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

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/dos-mwi-asshf-fy22-u-s-ambassadors-special-self-help-fund/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/345744

> U.S. Mission to Malawi offered grants of up to $10,000 (at least $3,000) to any type of organization. It expected to make about 8 awards worth $60,000 in total. Applications closed on April 10, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DOS-MWI-ASSHF-FY22 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Malawi |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | April 10, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $10,000 |
| Award floor | $3,000 |
| Expected awards | 8 |
| Total funding | $60,000 |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.700 |

## Who can apply

- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

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. Groups must be registered with the proper authorities.

## What the grant funds

U.S. Embassy Lilongwe announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to improve basic economic and social conditions at the community level. Please follow all instructions below. Program Objectives: U.S. Embassy Lilongwe will partner with community organizations to complete small scale projects that create income, improve health, and expand educational opportunities. All projects will be initiated and administered at the local level and will include significant community contributions. Activities funded by the program should be completed in one year. After funding ends, Self-Help projects must continue to be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, personnel support, and necessary expertise and services. Example Projects: 1. Income Creation: a. Purchase of income generating and value addition equipment such as looms, tools, oil processing machines, milling machines, or similar for existing co-operatives and non-profit organizations. b. Expansion, improvement, diversification, and commercialization of agricultural and aquacultural production for existing co-operatives and non-profit organizations. c. Create ongoing vocation training opportunities 2. Health: a. Increase access to clean water such as construction of shallow wells or boreholes or expansion of water supply infrastructure such as pumps and distribution systems. b. Increase access to health services such as construction of under-five clinics. 3. Education: a. Increase access to basic education such as classroom blocks or library construction. b. Increase access to basic education for girls such as construction of a hostel or water and sanitation facilities. To be eligible for funding your project must meet the following criteria: The applicant must be a non-profit organization either based in the community where the project will be implemented or partnered with an organization based in that community. Substantial community contribution is required. Contributions may include labor, materials (bricks, sand, gravel, seeds, etc.), land, buildings, or money. Funding is limited to one project which should be completed within twelve (12) months or less. Projects must be self-sustaining upon completion. The U.S. Embassy’s support for the project must be one time only. No future grant from any source should be needed. Projects must be within the community’s ability to maintain and operate after grant funding ends.

## Questions people ask

### Is DOS-MWI-ASSHF-FY22 still open?

No. It closed on April 10, 2023.

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

U.S. Mission to Malawi accepted applications from any type of organization. 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 10, 2023. 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 $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.