Office of Community Services; Funding Opportunity Title: Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) Targeted Capacity Building Program, 22322-22331 [05-8607]

Agencies

• Administration for Children and Families
• Department of Health & Human Services
• Children and Families Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 82 (Friday, April 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22322-22331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8607]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Community Services; Funding Opportunity Title: 
Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) Targeted Capacity Building Program

    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-OCS-IJ-0036.
    CFDA Number: 93.009.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due May 31, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) announces that applications 
will be accepted for new grants pursuant to the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Compassion Capital Fund 
(CCF) authorized under section 1110 of the Social Security Act 
governing Social Services Research and Demonstration activities and the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005, Public Law 108-447.
    Pursuant to this announcement, OCS will award funds to help build 
the capacity of faith-based and community organizations that address 
the needs of distressed communities. A ``distressed community'' is 
defined as a neighborhood or geographic community with an unemployment 
rate and/or poverty rate equal to or greater than the state or national 
rate. Priority areas of need include at-risk youth; the homeless; 
marriage education and preparation services to help couples who choose 
marriage for themselves develop the skills and knowledge to form and 
sustain healthy marriages; or social services to those living in rural 
communities.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of 
Community Services (OCS) announces that applications will be accepted 
for new grants pursuant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) Secretary's Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) authorized 
under section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing Social Services 
Research and Demonstration activities and the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2005, Public Law 108-447.
    Pursuant to this announcement, OCS will award funds to help build 
the capacity of faith-based and community organizations that address 
the needs of distressed communities. A ``distressed community'' is 
defined as a neighborhood or geographic community with an unemployment 
rate and/or poverty rate equal to or greater than the State or national 
rate. Priority areas of need include at-risk youth; the homeless; 
marriage education and preparation services to help couples who choose 
marriage for themselves develop the skills and knowledge to form and 
sustain healthy marriages; or social services to those living in rural 
communities.

A. Background

    Faith-based and community organizations have a long history of 
providing an array of important services to people and communities in 
need of charitable services in the United States. These groups have 
unique strengths that government cannot duplicate. They hold the trust 
of their community neighbors and leaders and have great understanding 
of the needs of the community and its systems. As a result, they are 
well positioned to understand the unique needs of at-risk youth, the 
homeless, those choosing to develop the skills and knowledge to form 
and sustain healthy marriages, and those living in rural communities in 
need of social services. Furthermore, the sense of mission from which 
these organizations work often translates into a unique approach to 
service delivery, a dedication of service to others, and a cultural 
awareness specific to their surrounding communities.
    In recognition of this history and ability, President Bush believes 
it is in the public's interest to broaden Federal efforts to work with 
faith-based and community organizations, and he has made it a priority 
to ensure that these groups are treated equally with other 
organizations that apply for Federal funding. A key part of this effort 
to enhance and expand the participation of faith-based and community 
groups in serving those in need is the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) 
Targeted-Capacity Building program described in this announcement.

[[Page 22323]]

    Although the CCF Targeted Capacity Building program has addressed 
issues of at-risk youth in the past, this year, President Bush has 
specifically identified the need to focus on helping at-risk youth 
overcome the perilous risk of gang influence and involvement. 
Consequently, those interested in proposing at-risk youth activities 
are encouraged to propose projects that address this critical youth 
issue.

