Julia Taft Refugee Fund

Eligibility Criteria and Funding Guidelines

• The most effective proposals are for one-time investments in infrastructure, supplies, or materials. Priority will not be given to proposals that fund ongoing NGO operations or salaries.
• The funds are meant to support projects that assist refugees or refugee returnees.
• Consideration for support is given to projects that benefit both populations of concern and their host communities.
• The fund is not intended for recurring programs and 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. International NGOs may submit a proposal but must have a close partnership with a local NGO.

Application Package

All proposals must be in English. Applicants may also provide an additional copy in Portuguese but a proposal only submitted in Portuguese will not be considered.

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

1. Proposal (No specific application form is required, but each application must include the information listed below.)
2. Detailed project timeline/calendar
3. Detailed budget (in USD)
4. Proof of national registration of the organization
5. CV/Resume of Project Manager and other key project personnel

Review and Selection Process

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

• Discrete project—The funds will be used for a one-time investment in infrastructure, supplies, or materials;
• 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;
• Impact – The project will reach a wide range of individuals and/or support especially vulnerable refugee populations (e.g. children, LGBTI, trafficking victims);
• Cost Application – The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results;
• Monitoring and evaluation – The applicant provides a clear monitoring and evaluation plan that includes specific, measurable, and achievable indicators.

Once the review process is complete, the U.S. Embassy will notify the successful applicant(s) for final review in Washington, as well as the unsuccessful applicants. Any prospective grantee will receive further instructions along with the notification of successful proposal. If awarded by the final review committee in Washington, the grantee will be responsible for the program and financial reporting as specified in the award agreement.

In order to be considered for this funding opportunity, please submit your applications by email to BrasiliaPOLGrants@state.gov.

In the Subject line, please include the following: Proposal for the Julia Taft Refugee Fund – [insert the name of the organization].

Proposal Format

Proposals may be no more than five pages in length. Organizations may choose to attach work plans, activity calendars, and/or logical frameworks as addendums/appendices to the proposal. These attachments do not count toward the page limit total however annexes cannot be relied upon as a key source of program information.

• Problem Statement

Give a brief description of the primary problem that your proposal 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

• 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.