The U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda is pleased to announce the availability of a funding opportunity through the 2023 Julia Taft Refugee Fund.

What is the Julia Taft Refugee Fund?

The Julia Taft Refugee Fund is an initiative by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) to respond to critical unmet needs of refugees. Created in 2000, the Fund is intended to meet gaps in refugee assistance and protection by issuing grants to local NGOs for one-time, quick impact projects of up to $25,000 that are not addressed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), other international organizations (IOs), or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving U.S. government funding.

NOTE: This notice is subject to availability of funding.

What types of projects in Rwanda have been funded through the Julia Taft Refugee Fund in the past?

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Past grant recipients have implemented projects which improved communication in refugee camps, provided training to urban entrepreneur refugees and to train refugees in culinary arts.

Program Focus of the 2022 Julia Taft Refugee Fund

The Taft Fund is intended for projects that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50 percent refugees or returned refugees.  While the Julia Taft Fund is open for applicants to propose any project that could best serve refugees in their region, there is particular interest in proposals addressing legal and social protections and livelihood projects for refugees, refugee youth, and stateless persons that compliment ongoing interventions in camps or urban refugee areas.  Additionally, PRM seeks to support local organizations providing protection, assistance, and other solutions for refugees who may experience particular vulnerabilities such as LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, or women and girls.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Julia Taft Refugee Fund is limited to local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with at least two years of experience working in Rwanda.  If the NGO is not registered, applicant MUST provide proof of an active attempt to register through documentation such as documents, emails, and phone logs. Note that the Julia Taft Refugee Fund is meant to cover a one-time intervention and will not support a sustained program lasting more than one year.

How can an organization apply for funding? NGOs are invited to submit a brief description of their proposed projects by midnight East Africa time on January 18, 2023 via email.  Please send completed applications to: Kigaliasgp@state.gov with the subject line “Julia Taft Application.”  Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Project descriptions should be no longer than two pages in length, and should include the following:

  • Name and address of local organization responsible for implementation and management of the project funds.
  • Brief description of the local organization
  • Point of contact information
  • Project title and location
  • The population to be served
  • Statement of need and justification for the request (max 250 words)
  • Number of direct project beneficiaries and the benefits to be received (including a breakdown of percentage of refugees/returned refugees and host community among direct beneficiaries)
  • Project description (how the project will be carried out—max 250 words)
  • Project Goals and Objectives (measurable)
  • Project Budget (major expenditures only)

U.S. Embassy Contact Information:
Laura Mack
Grants Coordinator
U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda
Email: Kigaliasgp@state.gov

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