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If you have not previously competed for and won a federal grant, take a look at the RFP posted on the IYD website (http://youthdevelopment.org/) to see if you can take advantage of that opportunity. 1. Who may apply for IYD Sub-Awards? Faith-based and community non-profit organizations (FBCOs) may apply, if they have not previously received a competitive grant award from a federal government agency or a state agency that is using federal funds as the source of support for their grant awards. The FBCO must be recognized by the resident state as a non-profit organization. Tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3), as recognized by the IRS, is not a requirement for IYD sub-awards, but applicants are encouraged to plan to apply for such status within the application as a capacity-building activity.
2. Could you give the objectives of the next RFP and explain when we may apply? Two RFPs are scheduled for fiscal year 2006. The second, RFP 06-402 will be published on June 15, 2006 (Letter of Intent deadline is July 17, 2006 and the application deadline is July 31). This schedule is subject to change, so please monitor the IYD website regularly for updated information. This RFP will focus on capacity building for organizations that serve the following priority areas of need: at-risk children & youth, disadvantaged individuals, rehabilitation & re-entry, and healthy marriages & families. A required Letter of Intent will be due two weeks prior to the application deadline. 3. Can IYD sub-awards be used for work internationally or are they only for work within the U.S.A.? IYD sub-awards can only be awarded to U.S. non-profit organizations that are headquartered in the U.S. community in which they provide services. These sub-awards are to be used to increase the capacity of organizations to compete for federal funds. The organization may conduct some of its program activities outside the U.S., but IYD funds must be spent in the U.S. 4. How long will the sub-award recipient have to spend the funds? All funds awarded in 2006 must be obligated between September 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007. 5. What are the sub-award reporting requirements? During this fiscal year, IYD/CCF sub-awardees will be required to submit a monthly progress report, a monthly request for funds, a quarterly financial report, and a Final Sub-Award Report. Sub-awardees will also be expected to submit for approval, in advance, any revisions to project activities or budget items according to procedures established by IYD. Sub-awardees are encouraged and expected to communicate with their grants specialist, as needed, for technical assistance. 6. May an applicant respond to more than one of IYD's RFPs in 2006? No. 7. How soon after the closing date for applications will winners of grant awards receive notification? IYD will begin to process the applications as soon as they are received. Notification of winners for both RFPs will take place after completion of review panel scoring for RFP 06-402. A funding announcement will be issued not later than August 31, 2006. Unfunded applicants will also be notified and be given a critique based on reviewer comments. 8. How many sub-awards will be made? It is anticipated that IYD will award about 20 – 30 sub-awards in 2006. 9. What should our budget request be? Sub-awards will be made for amounts up to $30,000. Application budgets must only reflect the amount of sub-award funds requested. Do not include matching or any other non-IYD CCF funds. 10. Should the letter of intent be addressed to Mr. Smith? Yes, Mr. Shepherd Smith is the President of IYD. 11. How should a proposal be transmitted to IYD? Proposals should be mailed or delivered to 1329 Shepard Drive Suite 1, Sterling, VA 20164-4415, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time of the closing date referenced in the RFP. We strongly recommend that you utilize a private delivery company to ensure and document on-time delivery. Sending a proposal by facsimile (fax) or e-mail is not acceptable. A privately-metered post mark will not be deemed acceptable proof of timely submission. IYD does not acknowledge receipt of individual applications. Applicants wishing verification of delivery should arrange this through the carrier selected. Failure to meet this requirement will result in your application being deemed non-compliant. 12. What would disqualify my proposal and prevent it from being reviewed? Any application that does not conform to the specific requirements of the RFP, including style instructions, required number of copies, certifications, required signatures, submission deadlines, etc. may be considered non-compliant, may not be reviewed, and may be returned to the applicant, along with correspondence identifying the nature of the non-compliance. 13. Where do I find a "certification regarding prohibition on purchase of religious items or conduct of religious activities with federal funds", and the other three certifications: "intent to apply for federal funds", "debarment, suspension, lobbying, etc.", and "certification of compliance with 45 CFR 74"? and How would I know if they apply to my organization? All of the aforementioned certifications are listed separately at the current RFP Application Package page link under Forms and Tools. All certifications apply to all organizations, whether they are faith-based organizations or not. 14. How will proposals be evaluated? As noted in the RFP, a panel of three or more individuals with grants management and/or social service knowledge and experience will review each application and score it using the point allocations for the Objectives and Need for Assistance, Approach, Organizational Profiles, Results or Benefits Expected, and Budget and Narrative Budget Justification sections. An IYD staff member will serve as panel facilitator and may serve as a grant reviewer, if needed. Those proposals receiving the highest scores will be eligible to receive a sub-award. The review panel will also make recommendations for funding. An executive review committee will make the final funding determinations, including the amount of each sub-award. There is no appeals process. 