Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Small Grants and/or National Coalition Grants


Questions about Eligibility

Questions about Activities that DRF Supports

Questions about Application Procedures and Technical Issues

Questions about Financial Forms and Budget

Questions about Relationships with Grantees

 Questions about Eligibility

Q: Who are the target grantees for the Disability Rights Fund grants?

The Disability Rights Fund focuses all grantmaking on disabled persons’ organizations (DPOs) working within countries at the national and local level.  

Q: What is a DPO?

In DRF’s understanding of the term, “DPO,” DPOs are representative organizations or groups of persons with disabilities (PWDs), where persons with disabilities constitute a majority of the overall staff and board, and are well-represented in all levels of the organization. It includes organizations of relatives of persons with disabilities  (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. Organizations which specifically strengthen the voice of marginalized sectors of the disability community will be viewed favorably.

Please also see the next questions for further details about eligibility.

Q: What types of organizations are eligible to apply for a Small Grant?

Q: What is a fiscal sponsor and how do I apply with one?

A fiscal sponsor is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO)1 that is able to receive funds from abroad and agrees to channel those funds to your organization. If you select to apply via a fiscal sponsor, you must submit as part of your application the following additional documentation:

  1. Proof of legal registration of the fiscal sponsor;
  2. Copy of the fiscal sponsor’s Incorporation Documents, Constitution or By-Laws (if possible, in English);
  3. A memorandum of understanding that outlines the relationship between your organization and the fiscal sponsor and specifies that the fiscal sponsor agrees to forward funds it receives on your behalf to your organization.

Q: What types of organizations are eligible to apply for a National Coalition Grant?

Applications from National DPO Coalitions must be submitted by one managing DPO or non-governmental family organization (representing children with disabilities and/or people with intellectual disabilities) on behalf of the coalition. Applicant organizations will take overall responsibility for coordinating the Coalition, submitting the application and managing the grant. Any organization with legal status can be the applicant organization, including umbrella organizations or federations. Umbrella organizations or federations are considered one organization for the purposes of this application and therefore, must form a coalition with other organizations outside their federation to be eligible.  If you think you have a unique situation and would like to apply as one umbrella organization, please contact us first so we can assess your eligibility.

The managing partner is the legally registered organization that will be responsible for the financial management of the grant and reporting to DRF. The managing partner can be situated in any locality within our target countries, but must have national scope. The managing partner must also have all registration necessary to operate legally as a non-governmental organization within these target countries including any registration necessary to enable receipt of foreign funds. Further, as the organization responsible for financial management and reporting to DRF, the managing partner must be able to provide organizational income and expense statements for the past two years, as well as a memorandum of understanding signed by all Coalition partners.

Q: Do all members of a National Coalition have to be DPOs?

No, however, the MAJORITY of organizations in the Coalition should be DPOs. In addition, the managing partner of the Coalition should be a DPO or non-governmental family organization (representing children with disabilities and/or people with intellectual disabilities). We also strongly encourage partnerships with human rights organizations or other entities, such as the media.

Q: Can one of the National Coalition partners be a governmental entity?  If so, can they receive funds? If so, do they count as one of three members required for eligibility?

Yes, a governmental entity can be a partner to the Coalition application; however no DRF funds can go towards that governmental entity.  In addition, governmental entities do not count as one of the three partner organizations necessary to meet eligibility requirements for a National Coalition application.

Q: What is the difference between a national umbrella or federation of DPOs and a “National Coalition”?

An umbrella / federation of DPOs is a membership organization with legal status. For the purposes of this application, a “National Coalition” may include an umbrella or federation organization, but it must include at least two additional distinct organizations.

We are requiring this because we believe that encouraging broad partnership is critical to the advancement of human rights of all persons with disabilities.
If you think you have a unique situation and would like to apply for a national coalition grant as one umbrella organization, please contact us first so we can assess your eligibility.

Q: What countries are you accepting proposals from? 

Please refer to the current Requests for Proposals, available on our website.

(Click here for RFP for Small Grants)
(Click here for RFP for National Coalition Grants)

Q: Can organizations from anywhere in these targeted countries apply?

For Small Grants-
The applicant organization must be based in and conduct the majority of their activities in the countries (and states/cities) targeted for this call.

