To support a national network of funds, led by community experts, that identify and invest in promising organizations that demonstrate impact in low-income communities.


The Corporation defines "social innovation" as the development of a potentially transformative practice or approach to

credit: Flickr

meeting critical social needs.

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.

Selected Recipients for this Program

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.

People Building Stronger Communities

Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders Recovery is Possible

Social Enterprise Brings Nutritious Foods to Nairobi Slums

An Act to Support Homeless Shelters: Both Sections Should Be Passed

Social Entrepreneurs: How to Foster Social Impact

San Diego Mayor Addresses Homelessness as Priority

USDOL Recovers $2 Million In Back Wages, Fringe Benefits for Federally Funded Solar Energy Project Workers

Self-Employment is Key to Economic Development

The Guise of Homelessness Has Many Forms

Veteran Stand Down Connects Homeless and At-Risk Veterans with Essential Services

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.