15. Is there a requirement that grant applicants already possess 501(c)(3) status? There is no requirement that applicants already have 501(c)(3) status. Applying for and attaining 501(c)(3) status is a fundable objective, since it is required for most, if not all, federal grants. 16. Where do I find an IYD grant application? There is no 'application' as such to fill out; the RFP explains the format of the grant proposal, and all additional documents required are there. The RFP link is on IYD's website at www.youthdevelopment.org. If questions remain after a careful and complete reading of the RFP, Application Guidance, Guidelines on Writing Proposals for Organizational Capacity Building, and RFP FAQs, submit a request for assistance through the link at the end of this Frequently-Asked Questions document. Questions will usually be answered in 24 hours. Paper copies of the complete application package can be obtained by making a request via fax at (703) 433-2796, e-mail at assistance@youthdevelopment.org , or by writing to:
First, follow the link on the RFP page to download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat, and retry. You should use version 5.1 or higher. If problems persist, your operating system may be unable to accept an Acrobat update. Contact your local public library, as most offer free internet access and can download and print documents. Refer to Question 16 to request a paper copy. 18. Our organization may have received federal money in the past. Are we still eligible? Look at several factors to determine eligibility. Did you receive federal money as the result of a competitive process similar to the one IYD is sponsoring? If so, you are not eligible. If there was no competition, then you remain eligible. 19. Is a township an allowable grantee for IYD sub-awards? Only non-profit organizations are eligible for IYD sub-awards. A township is a "Governmental unit" which means an entire state, local, or federally-recognized Indian tribal government, including any component thereof. A non-profit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization which: (i) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; (ii) is not organized primarily for profit; and (iii) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations. For this purpose, the term "non-profit organization" excludes (i) colleges and universities; (ii) hospitals; (iii) state, local, and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; and (iv) those non-profit organizations which are excluded from coverage by OMB Circular A-122, Attachment C. 20. We received a small grant through the state, but the funding was originally federal money. Does that disqualify us? Individual states have some discretion on how they distribute money for a variety of programs. The primary factor in determining eligibility is not the amount of funding previously received, but whether the applicant received the federal funding through a competitive process. If so, then that would disqualify you. 21. If my organization received a federal contract in the past, does that disqualify us as an applicant for an IYD sub-award? No. The federal contracting process is a separate and distinctly different set of procedures. 22. On the Checklist for Application Submission what is the “letter of transmittal that identifies the program for which the application is being submitted?” The Letter of Transmittal is an optional one-page cover letter, usually on the applicant's stationary, that states simply “please find enclosed an application in response to RFP ___.” It should be no more than 1-3 paragraphs and include the name, title, and signature of the authorizing official. 23. Does our target population have to be youth or teenagers? What are the age limits? The RFP is not limited to youth only. Many people become confused because our parent organization, IYD, focuses on that demographic group. Although we place emphasis on supporting youth-focused organizations, our project under the Compassion Capital Fund is more encompassing and has no age requirement for target populations, unless specifically stated so in the RFP. Read the RFP, and if you are unsure whether your program fits the parameters, submit your question via the “Submit Technical Assistance” link. 24. Just what qualifies as 'increasing capacity' for this proposal? The intention of these capacity-building grants is to expand your organization's capacity to develop winning proposals for federal grants, which would then expand your delivery of services. IYD sub-award funds cannot be used to provide direct client services. We strongly encourage you to review Guidelines on Writing Proposals for Organizational Capacity Building which is located on the RFP page. 25. Will the IYD grant help us in identifying areas of need and then developing an action plan, as well as building capacity? Yes, if you can explain how the funds will accomplish each of these objectives. Each proposed activity must reflect directly back to a capacity-building need that will help you obtain Federal funding. 26. What about:
