Government Grants
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Federal Programs
About Us
Social Innovation Fund
The Corporation defines "social innovation" as the development of a potentially transformative practice or approach to
By investing in social innovation as a driver of results and accountability, the Federal government will play a central role in accelerating the spread of promising solutions to address our most pressing national and local challenges.
In FY 2010, SIF awards will be focused on improving measurable outcomes in the following priority areas:
Economic Opportunity - Increasing the economic opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals;
Youth Development and School Support - Preparing America s youth for success in school, active citizenship, productive work, and healthy and safe lives; and
Healthy Futures -Promoting healthy lifestyles, and reducing the risk factors that can lead to illness.
The SIF funds will be awarded to existing intermediary organizations, which are either grantmaking institutions or grantmaking partnerships as defined in this Notice.
These intermediary organizations will award subgrants to nonprofit community organizations working to address priority issues.
To be awarded funding, intermediaries will need to demonstrate:
the ability to identify innovative solutions and successfully invest in growth and replication;
a track record of using rigorous evidence to select, invest in, and monitor the growth and progression of their grantees;
expertise and demonstrated impact in the proposed issue area(s) of focus; and
depth and breadth of relationships with stakeholders in the issue area or region of focus.
The SIF will also attract and leverage private donors to match Federal dollars, bringing new resources to support promising organizations.
The statute requires both the SIF intermediaries and their subgrantees to match their grants dollar-for-dollar, in cash, with non-Federal funding.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is the nation's largest grant-maker supporting service and volunteering. Through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America programs, the Corporation is a catalyst for change and offers every American a chance to contribute through service and volunteering.
Not Applicable.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The SIF funds are awarded to existing intermediary organizations, grantmaking institutions, or grantmaking partnerships.
These intermediary organizations will award subgrants to promising nonprofit community organizations working to address priority issues in low-income communities across the country.
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. 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. Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information on the application procedures.
Award Procedures
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information on the award procedure.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended 42 U.S.C. 12653k , 123 Stat. 1565-1571, 42 U.S.C 12653k.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 90 to 120 days. Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information on the approval process.
Appeals
n/a.
Renewals
This is a new grant and cooperative agreement program with up to 5 year awards.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: Percent: 100.%. Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information on match requiremements.
This program does not have MOE requirements. Not Applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The 2010 SIF Awards to intermediaries will be made for periods up to 5 years, but funded annually. If a grantee is awarded $5 million in the upcoming competition, then that amount will be awarded for the first year of the overall grant period. FY 2010 grantees will be eligible for further annual funding contingent on the availability of appropriations, compliance with grant conditions (including having secured cash matching funds), and satisfactory performance. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Annual award for a period of up to 5 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Performance Progress Reports and Federal Financial Reports.
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information on program reports.
HHS Payment Management System collects quarterly cash transaction reports on behalf of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information on the progress reports.
Federal Financial Status Reports are required as specified in the grant award provisions.
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information on performance monitoring.
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.
Records
Records must be retained for 3 years after final financial report is accepted by the agency.
Financial Information
Account Identification
95-2728-0-1-506 - Operating Funds.
Obigations
(Direct Payments for Specified Use (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 09 $0; FY 10 est $50,000,000; FY 11 est $50,000,000 - This program did not exist in 2008 and 2009. The Corporation anticipates that up to $50 million will be available to award new cooperative agreements in the approximate amounts of $5 million to $10 million to approximately five to seven intermediary organizations.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information related to the range and average of financial assistance.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information related to literature.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None. Not Applicable.
Headquarters Office
Paul L. Carttar, Corporation for National and Community and Service, 1201 New York Avenue, Washington, District of Columbia 20005 Email: pcarttar@cns.gov Phone: (202) 606-3238.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Please see the Notice of Federal Funding Availability found at www.nationalservice.gov for additional information related to the selection criteria.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.