For National Coalitions-
Members of the National Coalition can be based in any locality within the targeted countries. The managing partner of the Coalition must have national scope.   

Please refer to the grants guidelines webpage for more information.

Q: How does DRF select target countries?

The selection of DRF target countries is completed after a lengthy process, which includes conversations with our Global Advisory Panel, who recommend the criteria for country selection, and our Steering Committee, who approve specific countries researched by staff. 

Q: Do you fund international organizations or organizations not based in the target countries?

No, we do not fund international organizations.  We do not fund organizations not based in our target countries.

We understand that there are strong organizations all over the world and that you may be doing good work, and we applaud your efforts. While we cannot support international organizations or organizations in other countries financially through grantmaking, our resource page is designed to provide information to a broader audience interested in disability rights promotion across the globe.

Q:  My organization is not based in the DRF target area.  Will funds ever be available for organizations or groups in my country or locality?

The Disability Rights Fund foresees a continued expansion in terms of geographical coverage.  The rate and extent of this expansion depends on our resources and ability to make substantive grants in the selected countries.

Q: We are a civil society/non-governmental organization or foundation that works with people with disabilities.  Can we be part of a National Coalition application or apply for a Small Grant? 

The Disability Rights Fund is primarily interested in direct funding to organizations and groups of people with disabilities.  If your organization partners with organizations or groups of people with disabilities, joint applications would be welcome as long as the group or organization of people with disabilities is the lead applicant (meaning that they are responsible for managing the project and the finances).

For Small Grants-
You can apply if you meet any one of the following four conditions:

  1. If your organization or foundation is of people with disabilities, meaning that people with disabilities constitute a majority (more than 50%) of staff and board members;
  2. If your organization or foundation is a fiscal sponsor to a new disabled persons’ organization (and they are heavily involved in the application process);
  3. If you host self-help or self-advocacy groups of people with disabilities who do not have legal registration; or
  4. If you are a legally registered non-governmental family organization representing children with disabilities and/or people with intellectual disabilities.

Please send an email to us at info@disabilityrightsfund.org if you are unsure if your organization or group qualifies.

Q: We are a public school / university and we’d like to apply for funding.  Are we eligible?

No, we cannot provide funds to public institutions. 

Q: We are a governmental entity that works with PWDs.  Can we apply for funding?

No, we cannot provide funds to governmental entities.

Q: We are a business or company that serves PWDs.  Can we apply?

No, we cannot provide funds to businesses or companies.

Q: We have filed for registration and are awaiting approval from the relevant authorities.  Can we apply?

For Small Grants-
Yes. However, if your organization has not completed its registration, then the only way to apply is through a fiscal sponsor.

For National Coalition Grants-
No, if your organization has not completed its registration, then you cannot be the managing partner of the Coalition.

Q: Is registration considered legitimate only if it is governmental registration (some organizations are registered with national non-profit NGO centers, for example)?

Yes; only governmental registration (at community or national levels) is legitimate.

Q: In countries where there is additional registration or other requirements for accepting foreign funding, do we need to comply with these registration and requirements?

Yes. Please check your country’s requirements on receiving foreign funds.  

 Questions About Activities that DRF Supports

Q: Can we submit a proposal that focuses on more than one priority area?

Our answer varies depending on what type of grant you are applying for.

For Small Grants-

  • Small Grants priority areas are:
    • Building more inclusive organizations or partnerships
    • Internal capacity building
    • Increasing DPO participation in decision-making processes regarding the CRPD at state or local levels
    • Addressing implementation of CRPD articles

Proposals must focus on at least one of the priority areas, but proposals that focus on more than one priority area are also welcome.  
Please note: our selection of proposals will be based on the quality of the proposal, not the number of priority areas included in the proposal.  Thus, proposals focusing thoroughly on one priority area may be more likely to receive funding than proposals addressing multiple priority areas.

For National Coalition Grants-

  • No, you should focus on only one of the three priorities listed:
  • Ratification of the CRPD and/or the Optional Protocol (where not ratified)
  • Passage of specific legislation to accord with the CRPD
  • Production of a shadow report

For a detailed description of the priority areas for National Coalitions and Small Grants, please refer to the section on Priority Areas in the appropriate RFP.

(Click for SG Priority Areas)
(Click for NC Priority Areas)

Q: Can partner organizations work separately on different priority areas in the same proposal (for Small Grants only)?

