A Movement to Change One Billion Lives

2020 Round 2: Letter of Interest for Haiti and UgandaDeadline: July 1, 2020

IMPORTANT: Because COVID-19 is having an outsized impact on persons with disabilities from particularly marginalized1 groups, the eligibility for this 2020 Round

2 Letter of Interest (LoI) is different than in previous rounds. DPOs2 in Haiti and Uganda are eligible to submit an LoI if they 1) represent a marginalized group, 2)

propose a COVID-19 advocacy project, and 3) are not a current DRF/DRAF grantee.

ABOUT THE DISABILITY RIGHTS FUND & THE DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCACY FUNDEstablished in 2008, the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) supports persons with disabilities (PWDs) around the world to build diverse movements, ensure inclusive development agendas, and achieve equal rights and opportunity for all. Together with the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF), DRF’s sister organization supporting persons with disabilities in the developing world to advance legal frameworks to realize their rights, the Funds resource disabled persons’ organizations (DPOs) leading these efforts, primarily in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean. Through grantmaking, advocacy, and technical assistance, the Funds support DPOs to use global rights and development frameworks – such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – to ensure no one is left behind. DRF/DRAF grants build the technical knowledge and capacities of marginalized and emergent groups of PWDs to advocate for rights and inclusion, as well as support ongoing efforts of national, state, provincial, regional, and district level DPOs to advance implementation of the CRPD and the SDGs. If an application includes lobbying activities, as defined in United States law, the application will be considered under DRAF.

DRF donors include: The Ansara Family Fund of the Boston Foundation; the Ford Foundation; The Estelle Friedman Gervis Family Foundation; the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation; U.K. aid from the U.K. government (DFID); the Foundation to Promote Open Society, part of the Open Society Foundations; WE Trust; and individual donors. DRAF is supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

ABOUT THE LETTER OF INTERESTThe Letter of Interest (LoI) should only be completed if you are not a current DRF/DRAF grantee. If you are a current DRF/DRAF grantee, please do not submit an LoI. Instead, you will need to complete a full proposal during our Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The RFP, including information and funding application materials, will be advertised on the DRF website, DRF Twitter, and DRF Facebook on July 20, 2020, and will be due on August 24, 2020.

1 Marginalized refers to women with disabilities, children and young people with disabilities, people with psychosocial disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities, people with albinism, little people, Deafblind and other specific impairment groups identified as marginalized in a target country.2 In DRF’s understanding of the term, “DPO,” DPOs are representative organizations or groups of PWDs, where PWDs constitute a majority (50% or more) of the overall board, staff, and volunteers, and are well represented in all levels of the organization. It includes organizations of relatives of PWDs (only those representing children with disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities, or the Deafblind) where a primary aim of these organizations is empowerment and the growth of self-advocacy of persons with disabilities. In addition, DPOs have an understanding of disability in accordance with the social model.

Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 2The purpose of the LoI process is to determine whether an applicant organization and proposed project fit DRF or DRAF’s funding guidelines before a full proposal is submitted. A well-developed LoI can be crucial to proceeding to the next step and possibly securing funding. It should provide the information requested in a clear and concise, yet detailed and complete manner. Based on the LoI review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full funding application during the RFP process. IMPORTANT: Note that receiving an RFP invitation does NOT guarantee funding, rather it provides access to submit a detailed proposal and budget in the RFP period. Funding decisions are made by the DRF and DRAF Grantmaking Committees.

The LoI should briefly describe:1. How your proposed project aim addresses issues raised by COVID-19: For example:

Our project aims to ensure women with disabilities in 2 rural districts of Haiti are included in efforts to address the increase in gender-based violence associated with COVID-19. For additional examples, visit DRF/DRAF Grantees Ensuring Inclusive Responses to COVID-19.

