Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS NBO PAS FY19 001
The Building Interfaith Bridges grant is a U.S. Mission to Kenya (U.S. Embassy Nairobi) funding opportunity designed to reduce religious divides and strengthen social cohesion in Kenya by bringing people from different faith traditions into sustained, practical contact. The core idea is to use creative, community-friendly formats such as arts, sports, team-building activities, and other interactive approaches to move beyond formal discussions and help participants build real relationships. The program is meant to support the Embassy's broader goal of strengthening resilience among at-risk populations and reinforcing peace, especially in areas where communities may be vulnerable to polarization, recruitment by violent extremists, or recurring intercommunal tensions.
A central requirement is scale and diversity of participation. The project must engage at least 200 participants representing a balanced mix of genders, backgrounds, and ages, with a built-in safeguard against dominance by any single group: no one faith community can make up more than two-thirds of the participant pool. The geographic priorities are clearly defined as Nairobi, northeastern Kenya, and the Kenyan coast, reflecting regions where interfaith engagement and community stability are considered especially important.
From a program design standpoint, applicants are expected to combine in-person exchanges with digital engagement so that dialogue and collaboration can continue across distance and time. Proposals are encouraged to make strong use of U.S. Embassy-supported American Spaces, which function as libraries and community hubs with meeting rooms and internet access. The opportunity specifically highlights American Spaces in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Lamu as venues for convenings and virtual sessions. Another preferred element is meaningful involvement of U.S. exchange program alumni, leveraging their networks and experience to mentor participants, facilitate discussions, or support outreach.
The Embassy lays out several concrete objectives that proposals should address. Programs should (1) engage participants through creative, relationship-building activities (arts, sports, team-based challenges, and similar formats), (2) deliver trainings that build peacebuilding skills and encourage appreciation of diversity, (3) hold quarterly teleconferences or virtual engagement sessions hosted through American Spaces to keep interfaith dialogue active and structured over time, and (4) run awareness and outreach campaigns that promote religious tolerance and diversity, including a local media component. A major non-negotiable deliverable is the organization of two interfaith Iftars during Ramadan 2019, one in Garissa and one in Mombasa, with participation by a U.S. Embassy representative. This requirement signals that the Embassy is looking not only for general interfaith programming but also for visible, symbolic events that model respectful engagement across religious lines in key locations.
In terms of who should apply, the opportunity is aimed at non-profit and civil society organizations capable of operating in interfaith settings and delivering programming at a meaningful scale. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), and other eligible entities as permitted in the notice. The Embassy indicates a preference for partners that use innovative methods to promote tolerance and diversity, religious leaders who actively mentor vulnerable groups, and NGOs with proven reach across multiple faith communities. In practice, the strongest applicants would likely be organizations that can demonstrate trusted community relationships, credible facilitation capacity, risk-aware event planning, and the ability to translate activities into broader public influence through local media and community-level campaigns.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant competition under Funding Opportunity Number DOS NBO PAS FY19 001, with an anticipated single award. The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $50,000, and the original closing date listed is March 1, 2019. Overall, the grant is structured to fund one well-designed program that combines hands-on relationship building, skills training, sustained virtual engagement, public messaging, and high-visibility interfaith events, all focused on helping Kenyan communities cooperate across religious lines and resist forces that exploit division.Apply for DOS NBO PAS FY19 001
- The U.S. Mission to Kenya in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building Interfaith Bridges" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-01-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
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Building Interfaith Bridges Grant (U.S. Embassy Nairobi) - FAQs
What is the Building Interfaith Bridges grant?
The Building Interfaith Bridges grant is a U.S. Mission to Kenya (U.S. Embassy Nairobi) funding opportunity focused on reducing religious divides and strengthening social cohesion in Kenya. The program emphasizes sustained, practical contact among people from different faith traditions, using interactive and community-friendly approaches rather than relying only on formal dialogue.
What problem is this grant trying to address?
The opportunity is designed to reinforce peace and strengthen resilience among at-risk populations, especially in communities that may be vulnerable to polarization, recruitment by violent extremists, or recurring intercommunal tensions. The goal is to support cooperation across religious lines and reduce the impact of forces that exploit division.
What kinds of activities does the Embassy want projects to use?
Projects are expected to use creative, relationship-building formats that help participants interact in real, practical ways. Examples specifically highlighted include arts, sports, team-building activities, team-based challenges, and other interactive approaches that help people move beyond formal discussions and build genuine relationships.
How many participants must the project reach?
The project must engage at least 200 participants.
Are there specific diversity requirements for participants?
Yes. Participation must reflect a balanced mix of genders, backgrounds, and ages. In addition, no single faith community can make up more than two-thirds of the participant pool, which serves as a safeguard against dominance by any one group.
Which locations in Kenya are prioritized for this grant?
The geographic priorities are Nairobi, northeastern Kenya, and the Kenyan coast.
Does the project have to include both in-person and online components?
Yes. Applicants are expected to combine in-person exchanges with digital engagement so that interfaith dialogue and collaboration can continue across distance and over time.
What are American Spaces, and how should they be used in the project?
American Spaces are U.S. Embassy-supported libraries and community hubs that typically offer meeting rooms and internet access. Proposals are encouraged to make strong use of American Spaces as venues for convenings and virtual sessions.
Which American Spaces are specifically highlighted in the opportunity?
The opportunity highlights American Spaces in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Lamu.
Is involvement of U.S. exchange program alumni required?
The opportunity identifies meaningful involvement of U.S. exchange program alumni as a preferred element. Alumni can support the project by mentoring participants, facilitating discussions, or helping with outreach through their networks and experience.
What objectives should proposals address?
The Embassy lists several objectives that proposals should address:
- Engage participants through creative, relationship-building activities (such as arts, sports, team-building challenges, and similar interactive formats).
- Deliver trainings that build peacebuilding skills and encourage appreciation of diversity.
- Hold quarterly teleconferences or virtual engagement sessions hosted through American Spaces to keep interfaith dialogue active and structured over time.
- Run awareness and outreach campaigns that promote religious tolerance and diversity, including a local media component.
Are quarterly virtual sessions a requirement?
Yes. The program includes quarterly teleconferences or virtual engagement sessions, hosted through American Spaces, to sustain and structure interfaith engagement over time.
Does the project need a media or public outreach component?
Yes. Proposals should include awareness and outreach campaigns promoting religious tolerance and diversity, and these campaigns should include a local media component.
Are there any mandatory events that must be delivered?
Yes. A major non-negotiable deliverable is organizing two interfaith Iftars during Ramadan 2019: one in Garissa and one in Mombasa. A U.S. Embassy representative must participate in each Iftar.
Where must the interfaith Iftars be held?
The required interfaith Iftars must be held in Garissa and Mombasa.
When must the interfaith Iftars take place?
The two interfaith Iftars must take place during Ramadan 2019.
Who is the funder for this opportunity?
The funder is the U.S. Mission to Kenya, through the U.S. Embassy Nairobi.
Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
The opportunity is aimed at non-profit and civil society organizations capable of operating in interfaith settings and delivering programming at meaningful scale. Eligible applicants include:
- U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
- Other eligible entities as permitted in the notice
Are institutions of higher education eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
No. The opportunity explicitly notes that nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.
What kinds of organizations are most competitive for this grant?
The Embassy indicates a preference for partners that use innovative methods to promote tolerance and diversity, religious leaders who actively mentor vulnerable groups, and NGOs with proven reach across multiple faith communities. Strong applicants are likely to demonstrate trusted community relationships, credible facilitation capacity, risk-aware event planning, and the ability to extend program influence through local media and community-level campaigns.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS NBO PAS FY19 001.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The notice anticipates a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $50,000.
Is this a discretionary grant competition?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant competition.
What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is March 1, 2019.
What is the overall program approach the Embassy is looking for?
The grant is structured to fund one well-designed program that combines hands-on relationship building, peacebuilding skills training, sustained virtual engagement through American Spaces, public messaging and outreach (including local media), and high-visibility interfaith events. The overall focus is on helping Kenyan communities cooperate across religious lines and resist polarization and intercommunal tension.
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