Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS KAM AMBSSH FY23
Mission Kampala Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund 2024 is a small-grants opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Uganda through the Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program, a long-running initiative (now in its 60th year) designed to support practical, community-driven projects with clear, immediate local benefits. The program is focused on small-scale initiatives that strengthen self-reliance and local development, widen civic space and civic engagement, and protect and promote human rights. For the 2024 cycle, the Embassy signals particular interest in projects tied to community gathering spaces and those serving vulnerable populations, efforts that advance gender equity and inclusion, initiatives that encourage civic participation, and projects that prevent or reduce the harmful impacts of climate change. The overall intent is straightforward: fund projects that help communities solve their own priority problems in ways they can maintain after the grant ends.
Eligibility is centered on established, Uganda-based, non-profit entities, including NGOs, community-based organizations, and grassroots groups that are registered at the local government level where they operate. Applicants are expected to demonstrate real need, community credibility, and prior experience successfully implementing work in the community. SSH projects must be locally initiated, locally administered, and genuinely community-based, with substantial community participation and contributions. Those contributions can be cash, labor, food, accommodation for skilled labor, transport, or locally sourced materials (for example, sand, gravel, bricks, fencing materials, or water). The program looks for projects that improve basic social or economic conditions at village or community level, deliver long-lived value, and reach as many beneficiaries as possible. Each organization may submit only one proposal, and funding is limited to one project per awardee that must be completed within 12 months or less. A key requirement is sustainability: the activity should continue functioning after the one-time U.S. grant contribution ends and should remain within the community's capacity to operate and maintain.
The funding parameters are modest by design. The published award ceiling is USD 10,000, with an anticipated total of about 10 awards. While a formal cost-share percentage is not required, proposals must still show meaningful community contributions as part of the design and implementation. The Embassy also emphasizes basic grant integrity expectations, including sound financial and administrative procedures that prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. Large-scale agriculture or construction proposals, or requests centered on expensive equipment, are explicitly described as not being priority for this program.
The NOFO also lists a substantial set of exclusions, which is important for applicants because proposals that include these costs or themes are unlikely to be competitive or may be ruled ineligible. SSH will not fund purchases of vehicles or motorcycles, office equipment and electronics (computers, phones, tablets, copiers, stereos), or previously owned equipment, luxury goods, or gambling equipment. It will not cover salaries, supervision costs for the supervising organization, routine operating costs, fuel, printing, land purchases, pesticides or herbicides, office supplies, or contingency lines. It also excludes projects with purely police, military, or cultural emphasis; religious projects that do not serve the whole community regardless of affiliation; personal businesses; scholarships, donations, loans, honorariums, and start-up money; HIV/AIDS projects; and projects focused on refugees or displaced persons (as these are covered by other assistance channels). Other disallowed categories include renovating facilities that are in disrepair due to neglect or lack of funds, projects that have already received SSH funding, projects that cannot continue after SSH support ends, activities that are the responsibility of government (the NOFO gives building hospitals as an example), and activities that could create community tension, harm people, or damage the environment. The restrictions also bar surveillance equipment, abortion-related facilities and services, payments to government officials, and expenses for ceremonies, parties, celebrations, or representational costs. Another major rule is no commingling: SSH funds cannot be mixed with other donor funding, international organizations, Government of Uganda funds, or other U.S. government programs, and proposals that are partially funded elsewhere are not allowed.
A strong application is expected to be concrete and implementation-ready. The Embassy highlights core proposal elements they want to see clearly laid out: objectives, expected impacts, key activities, the implementation strategy, monitoring mechanisms, and an itemized budget. Successful projects are typically community-initiated, designed to benefit the greatest number of people, and built around clear long-term goals with a realistic plan for ongoing operation. The NOFO suggests that projects do well when there is a capable project manager who is a long-term resident in the community, when an impartial umbrella organization can provide guidance if needed, and when there is strong coordination with local leaders and local government. Applicants are also encouraged to use materials and supplies that are maintainable locally and environmentally safe.
Submission is electronic and time-bound. Applications were due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Africa Time on June 4, 2024, and had to be sent by email to KampalaSelfHelp@state.gov. The Embassy required applicants to submit in Word and Excel formats (not PDF). A complete package includes the SSH 2024 application form (Annex A), the completed budget package (Annex B) with a detailed line-item budget, a budget narrative, and an activity logical framework with a project timeline. Applicants should also include their registration certificate (if available), a local approval letter (from the local development committee, tribal authority, and/or local town or district council), and original pro-forma invoices or quotations from intended suppliers. The requirement for pricing is strict: three quotes are required for each item.
