U.S. Embassy in Chad

Call for Proposals: Julia Taft Refugee Fund for FY 2022

Date Open: February 1^st, 2022
Date Closed: February 12, 2022
Minimum Award Amount: $5,000
Maximum Award Amount: $25,000

Background and funding opportunity description

U.S. Embassy N’Djamena, in collaboration with the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), is pleased to solicit proposals via the Julia Taft Refugee Fund that address low-cost gaps in refugee protection and assistance in Chad.

PRM first announced this initiative in October 2000, under the leadership of former PRM A/S Julia Taft, (named for her posthumously), with the intent of providing Ambassadors the means to respond to gaps that larger multilateral refugee programs have not addressed.

Eligibility criteria and funding guidelines for the Taft Refugee Fund

• PRM’s Julia Taft Refugee Fund is intended to meet gaps in refugee assistance by issuing grants to local NGOs for quick impact projects of up to $25,000 that are not addressed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), other international organizations (IOs), or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving U.S. government funding.
• The Julia Taft Refugee Fund is intended for projects that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50 percent refugees or returnees.
  • Exceptions can be made in some regions with “populations of concern” to PRM, such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable migrants, and stateless persons.
• Applicants must be a registered organization (e.g.: NGO, community-based organization; faith-based organization).  Local NGOs will be given priority over international NGOs.
• The fund is not meant as an emergency fund.

Review and Selection Process

A selection committee at the U. S. Embassy N’Djamena will review all applications received under this announcement based on the following criteria:

• Organizational capacity of the organization– the organization has experience in implementing activities related to vulnerable groups and 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, the U.S. Embassy will notify the successful applicants as well as the 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.

Application package

To be considered for this funding opportunity, please submit your applications to U.S. Embassy N’Djamena by email to NdjamenaGrants@state.gov by February 12, 2022.  All organizations are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.  Please contact NdjamenaGrants@state.gov should you need any additional information.

All applications should be in English.  However, applicants can provide an additional copy in French.

Applications that do not include ALL of the components below will be rejected automatically:

1. Proposal (see “Proposal Format” below)
2. Detailed project timeline/calendar
3. Detailed budget
4. CV/Resume of Project Manager and other key project personnel
5. At least one reference/recommendation letter from other donors or stakeholders
6. Proof of national registration of the organization
7. Copy of bank statement or other proof of existing bank account
8. 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)
9. Completed and signed federal forms: SF424, SF424A and SF424B (these can be provided upon request)
10. DUNS Number

Type of activities that can be funded under this program

The Julia Taft Refugee Fund has financed various activities.  Successful applicants demonstrate a strong tie to local community context and build on the competencies of the proposing organization.

Activities may include:

• Improve mental health of the refugee community.
• Build a playground for refugee children.
• Start an income generating cooperative for returnees.
• Support livelihoods training and sports programs.
• Support a transit center for unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum seekers.
• Provide a shelter for women and girls who are survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
• Support a vocational training program for refugees.
• 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.
• Provide legal assistance to refugee-operated businesses.

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 fairly 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 time frames 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. This is essential to determining project impact.

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 in FCFA associated with the implementation of grant activities, with the equivalent in USD as well using an exchange rate of 530 FCFA to 1 USD. 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
• Résumé of Key Personnel
• Copy of Proof of Registration
• Other attachments as deemed relevant by the applicant