B. Program Purpose and Objectives

    The purpose of the CCF Targeted Capacity Building program is to 
help build the capacity of grassroots faith-based and community 
organizations that address the needs of distressed communities. The CCF 
Targeted Capacity Building Program funds capacity-building activities 
that produce measurable impact resulting in more sustainable 
organizations. Capacity-building activities ensure that grassroots 
organizations have the tools to facilitate key changes within their 
organization. By addressing issues that are critical to the long-term 
viability of the organization, non-profits are better prepared and 
positioned to understand and meet the needs of the communities they 
serve.
    CCF Targeted Capacity-Building grants will be awarded to grassroots 
faith-based and community organizations serving ``distressed 
communities.'' These grassroots organizations must use the funds in one 
of the four priority areas of need towards their organization's 
capacity-building in at least one of these five critical areas: (1) 
Leadership development, (2) organizational development, (3) programs/
services, (4) funding, and (5) community engagement. Examples of the 
kinds of activities that relate to each critical area are listed below. 
This list is intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Critical areas                          Examples
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Leadership Development....  --Board Composition and Function.
                               --Staff Professional and Career
                                Development.
                               --Volunteers Training and Development.
                               --Succession Planning.
2. Organizational Development  --Board Governance.
                               --Systems: Management, Human Resources,
                                Financial, Information Technology,
                                Planning.
                               --Policies and Procedures.
                               --Fiscal Controls.
                               --Comprehensive Communications Strategy.
                               --Non-profit Incorporation.
3. Programs/Services.........  --Program Design that expands or enhances
                                program or service delivery.
                               --Program Monitoring.
                               --Evaluating Program Outcomes.
4. Funding...................  --Diversified Funding Sources.
                               --Financial Sustainability.
                               --Donor Development.
5. Community Engagement......  --Community Asset Mapping.
                               --Level of Community Participation.
                               --Community Needs Assessment.
                               --Leveraging Resources/Collaborative
                                Relationships.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The goal of the CCF Targeted Capacity-Building Program is to help 
promising organizations bolster their sustainability and ultimately be 
able to serve more people more effectively and/or more efficiently, or 
expand/enhance services to distressed communities on a continuing 
basis. Applicants must describe, in concrete terms, their plans for 
using funds to improve their organization in a sustainable way. 
Grantees must use these awards to increase efficiency and capacity; 
therefore, these awards cannot be used to augment or supplant direct 
service delivery funds. For example, an organization that distributes 
food to the poor will not receive a grant simply to purchase additional 
food. Nor, for example, will an organization that provides substance 
abuse treatment services receive additional funds simply to enable it 
to provide exactly the same services to more people. Although these 
awards might well enable these organizations to assist additional 
individuals, they would not serve to improve the organizations' 
sustainability, efficiency, or capacity. Rather, the organizations 
would simply use additional funds in the same way they use existing 
funds, without fundamentally changing or improving their services.
    ACF encourages and will grant preference to those eligible 
organizations whose annual operational budget is less than $500,000, or 
whose tribal membership is less than 5,000. Please see Section III.3 
Other Eligibility Information, Section IV.2 Content and Form of 
Application Submission, V.1 Evaluation Criteria, and V. 2 Review and 
Selection Process for a detailed description.
    Organizations that receive CCF funds may not engage in inherently 
religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or 
proselytization, as part of the programs or services funded with CCF 
funds. If an organization conducts such inherently religious 
activities, the activities must be offered separately, in time or 
location, from the programs or services funded with CCF assistance, and 
participation must be voluntary for beneficiaries of the CCF-funded 
programs or services. In addition, an organization receiving CCF funds 
shall not, in providing CCF-funded services, discriminate against a 
program beneficiary or prospective program beneficiary on the basis of 
religion or religious belief. Regulations pertaining to the Equal 
Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which includes the prohibition 
against Federal funding of inherently religious activities, can be 
found at either 45 CFR 87.1 or the HHS Web site at https://
www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $15,000,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 300.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards per budget period: $50,000.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards per budget period: None.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $50,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 12 month project and budget period.

[[Page 22324]]

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized 
tribal governments);
Native American tribal governments (federally recognized);
Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 
institutions of higher education;
Non-profits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other 
than institutions of higher education.

Additional Information on Eligibility

    Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply for 
these grants. Other eligible entities include:

Federally recognized Indian Tribes;
Consortia of Indian Tribes;
Incorporated non-Federally recognized Tribes;
Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian 
organizations;
Urban Indian Centers;
National or regional incorporated non-profit Native American 
organizations with Native;
American community-specific objectives;
Alaska Native villages, as defined in the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or non-profit village consortia;
Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose community-based 
organizations;
Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska 
with village specific projects;
Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village specific 
projects; Non-profit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians;
Non-profit private agencies serving native peoples from Guam, American 
Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (the 
populations served may be located on these islands or in the United 
States); and,
Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or Tribal governing bodies 
(Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

