IAF Assistance for Overseas Programs

The primary objectives of the IAF Assistance for Programs Overseas in Latin America and the Caribbean program is to: (1) Strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding among the peoples in the Western Hemisphere; (2) Support self-help efforts d

No Credentials or Documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.

Assistance can be used to fund the self-help efforts of grassroots groups in Latin America and the Caribbean to improve living conditions of the disadvantaged and the excluded, enhance their capacity for decision-making and self-governance, and develop partnerships with the public sector, business and civil society. IAF does not provide assistance to the following: (1) Government Entities (including municipal governments and public universities); (2) Individuals; (3) Privately-held companies; (4) Organizations located in Cuba, Venezuela or Puerto Rico; (5) Projects that do not target grassroots communities in Latin America and the Caribbean; (6) Groups that do not contribute financial or in-kind resources to the proposed activities; (7) Projects that fund religious, research or construction activities exclusively; (8) Projects that are associated with political parties or partisan movements, or charity or welfare projects of any kind.

Generally one to five years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: The assistance is generally released bi-annually based on the demonstrated needs and performance of the grantee.

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. IAF accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. All applications must include a cover sheet, narrative concept note, and budget explaining the proposal in detail. IAF's complete application procedure, including application, can be found at: http://www.iaf.gov/apply-for-grants.

The IAF specifically looks for Latin American or Caribbean applicants that offer or demonstrate: (1) Innovative solutions to development problems; (2) Creative use of the community's resources; (3) Diverse array of community voices in project development and execution; (4) Substantial beneficiary engagement in: (a) The identification of the problem addressed, (b) The approach chosen to solve it, (c) The design of the project (d) Management and evaluation of activities; (5) Partnerships with local government, the business community and other civil society organizations; (6) Potential for strengthening all participating organizations and their partnerships; (7) Feasibility; (8) Evidence of sustainability; (9) Counterpart contributions from the proponent, the beneficiaries and other sources; (10) The potential to generate learning; (11) Measurable results; (12) Potential for improved organizational capacity for self-governance.

The basic procedural steps for awarding assistance includes an initial review of all grant applications yielding a small number of projects to be analyzed further. After the initial review, all grantees still under consideration receive a site visit, after which the IAF makes a determination on whether to award funding.

Additional funds may be awarded, as a amendment, upon successful completion of grant objectives.