If partner organizations do not envision working together on activities, we would question why there is a partnership. Partnerships should demonstrate a rationale for their joint work and ideally should demonstrate some past experiences of effectively working together. 

Q: Are there particular CRPD articles that DRF wants organizations to focus on?

No, our assessment is based on the strength of your proposal.

Q: We would like to do lobbying as part of our project.  Will DRF fund lobbying? 

Yes, we will fund certain lobbying work conducted by your organization.  However, DRF will not fund participation or intervention in an election campaign that expresses a view in support or opposition to a candidate for public office.

As an organization based in the US, DRF has to follow US law.  According to US law, lobbying is defined as distinct from advocacy: Often the two terms are used inter-changeably, so here we provide guidance on the distinctions:

Q: Do you provide funds for general operating expenses?

While a small portion of the funds can be used to cover general operating expenses, the majority of the funds need to be used for the specific activities of your proposed project. 

Q: Do you provide funds for service provision, including income generation?

No, we do not provide grants for these types of activities.

Q: What do you mean by “service provision”?

Service provision is a term used to describe a wide range of activities, including the provision of assistive devices, rehabilitation services, occupational therapy and health services.

If you have a question about whether the activities you would like to implement constitute service provision, please email us at info@disabilityrightsfund.org. 

Q: Does the fund support individuals with disabilities applying for travel or other fees related to attendance at international conferences, congresses, seminars, or gaining training in other countries?

 No. 

Q: Where can I find more information about other funding sources, and resources and tools on disability?

We will be updating the resource page on our website with this kind of information.  Please check back from time to time.  If you have a specific question, please let us know and we will try to direct you to an appropriate place.

Q: Why is DRF expanding its National Coalition grants’ priority area to include production of submissions to other UN human rights monitoring mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review?

All the human rights treaties are relevant to persons with disabilities; therefore, it is important for PWDs to provide input into reports being submitted by civil society on implementation of any of these treaties. DRF is interested in supporting PWDs and DPOs to be part of broader civil society efforts that are reporting to other treaty bodies or making UPR submissions. Funding in this area is for collaboration with other civil society organizations already working on these issues.

Q: What are the UN Human rights treaty bodies? 

There are 8 human rights treaties. Each of the core treaties has a Committee of Experts that monitors their implementation.

  1. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR)
  2. Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
  3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
  4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
  5. Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT)
  6. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
  7. Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW)
  8. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

Q: How do we know if we are eligible for funding in this area?

Because of the work needed to develop relationships with existing coalitions in your country that report to the different treaty bodies, DRF will only consider applications to address State reports that are going to treaty bodies in late 2012 to 2013. Please review the relevant treaty bodies’ (or UPR) reporting cycles and consult with civil society coalitions in your country that are working on preparing a submission to these bodies to ensure that you can be part of these efforts.

Q: How do I know when my country is reporting to the UPR or treaty bodies?

For treaty bodies, please refer to:
www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/newhvduebycountry

For the Universal Periodic Review Calendar, please refer to:
www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/uprlist.pdf

Questions about Application Procedures and Technical Issues

Q: Do we need to use your grant application form and suggested proposal format?

Yes, you do.

Q: Do we need to complete all forms on the checklist?

Please review the Checklist carefully; required documents are indicated.
(Click here for the Small Grant Checklist)
(Click here for the National Coalition Checklist)

Q: What is the deadline for proposals?

Please note that the deadline for National Coalition Grants and Small Grants differ.
Please refer to the current Request for Proposals, available on our website.

(Click here for RFP for Small Grants)
(Click here for RFP for National Coalition Grants)

Q: In what languages can proposals be submitted?

Applications can be submitted in English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian.  Starting in May 2010, Arabic will also be accepted.  Applications in all five languages will be considered equally.

Q: We are having trouble opening or saving the application forms from the website.  What should we do?

Please send us an email and we will send you the application forms as attachments or fax them to you, whichever you prefer.

Q: We can’t send the proposal by email.  How should we send the proposal?

The proposal can be sent by mail, fax or email. Our mailing address is:

Disability Rights Fund
89 South Street, Suite 203
Boston MA, 02111
USA

Our fax number is: 1-617-261-1977
Our email address is: grants@disabilityrightsfund.org

If you are sending a proposal by mail, please inform us in advance (prior to the deadline) that it has been sent so we know to expect it.  Given the tight time frame, mailed applications must be received by the deadline.

