U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs Offers Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Grants for Community Development

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Maseru/ 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. Ambassador’s 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.

Participants and Audiences

All applicants must be registered Non-Profit Organizations, cooperatives, orphanages, schools and health facilities that work directly with communities.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed on September 29, 2024 or less.

Cost Sharing or Matching

There is a requirement for cost sharing, matching, or cost participation (e.g. funds, material and/or labor) of 10%.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Application guidelines can be requested via email, grantsmaseru@state.gov or at the U.S. Embassy Maseru Main Gate.

The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund will accept applications from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023.

Content of Application

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

1.     Mandatory Application Forms

• Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

and

• From SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs and Form SF-424C, Budget for Construction Programs

Or

• Form SF-424A, Budget for Non-Construction Programs and From SF-424B, Assurances for Construction Programs

2. Summary 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.

3. Proposal (20 pages maximum): 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. 

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.
• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.
• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed.
• Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
• Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.
• Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.
• Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? 
• Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.
• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?
• Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

4. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

5. Attachments

• 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
• Quotations of services, equipment or supplies that award funds will cover costs for
• A copy of your organization’s 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.

Required Registrations

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:

•  
• NCAGE/CAGE code
• www.SAM.gov registration

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE number

NCAGE application: Application page here: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx 

Instructions for the NCAGE application process:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf 

Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than 31 March 2023

Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to grantsmaseru@state.gov or

or mailed to/handed in to:

           U.S. Embassy Maseru

Special Projects Office

           254 Kingsway

           P.O. Box 333

           Maseru 100, Lesotho             

H. OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. 

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy.  It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.