Naturally, this list doesn't reflect all expenditures that qualify for funding, but each of these activities could be eligible for funding, as each obviously increases your “accessibility to federal funds.” All funded items which appear in your budget request must be explained and justified in your application and must have a direct link to capacity-building activities that will help you obtain Federal funding. For example, an organization wants to purchase a computer and Internet service so it can search the Internet to research available and appropriate federal grants and to apply for federal grants on-line, as many agencies now require. The link between every cost item and accessing federal grants must be direct and stated as such in the application. Remember, dollars must be spent in this calendar year, but the benefit and value of the expenditure should clearly endure beyond the grant period. 27. Aren’t laptops that cost about $2,000 really "equipment"? IYD follows the OMB Circular No. A-122 “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” definition for “Equipment,” which is defined as a non-expendable item having a useful life of more than one year and a cost that equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the capitalization level established by the organization for financial reporting or (b) $5,000 per unit. In other words, if your organization has a policy that considers anything over $1,000 to be equipment (and therefore inventoried), then you must use your organization's standards. If your organization has no policy, then use the federal standard. OMB Circular A-122, as well as other federal fiscal and management guidance, is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index-education.html. 28. Is employing staff regarded as increasing capacity? IYD will consider funding for staff salaries if (i) the staff salary relates directly to building the applicant's organizational capacity to compete for federal funds; or (ii) the proposed staff time to be paid will be used for a non-recurring activity that will build the applicant's capacity to compete for federal funds, as set forth in the proposal; or (iii) the proposed capacity-building activity would otherwise be contracted. In addition the staff person assigned to the task must have the competence to succeed in the task. However, IYD’s 2006 RFPs limit the amount requested for staff (Personnel and Fringe Benefits combined) to twenty percent of the total funds requested, e.g., $6,000 out of a request for $30,000. 29. Can we use any funds on food, rent, or transportation? Resources, such as rent or transportation, are difficult to justify under the rules, so if you choose to request funding for these, keep the use restrictions provided in the RFP and in the guidance in mind. Food is not an allowable expense for IYD CCF funding, except as it relates to daily travel per diem. 30. If we don't qualify for an IYD sub-award, could you suggest websites and grants that deal with programs in our area? The IYD website has a link for Federal Grant Opportunities at http://youthdevelopment.org/articles/federalgrants.htm. You should also check the faith-based and community initiative website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/ for the White House and the various executive branch departments. Also check http://grants.gov/. 31. Is this a single year grant or can it be extended for multiple years? IYD’s 2006 sub-awards will be awarded for a single six-month period. If development undertaken under this proposal is one of several stages of projected capacity development, do indicate that in the project description. Do not describe subsequent years' activities in detail. While we will award no multi-year grants, sub-awardees may continue to receive technical assistance in subsequent years, depending on funding. 32. Can you send me examples of some successful grant proposals, so I can use them as a model? Yes, IYD can send you an electronic copy via e-mail of previously successful IYD CCF applicants. No unsuccessful proposals will be provided. Go to the RFP page and click on the blue boxed “? Request for Technical Assistance” and complete the form. Be aware, however, that IYD’s 2006 RFPs are quite different from its previous RFPs. In every case, the RFP and accompanying guidance are the best resources for a grant writer. That said, if you know the federal department or agency to which you will eventually apply, here are several suggestions:
33. Are IYD's Intermediate Grant Writing Workshops only for those who wish to apply for IYD sub awards? No. The IYD Intermediate Grant Writing Workshops being held across the country in2006 are planned to assist faith-based and community non-profit organizations in producing high-quality, competitive applications for federal grants. They are designed to be a step up from the information presented at IYD’s Grants Educational Conferences in 2003-2005. Anyone who is interested in learning about the federal grantmaking process is welcomed to attend, whether they are faith-based, community-based, or neither. However, attendance at a 2006 workshop or at a 2003-2005 conference is a mandatory eligibility requirement for IYD’s 2006 RFP competitions. Sessions will include specific information on the development of a federal grant application (using the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Targeted Capacity-Building grant or “mini-grant” as the example), how to outline the format of your project description, outcome-based evaluation, researching the U.S. Code and Code of Federal Regulations, grants management (particularly the Office of Management and Budget Circulars), partnerships, and best practices. Workshops will include general sessions, as well as one-on-one technical assistance sessions. The intention of the workshops and the RFPs is to assist organizations to prepare themselves to win federal grants. If you are interested in pursuing the possibility of other federal funding support, you may still want to attend a workshop. Information on the workshops can be accessed at www.youthdevelopment.org. 34. Where do I put supporting data and information from state or regional agencies? If citing specific reference sources, please present the data in the appropriate project description section, such as Objectives and Need for Assistance, and footnote the citation at the bottom of the page or in the appendix. 