2. The proposed activities: The LoI should describe clearly what activities will be implemented in the project.

3. The total cost of the project and the amount requested from DRF/DRAF.

ASSESSMENT OF LOIThe LoI will be reviewed using the following guidelines:

Extent to which PWDs are leading efforts at organizational and project levels Match of project plans with DRF/DRAF available funding and the criteria specific to this

2020 Round 2 LoI (COVID-19 advocacy efforts led by DPOs representing marginalized groups, such as women with disabilities, children and young people with disabilities, people with psychosocial disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities, people with albinism, little people, people with DeafBlindness and other impairment groups identified as marginalized in either Haiti or Uganda)

Extent to which the applicant draws on the CRPD and/or the SDGs to inform and drive the project

Extent to which project activities are achievable in the timeframe and will lead to positive change for PWDs

ABOUT DRF AND DRAF FUNDING DRF and DRAF currently administer three funding streams during our biannual grantmaking rounds: Small Grants, Mid-Level Coalition Grants, and National Coalition Grants, as described below:

SMALL GRANTSThe Small Grants funding stream supports growth of a broader and more diverse disability movement to advance the CRPD at state and local levels. The priority areas for the Small Grants funding stream are detailed below. While DRF/DRAF welcomes 2020 Round 2 LoIs from any DPO in Haiti or Uganda that represents a marginalized group and proposes a COVID-19 advocacy project, DPOs that are grassroots, rural, emergent/newly established, and/or not yet registered (with fiscal sponsorship) are especially encouraged to apply for grants in this category. Grant amounts range from USD 5,000 – USD 20,000. Grants will support activities to be implemented over a period of one year. Small Grants applications should be aimed at one of the following priority areas relevant to the COVID-19 focus of this 2020 Round 2 LoI:

1. Increasing DPO capacity to participate in advocacy and decision-making processes regarding implementation of rights at local levelsThis priority area is aimed at supporting DPOs to build capacity (especially of marginalized PWDs and emergent DPOs) to participate meaningfully in advocacy for rights (according to specific CRPD articles) as well as inclusion in decision-making processes – such as COVID-19 task forces or planning committees – at local levels.

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Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 22. Advocacy for inclusion of PWDs in government programs - such as education,

health or justice - and in government budget planning and implementation at the local level This priority area is aimed at supporting DPOs to carry out advocacy to local government stakeholders or service providers on implementation of a specific CRPD article (for example, Article 27 on access to work and employment or Article 13 on access to justice) in existing COVID-19 response programs and budgets. DPOs may also undertake projects that inform or demonstrate to government or other key stakeholders how rights outlined in specific articles of the CRPD can be implemented in practice. Grants under this priority area are also aimed at supporting DPOs to lead monitoring of disability inclusion in local government budgets related to COVID-19. Advocacy to influence budget priorities on the local level is also critical to ensure that disability inclusion is part of the local budget making process.

MID-LEVEL COALITION GRANTSThe Mid-Level Coalition funding stream supports coalitions at sub-national levels to ensure that national legislation and policy is implemented at these levels, including through establishment of budgets. This funding stream also supports sub-national level coalitions to advocate that sub-national development programs, policies, and plans aiming to address COVID-19 are inclusive of PWDs. Advocacy at sub-national levels is especially critical in federal systems and in decentralized political systems – which make up the majority of DRF and DRAF’s target countries. Mid-Level Coalition grants enable grantees to collaborate at state (in a federal system), provincial, regional, or district levels.

Because of the importance of joint advocacy at this level, only coalitions of three or more organizations will be funded. Applicant organizations leading the coalition are required to be DPOs, while partner organizations can be either DPOs or other civil society organizations, academic institutions, or development NGOs active in the promotion of human rights.

Grants for Mid-Level Coalitions are disbursed to the lead applicant DPO on behalf of the Coalition. Applicant organizations are responsible for coordinating the Coalition and managing the grant on behalf of all partners. Sub-national umbrella organizations or federations are considered one organization for the purposes of this application and therefore must form a Coalition with at least two other organizations to be eligible. Both the applicant organization and the application aim must have sub-national scope.

Mid-Level Coalitions that work across disability sectors and with marginalized sectors of the disability community are highly encouraged.

Grant amounts will range from USD 30,000 – 40,000 per year (USD 60,000 – 80,000 over the course of two years, if approved for second year of funding). Grants will support activities to be implemented over the course of two years, however grants are given one year at a time.

