Funding Wizard

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity is to invite proposals for funding from eligible non-profit organizations, local and state government agencies, private sector firm and institutions of higher education to provide quality training and counseling to veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs. A key component of this Funding Opportunity is for applicants to provide training to transitioning military personnel and spouses through the Boots to Business (B2B) Training Program and to veterans and military spouses through the Reboot Training Program. Additionally, applicants will provide counseling, training, technical and financial skill development, comprehensive business assessments and mentoring services to veteran, active duty, Reserve, National Guard, military spouse and family member entrepreneurs, and small business owners interested in starting, expanding and diversifying small businesses. This Funding Opportunity is subject to the availability of funding.

The U.S Embassy Kigali of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) to support their local communities. Please carefully follow all instructions.The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise two-page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision(s) are made. The embassy will not consider SOIs exceeding the two-page limit. The deadline for SOI submission is May 8, 2023, at midnight Central Africa Time.This year U.S. Embassy Kigali is seeking applications for projects which will improve basic economic and social conditions at the grassroots level. Proposed projects to be implemented in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, and Gisagara districts are particularly encouraged. Projects must support high-impact activities that benefit many people and involve local contribution in cash, labor, and/or material. A successful project must have local support and be within the ability of the local community to operate and maintain. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATIONContent and Form of Application SubmissionPlease follow all instructions in the attached Notice of Funding Opportunity and below carefully. SOIs that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.Statement of Interest (no longer than two pages in length) and should include the following:· Name, address, and point of contact of local cooperative or organization responsible for implementation and management of the project funds.· Brief description of the local organization demonstrating ability to carry out the project and manage U.S. government funds.· Problem Statement: A 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.· Project Activities: A description of the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.· Number and description of beneficiaries.· Target project location. Projects to be implemented in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, and Gisagara districts are particularly encouraged.· Project Budget (major expenditures only).Documents must be fully in English.The anticipated total budget amount must be in U.S. dollars. Submission Dates and Times:SOIs are due no later than May 8, 2023.Funding Restrictions:Award funds cannot be used for project administration or operating costs of self-help activities.

In 2021, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 847,376 complaints regarding cyberattacks and malicious cyber activity with nearly $7 billion in losses, the majority of which targeted small businesses. Small businesses are attractive targets because they have information that cybercriminals want, and they typically lack the security infrastructure of larger businesses. According to a recent SBA survey, 88% of small business owners felt their business was vulnerable to a cyber-attack. Yet many businesses can’t afford professional IT solutions, have limited time to devote to cybersecurity, or they don’t know where to begin. The Consolidated Appropriations Acts, 2022 and 2023, authorized the U.S. Small Business Administration to make grants to States, and the equivalent thereof, to carry out projects that help new small business concerns with tools to combat cybersecurity threats during their formative and most vulnerable years.

This funding opportunity is for awards of new APEX Accelerators.

Eligible organizations (as defined in Section 3.2) may apply to SBA for awards under this Funding Opportunity to fund projects to provide management and technical assistance to firms eligible to receive 7(j) assistance (as defined in Section 8.1.1). This Funding Opportunity seeks proposals that are unique and innovative in the substance of the assistance to be provided to eligible participants, and/or the methodology by which the assistance is provided. Applicants may not propose efforts which duplicate SBA’s ongoing array of management and technical assistance services, in substance and/or method of delivery. Accordingly, SBA is seeking proposal of efforts that: · Outline innovative approaches to address the current, unique challenges facing 8(a) and 7(j) eligible firms. · Provide one-on-one assistance, either in-person, virtually, or a combination, as appropriate, to SBA’s 7(j) eligible small businesses. Assistance should include one-on-one consulting in a wide range of activities and topics including but not limited to the following areas: accounting, marketing, strategic and operational planning, financial analysis, business development, contract management, compliance, and business-related software.

Thriving Communities Technical Assistance

AEIF provides alumni of U.S.-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects worldwide through a competitive international competition. This year, the AEIF call for applications in the Dominican Republic will support the United States' commitment to promoting climate resilience, sustainability, and biodiversity protection through entrepreneurship and innovation; promoting inclusion and democratic participation; connecting Dominicans with American entrepreneurship and innovation resources; and promoting citizen security. The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo will accept public service* projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni that support objectives such as: Promoting and providing access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education and innovation to youth from underserved and/or rural communities. This also includes teacher training programs on best practices for STEAM education in underserved and/or rural communities. Empowering women and youth from underserved and/or rural communities through the arts and/or entrepreneurship training programs. Countering environmental challenges, increasing resilience, and developing local capacity to address ecological challenges that include but are not limited to countering climate change; transitioning to sustainable energy sources; promoting water and food security, and best practices for agriculture; protecting biodiversity; improving recycling and municipal waste management; and decreasing pollution, sedimentation, and run-off of plastics and debris into marine and coastal areas. Addressing current health and/or citizen security challenges with innovative and sustainable community-focused solutions. Improving the participation and empowerment of youth, women, and underrepresented groups including but not limited to people with disabilities, LGBT+ communities, and migrants in the Dominican Republic. This includes training and educational programming that empower such groups and that improve the capacity of local stakeholders (communities, government actors, academia, and the private sector) to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, accountability, and protection of human rights in the Dominican Republic. *These projects must serve beneficiaries, free of charge, and the selection process used to choose beneficiaries must be transparent and receive approval from the Public Affairs Section.