Q: Do you need copies of registration documents?  Does the registration need to be translated into English? How should we send this to you?

For Small Grants-
We do need documentation which shows that you are legally registered as a civil society organization in your country. If you are applying with a partner organization , we only need the registration of the applicant organization.  If you have a fiscal sponsor, we will need the registration information for the fiscal sponsor.   

The documentation does not have to be translated into English.  If you are able to send a translation, though, it would be appreciated.  The copy of the registration can be sent by fax, scanned and sent via email, or sent by mail.  Please refer to the above question regarding deadlines.  If you are sending material by mail close to the deadline, please let us know.

For National Coalition Grants-
We only need registration documents from the managing partner of the Coalition. From that organization, we need documentation which shows that the organization is legally registered as a civil society organization in your country. 

Q: When will we know whether our proposal has been approved?

We will inform all applicants by two months after the meeting of our Steering Committee which takes place in June (for first round grants) and November (for second round grants).

Q: Advocacy efforts take longer than one year. Can't we apply for multiple year funding?

Applications for national coalition grants can be for USD 30,000 – 50,000 per year for 2 years (USD 60,000 – 100,000 over the course of 24 months).

Small grants are awarded for a one-year period only.  If DRF is targeting your country for another year, then grantees may reapply for another small grant following the same procedures for first-time applicants.

 Questions about Financial Forms and Budget

Q: We are a new organization, and do not have financial statements for the past two years.  Can we apply as a managing partner of a National Coalition or for a Small Grant?

To apply as the managing partner of a National Coalition, you must be able to provide DRF with income and expense statements for at least the last two years.   Thus, you would not be considered eligible according to DRF criteria.  However, you can apply for a small grant.  Please note that Small Grants are between USD 5000 – 20,000.

Q: We do not have access to much funding. Can we apply for a Small Grant even if we do not have funding at the moment or if we have never received a grant to implement a project?

Yes, you can apply. In your proposal you need to show DRF that your organization has been able to manage funds in the past.  If you are unable to demonstrate this, we would recommend that you apply with an organization that could serve as a fiscal sponsor.

Q: Do we have to use the DRF budget format to submit our project budget?

Yes, you must use the DRF budget format.

Q: Can the budget be formulated in our local currency or should it be formulated in US dollars (USD)?

We strongly recommend that organizations formulate their budget in US dollars (USD). However, if this is not possible, the budget can be formulated in your local currency.  Please note that if you submit the budget proposal in your local currency, you will have to provide us with official documentation of the currency exchange rate at the time your budget was formulated.  That rate will be the reference we use to determine the exact amount of US dollars your organization is requesting from DRF.

Q: In the case our proposal is successful; do we need to create a specific bank account to manage the grant funds? Do we need to have a US dollars account?

No, you can use your regular bank account as long as it allows international wire transfers.
No, you don’t need to have an account in US Dollars.

Q: What is a project audit? 

At end of project, DRF requires all grantees to submit an audit of the grant from DRF. The proposal budget should include the cost of this audit. An audit is an independent examination of the project's financial statements. The purpose of an audit is to verify that the accounts provide a true and fair picture of the use of project funds, ensuring accordance with the objectives outlined in the proposal. Audits are usually conducted by a firm of accountants with recognized professional qualifications.

Questions About Relationships with Grantees

Q: Once a grant is approved, will reporting need to be completed in English or can other languages be used for reporting?

Reporting can be done in any of the four languages (English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Russian) listed in our Request for Proposals.  Starting May 2010, Arabic will be accepted for the LoI process from MENA applicants.

Q: What are the reporting requirements?

We require a midterm and final narrative and financial report, and we make site visits during the grant year to grantees.  More detail about these requirements will be provided to organizations that have been selected as grantees.

Q: Is the support given by the Disability Rights Fund only financial or are other forms of support available, e.g. equipment, training?

We provide financial support only.  We do, however, see grantees as partners and aim to support grantees with information, advice, referrals and other such aid during the course of the relationship.


Footnote 1:
A civil society organization (CSO) or community based organization (CBO) can be considered a non-governmental organization (NGO).

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