The Julia Taft Fund supports community-based projects that provide sustainable assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons, vulnerable migrants and stateless persons.  Each year, the Taft Fund awards grants up to $25,000 for projects that respond to issues that have not been addressed by larger multilateral refugee programs.   Projects that duplicate the work or services provided by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees or other multilateral refugee programs will not be funded. Proposals are due no later than April 6, 2018.

Instructions for submitting a completed application 

PROVIDE ORGANIZATION, COMMUNITY and PROJECT DETAILS:  Tell us about your organization, its work history, and how this project will benefit your community.  Be sure to describe the people who will benefit from your project.

APPLY FOR THE MINIMAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING YOUR PROJECT WILL REQUIRE:  Projects that show the most efficient use of funds are the most likely to receive a grant.  If your project can be accomplished with less money than you are requesting, your application will not be selected for funding.

PROVIDE A BUDGET, A PROJECT TIMELINE, and, if YOUR PROPOSAL INVOLVES INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES, a BUSINESS PLAN:  Please be aware, in most cases the Julia Taft Fund money cannot be used to pay for salaries or perishables (such as food).    If you are proposing an income generating project, please fill-out the income generating form on page 4 of the application.

PROVIDE MEASURABLE RESULTS:  To qualify for funding, your project must be able to provide measurable results in the forms of people served, income raised, etc.

GATHER SUPPORTING MATERIALS and DOCUMENTATION:  Include a copy of your group’s registration, pro-forma invoices for all materials listed in your budget, a site map and any letters of support from District officials or other U.S. government partners.

PROVIDE RELIABLE CONTACT INFORMATION:  Include at least one cell number.

FILL-OUT THE APPLICATION COVERSHEET (see page 4):  Every application must include the attached application cover sheet.

Download: Julia Taft Fund Application Cover Sheet 

The application PROCESS 

April 6, 2018 is the deadline for submitting an application.  The Embassy will review the applications and submit qualifying applications to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.  In June, the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration will inform the Embassy of their funding decisions and the Embassy will inform the applicants.

NOTE:  Project proposals must be submitted by a registered local community group and not by local officials or individuals.  Groups must have diverse membership (no single families) and must be already established and operating.

Examples of Projects Which Have Received Funding in the Past:

• Establishment of Legal Aid Clinics
• Job-Training/ Vocational Training
• Establishment of Community Centers
• Human Rights Education
• Environmental Improvement

Please Note 

• Projects that duplicate the work or services provided by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees or other multilateral refugee programs will not be funded.
• Project proposals must be submitted by a registered local community group and not by local officials or individuals. Groups must have diverse membership (no single families) and must be already established and operating.
• Ongoing administrative or operating costs, such as stipends or rent, may be included in the request, but should only account for a small portion of a comprehensive grant proposal.
• Taft Fund cannot be used to pay VAT. VAT must be paid by the grantee.
• Proposals Sent to the Julia Taft Fund will not be Returned 

SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSAL

Post or email your completed application to:

Regional Refugee Office

United States Embassy

P.O. Box 7007, Kampala

Telephone: 0414-259-791, Email  GacukuziAS@state.gov  

• Applications can be submitted via post or email.

For your application to be considered, attach the following documents:

1. A detailed history of your organization and project, stating when it started, what has been accomplished, what you have done for the community, and how the community supports your work;
2. Reliable contact information, with at least one cell phone number;
3. A map showing how to get to your project from a major road;
4. A Budget and Project Timeline and Pro Forma Invoices for all items to be purchased with Julia Taft Fund money;
5. Copy of project bank account details;
6. Proof that the project has its own land (in the name of the project) or permission to occupy the land, e.g., signed lease agreement or deed;