Applications are screened for completeness and then evaluated by a Proposal Review Committee using criteria that prioritize impact and practicality. Key review factors include the quality of the project idea and its expected impact on the target community, the depth of community participation and contribution across design through monitoring and evaluation, outreach and value for money (often framed as cost per beneficiary), feasibility of delivering results within the one-year period, sustainability, and a transparent, participatory process for selecting beneficiaries. The Embassy also weighs organizational capacity and past performance. Finally, administrative eligibility rules apply: organizations must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) or proof they have applied for one (obtained via SAM.gov), and any entity listed on the SAM Excluded Parties List is not eligible to apply or participate under an award. For help with technical submission questions, the Small Grants Office can be reached via KampalaSelfHelp@state.gov or by phone at 256 (0)414 306444.Apply for DOS KAM AMBSSH FY23
- The U.S. Mission to Uganda in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mission Kampala Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund 2024" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.220.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-04. (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 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts, 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, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.
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Mission Kampala Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) 2024: FAQs
1) What is the Mission Kampala Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) 2024?
It is a small-grants opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Uganda through the Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program. The program is designed to fund practical, community-driven projects that deliver clear and immediate local benefits, while strengthening longer-term self-reliance and local development.
2) What is the main purpose of this program?
The overall intent is to support projects that help communities solve their own priority problems in ways the community can maintain after the grant ends. Projects should be locally initiated, locally administered, and genuinely community-based.
3) What types of projects is the Embassy especially interested in for 2024?
For the 2024 cycle, the Embassy signals particular interest in projects connected to:
- Community gathering spaces
- Projects serving vulnerable populations
- Efforts that advance gender equity and inclusion
- Initiatives that encourage civic participation and widen civic space/civic engagement
- Projects that prevent or reduce the harmful impacts of climate change
- Activities that protect and promote human rights
4) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on established, Uganda-based, non-profit entities such as NGOs, community-based organizations, and grassroots groups that are registered at the local government level where they operate.
5) Do applicants need to be registered locally?
Yes. Applicants are expected to be registered at the local government level where they operate.
6) What experience or credibility does the applicant organization need to demonstrate?
Applicants are expected to demonstrate real need, community credibility, and prior experience successfully implementing work in the community.
7) How important is community participation in SSH projects?
It is a core requirement. SSH projects must be community-based with substantial community participation and contributions, including involvement across the project lifecycle (from design through monitoring and evaluation).
8) What counts as a community contribution?
Community contributions can include cash, labor, food, accommodation for skilled labor, transport, or locally sourced materials such as sand, gravel, bricks, fencing materials, or water.
9) What kinds of outcomes does the SSH program look for?
The program looks for projects that improve basic social or economic conditions at the village or community level, deliver long-lived value, and reach as many beneficiaries as possible.
10) What is the maximum grant amount?
The published award ceiling is USD 10,000.
11) How many awards are expected?
The opportunity anticipates about 10 awards.
12) Is cost sharing required?
A formal cost-share percentage is not required. However, proposals must show meaningful community contributions as part of the project design and implementation.
13) How many proposals can an organization submit?
Each organization may submit only one proposal.
14) Can an awardee receive funding for more than one project?
No. Funding is limited to one project per awardee.
15) How long can the project last?
The project must be completed within 12 months or less.
16) What does the program mean by sustainability?
Sustainability means the activity should continue functioning after the one-time U.S. grant contribution ends and should remain within the community's capacity to operate and maintain.
17) Are large-scale agriculture or construction projects a priority?
No. Large-scale agriculture or construction proposals are explicitly described as not being a priority for this program.
18) Are requests focused on expensive equipment a priority?
No. Requests centered on expensive equipment are explicitly described as not being a priority.
19) What basic financial or administrative expectations apply?
The Embassy emphasizes sound financial and administrative procedures that prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.
20) What items will SSH NOT fund (examples of disallowed purchases)?
The NOFO lists several exclusions. SSH will not fund purchases of:
- Vehicles or motorcycles
- Office equipment and electronics (computers, phones, tablets, copiers, stereos)
- Previously owned equipment
- Luxury goods or gambling equipment
- Surveillance equipment
21) What operating or recurring costs are excluded?
SSH will not cover salaries, supervision costs for the supervising organization, routine operating costs, fuel, printing, office supplies, or contingency lines.
22) Are land purchases allowed?
No. Land purchases are excluded.
23) Are pesticides or herbicides allowed?
No. Pesticides or herbicides are excluded.
24) Are scholarships, donations, loans, or start-up money allowed?
No. The program excludes scholarships, donations, loans, honorariums, and start-up money.
25) Are HIV/AIDS projects eligible?
No. HIV/AIDS projects are listed as excluded.
26) Are projects focused on refugees or displaced persons eligible?
No. Projects focused on refugees or displaced persons are excluded because these are covered by other assistance channels.
27) Are religious projects eligible?
Religious projects that do not serve the whole community regardless of affiliation are excluded.
28) Are projects with police, military, or purely cultural emphasis eligible?
No. Projects with purely police, military, or cultural emphasis are excluded.
29) Can the grant be used to renovate a facility that is in disrepair due to neglect or lack of funds?
No. Renovating facilities that are in disrepair due to neglect or lack of funds is listed as an excluded category.
30) Can we submit a project that has already received SSH funding in the past?
No. Projects that have already received SSH funding are excluded.
31) What if the project cannot continue after SSH support ends?
Projects that cannot continue after SSH support ends are excluded, reflecting the program's emphasis on sustainability.
32) Are projects that are the responsibility of government eligible?
No. Activities that are the responsibility of government are excluded. The NOFO provides building hospitals as an example.
33) Are there restrictions related to community harm, tension, or environmental damage?
Yes. Activities that could create community tension, harm people, or damage the environment are excluded.
34) Are abortion-related facilities and services allowed?
No. Abortion-related facilities and services are explicitly barred.
35) Can grant funds be used to pay government officials?
No. Payments to government officials are barred.
36) Can SSH funds pay for ceremonies, parties, celebrations, or representational costs?
No. Expenses for ceremonies, parties, celebrations, or representational costs are barred.
37) Can SSH funding be combined with other donor funding or other programs?
No. The NOFO states a strict no-commingling rule: SSH funds cannot be mixed with other donor funding, international organizations, Government of Uganda funds, or other U.S. government programs. Proposals that are partially funded elsewhere are not allowed.
38) What makes an application "strong" or competitive?
The Embassy expects proposals to be concrete and implementation-ready. A strong application clearly lays out objectives, expected impacts, key activities, implementation strategy, monitoring mechanisms, and an itemized budget. Competitive projects are typically community-initiated, designed to benefit the greatest number of people, and built around clear long-term goals with a realistic plan for ongoing operation.
39) Does the NOFO mention any staffing or management approach that helps?
Yes. The NOFO suggests projects do well when there is a capable project manager who is a long-term resident in the community, when an impartial umbrella organization can provide guidance if needed, and when there is strong coordination with local leaders and local government.
40) Are there preferences regarding materials and supplies?
Applicants are encouraged to use materials and supplies that are maintainable locally and environmentally safe.
41) When was the application deadline and what time zone applied?
Applications were due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Africa Time on June 4, 2024.
42) How were applications submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically by email to KampalaSelfHelp@state.gov.
43) What file formats were required?
The Embassy required submissions in Word and Excel formats (not PDF).
44) What documents were required in a complete application package?
A complete package included:
- SSH 2024 application form (Annex A)
- Completed budget package (Annex B) with a detailed line-item budget
- Budget narrative
- Activity logical framework with a project timeline
- Registration certificate (if available)
- Local approval letter (from the local development committee, tribal authority, and/or local town or district council)
- Original pro-forma invoices or quotations from intended suppliers
45) How strict is the requirement for supplier quotations?
It is strict: three quotes are required for each item.
46) How are applications reviewed?
Applications are first screened for completeness and then evaluated by a Proposal Review Committee.
47) What evaluation criteria does the Proposal Review Committee use?
Key review factors include:
- Quality of the project idea and expected impact on the target community
- Depth of community participation and contribution across design through monitoring and evaluation
- Outreach and value for money (often framed as cost per beneficiary)
- Feasibility of delivering results within the one-year period
- Sustainability
- Transparent, participatory process for selecting beneficiaries
- Organizational capacity and past performance
48) Is a UEI required to apply?
Yes. Organizations must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) or proof they have applied for one through SAM.gov.
49) What if an organization is on the SAM Excluded Parties List?
Any entity listed on the SAM Excluded Parties List is not eligible to apply or participate under an award.
50) Who can applicants contact for technical submission questions?
For help with technical submission questions, the Small Grants Office can be reached by email at KampalaSelfHelp@state.gov or by phone at 256 (0)414 306444.
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