required documentation will be rejected. Please Note: The Special Projects Office retains the right to ask for additional documents not included in this NOFO. Additional information that successful applicants must submit after notification of intent to make a Federal Award, but prior to issuance of a Federal award, may include: Pre-award site visit; Written responses and any revised application documents addressing any conditions or recommendations from the review panel; Bank account information; and Other requested information or documents discussed during negotiations prior to issuance of a Federal award. Content and Form of Application Submission For all application documents, please ensure: All documents are in English and all costs are in U.S. Dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided (please note the U.S. Department of State, as indicated in 2 CFR 200.111, requires that English is the official language of all award documents). If any document is provided in both English and a foreign language, the English language version is the controlling version; Please ensure: The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity All documents are in English All budgets are in U.S. dollars All pages are numbered Complete applications must include the following: Cover Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. Table of Contents Proposal Narrative* (not to exceed ten pages). The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. The Proposal Narrative must include the following: Introduction to the Organization: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all relevant or similar type projects from previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. Government agencies. Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Program Goal: The goal(s) describe the larger outcome intended Program Objectives: The intermediate accomplishments and measurable targets to achieve a goal. Objectives of the program should be SMART: Specific: Detailed and specifies what will be achieved Measurable: have associated metrics or measurements of success Attainable: appropriately challenging, objectives can be reasonably attained give the available resources Relevant: align with the policy/program goal and appropriate within the country or beneficiary audience Time-Bound: achievable within the timeframe of the program Program Activities: Describe specific actions taken under each Objective. All activities should be clearly developed and sufficiently explain the resource and time requirements (inputs) and things done or produced (outputs). Activities should detail: target areas, participant groups or selection criteria for participants; how relevant stakeholders will be engaged; and actions taken by local partners as appropriate/relevant. Program Management Plan: Describe the proposed management structure for this project. Include a description of the responsibilities of all principal organizations and staff involved, reporting relationships, authority, and lines of communication within and between each of these organizations. Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees, if applicable. Future Funding or Sustainability Applicants plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. Include ways program activities will ensure sustainability. Risk Analysis* - identify the internal and external risks associated with the proposed project, rate the likelihood of the risks, rate the potential impact of the risks on the project, and identify actions that could help mitigate the risks. Performance Monitoring Evaluation Narrative and Plan Program Monitoring Evaluation Narrative and Plan: Details how a projects performance monitoring and evaluation system will be carried out and by whom. It explains how the projects performance toward its objectives will be tracked over time. It should provide a clear description of the approach and data collection strategies and tools to be employed (e.g., pre- and post-test surveys, interviews, focus groups). The description should also include how the applicant will track and document whether activities occurred (outputs) and the results or changes caused by these activities (outcomes). If the project includes work with local partners or sub-partners, explain how performance monitoring and evaluation efforts will be coordinated amongst these organizations. Explain if an external evaluation will be included. Evaluations, internal or external, should be systematic studies that use research methods to address specific questions about project performance. They should provide a valuable supplement to ongoing monitoring activities. Evaluation activities generally include baseline assessments, mid-term and final evaluations. Timeline: Not to exceed one (1) page, preferably as a Word Document or Excel Sheet. The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities and monitoring and evaluation efforts outlined in either in a monthly or quarterly format. Detailed Budget: Amount of funding request; costs must be in U.S dollar and estimated in Pula using exchange rate of $1 and not exceeding $10,000. Budget Justification Narrative: Describe each of the budget expenses in detail. Attachments Detailed Budget Budget Narrative CV or Resume of Key Personnel Quotations of services, equipment or supplies that award funds will cover costs for A copy of your organizations constitution. A list of committee/board members with their names and addresses. A map showing how to get to your project from a major road. A copy of project bank account details including the name of the bank, account name, account number, and type of account (savings or checking). Proof that the project has its own land (in the name of the project) or permission to occupy the land, e.g. signed lease agreement or land deed, for the site where the project will be implemented. Applications that do not include the elements listed above will be deemed technically ineligible. To ensure that all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the Merit Review Panel will review from the first page of each section up to the page limit and no further. All prime organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with SAM.gov before submitting an application. U.S. Embassy Maseru may not review applications from or make awards to applicants that have not completed all applicable UEI and SAM.gov requirements. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications. Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible. Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

This opportunity seeks innovative organizations to develop and demonstrate prototype solutions that enhance hypersonic technologies for national defense applications.

