WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has launched a call for proposals in an effort to identify 10 of the most inspiring and creative initiatives that address the challenges of the Latin American and Caribbean communities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

The “Improving Lives” grant competition, organised by the IDB’s program of community relations, offers 10 grants of up to US$25,000.00 each to non-profit organisations that are implementing these initiatives.

The grants combine financial assistance and pro-bono volunteer assistance to help the non-profit organisations implement programmes that have been identified as improving the quality of life of Latin American and Caribbean communities.

“The IDB’s community relations program seeks to build a close relationship with these communities through corporate philanthropy, volunteer activities donations and fundraising campaigns,” said the IDB in a statement.

For more than 19 years, the IDB has supported numerous non-profit organisations working with the Latin American and Caribbean communities.

Last year, the bank said it expanded the reach of its grants program to include the neighbouring states of Virginia and Maryland. The deadline for online submission is 12:00 pm (local time) on April 27.