U.S. Embassy Gaborone, Botswana - Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund Program (ASSHF) | DOS GABORONE GR ASSHF 2023

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS GABORONE GR ASSHF 2023

The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone is offering small grants through the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF), a long-running, grassroots program designed to support practical, community-initiated development projects across Botswana. The central idea is to fund short-term projects that can quickly improve local economic and social conditions while also reinforcing U.S. Mission priorities. This program is built around the expectation that communities take the lead: projects should be well planned, ready to start, and able to keep operating after the grant ends without relying on continued outside funding. In other words, the Embassy is looking for proposals that solve an immediate community problem and leave behind something durable, useful, and locally owned.

ASSHF is aimed at registered organizations that can show real community backing and the ability to manage funds responsibly. Before a proposal is submitted, applicants must secure approval from the appropriate local structures, such as the local development committee and relevant local authorities (including town and/or district councils). Competitive applications will demonstrate strong ties to the community and support from government bodies, plus a clear sign of local commitment. That commitment must be tangible: the recipient organization is expected to contribute to the project either through cash contributions or in-kind support such as labor, materials, or supplies. Applicants also need to be able to show they have adequate internal controls and financial monitoring procedures, since the Embassy will expect proper oversight and accountability for grant funds.

The types of projects the Embassy will consider fall into several broad categories. One major focus is economic diversification, including small business creation and other income-generating activities that can expand employment and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. This can include efforts that make smart use of local natural resources for livelihoods, the purchase of income-generating equipment, and other interventions that directly improve the basic economic or living conditions of a community. A second set of priorities centers on social services that support disadvantaged or at-risk populations, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, older adults, and female-headed households. Under this category, proposals may include constructing or furnishing community-initiated health facilities or clinics, and water and sanitation projects such as latrines, wells, pumps, and boreholes. The program also supports community-based natural resource management, including strengthening community ownership and management of natural resources, preserving or expanding wildlife corridors, building sustainable community-based tourism, and promoting conservation. Another eligible area is youth and child development, such as helping youth build life skills and improve health, safety, and security; purchasing school equipment, furnishings, and books; constructing classrooms or community centers; and creating opportunities for youth, including pathways to employment.

In terms of funding and timing, the Embassy anticipates making roughly five to ten awards, depending on the size of individual grants. Award amounts range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $20,000. The performance period is one year, and projects are expected to be completed in 12 months or less. The anticipated project start date for this cycle was October 1, 2023, and funding is provided as a grant under Economic Support Funds authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act.

The application package is fairly structured and emphasizes clarity and readiness to implement. Applicants must submit mandatory federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B), which are available for free through Grants.gov or the U.S. Embassy Gaborone website. These forms must be completed, printed, signed, and scanned together into a single PDF as part of the application. In addition, applicants must include a summary coversheet listing basic details (organization name, proposal date, program title, proposed start and end dates, and a brief purpose statement). The core narrative proposal is limited to five pages and must be in English, with budgets presented in U.S. dollars. Formatting requirements include numbered pages and single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font with at least 1-inch margins.

Within those five pages, the Embassy expects applicants to clearly explain what they want to do and how it will work, even for a reviewer who has no prior knowledge of the community or the project. Required sections include a proposal summary (with objectives, community involvement and contributions, expected impact, and the number of female and male beneficiaries), an organizational background (including any prior U.S. Embassy or U.S. government funding), a problem statement grounded in clear evidence, and defined program goals and measurable objectives. Applicants must outline activities, methods and design, and a realistic schedule. Proposals must also identify key personnel with roles and qualifications, describe any partners or sub-awardees, and present a monitoring and evaluation plan that explains how progress will be tracked and success assessed. Finally, the proposal must address sustainability by explaining how benefits will continue after the grant period ends. A separate budget justification narrative is required to explain each cost line in detail, and applicants should consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for any additional required attachments.

Applications for this funding cycle could be submitted on a rolling basis up to the closing deadline of August 4, 2023, after which submissions would not be considered. Applications must be submitted in English and can be sent by email to SSHBotswana@state.gov, mailed to the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone (ATTN: Small Grants Coordinator, ASSHF Program, P.O. Box 90, Gaborone), or hand-delivered to the Embassy at the Government Enclave in Gaborone with the same attention line.

The selection process begins with a preliminary screening by the Small Grants Office to confirm the application is complete and technically eligible. If a proposal clears that stage, the Coordinator may arrange a site visit or meeting to discuss the project and assess the organization’s capacity. Eligible proposals then go to the Embassy Small Grants Committee, which reviews and recommends projects for funding, with final approval made by the Ambassador. Applicants are notified of their status after review.

If selected, the award is formalized through a written grant agreement signed and issued by a Grants Officer (and administered by the Grants Officer or a representative). Organizations are not allowed to start spending grant funds until the official start date shown on the signed award document. The Embassy also makes clear that selection does not guarantee any future or additional funding beyond the award; extensions or increases are discretionary. As with typical federal opportunities, issuing the announcement does not commit the U.S. government to make an award or reimburse proposal preparation costs, and the government reserves the right to reject any or all applications. Recipients must be prepared to comply with relevant federal regulations and U.S. Department of State standard terms and conditions (including multiple 2 CFR parts and State Department standard award requirements). For application-process questions, the Embassy directs applicants to contact the Small Grants Office at SSHBotswana@state.gov or call (267) 373-2325.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Botswana in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Gaborone, Botswana - Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund Program (ASSHF)" 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 Mar 16, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 04, 2023. (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 $20,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DOS GABORONE GR ASSHF 2023

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: