NGO Capacity Building | PAS PAN FY20 04

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS PAN FY20 04

The NGO Capacity Building grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAS-PAN-FY20-04) is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Panama, through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section. It funds a project designed to strengthen civil society in Panama by providing practical training, information, and ongoing guidance to local NGOs, foundations, and civil society leaders so they can more effectively pursue social, civic, and humanitarian goals. The larger purpose is to support more resilient, transparent, and democratic institutions in Panama by investing in a capable civil society that can engage communities and help hold government accountable, with particular attention to environment and labor issues.

The core of the project is structured capacity-building programming for civil society actors. Proposals are expected to use U.S. expertise or resources in a meaningful way, such as bringing in trainers, methodologies, tools, or partnerships that reflect U.S. experience in nonprofit management and civic engagement. Training topics explicitly highlighted include fundraising, campaign creation, media and outreach strategies, and other operational skills that improve organizational effectiveness. In addition to strengthening day-to-day NGO operations, the program is intended to build civic engagement and reinforce democratic institutions by helping participants design and run initiatives that can influence public debate, mobilize communities, and advocate for accountability.

A strong emphasis is placed on networking and multiplier effects. The project should expand participant networks so that the impact extends beyond individual trainees to broader coalitions and collaboration across the country, including opportunities to engage with the U.S. Embassy. The implementer is also expected to coordinate closely with the Public Affairs Section to incorporate workshops and tutorials on how to prepare grant applications, which signals that the Embassy wants participants to leave with concrete skills for competing for future funding and managing donor-facing requirements.

If the program limits the number of participants, the opportunity requires a fair and transparent selection process. The target audience includes Panamanian NGOs, foundations, and civil society leaders not only in Panama City but also in provinces across the country, so competitive proposals would typically show a credible plan for reaching participants outside the capital and ensuring geographic inclusion.

Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), universities and educational institutions, governmental institutions, and individuals. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible. Organizations that apply must have the required federal registrations: a DUNS number, an NCAGE/CAGE code, and an active SAM.gov registration; individuals are exempt from the DUNS and SAM.gov requirements. The funding instrument may be a grant or a cooperative agreement, and the activity areas are listed broadly under community development, education, income security and social services, and regional development. The award ceiling is $60,000, and the Embassy anticipated making up to two awards.

Applications were accepted on a rolling basis up to the closing deadline of January 31, 2020, and applicants were instructed not to schedule project activities before April 1, 2020 to allow time for grant processing. Submissions had to be emailed to PanCultural@state.gov and include three required components: a proposal with a budget narrative, a completed budget worksheet, and Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance). Templates and required forms were provided through the Embassy's grants webpage in English and Spanish, and applicants were directed to review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed rules and instructions.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Panama in the community development, education, income security and social services, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NGO Capacity Building" 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 Dec 05, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2020. (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 $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS PAN FY20 04

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: