CAFSA-American Corner Cape Town Request for Proposals 

Update 22 August 2023 (Restriction on maximum grant removed)

Activities for the American Corner Cape Town to increase people-to-people ties and understanding between Americans and South Africans 

Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAFSA) is an independent non-profit organisation (NPC Number: 014-831) (PBO: 930002036) that promotes and facilitates effective giving, volunteering and social investment. CAFSA has been represented in South Africa since 1997 and in 2000 became a registered Section 21 not-for-profit and public benefit organisation.

CAFSA is pleased to announce this call for proposals from organizations, institutions, and individuals interested in applying for funding to support programs and activities to be implemented at the American Corner in Cape Town in support of the shared goals and objectives of CAFSA, the U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town, and the American Spaces program.

Goals and Objectives:  

The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to foster stronger ties and build relationships between the United States of America and South Africa through activities at the American Corner in Cape Town that increase understanding, connections, and the sharing of information and ideas between Americans and South Africans at the people-to-people level. All programs and activities will be implemented at the American Corner Cape Town, South Africa, in partnership with CAFSA and the U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town.

We are specifically looking for projects that prominently feature a substantive American element and/or facilitate direct connections for South Africans with American people – including students, experts, artists, and activists – institutions, ideas, and ideals. Projects that establish connections that are likely to have lasting impact beyond the scope of the specific project will be prioritized for support. 

We invite interested organizations to submit applications, detailing their proposed activities and demonstrating how they align with the goal and objectives outlined above. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding and collaboration between our two nations. Examples of desired programs or activities include, but are not limited to:

• Expert (academic or professional) speaker programs involving an American speaker, either in person or virtual;
• Programs connecting American and South African peers (students, teachers, academics, professionals, scientists, activists, journalists, civil servants, government officials, artists, etc.) for meaningful dialogue and exchange;
• Artistic and cultural activities or joint performances or exhibitions involving the work of American artists or American subject matter;
• Activities supporting English language teaching and learning; 
• Activities supporting South Africans seeking to study in the United States through educational advising;
• Programs or activities organized by alumni of U.S-sponsored exchange programs, allowing them to share their experiences in the United States and knowledge and insights they gained on their exchanges
• Programs that support the sharing of accurate information about the United States of interest to South Africans, particularly for highlighting shared challenges and supporting partnership to identify shared solutions;
• Programs introducing new techniques, technologies, and/or modern digital skills to South African audiences while connecting them to people and information on the use of these technologies and skills in the U.S. context. This can include programs designed to activate the ACCT MakerSpace equipment and tools.

Programs that are specifically excluded are:

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;
• Charitable or development activities;
• Construction programs;
• Programs that support specific religious activities;
• Fund-raising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
• Scientific research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Priority Areas:

• Program objectives should address at least one of the following program priority areas:
• Culture and society, including arts, storytelling, and sport;
• Civil society, democracy, and justice, including media/journalism, transparency and accountability in governance, elections, civic activism, and human rights; 
• Economic development and trade, including enhancement of entrepreneurial thinking and skills,, skills building, job readiness, innovation, and creative thinking, including in the creative and technology sectors;
• Education, including student and teacher development and exchange at the lower, secondary and higher education levels; 
• Women’s economic, social, security, and political empowerment, including combatting gender-based violence;
• Empowering youth, including critical thinking and leadership development;
• Environmental issues, including climate change, sustainable living, and the Just Energy Transition;
• Agriculture and food security 
• Global health issues;
• LGBTQI+ rights and empowerment;
• Safety and security, including conflict resolution and the prevention of violence and crime.

Length of performance period:  

Programs or activities may take the form of a one-time event or can be made up of a series of activities/events taking place over the course of several days or weeks, or following an ongoing schedule – such as every Monday afternoon for a month – for up to 12 months. All proposed programs and activities may not start before 1 September 2023, and must be completed before 1 August 2024.

Number of awards anticipated:  

To be determined based on availability of funding and amounts requested, but CAFSA anticipates funding several proposals from this funding opportunity.

Award amounts:  

Project costs should be aligned with project scope.  For example, a project that would take place over several months for a large group would be more expensive than a one-day project for a small, targeted group.  Budgets must be realistic.  

Proposal Submission Process:  

Applicants should complete the form downloadable from this link – APPLICATION FORM LINK.docx including the detailed budget plan, and providing all requested supporting documents and information.  Completed applications and attached supporting documents should be emailed to procurement@cafsouthernafrica.org using the following email subject line: ACCT Sub-Grants Application – [name of applicant].  Incomplete applications – including those missing mandatory supporting documentation – will not be considered.

Deadline for Submissions:  

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until either 1 May 2024 or until all available funding has been awarded, whichever comes first.

Selection Process and Criteria:  

It is anticipated that more proposals will be received than can be funded with resources available under this funding opportunity, so selection of successful proposals will be on a competitive basis.  Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of representatives of CAFSA and the U.S. Consulate in Cape Town and evaluated based on all of the following criteria:

• the clarity of the proposed program or activities and the realistic nature of the timeline for those activities; 
• the clarity of the proposed audience for engagement and the likelihood that said audience can realistically be engaged and effected as proposed by the program activities;
• the likelihood that those activities will achieve the stated goals and objectives of the project within the timeline; 
• the likelihood that the program/activities will achieve the stated goals and objectives of this call for proposals (see “Goals and Objectives” section above);
• the relevance of the program to the priority areas noted above;
• the reasonableness and relevance of the proposed budget;
• the alignment of the proposal with all restrictions and requirements described in this call for proposals and in the Sub-Grantee Application Form.

Supplier Documents

Prospective service providers are required to submit the following documents,, where applicable:

• VAT Registration Certificate.
• Company Registration documents.
• Directors IDs.
• B-BBEE Certificate.
• Valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Website and social media links.
• Representative contact Details (Name / Telephone Number / Email Address).

The selection committee will meet as needed to evaluate received proposals and will inform applicants as soon as possible if their proposal was selected for funding or not and at what level.  Questions about the application process or the details of this call for proposal should be submitted by email to procurement@cafsouthernafrica.org with the subject line: ACCT Sub-Grants Application – QUESTIONS.