35. Will an audit of the funds spent during the sub-award project period be necessary? If we conduct an audit would that strengthen our proposal? A formal independent audit is not required. However, specifics will be worked out with the assigned IYD grants specialist. All recipients of sub-awards are obligated to maintain records kept in accordance with accepted business practices, and to be prepared to present them for review upon request by IYD. One way of addressing an application's grants management capability could include its audit experience. If an applicant has no audit experience, then including this activity in the proposal would build the organization's capacity. Keep in mind that federal regulations require that the sub-awardee maintain a complete and accurate record of all activities, including expenditures, pertaining to a grant for a period of three years after receiving final payments. Audit costs are an allowable expenditure for the sub-awards. 36. What kind of needs assessment is required? How ‘scientific' does the evaluation need to be? Do we need a control group? A needs assessment in the Objectives and Need for Assistance section must indicate the lack of organizational capacity to successfully compete for federal grants. Examples might be the lack of an adequate financial management system, or lack of staff development skills, or lack of adequate computer equipment. Since you are not measuring social behaviors there is no science involved nor control groups required. The applicant needs to simply state the input (need funds to purchase a computer), activities involved (purchase the computer by the end of month 2), outcomes measured (computer purchased by the end of month 2), and outcomes expected (using computer to apply for federal grants). Use restrictions and time frame preclude sophisticated or extensive evaluation methodology. Be sure that evaluation criteria are readily measurable: completed goals, tasks, training, and purchases; or increases in hours, frequency, and number of participants. For example: staff time (input); attend grant writing workshop (activity); completed grant writing training (output); completed application for federal assistance (outcome). 37. Who should be responsible for evaluating whether the project’s task were completed? For this capacity-building sub-award, the person responsible for evaluating the project needs to be the project director. The project director will be responsible for ensuring the completion of all the proposed tasks. 38. May we directly request an individual in our IYD proposal for a full-time position based on their credentials and prior working relationships, or must we state the position as an open one in our application? You may include the name and resume of the person you wish to hire for the grant period, but you cannot pay them retroactively before the sub-award is awarded. Also, as noted under question 28 above, total salary may not exceed twenty percent of total funds requested. 39. In calculating travel expenses to IYD, when will the orientation meeting for new IYD sub-awardees be held and how many days will it last? The new sub-awardee orientation meetings will require one working day. Meetings for new sub-awardees will be held approximately one month after winners are notified. IYD has negotiated a special rate with the Holiday Inn Washington/Dulles, currently for $99 per night plus taxes. The hotel will also provide free pick-up and return shuttle service to Dulles International Airport (IAD) and IYD offices for the meeting, so rental car fees will not be allowed. Details will be provided to sub-awardees. IYD is only a few miles from Dulles Airport and the hotel is less than a mile from IYD. Applicants may include travel expenses for up to two staff persons in their budgets for two nights for the orientation meeting. 40. What is IYD's role as a grant maker? Does the CCF sub-award program have something to do with IYD's federal funding workshops? IYD's Intermediate Grant Writing Workshops address federal grants in general, including the Compassion Capital Fund, and are therefore helpful for those who wish to apply for a CCF grant. As a learning exercise, IYD has modeled its "sub-award" or "sub-grant" program on the federal grant making process, specifically the HHS Targeted Capacity-Building grant or mini-grant, so that participants can subsequently apply their experience to the mini-grant or to other federal grant applications. As an intermediary, IYD distributes funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as our own funds. 41. What types of activities are allowed under Critical Area 4, Funding, and what types are not allowed? The RFP states that allowed examples of activities in this Critical Area are Diversified Funding Sources, Financial Sustainability, and Donor Development. However, OMB Circular A-122, Attachment B, section 17.a. says that: “Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions are unallowable.” Therefore applicants may propose activities to build their capacity in the area of revenue development or increase their ability to raise contributed income, but applicants may not use IYD funds for direct fund raising.
Here are some examples of direct fund raising that are unallowed:
42. I have other questions. What do I do? If you still have questions after reading these FAQs and the other documents on this site, you can submit your question to IYD by using the Technical Assistance Email Form on the RFP page. Please do not call IYD with your questions, as this will only delay a response. NOTE: In the event of a discrepancy between the RFP and FAQs, then the RFP has priority.
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