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.