Fiscal Year 2008: In July 2008, the "first ever" opportunity to apply for a VITA Grant was officially announced to the public. The response to this announcement was overwhelming! In fact, requests for the VITA Grant far exceeded available funding; over $30 million was requested by 379 organizations. Ultimately, 111 organizations were funded. Fiscal Year 2009: 379 applicants applied - $7.44 mil awarded to 111 recipients -Over 2500 sites supported -
Over 710,600 returns prepared. Fiscal Year 2010: A conservative growth rate of 3% is projected for the 2010 grant period.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grant funds can be used to cover ordinary and necessary expenses for operating a VITA tax preparation program.

Such expenses are only allowable if they are reasonable, allocable, and in accordance with the OMB Cost Principles Circulars.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals: Income Security/Social Service/Welfare.

Other public institution/organization: Income Security/Social Service/Welfare.

Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments: Business/Commerce.

Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals): Income Security/Social Service/Welfare

Beneficiary Eligibility

Native American Organizations; Senior Citizen (60+); Low Income

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants must provide proof of their entity status (i.e. tax-exempt organization/government agency). Matching funds must also be documented. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Each VITA Grant applicant must complete an VITA Grant Program Application Package, Publication 4671 and submit it, along with all required documentation to the IRS prior to the deadline date.

Award Procedures

All complete applications meeting initial eligibility requirements will be evaluated/ranked on technical merit, capacity to reach the targeted audiences, and geographic coverage. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance or rejection of a grant award by letter sent via U.S. Postal Service.

Deadlines

Jun 01, 2009 to Jul 17, 2009

Authorization

Treasury Apprpriations Act - Public Law 110-161, Executive Order H.R. 1105 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

> 180 Days.

Appeals

The selection of the grantees for this program is left to the discretion of the IRS - there is no appeals process for non-selection.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 100.%.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The grant period extends from July 1st of a given year through June 30th of the subsequent year. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: VITA grant funds are released on a reimbursement basis - meaning an organization should request reimbursement from the IRS as they disburse funds for the VITA program.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

VITA Grant recipients are required to submit an interim report (due by April 30th)and the year-end report with narrative(due by September 30th).

These reports must be submitted to the Grant Program Office using Form 424A.

No cash reports are required.

VITA Grant recipients are required to submit an interim report (due by April 30th)and the year-end report with narrative(due by September 30th).

These reports must be submitted to the Grant Program Office using Form 424A.

Grant recipients are also expected to prepare and submit quarterly on-line Federal Financial Reports to the Payment Management System.

A report is due 45 days after the end of each quarter.

No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audit requirements applicable to grant recipients are outlined in OMB Circular A-133. If a recipient expends less than $500,000 a year in total federal awards, no audit requirements are applicable. (Note: Total federal awards include all sources of federal funding, not just the funds received from IRS in support of the VITA program.) If a recipient expends $500,000 or more a year in federal awards, the organization must provide IRS with a copy of their Single Audit Report. The audit must be performed by an independent auditor in accordance with the Government Auditing Standards developed by the Comptroller General of the United States.

Records

Grant recipients are required to have a record keeping system in place to support all information reported in the interim and year-end reports. Supporting receipts and other documentation should be maintained.

Financial Information

Account Identification

20-0912-0-1-803.

Obigations

(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 08 $8,000,000; FY 09 est $8,000,000; FY 10 est $8,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Publication 4671, VITA Grant Program Overview and Application Package

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Grant Program Office Staff Grant Program Office
401 West Peachtree Street, NW
Stop 420-D
, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Email: Grant.Program.Office@irs.gov Phone: 404-338-7894

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The selection of proposals is based on a two-tiered evaluation process:
1. Technical Evaluation
2. Grant Program Office Evaluation

Technical Evaluation
During the technical evaluation, each application is awarded points in each of the areas listed below. This criteria list reflects the maximum number of points that may be obtained in each area. Each application may receive a maximum total of 200 points.
1. Prior performance in the volunteer return preparation program - 40 points
2. Strength of program standards - 40 points
3. Geographic coverage and extent of coverage for the under served - 40 points
4. Ability to partner or collaborate with multiple organizations - 20 points
5. Quality of applicant s sustainability and growth strategy - 10 points
6. Quality control process - 30 points
7. Program measures - 20 points

Grant Program Office Evaluation
The Grant Program Office evaluation involves a more in-depth review of the applicant s budget information. The proposed geographic coverage and target audiences are also taken into consideration.