Engaging with civil society organizations and local audiences to promote LGBTQI+ Rights and Inclusion | S DR860 21 NOFO 006

Opportunity Information: Apply for S DR860 21 NOFO 006

The grant opportunity titled "Engaging with civil society organizations and local audiences to promote LGBTQI+ Rights and Inclusion" is a U.S. Department of State public diplomacy funding competition run by the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo. It invites Dominican civil society organizations to propose and deliver programs that advance LGBTQI rights and inclusion in the Dominican Republic while also strengthening understanding of U.S. perspectives and approaches. The central idea is to use public diplomacy activities to create practical, people-to-people engagement between Dominicans and U.S. experts, institutions, or organizations, so local participants can learn from U.S. experiences and exchange ideas in a way that builds long-term relationships and goodwill.

A key requirement is that every proposed project must include a clear "American element." In practice, this means the program should be anchored in a concrete connection to the United States, such as collaboration with U.S.-based specialists, partner organizations, universities, cultural institutions, or other American entities with relevant expertise. That American component is not meant to be symbolic; it should actively help participants better understand U.S. policies, values, and real-world practices related to LGBTQI inclusion, and it should be integrated into the design of the activities (for example, through U.S. speakers, joint programming, mentorship, or exchange-style engagement).

The embassy frames this as part of its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, so the types of activities it is looking for are public-facing, educational, and engagement-oriented. Examples mentioned include academic or professional lectures, seminars, and speaker series; arts, sports, and cultural workshops; joint performances or exhibitions; and professional or academic exchanges. The common thread across these models is dialogue and relationship-building, rather than purely internal organizational support. Competitive proposals would typically show how the project will convene communities, elevate discussion, share best practices, and create lasting networks between Dominican participants and U.S. counterparts.

The program objective is straightforward: the grantee should design and carry out a set of activities that engage Dominican audiences on LGBTQI rights and inclusion, specifically drawing on the U.S. experience and on best practices developed by comparable groups in the United States. The intended outcome is that after participants interact with U.S. peers and content, they leave with a stronger understanding of LGBTQI rights and inclusion and practical insights they can apply in their own communities or institutions. In other words, the funding is meant to catalyze learning, collaboration, and improved capacity for inclusive practices through exposure to relevant U.S. knowledge and networks.

The notice also identifies several priority audiences that applicants can target. These include underserved and at-risk communities (with university students explicitly included), emerging voices such as new or rising civil society leaders, established opinion leaders including leadership within cultural or academic institutions, and government officials. It also highlights non-state actors who influence public attitudes and community norms, such as academic institutions, tourism-sector entities, media organizations, and other groups that communicate widely with the public. Applicants can build projects around one or more of these groups, as long as the program design clearly supports the broader goals of LGBTQI inclusion and U.S.-Dominican engagement.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant (funding instrument type: Grant) categorized under arts/cultural affairs (CFDA 19.040). The opportunity is listed as a continuation category and was created July 1, 2021, with an original closing date of August 6, 2021. The award ceiling is $100,000, and the embassy anticipated making up to six awards. Eligibility is described as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), alongside the broader framing that the competition is aimed at Dominican civil society organizations, meaning proposals should be rooted in local civil society capacity and implementation even when they include strong U.S. partners.

Overall, this funding opportunity supports Dominican-led public diplomacy programming that uses U.S. partnerships to spark informed dialogue, professional exchange, cultural engagement, and broader public understanding around LGBTQI rights and inclusion, while also deepening connections between the Dominican public and U.S. society, institutions, and policy perspectives.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engaging with civil society organizations and local audiences to promote LGBTQI+ Rights and Inclusion" 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 Jul 01, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 06, 2021. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for S DR860 21 NOFO 006

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