# U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, U.S. Embassy Lilongwe

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/dos-mwi-asshf-fy21-u-s-ambassadors-special-self-help-fund-u/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/339033

> U.S. Mission to Malawi offered grants of up to $8,000 (at least $3,000) to nonprofits. It expected to make about 8 awards worth $60,000 in total. Applications closed on May 31, 2022.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DOS-MWI-ASSHF-FY21 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Malawi |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | May 31, 2022 |
| Award ceiling | $8,000 |
| Award floor | $3,000 |
| Expected awards | 8 |
| Total funding | $60,000 |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.700 |

## Who can apply

- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

All citizens of Malawi representing a civilian, religious, social, community development, special interest, disability, or advocacy group or organization may request funding for a community activity.

## What the grant funds

The goal of U.S. assistance is to help create a peaceful, prosperous, and secure future for the people of Malawi. Economic growth is essential to that goal and Malawi can reach its potential through education, entrepreneurship, and the creation of opportunities for investment and trade. This program seeks to fund small projects that will expand opportunities for education and marketable job skills. It will also support the creation or expansion of community business endeavors. The program is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future. All projects are community-based, initiated locally, administered at the local level, and include significant community contributions in cash, labor, or materials. Over the past 50 years, the SSH fund has disbursed over $6 million to 1,463 projects covering all 28 Districts in Malawi. Projects funded have included classroom blocks, under-five clinics, school libraries, girls’ hostels, installation of biogas digesters, eco-stove production, agricultural commercialization, and provision of clean and safe drinking water through boreholes and shallow wells. Program Objectives: Objective: Develop innovative small business endeavors, especially to expand or add value to agricultural production. Expand access to foundational education, with an emphasis on marginalized and vulnerable populations. Create or expand educational opportunities for job skills needed in Malawi’s private and public sectors. 4. Develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, especially to increase profitability of agricultural production. Expected Results An increase of knowledge, skills, and opportunity that will allow the community to be more self-reliant. Main Activities To achieve the goals and expected results, the program could include the following: Development of small to medium size business enterprises (agricultural, horticultural, aquaculture, and extractives) through agricultural value addition. Construction of hostels, libraries, lavatories, space for vocational activities, or provision of clean water to expand childhood educational opportunity. Job skills training, or tools/equipment purchase related to specific business and employment opportunities. Entrepreneurship and business management training. Other unique and innovative projects.

## Questions people ask

### Is DOS-MWI-ASSHF-FY21 still open?

No. It closed on May 31, 2022.

### Who can apply for U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, U.S. Embassy Lilongwe?

U.S. Mission to Malawi accepted applications from nonprofits. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, U.S. Embassy Lilongwe?

Closed May 31, 2022. 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 $8,000 each. About $60,000 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.