    Fiscal year (FY) 2003 and (FY) 2004 Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) 
Targeted Capacity Building grantees are eligible to apply for funding 
under this announcement as long as the social service priority area 
addressed by their FY 2005 proposed project differs from the priority 
area addressed in their FY 2004 project.
    Eligible organizations in Non-Metropolitan counties as defined by 
the Office of Management and Budget are eligible for a grant under the 
social service priority area, Rural Communities. Due to the fact that 
entire counties are designated as Metropolitan when in fact, large 
parts of many counties may be rural in nature; ZIP Codes in 
Metropolitan counties that meet the criteria as defined by the Office 
of Rural Health are also eligible. To determine if a ZIP Code is 
defined as rural, please refer to the Web site at https://
ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/funding/eligibilitytestv2.asp.
    ACF encourages and will grant preference to organizations whose 
annual operational budget is less than $500,000, or whose tribal 
membership is less than 5,000.
    In addition, ACF anticipates awarding up to 5 percent of the funds 
available under this announcement to the following eligible 
organizations:
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized 
tribal governments);
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);
Federally recognized Indian Tribes; Consortia of Indian Tribes;
Incorporated non-Federally recognized Tribes;
Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian 
organizations;
Urban Indian Centers;
National or regional incorporated non-profit Native American 
organizations with Native;
American community-specific objectives;
Alaska Native villages, as defined in the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or non-profit village consortia;
Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose community-based 
organizations;
Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska 
with village specific projects;
Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village specific 
projects;
Non-profit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians;
Non-profit private agencies serving native peoples from Guam, American 
Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (the 
populations served may be located on these islands or in the United 
States); and,
Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or Tribal governing bodies 
(Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

    Please see Section I. Funding Opportunity Description, IV.2 Content 
and Form of Application Submission, V.1 Evaluation Criteria, and V.2 
Review and Selection Process for a detailed description.
    Please see Section IV for required documentation supporting 
eligibility or funding restrictions if any are applicable.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    No.

3. Other

    All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. On June 27, 
2003 the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal 
Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant 
applicants. The policy requires Federal grant applicants to provide a 
Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when 
applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after 
October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant 
is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide 
electronic portal (www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be required for 
every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, 
including applications or plans under formula, entitlement and block 
grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at https://www.dnb.com.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of non-profit status is 
any one of the following:
     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.
     A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
     A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney 
general, or other appropriate State official certifying that the 
applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net 
earning accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
     A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
     Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above 
for a State or national parent organization

[[Page 22325]]

and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant 
organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Disqualification Factors
    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this 
announcement.
    An application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements 
referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Attention: Eduardo 
Hernandez, Administration for Children and Families Office of Community 
Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity 
Building Program, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 
22209. Phone: 1-800-281-9519. E-mail: OCS@lcgnet.com.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

A. Required Format of Application
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the 
www.Grants.gov/Apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. ACF 
will not accept grant applications via e-mail or facsimile 
transmission.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov:
     Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly 
encouraged.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you 
do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and 
Families will retrieve your application from Grants.gov.
     We may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    An original and two copies of the complete application are 
required. The original and each of the two copies must include all 
required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed 
by an authorized representative, have original signatures, and be 
submitted unbound.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

General

    While applicants may be working in more than one priority area, 
applicants must select one (1) priority area and label their 
application accordingly. The four (4) priority areas include: At-risk 
youth; Homeless; Healthy Marriage; and Rural Communities. Applications 
proposing projects covering more than one priority area will not be 
given a higher priority than those projects working in just one area.
    The application must be double-spaced and single-sided on 8 x 11 
plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. The application must 
use Times New Roman 12 point font or Arial 12 point font.
    The Table of Contents must not exceed one (1) page. The Project 
Narrative must not exceed nine (9) pages. Pages submitted beyond the 
first nine (9) pages in the Project Narrative section will be removed 
prior to panel review. The Appendix must not exceed five (5) pages. 
Pages submitted beyond the first five (5) in the Appendix section will 
be removed prior to panel review. The Appendix includes any additional 
supporting documentation.
    All pages of the application must be sequentially numbered. The 
Budget, Narrative Budget Justification, Standard Forms for Assurances, 
Certifications, and Disclosures are not included in the Project 
Narrative and Appendix page limitations.
    Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, brochures, or other 
printed material along with their applications as these pose copying 
difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in 
the review process.
Standard Forms and Certifications
    The project description should include all the information 
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in 
the program announcement under Section V Application Review 
Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant 
needs to complete all the standard forms required for making 
applications for awards under this announcement.
    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be 
reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and 
return the standard forms with their application.
    Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the 
Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for 
an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal 
funds for lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance 
under this announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if 
applicable, with their applications (approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants must 
sign and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for 
the smoking prohibition included within

