Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS KAM AMBSSH FY20
The U.S. Embassy Kampala Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program 2021 is a discretionary small-grants opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda. It is designed to fund small-scale, community-based projects that are initiated and led by local communities, with the main aim of strengthening self-reliance, supporting practical development, and delivering a clear, immediate, and visible benefit to the community. A key expectation is that projects will not be entirely externally funded; instead, they should include meaningful community contributions, which can take the form of cash, donated materials, and/or volunteer labor. This cost-sharing element is central to the program because it demonstrates local ownership and increases the chance that the project will be maintained after the grant ends.
The types of activities supported are broad but intentionally grounded in tangible, grassroots development and capacity-building. The program welcomes proposals for basic community infrastructure and service improvements, such as schools, health clinics, and water-related projects like wells. It also supports initiatives that improve livelihoods by helping people gain marketable skills or expand local income-generation, such as village craft centers, agricultural cooperatives, or other community-driven employment and skills projects. In addition, the program encourages efforts that respond to community priorities and social challenges, including projects connected to women's empowerment.
For the 2021 cycle, the Embassy signals a clear program preference: while applications in many areas will be accepted, priority consideration is given to proposals that directly address gender equality and women's empowerment. In practice, that means applicants that can show concrete outcomes for women and girls, increased participation or leadership of women in community structures, improved access to training or economic opportunities for women, or reductions in barriers that limit women's full participation are more aligned with the stated focus. Projects that combine practical community development with measurable gender equality benefits are especially well-positioned under this priority framework.
In terms of award details, grants are capped at USD 10,000 per award (the award ceiling), and the Embassy anticipated making around five awards. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.700. The competition was announced with a creation date of March 1, 2021, and the original application deadline was March 31, 2021. Overall, the opportunity is best suited for organizations that can demonstrate strong community buy-in, a realistic plan for quick and visible impact, and a credible strategy for sustaining benefits beyond the grant period, with an added advantage for proposals centered on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Eligibility is open to registered organizations, including U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), along with other eligible applicants as described by the funding notice. The general intent is to attract capable community-facing organizations that can manage a small grant responsibly and work closely with local stakeholders to deliver a practical project with strong local participation.Apply for DOS KAM AMBSSH FY20
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Kampala Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program 2021" 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 Mar 01, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2021. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Embassy Kampala Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program 2021
What is the Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program 2021?
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program 2021 is a discretionary small-grants opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda (U.S. Embassy Kampala). It supports small-scale, community-based projects that are initiated and led by local communities and that deliver a clear, immediate, and visible benefit.
What is the main purpose of the SSH Program?
The program is designed to strengthen self-reliance, support practical community development, and fund projects that can show tangible, near-term results. A central goal is to support community ownership so that benefits are more likely to continue after the grant ends.
What kinds of projects does the program fund?
The SSH Program supports a broad range of grassroots projects grounded in practical development and capacity-building. Examples mentioned include:
- Basic community infrastructure and service improvements (for example, schools and health clinics)
- Water-related projects (for example, wells)
- Livelihood and skills-building initiatives (for example, village craft centers)
- Community-driven income generation and employment initiatives (for example, agricultural cooperatives)
- Projects responding to community priorities and social challenges, including women's empowerment
Is there a priority focus for the 2021 cycle?
Yes. While proposals in many areas are accepted, priority consideration is given to projects that directly address gender equality and women's empowerment.
What does "gender equality and women's empowerment" mean in this opportunity?
Based on the program description, projects are more aligned with the 2021 preference if they can demonstrate concrete outcomes for women and girls, such as:
- Increased participation or leadership of women in community structures
- Improved access to training or economic opportunities for women
- Reductions in barriers that limit women's full participation
- Practical community development combined with measurable gender equality benefits
Do projects need to be led by the community?
Yes. The program is intended for projects that are initiated and led by local communities, with strong community buy-in and participation.
Does the SSH Program require cost sharing or matching contributions?
Yes. A key expectation is that projects will not be entirely externally funded. Applicants should include meaningful community contributions as part of the project.
What types of community contributions are acceptable?
Community contributions can include cash, donated materials, and/or volunteer labor. The emphasis is on meaningful participation that demonstrates local ownership.
Why is community cost sharing important for this grant?
Cost sharing is central to the SSH Program because it signals local ownership and increases the likelihood that the community will maintain the project after the grant period ends.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is USD 10,000 per grant.
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipated making around five awards for the 2021 cycle.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.700.
Who is the funding agency for the SSH Program?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda (U.S. Embassy Kampala).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to registered organizations. The notice specifically includes:
- U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
- Other eligible applicants as described by the funding notice
Are institutions of higher education eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
No. The description explicitly notes that nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.
What types of applicants are best suited for this opportunity?
This opportunity is best suited for organizations that can demonstrate strong community buy-in, manage a small grant responsibly, work closely with local stakeholders, deliver quick and visible impact, and show a credible strategy for sustaining results beyond the grant period. Proposals centered on gender equality and women's empowerment have an added advantage in the 2021 cycle.
What does the program mean by "clear, immediate, and visible benefit"?
The program emphasizes practical projects with tangible outcomes that the community can see and benefit from in the near term, such as improvements to local services, infrastructure, water access, or livelihood opportunities.
Is sustainability important for SSH-funded projects?
Yes. The program highlights the importance of local ownership and maintenance after the grant ends, and it favors projects that include a credible plan to sustain benefits beyond the grant period.
When was the opportunity announced?
The competition was announced with a creation date of March 1, 2021.
What was the application deadline for the 2021 cycle?
The original application deadline was March 31, 2021.
Is the SSH Program limited to a specific sector (for example, only water or only education)?
No. The supported activities are broad, but the program intentionally focuses on tangible, grassroots development and capacity-building. For 2021, there is a stated preference for projects advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.
Can a proposal combine infrastructure work with women's empowerment outcomes?
Yes. The description indicates that projects combining practical community development with measurable gender equality benefits are especially well-positioned under the 2021 priority framework.
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