Compassion Capital Fund (93.009)

Program

93.009 Compassion Capital Fund

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families

Authorization

Section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing Social Services Research and Demonstration activities; the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2004., Public Law 107-116, as amended by Title II, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008., Public Law 110-161, as amended by Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, Public Law 111-8.

Program Number

93.009

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide grants to charitable organizations to emulate model social service programs and to encourage research on the best practices of social service organizations. This is accomplished through the goal of assisting faith-based and community organizations to increase their effectiveness, enhance their ability to provide social services, expand their organizations, diversify their funding sources, and create collaborations to better serve those most in need. This is accomplished by funding experienced intermediary organizations in well-defined geographic locations with a proven track record of providing technical assistance to smaller faith-based and community organizations in their communities, providing one-time $50,000 grants to smaller faith-based and community organizations to build their capacity, and providing grants to strengthen broad-based collaborative community that are working to reduce gang involvement, youth violence, and child abuse and neglect and to foster positive youth development.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Intermediary organizations use the CCF funds to provide two services within their communities: 1) Training assistance to faith-based and community organizations; and 2) Financial support through sub-awards to some subset of the faith-based and community organizations in their communities. Technical assistance activities funded under CCF are to be conducted at no cost to interested faith-based and community organizations. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in the delivery of capacity-building assistance to smaller organizations in several of the following areas: strategic planning, financial management, board development, fund development, and outcome measurement. Technical assistance should be provided on a long-term, on-going basis to smaller organizations. The program goals are further accomplished through the issuance of sub-awards by the funded intermediary organizations to a diverse set of small faith-based and community organizations that seek to increase program and organizational effectiveness for a 12-month period. Sub-award recipients must adhere to the following: sub-award recipients must be chosen from fair and open competitive process; sub-award recipients must not be pre-selected; the awarding process must be fair and open competition and include outreach to both faith-based and community organizations; intermediary organizations must provide on-going technical assistance and capacity-building support to the organizations to which they issue sub-awards; and the criteria for selection must not include consideration of the religious nature of the program it offers. Priority for sub-awards is given to organizations that historically have not received grants from the Federal government. Intermediaries must not require sub-award applicants to provide matching funds even if the applicants offer matching funds in their applications. Intermediaries must not require sub-award applicants to have 501 (c) (3) status or to identify a sponsoring organization with 501 (c) (3) status; Organizations that partner with an intermediary to deliver technical assistance or provide a cost-sharing fund for the proposed project are not to be eligible for sub-awards, unless approved by the Administration for Children and families; Sub-awards should not be used to assist organizations in differing stages of development. Sub-awards may also be provided to promising organizations to expand the reach of existing programs; Sub-awards must not be used to provide direct services, but rather improve the sub-awardee's efficiency and capacity. The Office of Community Services (OCS) will not fund any project, where the role of the applicant is primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This prohibition does not bar the makingofsub-grantsorsub-contractingfor specific services or activities needed to conduct the project. CCF monies shall not be used to support inherently religious practices such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Grant or sub-award recipients, therefore, may not and will not be selected based on religious criteria. Neutral, non- religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed in a selection of a grantee and sub-award recipients.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

(Intermediaries): State governments, county governments, city or township governments, public and State-controlled institutions of higher education, Indian/Native American Tribal governments (Federally recognized), non-profits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), non-profits without 501(c)(3)IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), private institution of higher education, for profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, special district government, and faith-based and community organizations that meet the statutory eligibility requirements. Application Eligibility (Minigrants): Indian/Native American Tribal governments (Federally recognized), Indian/Native American Tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized), non-profits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education), non-profits without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), and faith-based and community organizations that meet the statutory eligibility requirements are eligible to apply under this announcement. Application Eligibility (CEY); public and State-controlled institutions of higher education, Indian/Native American Tribal governments (Federally recognized), Indian/Native American Tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized), non-profits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), non-profits without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education), private institutions of higher education, for non-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small business, and faith-based and community organizations that meet the statutory eligibility requirements.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Believed to be in the public's interest to broaden Federal efforts to work with faith-based and community organizations, the Compassion Capital Fund will assist in the effort to enhance and expand the participation of faith-based and community groups serving those in need. Intermediary organizations awarded under this program will serve as partners to both the Federal government and the faith-based and community organizations that they assist. The intermediaries will represent a diverse set of affiliations, and will assist community-level organizations that have a range of service goals, target populations, affiliations, and beliefs. The Targeted Capacity Building program will benefit faith-based and community organizations that provide services in one of the social service priority areas. The Communities Empowering Youth program will benefit collaborations of faith-based and/or community partners in order to enable them to better meet the needs of America's disadvantaged youth.