[[Page 22326]]

Public Law 103-227, Title XII Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known 
as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice 
which implements the smoking prohibition is included with forms. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification form. Complete 
the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances 
based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications 
may be found at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Voluntary Budget or Tribal Membership Size Assurance
    The voluntary budget or tribal membership size assurance is not 
required for a complete application; however, ACF encourages any 
eligible non-profit organization, including Native American Tribal 
Organizations, whose annual operational budget is less than $500,000 or 
Native American Tribal Governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, 
Consortia of Indian Tribes, or Incorporated non-federally recognized 
Tribes whose tribal membership is less than 5,000 to include the 
assurance with its application in order to receive an additional 5 
points in the scoring of the application. In absence of a properly 
authorized assurance, no additional points will be granted. By signing 
the voluntary budget or tribal membership size assurance the 
authorizing official is attesting to the validity of all statements on 
the assurance. Please see Appendix A for instructions on completing the 
Voluntary Budget or Tribal Membership Size Assurance and Section V.1 
for a detailed description of the relevant criteria that will be 
evaluated.
    Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the 
full project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Explanation of Due Dates
    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is referenced 
above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
closing date will be classified as late.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
referenced in Section IV.6. Applicants are responsible for ensuring 
applications are mailed or submitted electronically well in advance of 
the application due date.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section 
IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays).
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile. 
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted 
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria above 
are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant 
that its application will not be considered in the current competition.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date will not be considered for competition.
    Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two 
working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications. 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
Checklist
    You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your 
application package.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents..................  See Section IV.2......  See Section IV.2...........  By application due
                                                                                           date.
Project Narrative..................  See Section IV.2......  See Section IV.2...........  By application due
                                                                                           date.
SF 424.............................  See Section IV.2......  Please visit https:// By application due
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm for a full
                                                              description.
SF 424A............................  See Section IV.2......  Please visit https:// By application due
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm for a full
                                                              description.
SF 424B............................  See Section IV.2......  Please visit https:// By application due
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm for a full
                                                              description.
Voluntary Budget or Tribal           See Sections III.3 and  Format described in          By application due
 Membership Size Assurance.           IV.2.                   Sections III.3 and IV. 2.    date.
Certification regarding Lobbying     See Section IV.2......  Please visit https:// By Time of Award.
 and associated Disclosure of                                 www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
 Lobbying Activities (SF LLL).                                ofs/forms.htm for a full
                                                              description.
Certification regarding              See Section IV. 2.....  Please visit https:// By Time of Award.
 Environmental Tobacco Smoke.                                 www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
ofs/forms.htm for a full
                                                              description.
Proof of Non-Profit Status.........  See Section III.3.....  See Section III.3..........  By application due
                                                                                           date.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

[[Page 22327]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content               Location               When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit       See form..............  May be found on              By application due
 Grant Applicants.                                            www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 1, 2004, the following jurisdictions have elected to 
participate in the Executive Order process: Arkansas, California, 
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, 
North Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. As these 
jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order 
process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating 
jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert 
them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants 
must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate 
the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is 
required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2).
    A SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on 
proposed new or competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to 
eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official 
recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly 
differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State 
process recommendations which may trigger the ``accommodate or 
explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th 
floor, Washington, DC 20447.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447.
    Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate 
in the process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the 
program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. Therefore, 
applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by 
federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to 
E.O. 12372.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
    A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory 
is included with the application materials for this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered non-responsive and will be returned 
without further review.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. Please see Section IV.3 for an 
explanation of due dates. Applications should be mailed to: U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for 
Children and Families Office of Community, Compassion Capital Fund 
Targeted Capacity Building Program, 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 
300, Arlington, VA 22209.Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson.

    Hand Delivery: An applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. Please see Section IV.3 for an explanation of due dates. 
Applications should be delivered to: U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families Office 
of Community, Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building 
Program, 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209. 
Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson.
    Electronic Submission: www.Grants.gov. Please see section IV. 2 
Content and Form of Application Submission, for guidelines and 
requirements when submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 20 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``Project Summary/Abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections 
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that 
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under 
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD).