Mid-Level Coalition grants should be aimed at one of the following priority areas relevant to the COVID-19 focus of this 2020 Round 2 LoI, at district, provincial, regional, or state (in a federal system) levels:

1. Passage of specific sub-national legislation (including ordinances), policy, regulations, and/or budgetary priorities to accord with the CRPD In federal or decentralized political systems, legal or policy changes related to COVID-19 at national level must be followed up with similar changes at sub-national (state, regional, provincial or district) levels. In the process of budget planning, COVID-19 budget priorities at sub-national level must be disability inclusive. Civil society can play an important role in advocating for legislative and policy reform as well as budget priority setting at these levels. It is critical that DPOs, in particular, understand the process of government budget development, participate in it where possible, and demand sufficient resources and tracking to ensure that rights are made real.

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Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 2

2. Advocacy for inclusion of PWDs in government programs, such as education, health or justice, at the state (in a federal system), provincial, regional or district level in line with CRPD articles DPO efforts to make mainstream COVID-19 government programs and services more inclusive and accessible (e.g. through processes of planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring) are essential to ensure that the needs and rights of PWDs – in the COVID-19 context and beyond – are understood and considered by sub-national government officials and institutions.

NATIONAL COALITION GRANTSThe National Coalition funding stream supports advancement of the CRPD at national levels. The priority areas for the National Coalition funding stream are detailed below. National Coalitions that work across disability sectors and with marginalized sectors of the disability community are highly encouraged.

This stream is intended for organizations that are prominent in the disability movement at the national level. Because of the importance of joint advocacy at this level, only coalitions of three or more organizations will be funded. Applicant organizations leading the coalition should be DPOs, while partner organizations can be either DPOs or other civil society organizations, academic institutions, or development NGOs active in the promotion of human rights.

Grants for National Coalitions are disbursed to the lead applicant DPO with national scope on behalf of the Coalition. Applicant organizations are responsible for coordinating the Coalition and managing the grant on behalf of the Coalition partners. National umbrella organizations or federations are considered one organization for the purposes of this application and therefore must form a Coalition with at least two other organizations to be eligible. Both the applicant organization and the application aim must have national scope.

Grant amounts range from USD 30,000 – 50,000 per year (USD 60,000 – 100,000 over the course of two years, if approved for second year of funding). Grants will support activities to be implemented over the course of two years, however grants are given one year at a time.

National Coalition grants should be aimed at one of the following priority areas relevant to the COVID-19 focus of this 2020 Round 2 LoI:

1. Passage or amendment of specific national legislation and policies to accord with the CRPDMany countries are considering laws or policies designed to support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. DPOs can play a critical role in making sure any such national developments are inclusive of and accessible to PWDs.

2. Advocacy for budgetary measures as well as regulations to implement new or amended legislation and policy promoting the rights of PWDsOnce national legislation or policy related to COVID-19 is adopted or amended to address the rights of PWDs, regulatory frameworks, guidelines, data collection and budgets are needed to ensure implementation. DPOs can play a critical role in advising government about how best to ensure CRPD-compliance in regulations, guidelines, data collection and budgets so that the lives of all PWDs are improved.

ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

To be eligible to submit a 2020 Round 2 LoI for the Small Grant, Mid-Level Coalition Grant, or National Coalition Grant funding streams, applicants must not be a current DRF/DRAF grantee, and must answer “yes” to all of the following questions:

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Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 21. Is your organization a local (as opposed to international) organization based in Haiti or

Uganda? [ ] Yes [ ] No2. Is your organization a DPO, primarily governed by and composed of PWDs? [ ] Yes [ ]

No3. Does your organization represent a marginalized group (such as women with disabilities,

children and young people with disabilities, people with psychosocial disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities, people with albinism, little people, people with DeafBlindness or other impairment groups identified as marginalized in either Haiti or Uganda)? [ ] Yes [ ] No

4. Does your organization advocate for the advancement of rights of PWDs? [ ] Yes [ ] No5. Does your organization have legal registration, or have fiscal sponsorship from an

organization with legal registration?? [ ] Yes [ ] No6. Does your organization (or fiscal sponsor, if applicable) have a bank account that can

receive funds from the United States? [ ] Yes [ ] No7. Does the proposed project focus on advocacy related to the COVID-19 response and

recovery? [ ] Yes [ ] No8. Does the proposed project fit one of DRF’s priority areas (described above) for the Small

Grant, Mid-Level Coalition Grant, or National Coalition Grant funding streams? [ ] Yes [ ] No

In addition to the criteria for all applicants, Mid-Level Coalition LoI applicants must answer “yes” to the following additional questions:

1. Is the proposed applicant organization a DPO? [ ] Yes [ ] No2. Are there at least 2 additional organizations in the proposed coalition who meet the

criteria described above? [ ] Yes [ ] No3. Does your organization work at sub-national, including state (in a federal system),

provincial, regional, or district levels? [ ] Yes [ ] No4. Does the proposed project reach sub-national, including state (in a federal system),

provincial, regional, or district levels? [ ] Yes [ ] No5. Is your organization able to provide at least the previous year’s annual audited

financials? [ ] Yes [ ] No

In addition to the criteria for all applicants, National Coalition LoI applicants must answer “yes” to the following additional questions:

1. Is the proposed applicant organization a DPO? [ ] Yes [ ] No2. Are there at least 2 additional organizations in the proposed coalition who meet the

criteriadescribed above? [ ] Yes [ ] No

3. Does your organization work at the national level? [ ] Yes [ ] No 4. Does the proposed project have a national scope? [ ] Yes [ ] No5. Is your organization able to provide at least the previous year’s annual audited

financials? [ ] Yes [ ] No

If you answered “yes” to the above questions, you may proceed with submitting the below LoI. If you answered “no” to any questions, your organization or project are NOT eligible for funding at this time.

WHAT WE DO NOT FUNDDRF and DRAF do not fund the following activities:

Organizations that work for people with disabilities, but do not have people with disabilities well-represented at governance, management, and staff levels

Production, provision, or dissemination of assistive devices or rehabilitation services Income-generation or service-provision Acquisition of land or buildings

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Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 2 Reconstruction or renovation of physical spaces (offices, etc.) Individuals and scholarships Travel to conferences outside the target country Public schools and universities Governmental entities Religious activities: While we may fund a faith-based organization (as long as it meets

other criteria), we do not fund any faith-based organizations that proselytize3 or have proselytization as part of their mission.

Sporting activities Training to learn sign language, Braille, or tactile communication Participation or intervention in an election campaign that expresses a view in support or

opposition to a candidate for public office or for voter registration drives

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LETTER OF INTEREST

Important Dates July 1, 2020: Deadline for LoI submissions. LoIs should be received by midnight your

time. July 20, 2020: DRF will invite selected LOI applicants to submit full proposals. August 24, 2020: Deadline for full proposals. Proposals should be received by midnight

your time. December 2020: Applicants will be notified about final funding decisions. January 1 – December 31, 2021: Project activities will occur.

Instructions for Submission1. Review the Frequently Asked Questions and Glossary of Terms. 2. Complete the Eligibility Questionnaire (above, or online via the For Grantseekers page)3. Review DRF/DRAF funding stream descriptions and determine if your organization and

project fit the priority areas specific to this 2020 Round 2 LoI.4. If you have determined your organization is eligible, complete the below LoI form.

Responses must be provided in English, French, or Creole.5. Send the completed LoI form to grants@disabilityrightsfund.org. Please state “Letter of

Interest”, the country and the organization name in the subject line.

If submitting by mail, post to:Disability Rights FundAttention: Letter of Interest89 South Street, Suite 203Boston, MA 02111 USA

3 For DRF/DRAF purposes, the term “proselytize” means to convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another or to persuade them to become religious.

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Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 2

2020 Round 2: Letter of Interest Form for Haiti and UgandaDeadline: July 1, 2020

The Letter of Interest (LoI) Form is used to collect information about your organization and proposed project. DRF/DRAF staff will contact you if additional information is required and to inform you about the status of your LoI. Before submitting an LoI, please review the above instructions, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), and Glossary of Terms. The boxes in this form will expand as you type.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATIONLegal Name of Organization Acronym of OrganizationOrganization Mailing Address (include city, state/province, country and postal code)Organization Telephone(include country and city codes)Fax Number, if applicableOrganization EmailOrganization WebsiteName of Contact Person (First, Last/Surname)Contact Person’s Designation(Dr. / Mrs. / Ms. / Mr.)Contact Person’s EmailContact Person’s Organization TitleContact’s Phone/WhatsApp Number (including country code)

What was your annual organizational budget for your last fiscal year (in USD)? USDDescribe your organization type (indicate with an “x”): [ ] Disabled persons’ organization (DPO) [ ] Community-based organization (CBO)[ ] Non-governmental organization (NGO) [ ] Parents’ organization [ ] Other:

LEGAL STATUSLegal Registration YearLegal Registration NumberDoes your organization have a bank account? [ ] Yes [ ]

NoIs your organization able to receive funds from the United States? [ ] Yes [ ]

No If you answered “No” to either of the previous questions, have you identified a fiscal sponsor that is legally registered in your country and able to accept funds from the United States?