Credentials/Documentation

Any nonprofit agency must provide proof of its nonprofit status through one of the following: a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS code. b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State official certifying that he applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals. d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status. e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization if its local nonprofit affiliate. Applicants for CCF programs must also provide the following forms: SF 424, SF 424A, SF 424B, certification regarding lobbying and associated disclosure of lobbying activities (SF LLL), and environmental tobacco smoke certification. Private nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the additional survey located under Grant Related Documents and Forms titled Survey for Private, Nonprofit Grant Applicants. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. The application must be double-spaced and single-spaced on 8-1/2 x 11 plain white paper, with 1 inch margins on all sides. The application must use Times New Roman 12 point font or Arial 12 point font. All pages of the application (including appendices, resumes, charts, references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially numbered. Each application may include only one proposed project. For the intermediary applications, the Table of Contents must not exceed one page. The Project Abstract must not exceed one page. The project Narrative must not exceed 25 pages. Pages submitted beyond the first 25 in the application's Project Narrative section will not be considered during the panel review. The Appendix must not exceed 20 pages. The Appendix includes the sample assessment tool(s) to be used to assist organizations served in identifying organizational needs in the five critical capacity building areas, and any other additional supporting documentation. The Budget, Narrative Budget Justification, Standard Forms for Assurances, Certifications, Disclosures, and cost-share letters are not included in the Project Narrative and Appendix page limitations. Applicants should not send pamphlets, brochures, or other printed material along with their applicants. These materials, if submitted, will no be considered in the review process. In addition, applicants should not submit any additional letters of endorsement beyond any that may be required. The project description should include all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in the program announcement. In addition, the applicant needs to complete all the standard forms required for making applications for awards under this announcement. Applicants requesting financial assistance for non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs. Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their applications. They must also fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions on the forms. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and Firms titled Survey for Private, Nonprofit Grant Applicants. For the minigrant applications, the Table of Contents must not exceed one page. The Project Narrative must not exceed nine pages. Pages submitted beyond the first nine pages in the Project Narrative section will be removed prior to panel review. The Appendix must not exceed five pages. Pages submitted beyond the first five in the Appendix section will not be considered during the panel review. The Appendix includes any additional supporting documentation. The Budget, Narrative Budget Justification, Standard Forms for Assurances, Certifications, and Disclosures are not included in the Project Narrative and Appendix page limitations. Applicants should not send pamphlets, brochures, or other printed material along with their applications. These materials, if submitted, will not be considered during the review process. The project description should include all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in the program announcement. In addition, the applicant needs to complete all the standard forms required for making applications for wards under this announcement. Applicants requesting financial assistance for non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs. Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form LLL when applyingforanawardinexcess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their applications. They must also fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions on the forms. Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and Firms titled Survey for Private, Nonprofit Grant Applicants. For the CEY applications, the Project Abstract must not exceed one page. The Table of Contents must not exceed one page. The Project Narrative must not exceed 25 pages. Pages submitted beyond the first 25 in the application's Project Narrarive section will be removed prior to panel review. The Appendix must not exceed 50 pages. The Appendix includes the sample assessment tool(s) the applicant will used to assist organizations in identifying organizational needs in the four critical areas of capacity building, support and commitment letters, and any other additional supporting documentation. The Budget, Narrative Budget Justification, Standard Forms for Assurances, Certifications, and Disclosures are not included in the Project Narrative and Appendix page limitations. Applicants should not send pamphlets, brochures, or other printed material along with their applications. These materials, if submitted, will be included in the review process. In addition, applicants should not submit any additional letters of endoresement beyond any that may be required. The project description should include all the information requrements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in the program announcement. In addition, the applicant needs to complete all the standard forms required for making applications for wards under this announcement. Applicants requesting financial assistance for non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs. Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their applications. They must also fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions on the forms. Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and Firms titled Survey for Private, Nonprofit Grant Applicants.

