fundsforNGOs

Grants and Resources for Sustainability

  • Subscribe for Free
  • Premium Sign in
  • Premium Sign up
  • Home
  • Latest Funds
  • News
  • Featured
  • Q&A
  • Free Resources
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Submit
  • Contact
    • About us
    • Fight Fraud against NGOs
Home » USADF-Nithio Off-Grid Energy Challenge for Kenyans

USADF-Nithio Off-Grid Energy Challenge for Kenyans

94
SHARES
ShareTweetWhatsappEmail

Deadline: 2 December 2019

United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and Nithio Holdings Limited (Nithio) are accepting proposals for the USADF-Nithio Off-Grid Energy Challenge.

Proposals are invited from eligible Kenyan off-grid solar operators, and approximately two to five awards are anticipated. Selected enterprises will receive funding in the form of a combination of loan and grant funds, in the amount of between US$400,000 and US$1 million, depending on individual enterprise needs.

Projects are to be focused on increasing sustainable energy access – specifically off-grid solutions – through the provision of consumer financing. Proposals are expected to include business models such as pay-as-you-go, SHS/appliance distribution, and promotion of productive use of energy.

Funding Information

Winning applicants will receive:

  • An investment in the form of a loan of between US$250,000 and US$750,000
  • Seed capital in the form of grant funds in the amount of US$100,000 to US$250,000
  • Access to intensive local technical assistance and governance support

Eligibility Criteria

USADF and Nithio will consider proposals from 100% African-owned and majority Kenyan-owned and Kenyan-managed companies. Passports or other government-issued IDs of owners and senior managers must be submitted with the applications. The companies applying must be for-profit enterprises and must not be government-owned or operated in any way. Applicants may be developers of their own technology and/or may be acquiring and implementing technology developed elsewhere. Applicants need to be legally registered in Kenya and demonstrate the capacity to track and manage the project resources and operate in good standing with the local governments in which they operate.

Winning proposals must:

  • Propose off-grid energy solutions that utilize consumer financing.
  • Demonstrate the ability to scale off–grid energy technologies in Kenya.
  • Benefit marginalized or low-income rural or urban populations currently underserved by utility companies, ideally with a focus on benefits to women and girls.
  • Demonstrate financial sustainability. The proposed investment period must include approximately three months of sale of electricity or energy services and revenue/cash flow from sales.
  • Demonstrate a proven track record of experience or have project sponsors or partners with a proven track record of related experience.
  • Propose a budget of no more than US$1,000,000. Proposals with budgets greater than US$1,000,000 must bring leveraged resources from one or more sources that meet the total financing requirements. Leveraged funds from other private sector and donor sources are encouraged.
  • Demonstrate clearly whether and how many new connections will be added, as well as potential for future replication.

Applications will only be considered if:

  • They are 100% African-owned and passports showing citizenship are submitted;
  • All shareholders, members of the board and senior management must be citizens of a sub-Saharan African country and must reside in Kenya;
  • They are majority Kenyan-owned and -managed (senior managers);
  • They express clearly how they will benefit marginalized, grassroots people in Kenya, including also ideally showing demonstrable positive impacts for female beneficiaries;
  • They express clearly how they will achieve (or have already achieved) profitability;
  • They are fully and legally registered in Kenya and the registration is submitted;
  • They document adequate expertise in the field they are proposing or document how they will acquire the necessary expertise;
  • They plainly document how they will we use the USADF/Nithio investment funds to carry out their concept.
  • Have been in operation for at least 24 months, and can provide financial statements and bank accounts for that period
  • Have at least US$100,000 in revenue for the last year

Proposals

Winning proposals will do the following:

  • Provide off-grid energy to rural or urban areas and populations currently lacking energy access.
  • Distance of the proposed site(s) from the grid is to be included. Applicants should explain why grid connection is not feasible in this area(s), including an estimate of the cost to connect to the grid. Applicants should state their best understanding of how long it will take for the area(s) to connect to the grid. If the proposal is for an urban area or an area with grid connections, a justification is to be included.
  • Focus on reaching un-served, underserved or marginalized populations.
  • Make clear any female ownership/management.
  • Explain all tangible improvements to lives of women and girls, including whether and how company targets women for capacity building/employment.
  • Include a consumer financing component; in other words, an arrangement in which a line of credit is extended to the customer for the period over which a system is being paid off. This credit may be provided by the local operator itself, or another institution specializing in consumer finance.
  • Make clear any specific innovations in technology and/or business model.
  • Clearly state whether and how many new connections will be added.
  • Ideally include power for economic activities, for example water pumping, hair cutting, phone charging, etc. The actual or potential business impact is to be addressed in the proposal.
  • Demonstrate the achievement of, potential for, financial sustainability. Indication of projected financial return on investment and payback period is to be included in an attached five-year financial model in Excel format. The application must demonstrate that they currently operate as a commercially viable business, or have the near-term potential to.
  • Be driven by demand: is the proposal meeting a clearly known and unmet demand?
  • (Preferred) Leverage financing from sources in addition to Challenge funds.
  • Operate within Kenya.

