Community Grants for HIV/AIDS

FY 2006 PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION

GUIDELINES

Community Grants for HIV/AIDS are designed to assist communities and families with small-scale development projects that provide care or economic support to children affected by AIDS and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PHA) at the grassroots level. All projects funded by these grants must contribute directly to the achievement of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The goal of PEPFAR is to provide care and support to 10,000,000 people worldwide, including Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). All applications must list target beneficiaries.

Strong Community Involvement and Commitment are Prerequisites for Consideration

Community Grants for HIV/AIDS support community groups in such efforts as: implementing income generation or agricultural projects; assisting local health clinics; providing infrastructure for vocational training; providing services to families caring for orphans. Examples of funding under this program have included: $4,800 for a ground nut farming income generation project in eastern Uganda to benefit orphaned children and a group of HIV-positive adults in a “post test” club; an HIV/AIDS testing program in southwestern Uganda which includes funds for tests, counseling services, and follow-up; and $5,800 for building renovations, pit latrines, and provision of clean water to an orphanage in northern Uganda.

The amount of money available to fund these projects is small. Therefore, grants will range from 9 million to 40 million Ugandan Shillings ($5,000-$25,000). Competition is stiff for these funds. Only well-planned proposals from well-organized groups will receive aid.

There are no application deadlines. Proposals are reviewed and money is granted on a rolling basis. However, any proposals received after March, will not be considered for funding under this year’s program. But will be considered for funding in the following fiscal year.

Criteria

1. Activities funded by Community Grants for HIV/AIDS should involve significant contribution of materials, management and/or labor by the local community. The US contribution is to serve primarily as a catalyst.
   
2. Projects must be within the means and skills of the community to operate and should be completed within six months of the authorization of the grant.
   
3. Activities should be self-sustaining. This program provides one-time grants. In order to be eligible for funds, a proposal must demonstrate that the group applying for funds will be able to sustain the project activities without further assistance after completion of the Community Grants for HIV/AIDS funded project.
   
4. Grants will be given to groups or communities with proven records of accomplishment of project objectives. Serious consideration will be given to groups who have submitted applications with realistic, specific, and well thought-out budgets and thoroughly planned proposals.
   
5. Projects should address an immediate need and have a demonstrable impact on the quality of life of OVCs and PHAs in the community.
   
6. Community Grants for HIV/AIDS are not intended to fund private profit-making activities. Although the US Government’s other aid activities vigorously support and encourage private enterprises and cooperative businesses, it is not the purpose of this particular fund to give grants to entrepreneurs.
   
7. Funds distributed under Community Grants for HIV/AIDS cannot provide money for vehicles, computers, religious instruction, or general operating expenses such as rent, salaries, fuel, electricity bills, etc.
   
8. Projects will be evaluated on the following criteria:
   
   (a) How will OVCs and PHAs benefit?
   
   (b) Does the community need this project?
   
   (c) What kind of relationship exists between the leadership and the grassroots community people? Who will be asked to do the work in this project?
   
   (d) How well will this group work together to finish the project?
   
   (e) What sort of evidence can the project leaders show us to indicate that the group in question will completely finish the project in the agreed time and that all funds and materials will be accounted for?
   

APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY GRANTS FOR HIV/AIDS FUNDS
Please read the Community Grants for HIV/AIDS Guidelines carefully before filling out this form.
Answer all questions completely.
Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.

Send the application to:

Community Grants for HIV/AIDS Coordinator,
American Embassy,
P.O. Box 7007, Kampala.
If you have e-mail access, you may also send the Application Form by e-mail to kampalapepfar@state.gov