Funding Opportunity: Julia Taft Refugee Fund for FY 2020
Date Open: December 11, 2019
Date Closed: February 10, 2020
CFDA: 19.517 – Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa
Funding Instrument: Grant
Minimum Award Amount: $5,000
Ceiling Award Amount: $25,000
Background and funding opportunity description
U.S. Embassy Bamako in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is pleased to welcome proposals via the Julia Taft Refugee Fund from potential partners working to assist refugees in Mali. This support is meant to meet low-cost gaps in refugee protection and assistance. Similarly, the intent of this initiative is to provide U.S. Ambassadors with the means to respond to critical gaps that have not been addressed in larger multilateral refugee programs.
Eligibility criteria and funding guidelines for the Taft Refugee Fund
- The funds are meant to support projects that assist refugees or refugee returnees.
- Requests to provide funding to populations other than refugees/returnees are discouraged, but exceptions can be made in some regions with “populations of concern” to PRM, such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable migrants, and stateless persons.
- Consideration for support is also given to projects that benefit both populations of concern and their host communities.
- The fund is not meant as an emergency fund.
- Applicants must be a registered organization (e.g.: NGO, community-based organization, faith-based organization).
- Local NGOs will be given priority.
Application package
Applications that do not include ALL of the components below will automatically be rejected.
- Proposal (there is no specific form for the application, but each application has to include the information and documents listed in the annex)
- Detailed project timeline/calendar
- Detailed budget
- CV/Resume of project manager and other key project personnel
- At least one reference/recommendation letter from other donors or stakeholders
- Proof of national registration of the organization
- Copy of bank statement or other proof of existing bank account of the organization
- A copy of the Signed Code of Conduct of the organization that is consistent with the six core principles from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee recommendations (these can be provided upon request)
- Completed and signed federal forms: SF424, SF424A and SF424B (these can be provided upon request)
- DUNS Number (to be obtained here: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform). In case there are difficulties with the registration, please provide an explanation letter with the application.
All applications should be in English. However, applicants may provide an additional copy in French if desired.
Review and Selection Process
A selection committee at U.S. Embassy Bamako, Mali, will review all applications received under this announcement based on the following criteria:
- Capacity of the organization – the organization has experience in implementing activities related to vulnerable groups, is focused on economic and social development, and demonstrates the ability to implement the activities proposed;
- Sustainability Plan – the proposal demonstrates a clear sustainability plan beyond the life of the award;
- Cost Application – the proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results;
- Monitoring and Evaluation – the applicant should provide a clear monitoring and evaluation plan that includes specific, measurable, and achievable indicators.
Once the review process is completed, U.S. Embassy Bamako will notify successful applicants as well as unsuccessful applicants. Prospective grantees will receive further instructions along with the notification of successful proposal. Once awarded, each grantee will be responsible for the program and financial reporting as specified in the award agreement.
Below are just a few examples of activities that can be funded under this program (Please make sure that there is a strong tie to the local context building on the competencies / capacity of the proposing organization):
- Improve the mental health of the refugee community.
- Build a playground for refugee children.
- Start an income-generating cooperative for returnees.
- Support an education program for refugees.
- Develop a youth program for refugees.
- Support livelihoods training and sports programs.
- Support a transit center for unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum seekers.
- Support early childhood education, health, and nutrition activities.
- Support water, sanitation, health, and livelihoods.
- Provide protection for vulnerable refugees.
- Provide a shelter for women and girls refugees who are survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
- Support a vocational training program for refugees.
- Support returnees with manufacturing of soap or other income-generating activities.
- Train refugees in gardening and running small businesses.
- Support an income-generating project and provide health care to disabled residents.
- Support an urban refugee training and girls’ empowerment project.
- Train mothers of youth, who participate in non-formal out-of-school programs, on furniture re-upholstery and also provide the women with basic hygiene awareness.
- Provide agricultural support to returnee families.
- Any other activities that support refugees or returnees.
In order to be considered for this funding opportunity, please submit your applications by email to BamakoEcon@state.gov or in hard copy by sending them to U.S. Embassy Bamako (ATTN: Pol/Econ Section) by February 10, 2020. All applications should have Julia Taft Refugee Fund for FY 2020 in the subject line. All applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the February 10 deadline.
Please contact BamakoEcon@state.gov should you need any additional information.
ANNEX
Proposal Format
Problem statement
Give a brief description of the primary problem that your application wishes to address.
Objectives
The objectives should correspond directly to the problem stated in your Problem Statement and should be concise. Objectives should be specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic and time-bound (SMART).
Strategy
Provide a broad statement of your approach to solving the problem.
Activities
Describe the major activities that will be carried out to reach the grant objectives.
Sustainability Plan
Provide a brief outline stating how the organization proposes to sustain its activities beyond the completion and end of the grant.
Implementation Plan
Provide concise timeframes and sequencing for the implementation of each activity.
Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
Provide indicators and target number of beneficiaries you plan to achieve. Describe how outputs and outcomes will be measured.
Institutional Capacity Statement
Describe your organization’s capabilities and qualifications for implementing the grant. Present evidence to prove how and why your organization is likely to succeed in implementing the grant.
Detailed Budget
The cost/budget application should be provided as a separate document. This should detail all direct costs associated with the implementation of grant activities with the equivalent in USD as well. Please provide a description of the costs included in the budget and how each expenditure or procurement contributes to project results.
Please provide if available:
– Organizational Chart
– CV/Résumé of Key Personnel
– Copy of Proof of Registration
– Other attachments as deemed relevant