The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR 644), signed into law on February 24, 2016, made the State Trade Expansion Program a permanent provision of the Small Business Act to make grants to States, and the equivalent thereof, to carry out projects that support develop exports by eligible small business concerns (ESBCs) (as defined in Section 8.1.5). The objective of STEP is to increase (1) the number of U.S. small businesses that export, (2) the dollar value of exports, and (3) the number of U.S. small businesses exploring significant new trade opportunities (as defined in 8.1.15).

Under 15 U.S.C. § 649(l), the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) authorizes SBA to make grants to States, and the equivalent thereof, to carry out projects that help develop exports by eligible small business concerns (ESBCs) (as defined in Section 8.1.5) . The objective of STEP is to increase (1) the number of U.S. small businesses that export, (2) the dollar value of exports, and (3) the number of U.S. small businesses exploring significant new trade opportunities (as defined in 8.1.15).

The U.S. Embassy Abuja announces an open competition for organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (ASSH) Small Grants Program. Please carefully follow all instructions below. The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise (two-page) statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decisions are made. Program Objectives: ASSH is a grassroots grant assistance program that provides modest grants for small scale community development activities that improve living conditions. The program is intended to be flexible and allow the Ambassador to respond directly to requests from local communities for assistance with projects that have immediate impact, and further Mission priorities. ASSH is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future. The U.S. contribution will be a set amount on a one-time basis only. PROJECT OBJECTIVES: Economic diversification and creation of opportunities Projects that generate sustainable revenue and create employment opportunities in local communities benefiting these beyond individual group members. Projects should advance economic diversification at the grassroots level and promote a culture of entrepreneurship, including women-led entrepreneurship and innovation that can be replicated locally. Projects should encourage the use of locally sourced natural resources for income generation through diversified agricultural practices. Social inclusion and services Projects that aim to improve the lives of vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the elderly and female heads of household. This includes access to basic services such as water and sanitation. Youth and child development Projects that create opportunities for youth, including employment, or enable access to and enhance early childhood and primary education. Environment and community-based natural resource management Projects that expand effective community ownership and management of natural resources, promote the conservation of natural resources, build resilience and increase the capacity to adapt to environmental changes. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: To meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration, projects must: … Help improve basic economic or social conditions on a small community scale and has a long-term value. … Have high impact, benefit a significant number of community members and have a high beneficiary to budget ratio. … Be initiated by the community, demonstrate strong community involvement and participation. … Be feasible and based on the socio-economic context of the community. … Include a community contribution of 10% or more of the total cost of the project. This may be in cash or in kind, such as volunteer time and labor, food, accommodation costs, donated land, transportation costs, equipment, and materials. … Aim to be completed within 6 – 12 months and be self-sustaining upon completion. The project plan contains pre-established long-term goals and a coherent plan to keep the project running in the future. … Identify a real need, demonstrate that benefitting community can maintain and operate the project as evidenced by implementing prior successful projects. … Show that applicant organization is financially responsible as evidenced by a bank account in its name. … Illustrate strong coordination and communication among the applicant, local leaders, and local government representatives. … Be submitted by an organized group that is motivated and a capable project manager who is a long-term resident in the community is responsible for the project. … Request U.S. contribution amount above $10,000. … Have a project budget that is clear, complete, and well defined, and includes only items permanent in nature or technical assistance necessary for the completion of project. Participants and Audiences: · The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program will only accept proposals from non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations registered on the federal or state level in Nigeria that work directly with communities. · Strong preference will be given to established, local, grassroots groups based within the communities where the projects are implemented. · Groups that have been funded through the Ambassador’s Special-Self Help program in the past are not eligible. · For-profit, commercial entities and private businesses are not eligible. · Individuals are not eligible. 1. Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. SOIs that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Content of SOI must include: · Project name and location address, including geographic coordinates, legal name, status and address of applying organization, contact name, email address and phone number · A brief project description summarizing goals, objectives, outcomes, performance indicators, description of target groups and number of direct and indirect beneficiaries, and proposed timeline. Please ensure that the proposal clearly addresses the objectives and project requirements stated in Section A of this notice. · Introduction to the applying organization including a description of past and present operations as well as information on previous grants from the U.S. government and other donors. · A clear statement of the applicant’s organizational capacity to carry out the proposed activity and manage U.S. Government funds. · Total budget amount in U.S. dollars at the official rate including a brief description of costs and community contribution. Do not include Nigerian Naira amounts. · Signature and contact information of a community leader residing in the beneficiary community. Community leaders include local municipal leaders, religious leaders, civil society leaders, or any governing body that has oversight over where the project will be implemented. One community leader can sign the statement of interest; however, multiple signatures are strongly encouraged. Please ensure: - All documents are in English - All pages are numbered - SOI does not exceed 2 pages 2. Submission Dates and Times SOIs are due no later than April 30, 2023. 3. Funding Restrictions Any costs incurred in preparation of your proposal or in advance of an award will not be reimbursed. 4. Other Submission Requirements The SOIs are to be submitted via email to: AbujaPolEconGrants@state.gov - Subject line of the email should state: 2023 ASSH SOI – Name of applicant organization (as appropriate) - SOIs should be attached as one PDF document, submissions in other formats will deem the application ineligible. - We are unable to access google docs or other links, documents sent through a link will deem the application ineligible. - Documents that are not readable due to low scan resolution will deem the application ineligible. FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY CAN BE FOUND AT THE U.S. MISSION NIGERIA WEBSITE.