Grants & Funding Opportunities

Open Grants U.S. Social Security Administration U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Health & Human Services U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Open Grants from Other Agencies

Below are grants available specifically to faith-based and community organizations or intermediaries with a network of faith-based and community organizations through federal departments outside the Department of Labor. They are listed here because they are relevant to organizations seeking to help individuals obtain or advance their self-sufficiency.

Social Security Administration

Social Security Administration Streamlines the Employment Network Request for Proposal Process

The Social Security Administration receives and processes all Employment Network (EN) Request for Proposal (RFP) applications and communicates directly with respective EN applicants. MAXIMUS is no longer performing this function.

How to Apply

Organizations interested in applying to become Employment Networks should mail their RFP directly to the Social Security Administration for review.

1. Download the EN RFP at the federal procurement Web site
2. Submit one (1) original and one (1) copy of the completed RFP to the address listed below (Do NOT mail EN applications to MAXIMUS):

Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 17778
Baltimore, MD 21235-7778

Upon submission, applicants should direct questions pertaining to their EN application to the Social Security Administration contact listed below:

Social Security Administration
Mildred Owens
Office of Employment Support Programs (OESP)
Phone: (410) 965-6451
Fax: (410) 966-1278
E-mail: mildred.owens@ssa.gov

For updates on TTW contractors and program news visit the following Web sites:

• Social Security Administration
• MAXIMUS

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U.S. Department of Justice

Helping Outreach Programs to Expand

Deadline: No deadline; available as funds are available.

Summary: This funding program is available to support those organizations that directly provide services for crime victims. Funding is for up to $10,000.

For more information, please visit: http://www.ovc.gov/fund/expandingoutreach/welcome.html.

USDOJ Latino Youth Mentoring Program

Background: Gang activity in the United States continues to be a problem in many communities. Recent research has shown that young Latino males are more likely than other demographic groups to be part of gangs; not because of a predisposition to gangs, but rather because they tend to live in neighborhoods with greater gang activity. Research has also pointed to the importance of family structure, educational achievement, and involvement in work-related activities in eliminating law-breaking behavior.

Description: This solicitation focuses on developing and supporting a peer mentoring program that proactively reaches youth before they are recruited by gangs to develop and strengthen protective factors against gang involvement and other problem behaviors. Successful applicants will include local school districts with a demonstrable Latino gang problem committed to or already working with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and other community

Eligibility: Grants are available to the following groups:

• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No: 16.726 -- Juvenile Mentoring Program

Grant Amount: up to $500,00 per organization

Number of Awards: 4

Deadline: 8:00 pm (ET), June 20 th , 2008

Links:
Grant Overview: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41850
Full Grant Announcement: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2008/LatinoMentoring.pdf

OJJDP Strengthening Youth Mentoring through Community Partnerships

Description: This solicitation invites applicants to propose initiatives that will increase local communities’ capacity to develop and implement mentoring programs and provide mentoring services, particularly to populations of at-risk youth who are underserved due to location, shortage of mentors, special physical or mental challenges, or other situations identified by the community in need of mentoring services.

Eligibility: The following organizations are eligible for grants:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No: 16.726 -- Juvenile Mentoring Program

Grant Amount: $250,000 to $500,000 for up to 3 years

Number of Awards: Several, depending on availability of funds

Deadline: 8:00 p m (ET), June 20 th , 2008

Links:
Grant Overview: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41803
Full Grant Announcement: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2008/CommMentoring.pdf

Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program: National Initiatives

FY 2008 Grant Announcement
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program: National Initiatives. This program furthers the Department’s mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime.

Eligibility
Applicants are limited to national, regional, state, or local public and private entities, including for-profit (commercial) and nonprofit organizations, faith-based and community organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal jurisdictions, and units of local government that support national initiatives to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.

Deadline
All applications are due by 8:00 p.m. e.t. on June 11, 2008. The solicitation can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/08ByrneCompSol.pdf

Contact Information
For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact BJA toll-free at 1–866–859–2687 or e-mail Byrne.Discretionary@usdoj.gov.
This application must be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical assistance with submitting the application, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1–800–518–4726.
Grants.Gov number assigned to announcement: BJA-2008-1866

Release date: May 6, 2008

Overview of the Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program: National Initiatives Authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, the Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. Funds can be used for national scope replication, expansion, enhancement, training, and/or technical assistance programs. The FY 2008 Grant Announcement focuses on national initiatives to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.

Eligibility
Applications are solicited from national, regional, state, or local public and private entities, including for-profit (commercial) and nonprofit organizations, faith-based and community organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal jurisdictions, and units of local government that support national initiatives to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. Preference will be given to statutorily authorized organizations. For-profit organizations must agree to waive any profit or fees for services. Joint applications are permissible, with one agency being the applicant agency.

Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations: Consistent with President George W. Bush’s Executive Order 13279, dated December 12, 2002, and 28 C.F.R. Part 38, it is DOJ policy that faith-based and other community organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible applicants under DOJ programs are invited and encouraged to apply for assistance awards to fund eligible grant activities. Faith-based and other community organizations will be considered for awards on the same basis as other eligible applicants and, if they receive assistance awards, will be treated on an equal basis with all other grantees in the administration of such awards.

No eligible applicant or grantee will be discriminated for or against on the basis of its religious character or affiliation, religious name, or the religious composition of its board of directors or persons working in the organization.

Faith-based organizations receiving DOJ assistance awards retain their independence and do not lose or have to modify their religious identity (e.g., removing religious symbols) to receive assistance awards. DOJ grant funds, however, may not be used to fund any inherently religious activity, such as prayer or worship. Inherently religious activity is permissible, although it cannot occur during an activity funded with DOJ grant funds; rather, such religious activity must be separate in time or place from the DOJ-funded program. Further, participation in such activity by individuals receiving services must be voluntary. Programs funded by DOJ are not permitted to discriminate in the provision of services on the basis of a beneficiary’s religion.

If your organization is a faith-based organization that makes hiring decisions on the basis of religious belief, it may be entitled, under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb, to receive federal funds and yet maintain that hiring practice, even if the law creating the funding program contains a general ban on religious discrimination in employment. For the circumstances under which this may occur, and the certifications that may be required, please go to www.usdoj.gov/fbci/effect-rfra.pdf.

Byrne Competitive Program: National Initiatives-Specific Information All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

The Byrne Competitive Program: National Initiatives, administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), helps improve the capacity of local adult criminal justice systems and provides for national support efforts such as training and technical assistance projects to strategically address needs. The FY 2008 program will focus on funding national efforts within five major categories. National significance refers to the value that may be gleaned or the applicability that may be seen in one project that may assist another project.

Because federal funding may not be available in the future, applicants should avoid using funds for hiring personnel, although use of funds for overtime is allowable. While match is not required under this program, a voluntary match is encouraged. Program sustainability must be addressed by every applicant under this program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to avoid unsubstantiated requests for equipment purchases.

Award Categories
Applicants may submit their proposal under any one of the following categories: preventing crime and drug abuse, enhancing local law enforcement, enhancing local courts, enhancing local corrections and offender reentry, and facilitating justice information sharing. Applicants must clearly indicate on the front page of the program narrative which category they are applying under and which categorical priority(ies) is being addressed. Should a proposal span multiple categories, select one category which best describes the project. Applications must discuss the national significance offered by the program under the chosen category.

Amount and Length of Awards
Approximately $15 million is available under the FY 2008 Byrne Competitive Program. The project period for awards under this program is up to 12 months. The project start date should be on or after November 1, 2008.

To read more go to: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/08ByrneCompSol.pdf

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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Discretionary Grants for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program (HHS)

Description: This funding announcement will provide financial support for the development of family violence intervention services and prevention efforts under three priority areas: Priority Area I: Specialized Outreach Demonstration Projects for Services to Underserved and Diverse Populations; Priority Area II: Open Doors to Safety: Capacity-Building Grants for Domestic Violence Programs; and Priority Area III: Technical Support for Open Doors to Safety Grant Programs. Awards will be cooperative agreements or grants depending upon the priority area.

Eligibility: The following organizations are eligible to apply for grants:

• State governments
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Others (see linked site below for further information)

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No: 93.592 -- Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants for Battered Women's Shelters Discretionary Grants

Grant Amount: $2,900,000 total, up to $425,000 per grantee

Number of Awards: Approximately 10

Deadline: 4:30 pm (ET), July 14 th , 2008

Links:
Grant Overview: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41843
Full Grant Announcement: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2008-ACF-ACYF-EV-0066.html

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) Lists SuperNOFA: $1 billion in funding for 35 programs

Background: HUD’s SuperNOFA (Super Notice of Available Funding) has been released, and details $1 billion in available grants for FY 2008.  The following details the various programs making these grants available.   Eligibility varies by grant, so consult the full SuperNOFA link at the bottom. 

Community Development Technical Assistance Programs ($27.9 mil total)

*CFDA = Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
Indian Community Development Block Grant Program ($62 mil total)

University and College Programs ($23 mil total)

Doctoral Programs ($400,000 total)

Fair Housing Initiatives Programs ($21.8 mil total)

Housing Counseling Programs ($50 mil total)

Healthy Homes & Lead Hazard Control Programs ($142 mil total)

Economic Development and Self-Sufficiency Programs ($106 mil total)

Targeted and Assisted Housing ($590.3 mil total)

For further information, consult the full SuperNOFA:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8863.pdf

For information regarding HUD’s specific programs, consult their website:
http://www.hud.gov/funds/index.cfm

All available grant applications can be found at http://www.grants.gov, or more specifically: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=
L0gXtDJ4KCHlR2BMwG3HJsX0pFT7QPDSFGG1QNn9Lr0T
vbsyVS9R!-666711133?mode=AGENCYSEARCH&agency=HUD