1. Criteria

Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners, such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. If the 
applicant is a non-profit organization, submit proof of non-profit 
status in its application.
    The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing: (a) A 
reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal 
Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations

[[Page 22328]]

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 
the applicant organization has a non-profit 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 non-profit status, (e) any of 
the items immediately above for a State or national parent organization 
and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant 
organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how 
the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or 
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished.
    When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, 
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide a budget with line item detail and detailed calculations 
for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form. 
Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit 
costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the 
calculation to be duplicated. Also include a breakout by the funding 
sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Include third party evaluation contracts 
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant.
    Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will 
be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, 
open and

[[Page 22329]]

free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than States that 
are required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 
403(11) (currently set at $100,000).
    Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award 
review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or 
invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.

    Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the 
project to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed 
budget and budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency 
title, along with the required supporting information referred to in 
these instructions.

Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs, 
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use, 
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs, 
and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, upon notification that an award will be made, it 
should immediately develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with 
the cognizant agency's guidelines for establishing indirect cost rates, 
and submit it to the cognizant agency. Applicants awaiting approval of 
their indirect cost proposals may also request indirect costs. When an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.

Evaluation Criteria

    The following evaluation criteria appear in weighted descending 
order. The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance 
that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need 
not develop their applications precisely according to the order 
presented. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer 
will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information 
(e.g., from a broad overview of the project to more detailed 
information about how it will be conducted).
    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
Objectives and Need for Assistance (30 points)
    (a) Service Area (5 Points): An application will be evaluated on 
the extent to which the applicant identifies the specific service area 
for project implementation and the target population they serve.
    (b) Needs of Service Area (5 Points): An application will be 
evaluated on the extent to which the applicant describes the specific 
needs of the targeted service area; documents that the proposed project 
will be implemented in a distressed community and/or engages 
organizations that serve low-income populations; and documents that the 
project addresses a vital need in a distressed community. A 
``distressed community'' is defined as a neighborhood or geographic 
community with an unemployment rate and/or poverty rate equal to or 
greater than the state or national rate. The application documents that 
both the unemployment level and poverty level for the targeted 
neighborhood or community are equal to or greater than the state or 
national level. The application cites the most recent available 
statistics from published sources, e.g. the recent U.S. Census or 
updates, the State, county, city, election district and other 
information are provided in support of its contention.
    (c) Applicant's Capacity-Building Needs (10 Points). An application 
will be evaluated on the extent to which the applicant documents the 
capacity-building needs of their organization. The needs of the 
organization must be described in relationship to the following five 
critical areas of organizational capacity: (1) Leadership development, 
(2) organizational development, (3) programs/services, (4) funding, and 
(5) community engagement.
    (d) Project Objectives (10 Points): An application will be 
evaluated on the extent to which the applicant states all primary 
project objectives. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to 
which the objectives of the proposed project are clearly stated and 
shown to address the needs of the organization in at least one of the 
five critical areas: (1) Leadership development, (2) organizational 
development, (3) programs/services, (4) funding, and (5) community 
engagement. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the 
applicant presents a compelling need in the community for an increase 
or improvement in services. Applicants must demonstrate how the receipt 
of this Federal grant will enable the applicant to increase its 
capacity to address these vital needs.
Approach (30 points)
    Capacity-Building Strategy. An application will be evaluated on the 
extent to which the applicant describes a plan for developing 
organizational capacity in at least one of five critical areas: (1) 
Leadership development, (2) organizational development, (3) programs/
services, (4) funding, and (5) community engagement. Applications will 
be evaluated based on the extent to which the capacity-building 
approach or strategy is logical, reasonable, and clearly linked to the 
desired results and benefits expected.
Organizational Proiles (15 points)
    (a) Past Experience: (10 Points). An application will be evaluated 
on the extent to which the applicant demonstrates experience in and a 
proven track record in addressing the needs of ``distressed community 
(ies)'', through the provision of social services. A ``distressed 
community'' is defined as a neighborhood or geographic community with 
an unemployment rate and/or poverty rate equal to or greater than the 
state or national rate. Applications will also be evaluated on the 
extent to which the applicant documents a history of service in the 
proposed project service area. In addition, applications will be also 
be evaluated on the extent to which the applicant includes concrete 
examples of services and/or programs.
    (b) Organizational Capacity and Project Staff (5 Points). An 
application will be evaluated on the extent to which the applicant 
describes how the proposed project fits into the structure