The following technologies will be considered, among others:

  • Solar home systems (SHS)
    • “Plug and play” kits serving a single customer’s household or small business needs. No design expertise is required to choose system sizes/components; no electrician’s training is needed to safely and successfully install and operate the system; all electrical connections can be made without the use of tools.
    • Focus must be on distribution systems which are scalable and can be replicated, in addition to being affordable.
  • Stand-alone power systems
    • An off-grid power system serving a single customer and a single facility, or complex of adjacent facilities. Note that companies that only sell solar lanterns as a standalone product are not eligible.
  • Productive use:
    • Off-grid energy solutions for processes such as water pumping and refrigeration, as long as they have a consumer financing aspect. Solutions are to explain clearly how they will be commercially viable.

Applications will typically include the following business models:

  • Pay-as-you-go
    • Customers make ongoing payments for their system rather than paying the full system cost upfront. Payments may be made through sales agents, mobile phones, or through a mobile feature integrated into the device itself. Most applicable to SHS.
  • SHS/appliance distribution
    • Businesses participating in the SHS and appliance/equipment supply chain, including direct retail outlets, and agent-based sales networks.

How to Apply

The completed proposal template along with the required documentation should be submitted by email at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit https://www.usadf.gov/apply/

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

South Africa: National Youth development Agency Grant Programme

South Africa: National Youth development Agency Grant Programme

Submit Nominations for Award for Transformative Agroecological Research for Development

Submit Nominations for Award for Transformative Agroecological Research for Development

NOFO to Improve HIV Service Delivery and Other Public Health Interventions in Nigeria

NOFO to Improve HIV Service Delivery and Other Public Health Interventions in Nigeria

The Embassy of Sweden in Tirana is seeking applications for the Innovation Challenge fund 4th call to boost start-up creation and improve the innovation

Innovation Challenge Fund 4th Call: Submit Applications Now (Albania)

Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Program - Australia

Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Program – Australia

2022 National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America

2022 National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America

Applications Open for Creative Communities Project Grants Program – Canada

Applications Open for Creative Communities Project Grants Program – Canada

Submit Applications for Creative Communities Multi-Year Operating Grant Program – Canada

Submit Applications for Creative Communities Multi-Year Operating Grant Program – Canada

Canada: Apply Now for Creative Communities Annual Operating Grant Program

Canada: Apply Now for Creative Communities Annual Operating Grant Program

Call for Proposals: Competition for Sectoral Advocacy and Monitoring Projects

Call for Proposals: Competition for Sectoral Advocacy and Monitoring Projects

Call for Applications for Architectural Heritage Fund's Grant Programme – Northern Ireland

Call for Applications for Architectural Heritage Fund’s Grant Programme – Northern Ireland

COVID-19 Youth Recovery Grants Program 2020/2021 - Australia

COVID-19 Youth Recovery Grants Program 2020/2021 – Australia

Mahy Khalifa Art Scholarship Programme - Egypt

Mahy Khalifa Art Scholarship Programme – Egypt

Embassy of France to Ghana: Sankofa Small Grants Programme 2021

Embassy of France to Ghana: Sankofa Small Grants Programme 2021

Call for Proposals for Micro-Grid Enterprises in Mozambique

Call for Proposals for Micro-Grid Enterprises in Mozambique

Submit Proposals for Architectural Heritage Fund's Grant Programme – Scotland

Submit Proposals for Architectural Heritage Fund’s Grant Programme – Scotland

EU CFPs: Promoting transition towards Greener and Climate-resilient Cities in Southern Neighborhood

EU Call for Proposals: Promoting transition towards Greener and Climate-resilient Cities in Southern Neighborhood

European Cross-Border Grants Program for Professional Journalists

European Cross-Border Grants Program for Professional Journalists

Journalismfund.eu seeking Proposals for 'Modern Slavery Unveiled'

Journalismfund.eu seeking Proposals for ‘Modern Slavery Unveiled’

Cambodia Agricultural Investment Activity

Cambodia Agricultural Investment Activity

Glasgow City Council accepting Applications for Co-Operative & Social Enterprise Fund - UK

Glasgow City Council accepting Applications for Co-Operative & Social Enterprise Fund – UK

Screen Scotland inviting Applications for Access: Scotland Project - UK

Screen Scotland inviting Applications for Access: Scotland Project – UK

2022 National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America

City of Kamloops: 2021 Community Art Grants – Canada

City of Malibu announces General Fund Grant Program – United States

City of Malibu announces General Fund Grant Program – United States

United States: 2021 WaterSMART-Applied Science Grants Program

United States: 2021 WaterSMART-Applied Science Grants Program

Iowa Artist Fellowship Program for elevation of the Arts – United States

PNC Program Grants to address Community Needs – United States

The Embassy of Sweden in Tirana is seeking applications for the Innovation Challenge fund 4th call to boost start-up creation and improve the innovation

United Kingdom: 2021-22 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation Grant - U.S.

Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation Grant – U.S.

COVID-19 Youth Recovery Grants Program 2020/2021 - Australia

Government of Yukon: COVID-19 Recovery Research Program (Canada)

City of Monash Community Grants Program (MCGP) - Australia

City of Monash Community Grants Program (MCGP) – Australia

Iowa Artist Fellowship Program for elevation of the Arts – United States

Iowa Artist Fellowship Program for elevation of the Arts – United States

NOFO to Improve HIV Service Delivery and Other Public Health Interventions in Nigeria

Kent Richard Hofmann Foundation’s Grant Program – United States

Calgary Foundation offering $7,500 for Neighbor Grants Program- Canada

Calgary Foundation offering $7,500 for Neighbor Grants Program- Canada

Jewish Foundation of Manitoba: Women's Endowment Fund Grants (Canada)

Jewish Foundation of Manitoba: Women’s Endowment Fund Grants (Canada)

U.S. funding to strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mauritania

U.S. funding to strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mauritania

Call for Project Ideas: IKI Medium Grants 2021

Call for Project Ideas: IKI Medium Grants 2021

USAID/Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience (B4R) Activity Program

USAID/Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience (B4R) Activity Program

CFPs for NGOs Supporting Learning Centres for Small Grants in Kosovo

CFPs for NGOs Supporting Learning Centres for Small Grants in Kosovo

Grant Competition to Support Public Safety and Social Cohesion in Ukraine

Grant Competition to Support Public Safety and Social Cohesion in Ukraine

Submit Applications for Merdeka Award Grant Program 2021 - Malaysia

Karibu Foundation announces Grant Program – Global South

Canada: Call for Proposals for Greenbelt Foundation's Grant Program

Canada: Call for Proposals for Greenbelt Foundation’s Grant Program

Canada: Prince George Community Foundation Semi-Annual Grant Program

Canada: Prince George Community Foundation Semi-Annual Grant Program

Justice for Journalists Foundation announces 2021 Investigative Grant

Justice for Journalists Foundation announces 2021 Investigative Grant

Republic of Serbia: Public Competition for Financing of Projects in Youth Sector

Republic of Serbia: Public Competition for Financing of Projects in Youth Sector

Rose Foundation's Northern California Environmental Grassroots Fund

Rose Foundation’s Northern California Environmental Grassroots Fund

RSS Q&A

  • What resources will Karibu Foundation provide to Organisations seeking funding?
  • Is there any climate grant initiated for civil society actors based in Germany?
  • I need information about a grant that conserve and manage biodiversity in Uganda, can you please update me?  
  • What is a Non-Governmental Organization?
  • How NGOs can avoid falling for phishing emails?
  • How Social Media is helpful to Enhance NGO Visibility?
  • How to create successful partnerships with NGOs
  • How to Identify, Manage and Motivate Fundraisers for Your Organization?
  • What areas of work will attract Large Funding for NGOs?
  • How to write proposals on projects addressing climate change?
  • Have applications opened for the Teach for India Fellowship?
  • Do you know of any grant that will fund projects implemented in lower-middle or low-income countries?
  • What are some online and offline fundraising tips for NGOs?
  • What are the tips to boost funding efforts?
  • Which funding opportunity is defending human rights in Mauritania?
  • I am an Indian and want to pursue my higher education in the US, is there any foundation that can finance my studies?   
  • My NGO is working towards Sustainable Development Goals and other related projects, I need a compilation of similar grant opportunities, could you assist? 
  • What will be the focus of the Young Leaders Program this year? 
  • What is Donor Relation Management?
  • What is Succession Planning?

Terms of Use
Third-Party Links & Ads
Disclaimers
Copyright Policy
General
Privacy Policy
Premium Membership

© FUNDSFORNGOS. All rights reserved.

FUNDSFORNGOS LLC
Office 1018 1060 Broadway,
Albany New York 12204 USA

 

Unless otherwise specified, this website is not affiliated to any of the organizations mentioned above in any manner. The material provided here is solely for informational purposes only without any warranty. Visitors are advised to use it at their own discretion. Read the full disclaimer here.

© 2021
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more.