# U.S. Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/dos-msu-ssh-fy21-u-s-ambassador-s-special-self-help-fund/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/331393

> U.S. Mission to Lesotho offered grants of up to $10,000 (at least $5,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 8 awards worth $70,000 in total. Applications closed on April 30, 2021.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DOS-MSU-SSH-FY21 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Lesotho |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | April 30, 2021 |
| Award ceiling | $10,000 |
| Award floor | $5,000 |
| Expected awards | 8 |
| Total funding | $70,000 |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.700 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Schools, Non Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Organizations that support community based initiatives

## What the grant funds

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION U.S. Embassy Maseru Special Projects Office announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that are community-initiated and involving schools, clinics, co-operatives, associations, training, or community improvement projects. The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) program is a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects. This Self-Help fund provides small, short-term grants (one year) to community groups that are working to improve the basic economic and social conditions of their villages or communities. The fund provides grants for activities such as construction of classrooms, construction of ventilated pit latrines, construction of community centers and health clinics, boreholes for access to clean water, school equipment and supplies, medical equipment, solar heating and agricultural kits, among others listed in our guidelines. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION U.S. Embassy Maseru issues one or more awards resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to applicants whose applications are the most responsive to the objectives in this NOFO. The Special Projects Office may a) reject any or all applications; b) accept other than the lowest cost application; c) accept more than one application; d) accept alternate applications; and/or e) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received. The Special Projects Office may give awards after discussions and negotiations with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest modifications in the project description, budget, or other aspects of the application. Applicants should not request more than $10,000 USD. Please note that the U.S Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund is subject to the availability of funds. Applicants should include an anticipated start date of September 2021 and the project period should be 12 months. C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION C.1 Eligible applicants The Special Projects Office welcomes applications from schools, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), or Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) that support community-based initiatives. C.2 Cost sharing or matching There is a requirement for cost sharing, matching, or cost participation (e.g. material and/or labor) of 10%.

## Questions people ask

### Is DOS-MSU-SSH-FY21 still open?

No. It closed on April 30, 2021.

### Who can apply for U.S. Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund?

U.S. Mission to Lesotho accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for U.S. Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund?

Closed April 30, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $10,000 each. About $70,000 in total across about 8 awards.

### Who has won General Department of State Assistance grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were United Nations Office for Project Services, Carnegie-Mellon University, Asian Development Bank. The program made 26 awards worth $21.1 million in that time.