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations to collect and analyze data on state and federal prison populations, focusing on admissions, releases, and demographic trends, while also addressing opioid use disorder screening and treatment in prisons.

This funding opportunity supports creative projects that promote engagement, education, and collaboration between the United States and the communities of Mauritius and Seychelles.

This funding opportunity supports alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Equatorial Guinea to implement community projects that address global challenges, focusing on areas like sustainable tourism, agriculture, and biodiversity.

The United States Department of States Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to address systemic barriers and socio-cultural attitudes that challenge gender equity and equality in the Caribbean economy, to build the economic resilience and skills capacity of women and adolescent girls aged 16 and older to enable them to enter the labor force and obtain economic security. The project should start in October 2024, exact start dates to be determined. It is anticipated that the award will be executed through a cooperative agreement. This project will be administered by WHAs Office of Policy Planning and Coordination (PPC). Subject to availability of funds, WHA intends to issue one award to not exceed $1,973,359 in FY 2023 Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Economic Support Funds (ESF) for a project period up to three (3) years. WHAs Caribbean United for Womens Economic Empowerment (CUWEE) project seeks proposals that demonstrate how the potential grantee will strengthen local civil society support actors engaged in advancing womens economic security in the region to help provide economic gender equity and equality in the Caribbean region. The project should include plans to first identify problematic country-specific and/or regional systemic barriers and socio-cultural attitudes, and then work with local civil society organizations (CSO)s to address those barriers. The CUWEE project intends to support a competition that will promote local CSOs to develop and implement pioneering solutions to overcome the local systemic barriers to economic security for women in their country/region. Additionally, the project should provide a training curriculum that builds the capacity of and strengthens the regional Caribbean network of local CSOs engaged in womens economic security.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Utah to improve broadband access and infrastructure, ensuring more residents can connect to high-speed internet.

This grant provides funding to civil society organizations and non-governmental groups in Uganda to strengthen media, promote civic education, and engage youth in governance processes.

This program provides funding to state, territorial, and tribal governments to establish and improve cemeteries exclusively for veterans and their eligible family members, ensuring they have access to dignified burial options.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public and nonprofit organizations for creating permanent supportive housing projects that assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those with disabilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments for enhancing their capabilities to prevent and respond to terrorist threats and other hazards, with a focus on law enforcement and border security initiatives.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to strengthen community policing practices in Uzbekistan. The Government of Uzbekistan has continued its broad reform efforts that began in earnest in 2017, including efforts to modernize the countrys security services. Despite reforms, public trust in security forces remains low, and allegations of corruption, unresponsiveness, and abuse persist. Civil society, which plays an important role in mobilizing citizenry to advocate for better community conditions, remains fragmented and generally lacks support and social capital to push for systemic change. This project will both strengthen Uzbek civil society organizations as they engage in community-based advocacy while also helping local government actors, especially the Ministry of Internal Affairs, develop protocols and procedures to be more transparent, responsive, and communicative in their relations with local communities. Goals of the project Enhance Civil Society Capacity for Community-Based Advocacy Strengthen Government Accountability and Transparency in Local Communities Foster Collaboration and Partnership Between Civil Society and Government Actors

This program provides annual matching funds to state and territorial historic preservation offices to support the preservation and recognition of historic properties across the United States.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Arizona's Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Councils of Governments for transit planning projects that improve rural and regional transit services, particularly for underserved communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations dedicated to enforcing fair housing laws by enhancing the training of fair housing test coordinators to combat housing discrimination.

This program provides funding to enhance workforce development by offering hands-on learning opportunities in emerging technology fields for individuals from diverse and historically underrepresented backgrounds.

This funding opportunity is designed to support Kyrgyz nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening commercial ties with U.S. businesses to promote economic development in the Kyrgyz Republic.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to national nonprofit organizations focused on improving recreational boating safety and reducing accidents on U.S. waterways.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for non-construction projects aimed at restoring and protecting the Gulf Coast's natural resources, promoting tourism, and enhancing local economies affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.