Award Procedure

Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part V of the Program Announcement to review and score the applications. The results of the review will be a primary factor in making funding decisions. ACF may also solicit comments from Regional Office staff and other Federal agencies. ACF may consider a variety of factors in addition to the review criteria identified above, including geographic diversity/coverage and types of applicant organizations, in order to ensure that the interests of the Federal Government are met in making the final selections. Furthermore, ACF may limit the number of awards made to the same or affiliated organizations although they would service different geographic areas. The successful applicants will be notified through issuance of a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be given, the nonfederal share to be provided, and the total project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer.

Deadlines

Jun 22, 2009 Deadlines for grants are announced in www.grants.gov, as part of the solicitation of applicants.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 to 120 days. Approximately 90 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are widespread disruption of mail service. Determinations to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The Demonstration program award grants for one project period for 12 months. Awards, however, are made on a competitive basis. No continuation grants will be offered beyond the one-year budget period. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: The Demonstration program award grants for one project period for 12 months. Awards, however, are made on a competitive basis. No continuation grants will be offered beyond the one-year budget period.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

CCF recipients are required to submit semi-annual program progress reports. grantees are required to submit semi-annual financial status reports using the required standard form (SF-269) which is located on the Internet at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/SF-269.pdf. CCF recipients are required to submit semi-annual program progress reports. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

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. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that receive 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 the Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

CCF complies with 74.50 Purpose of reports and records, 74.51 Monitoring and reporting program performance and 74.52 Financial reporting of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: OCS awarded 168 continuation grants. Fiscal Year 2009: It is estimated that OCS will award approximately 129 grants in FY 2009. Fiscal Year 2010: No funds are being requested for FY 2010 instead funds the Strengthening Communities Fund program.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $52,688,000; FY 09 est $47,688,000; FY 10 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not Applicable.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None. Program Manager, Office of Community Services (OCS), Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 5th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447. Contact: Thom Campbell, Telephone: (202) 401-5483 (office); (202) 401-4694 (fax); thom.campbell@acf.hhs.gov.

Headquarters Office

Thom Cambell Office of Community Services (OCS), Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,5th Floor West, Washington, District of Columbia 20447 Email: thom.campbell@acf.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 401-5483 Fax: (202) 401-4694

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Examples of projects:
o Grantee delivers six group trainings, smaller experiential trainings, and opportunities to work with a pool of mentors. The program also offers training on becoming a nonprofit to any interested agencies. Faith-based and community organizations participate in networking lunches. Grantee distributes $200,000 each year in subawards.
o Grantee provides training, technical assistance, and subwards to 20 faith-based and community organizations. Five additional organizations that show promise but lack the infrastructure to manage subawards receive technical-assistance-only awards. Grantee conducts organizational and financial assessments in all five critical areas of capacity building to develop technical assistance workplans and prioritize group training topics. Grantee provides $200,000 in subawards annually.
o Grantee meets the capacity building needs of rural organizations by offering training to faith-based and community organizations statewide. The project also offers day-long workshops open to all interested organizations. Organizations selected for subawards are assigned a direct technical assistance provider who develops a customized work plan to meet the organization�s specific capacity building needs.
o Grantee provides training workshops open to FBCOs that serve high-need populations. In addition, grantee�s Leadership and Practice Committee provides complimentary capacity building resources to all eligible organizations. Through a competitive process, the grantee selects 18 organizations each year to receive subawards and �guide-by-the-side� technical assistance from mentors. The Leadership and Practice Committee also facilitates peer-to-peer learning and networking for FBCOs. Grantee distributes $252,000 in subawards annually. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria used for selecting Intermediary Organizations: Intermediary organizations are evaluated on the following criteria: approach, objectives and need for assistance, organizational profiles, and budget and budget justification. The technical assistance strategy, sub-award strategy, and geographic location are all factors in evaluating the approach of the applicant. The needs of faith-based and community organizations to be served and the needs of communities served are factors for evaluating the objectives and need for assistance of the applicant. The staff and position data and past experience are factors used to evaluate the organizational profile of the applicant. Applicants will be evaluated under the budget and budget justification criteria on the extent to which they include a budget that is clear, easy to understand, and provides a detailed justification for the amount requested.