The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) invites eligible entities to submit competitive grant applications for the Refugee Microenterprise Development (MED) Program. The overall goal of the Refugee MED Program is to promote refugee economic self-sufficiency through the following ways:

• Assisting refugees to establish microenterprise businesses through the provision of MED loans and training and technical assistance (T/TA);
• Assisting refugees in developing credit history and/or in repairing their credit scores; and
• Assisting clients in moving up the capital access ladder and transitioning into the mainstream banking sector.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,500,000
• Award Ceiling: $250,000
• Award Floor: $150,000
• Length of Project Periods: 60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods

Eligible Activities

Under the MED Program, allowable activities include the following:

• Technical assistance,
• Establishing loan opportunities with banking institutions,
• Maintaining a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for business and
• Credit Builder Loans (CBLs), and
• Administrative costs associated with managing the MED Program.
• MED Programs also have the option of providing CBLs for those refugee clients that are intending to pursue an MED loan but first need assistance in building or repairing their credit history.

Eligibility Criteria

• The program is open to any eligible individual who is interested in starting or strengthening a business. It is important to note that the program is open to individuals who only need T/TA and also those seeking loans.
• Eligible applicants for refugee programs under the INA § 412(c)(1)(A) are "public and private non-profit agencies" such as the following:
  • State governments
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
  • Special district governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
  • Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
  • Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
  • Non-profits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education)
  • Non-profits without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education)
  • Private institutions of higher education

For more information, visit Grants.gov.