Comprehensive Capacity Grant: Strengthening the Operational and Managerial Capacity of NGOs

Deadline extended till 8 March 2019

The USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean Local Capacity for Local Solutions (LCLS) project is focused on building the managerial, organizational, and administrative capacity of selected non-governmental organisations (NGOs), utilizing innovative methods and approaches to support them in expanding services and improving sustainability in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) region.

The LCLS project supports the goal of USAID’s Regional Development Cooperation Strategy which is: “Safer, more prosperous Caribbean Communities.” Its development assistance “seeks to:

reduce youth involvement in crime and violence;
reduce risks and adapt to the impacts of the environment; and
achieve epidemic control of HIV/AIDS throughout the region.”

In support of USAID’s development objectives and the focus of the LCLS project, RTI International (the prime recipient of the Local Capacity for Local Solutions award) will issue Comprehensive Capacity Grants with an approximate ceiling value of US$25,000.00 (over a maximum of 12-month period) to NGOs operating in the following sectors: youth/citizen security; HIV/AIDS; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, and intersex (LGBTI); and the environment.

The purpose of the Comprehensive Capacity Grants is to strengthen the operational and managerial capacity of NGOs so that they can be more efficient, effective, and sustainable in their operations and better contribute to development goals in their countries. The grant includes a compensation provision that allows for payment to staff for time spent in select grant activities; specifically the application of their skills to coordinate and lead activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Any Non-U.S. NGOs that are:
- Implementing activities in one of the key USAID sectors: youth/citizen security (priority sector), HIV/AID, LGBTI or the environment.
- Registered and working in at least one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
- Interested in improving their organizational and managerial capacity by fully participating in capacity building activities.
- A priority will be placed on NGOs that work with USAID-funded projects, although this is not a requirement.
In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must:
- be legally registered and operating in one of the six countries mentioned above
- have access to physical space to conduct their activities;
- have proven track records of successful implementation of projects in the proposed country;
- have been active for at least 3 years operating within their sector and respective country;
- have at least three (3) staff, which can be a mix of full-time, part-time, and volunteers;
- be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the project; not acting in the capacity of an intermediary/consultant;
- be willing to comply with all technical and financial requirements for participation in the program-including reporting and documentation of project activities;
- be willing to participate in assessments, trainings, workshops, or other activities considered important for achieving project goals and be eligible to receive funded awards from the United State Government