[ ] Yes [ ] No

PROJECT SUMMARYPage 7

Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 2

Title of Project (brief)Total Cost of Proposed Project

USD

Amount requested from DRF USDDRF Priority Areas Indicate with an “x” in the box next to the main priority area for your project.

FOR SMALL GRANTS – PRIORITY AREAS(1) Increasing DPO capacity to participate in advocacy and decision-making processes

regarding implementation of rights at local levels(2) Advocacy for inclusion of PWDs in government programs - such as education, health or

justice - and in government budget planning and implementation at the local level FOR MID-LEVEL COALITIONS – PRIORITY AREAS

(1) Passage of specific sub-national legislation (including ordinances), policy, regulations, and/or budgetary priorities to accord with the CRPD

(2) Advocacy for inclusion of PWDs in government programs, such as education, health or justice, at the state (in a federal system), provincial, regional or district level in line with CRPD articles

FOR NATIONAL COALITIONS – PRIORITY AREAS(1) Passage or amendment of specific national legislation and policies to accord with the

CRPD(2) Advocacy for budgetary measures as well as regulations to implement new or amended

legislation and policy promoting the rights of PWDs

Location of Organization [ ] Rural [ ] Country Capital [ ] Urban (outside capital)

Location of Project Activities (All applicants)

[ ] Rural [ ] Country Capital [ ] Urban (outside capital)

Scope of Project Activities (For National Coalitions and Mid-Level Coalitions ONLY)

[ ] State [ ] Regional [ ] Provincial [ ] District [ ] National

ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND PROPOSED PROJECTYour responses in this section should total a maximum of three (3) pages.

Briefly describe your organization, including its mission, where you work, and what groups of PWDs you represent and work with.

What are the specific problems you want to address with this project? How will the project address the impact of COVID-19 in the lives of PWDs?

What changes do you hope to make with this project to address these problems?

What activities will you undertake to make these changes occur?

Why are these changes important to make now?

Explain how the project relates to DRF’s priority area(s).

Explain how the project relates to specific rights in the CRPD and/or specific SDGs.

Why is your organization best placed to do the project you outlined above?

Briefly describe the involvement of PWDs in staff, board and volunteer roles at Page 8

Disability Rights Fund / Letter of Interest / 2020 Round 2

your organization.

FOR NATIONAL AND MID-LEVEL COALITIONS ONLY: Indicate the names of the organizations you will partner with to form a coalition.

ORGANIZATION DEMOGRAPHICSPlease indicate all the impairment group(s) your organization serves:

[ ] Persons with physical disabilities [ ] Persons with sensory impairments[ ] Persons with intellectual disabilities[ ] Persons with psychosocial disabilities[ ] Cross-disability groups (please specify):

Please indicate all the impairment group(s) your project serves:

[ ] Persons with physical disabilities [ ] Persons with sensory impairments[ ] Persons with intellectual disabilities[ ] Persons with psychosocial disabilities[ ] Cross-disability groups (please specify):

Please indicate specific populations your project serves:

[ ] Indigenous[ ] Refugees[ ] LGBTI[ ] Ethnic Minorities[ ] Other (please specify):

AUTHORIZATION The contact person below, by submitting this LoI, hereby declares that:

The organization completing this form is directly responsible for the preparation, management, and implementation of the project;

All information contained in this form has been prepared and agreed upon in consultation with all those involved in carrying out the project; and

The information contained in this form is accurate and truthful.

NamePosition / TitleOrganizationDate (Day/Month/Year)

SUBMISSIONThe deadline for submission is July 1, 2020. If submitting by email, send to grants@disabilityrightsfund.org. Please state “Letter of Interest,” the country and the organization name in the subject line.

If submitting by mail, post to:Disability Rights FundAttention: Letter of Interest89 South Street, Suite 203Boston, MA 02111 USA

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