HIV and AIDS Community Grants Program | COMMGRANTSHIVAIDS17

HIV and AIDS Community Grants Program (U.S. Mission to South Africa) - FAQs

1) What is the HIV and AIDS Community Grants Program?

It is a U.S. Mission to South Africa grant opportunity intended to support community-level organizations that contribute to South Africa's national HIV response. The focus is on evidence-based interventions that prevent new HIV infections, strengthen HIV care and support, and address social conditions that affect access to services and retention in care.

2) What are the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is COMMGRANTSHIVAIDS17. The CFDA number is 19.029.

3) Who is this program designed to support?

The program is designed to support community-level organizations in South Africa that serve HIV-affected and "at risk" populations and that contribute to the national HIV response.

4) What types of projects does the program fund?

The program supports evidence-based community-rooted interventions that help:

• Prevent new HIV infections
• Strengthen HIV care, treatment adherence, and support
• Improve linkage to care and psychosocial support
• Reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination
• Advance democracy, governance, and human rights where these issues directly affect HIV outcomes

5) Is the program limited to clinical services or health messaging?

No. While HIV prevention and care are central, the solicitation also supports work that addresses stigma, discrimination, and rights-based barriers where those barriers directly affect HIV outcomes.

6) What populations receive funding preference?

Funding preference is given to organizations serving:

• Key and priority populations
• People living with HIV (PLHIV)
• Orphans and vulnerable children and youth (OVCY)
• Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)

7) What are the main program areas highlighted in the solicitation?

The solicitation highlights three broad areas (noted for 2016):

1. Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth (OVCY)
2. Community-based HIV care, treatment, and support plus HIV prevention and awareness (including key populations)
3. Human rights and governance work related to HIV

8) Can an applicant propose human rights, governance, or anti-stigma activities?

Yes. Initiatives that promote rights and reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination are supported when these issues directly affect HIV outcomes and access to services.

9) Is capacity building eligible for funding?

Capacity building may be considered when it is tied directly to HIV programming and community impact. Examples mentioned include monitoring and evaluation systems, case management capacity, and similar operational improvements.

10) What does "community-rooted" mean for this grant?

Projects must be able to demonstrate local buy-in and direct impact in the local community. Applicants are expected to show that the community supports the effort through contributions such as local funding, labor, or in-kind services.

11) What performance and reporting expectations apply to funded projects?

Successful applicants must be able to set clear performance goals and indicators, deliver outputs on time, and produce results that can be externally verified.

12) Are there specific monitoring and reporting requirements related to PEPFAR?

Yes. Because the opportunity aligns with PEPFAR-related expectations, funded organizations must monitor, measure, and report results in line with PEPFAR reporting requirements, including electronic reporting.

13) Is sustainability required after the grant ends?

Yes. The opportunity includes a sustainability expectation: once the grant period ends, the organization should be able to continue the work independently or with follow-on support from the community and/or other donors.

14) What is the typical award size?

The average award in FY16 was about USD 33,000, typically for one or two years.

15) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is USD 50,000 (noted as roughly ZAR 650,000 using an exchange rate assumption of 13 rand to 1 dollar).

16) What is the maximum project period?

The maximum implementation period is two years.

17) Are smaller requests or shorter timelines allowed?

Yes. Proposals requesting less funding and/or a shorter period are considered equally.

18) In what currency are awards made?

Awards are made in U.S. dollars.

19) Who is responsible for exchange-rate risk?

The recipient is responsible for any exchange-rate risk over the life of the grant.

20) Where can projects be implemented (geographic eligibility)?

Geographic eligibility is limited to specific districts. Eligible districts include:

• Eastern Cape: Alfred Nzo, Buffalo City, Chris Hani, O R Tambo, Amatole
• Free State: Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyane
• Gauteng: City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng
• KwaZulu-Natal: eThekwini, Ugu, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, uThungulu/King Cetshwayo, Zululand, Harry Gwala
• Limpopo: Capricorn, Mopani
• Mpumalanga: Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, Nkangala
• North West: Bojanala Platinum, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Western Cape: City of Cape Town (with a focus on townships and informal settlements)

21) Can an organization propose work across more than one region?

Yes. Organizations may propose implementation across more than one geographic region if they clearly specify this in the application.

22) How many applications can an organization submit?

Organizations may submit one application per registered organization.

23) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Applicants must be registered non-profit organizations in South Africa, must serve HIV-affected and "at risk" populations, and must have been operating for at least two years.

24) What language capacity is required?

Applicants must be able to apply and report in English.

25) Are electronic submissions and reporting required?

Yes. Administrative requirements include the ability to submit reports electronically, and PEPFAR-aligned reporting includes electronic reporting.

26) What administrative identifiers and forms are required?

Applicants must be able to obtain a DUNS number and must complete and submit the SF-424 form as part of the application package.

27) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on 2016-12-09 with an original closing date of 2017-03-15.

28) What type of funding instrument and activity area is this?

It is categorized as a grant instrument in the health activity area under an earmark opportunity category.

29) What is the overall theme or main goal across funded activities?

The overall theme is measurable community impact that improves HIV prevention and care outcomes while reducing stigma and strengthening rights-based access to services.

30) What does "externally verified results" mean in this context?

Funded organizations are expected to produce outputs and results that can be verified outside the organization, alongside clear performance goals and indicators and on-time delivery of outputs.