Deadline: 8-Mar-21
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Partnerships for Giving Activity.
The Partnerships for Giving activity is based on the understanding that IF there is an enabling and stimulating environment that rewards giving, IF local stakeholders are able to raise higher levels of funding from companies, communities, and individuals, IF private sector companies develop corporate philanthropy strategies and operational plans, IF sustainable fund-raising platforms and tools are operational, THEN philanthropy in North Macedonia will increase.
The Partnerships for Giving activity aims to support philanthropy as one important tool to expand FSR in North Macedonia, by increasing levels of giving by companies, communities, and private individuals to support solutions to development challenges to greater self-reliance. USAID seeks to engage a local partner to:
- Create an enabling environment for philanthropic giving using legal and tax frameworks to reward corporate, community, and individual philanthropy;
- Increase levels of philanthropic funding raised by local stakeholders from companies, communities, and individuals for development activities;
- Support companies to develop corporate philanthropy strategies and operational plans to implement them; and
- Catalyze the establishment of sustainable fund-raising platforms and tools.
Objectives
The goal of the Partnerships for Giving will be achieved through four mutually reinforcing objectives.
- Legal and tax frameworks reward corporate, community, and individual philanthropy: P4G will work with government institutions to strengthen implementation of reforms that will not only reduce the burden for companies, communities, and individuals in the country and from the country’s diaspora to provide financial donations, but also stimulate giving by enabling them to apply for and receive various tax incentives or other types of recognition and non-monetary rewards when they donate resources for development initiatives.
- Increased levels of philanthropic funding raised from companies, communities, and individuals for development activities: P4G will work with participating stakeholders to strengthen their commitment to philanthropic giving and to build their capacity to use it for their development activities.
- Companies develop corporate philanthropy strategies and operational plans to implement them: To help companies develop thoughtful mid- and long-term plans for philanthropy, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies, rather than responding only to ad hoc requests, P4G will work with the private sector to help companies formulate and act on strategies to support development challenges to greater self-reliance.
- Sustainable fund-raising platforms and tools are established: Recognizing the importance of having a fully functioning system that would facilitate the implementation of improved legislation for personal, community, and corporate philanthropy, the P4G must create platforms and other tools that leverage new technologies and social media by either enhancing existing or establishing new platforms for giving, and increasing their use in order to raise funds from the private sector and individuals.
Funding Information
- USAID intends to provide $750,000 in total USAID funding over a four-year period.
- The anticipated period of performance is four years. The estimated start date will be the end of May 2021.
Guiding Principles
Partnerships for Giving must adhere to the following principles:
- P4G must build capacity and help catalyze, facilitate, and leverage corporate, community, and individual philanthropy, but will not finance development activities, either directly or indirectly, in part or in total.
- P4G must align with USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) framework and the principles under the FSR to the maximum extent possible and promote the sustainability of activities and results, particularly any policy reforms and systems.
- P4G must be results-oriented and foster effective partnerships that will last beyond USAID’s engagement; sustainability of results and continuation of effective interventions are key.
- P4G must leverage existing resources, if they exist, to help achieve results.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility for applications in response to this NOFO is restricted to local entities. Given the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) lens, local full and open competition is foreseen to ensure local ownership for sustained philanthropic giving. Using this approach will ensure commitment, ownership, and full alignment with USAID’s J2SR principles.
- Only local organizations as defined below are eligible for award. USAID defines a “local entity” as an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:
- is legally organized under the laws of North Macedonia
- has its principal place of business or operations in North Macedonia
- is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of North Macedonia
- is managed by a governing body, the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of North Macedonia
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331046
