Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS COD SSH FY19
The Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund is a discretionary small-grants program run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Embassy Kinshasa). It is designed to provide modest, targeted support to locally rooted efforts that are already underway, with the goal of helping communities strengthen practical projects that improve everyday life. The program is aimed at community development and focuses on tangible benefits at the local level rather than large-scale or long-term institutional funding.
Funding is provided as grants, with an award ceiling of USD 13,000 per project, and the embassy anticipated making around eight awards under the referenced cycle. The main purpose is to help community-based initiatives improve living conditions and expand access to essential services, especially in areas tied to health, education, and local economic development. In practice, this often means supporting improvements that communities can carry forward themselves, such as small infrastructure upgrades, basic equipment, or activities that directly strengthen service delivery and community resilience.
A key requirement is that the fund is intended to expand or strengthen an existing community project rather than launch something entirely new. In other words, applicants are expected to demonstrate that the activity already exists in some form, that the community is invested in it, and that additional resources will help scale impact, improve quality, or reach more people. This emphasis on building on proven community efforts reflects the program's self-help approach, where local leadership and participation are central.
Eligibility is limited to registered self-help community-based organizations, along with certain educational institutions and medical facilities, as further clarified in the opportunity's eligibility notes. The opportunity falls under the community development activity category and is associated with CFDA number 19.700. The posted opportunity information indicates it was created on April 8, 2019, with an original application closing date of May 30, 2019, under the funding opportunity number "DOS COD SSH FY19."Apply for DOS COD SSH FY19
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.700.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 08, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $13,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund?
The Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund is a discretionary small-grants program run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Embassy Kinshasa). It provides modest, targeted support to locally rooted community efforts that are already underway and that deliver practical, tangible benefits at the local level.
Who administers this program?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Embassy Kinshasa).
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The main purpose is to help community-based initiatives improve everyday living conditions and expand access to essential services. The fund emphasizes practical projects that strengthen service delivery and community resilience, particularly in areas connected to health, education, and local economic development.
What types of projects does the program support?
Based on the opportunity description, the program supports community development projects with tangible, local-level benefits. Examples mentioned include small infrastructure upgrades, basic equipment, or activities that directly strengthen service delivery and help communities improve everyday life.
Does the fund support large-scale or long-term institutional funding?
No. The program is oriented toward modest, targeted community development support and focuses on tangible local benefits rather than large-scale projects or long-term institutional funding.
How much funding is available per project?
The award ceiling is USD 13,000 per project.
How many awards were expected under this cycle?
The embassy anticipated making around eight awards under the referenced cycle.
Is this funding provided as a grant or another type of assistance?
Funding is provided as grants.
Is the program intended to start new projects from scratch?
No. A key requirement is that the fund is intended to expand or strengthen an existing community project rather than launch something entirely new.
What does it mean to "expand or strengthen an existing community project"?
It means applicants are expected to show that the activity already exists in some form, that the community is invested in it, and that additional resources will help scale the impact, improve quality, or reach more people.
Why does the program emphasize existing community efforts?
The program reflects a self-help approach where local leadership and participation are central. By building on proven community efforts that are already underway, the program aims to support improvements that communities can carry forward themselves.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to registered self-help community-based organizations, along with certain educational institutions and medical facilities, as further clarified in the opportunity's eligibility notes.
What activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the community development activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.700.
What is the funding opportunity number for this cycle?
The referenced funding opportunity number is "DOS COD SSH FY19."
When was the opportunity posted?
The posted opportunity information indicates it was created on April 8, 2019.
What was the original application closing date listed for this cycle?
The original application closing date listed was May 30, 2019.
What kinds of benefits should proposed activities deliver?
The program emphasizes tangible benefits at the local level, aimed at improving everyday life. The description highlights practical improvements that strengthen access to essential services and improve living conditions within the community.
What is meant by the program being a "self-help" fund?
In this context, "self-help" refers to an approach that centers community leadership and participation, supporting projects that communities are already running and can sustain or carry forward, with the grant serving as a boost to expand or strengthen what is already in place.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development
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Previous opportunity: OJJDP FY 19 National Mentoring Resource Center
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