[[Page 22330]]

of the applicant organization. Applications will be evaluated on the 
extent to which the applicant provides evidence of facilities, fiscal 
controls and other resources that are adequate to achieve project 
goals. An application will be evaluated on the extent to which the 
applicant includes a listing of key positions required to carry out the 
project, the individuals proposed to fill the positions, and a detailed 
description of the kind of work they will perform. An application will 
be evaluated on the extent to which the applicant provides evidence 
demonstrating the staff's skill, knowledge, and experience in carrying 
out their assigned activities. Applications will be evaluated on the 
extent to which the applicant includes the above information with 
regard to consultants or staff from other organizations proposed to 
work on the project.
Results or Benefits Expected (15 Points)
    An application will be evaluated on the extent to which it 
identifies the results or benefits expected to be derived from project 
activities. Applicants must describe how the proposed project will 
impact the sustainability of their organization. Applicants must 
describe the process for determining the relationship between project 
activities and anticipated outcomes, including any output measures to 
be used to evaluate the proposed project. Applicants must clearly 
describe the relationship(s) among project objectives, activities and 
anticipated results. The results and benefits proposed by the applicant 
must be reasonable and likely, quantified, clearly linked to and 
supported by the proposed capacity-building approach.
Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
    An application will be evaluated based on the extent to which the 
applicant includes a budget that is clear, easy to understand, and that 
provides a detailed justification for the amount requested. Applicants 
should refer to the budget information presented in the Standard Forms 
424 and 424A and to the budget justification instructions in section C. 
General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description. Since non-
Federal reviewers will be used in the review of applications, 
applicants may omit from the copies of the application submitted (not 
from the original), the specific salary rates or amounts for 
individuals in the application budget and instead provide only summary 
information.

Additional Bonus Points (5 Points)

    The extent to which the application demonstrates that the applicant 
has an annual operational budget of less than $500,000, or a tribal 
membership of less than 5,000 via a signed assurance from an authorized 
official (Please see Appendix A for instructions on completing the 
assurance).

2. Review and Selection Process

    Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review 
process, applicants have the option of omitting from the application 
copies (not the original) of specific salary rates or amounts for 
individuals specified in the application budget.
    No grant award will be made on the basis of an incomplete 
application.
    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 this announcement to review and score the applications. The results 
of this 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 serve different 
geographic areas. Please note that applicants that do not comply with 
the requirements in the section titled ``Eligible Applicants'' will not 
be included in the review process.
    ACF encourages and will grant preference to those eligible 
organizations whose annual operational budget is less than $500,000, or 
whose tribal membership is less than 5,000. Please see Section I. 
Funding Opportunity Description, III.3 Other Information on 
Eligibility, IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission, and V.1 
Evaluation Criteria for a detailed description.
Approved but Unfunded Applications
    Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for 
funding in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, 
for a period not to exceed one year.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of 
a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of 
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective 
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be 
given, the non-Federal 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 and transmitted via postal 
mail.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Direct Federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this 
Compassion Capital Fund Capacity Building program shall not be used to 
support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, 
worship, or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps 
to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities 
from the services funded under this Program. Regulations pertaining to 
the Equal Treatment For Faith-Based Organizations, which includes the 
prohibition against Federal funding of inherently religious activities, 
can be found at either 45 CFR 87.1 or the HHS Web site at https://
www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.
45 CFR Part 74
45 CFR Part 92
    Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR part 74 (non-
governmental) or 45 CFR part 92 (governmental) as well as 45 CFR part 
87.

3. Reporting Requirements

Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually
    Financial Reports: Semi-Annually
    Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial 
reports (SF 269) throughout the project period. Program progress and 
financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. In 
addition, final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days 
after the close of the project period.
    Original reports and one copy should be mailed to: Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 
20447.

[[Page 22331]]

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

Kelly Cowles, Office of Community Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
SW., Suite 500 West, Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002. 
Phone: (800) 281-9519. E-mail: ocs@lcgnet.com.

Grants Management Office Contact

Barbara Ziegler-Johnson, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, 
Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002. Phone: (800) 281-9519. 
E-mail: ocs@lcgnet.com.

VIII. Other Information

    Additional information about this program and its purpose can be 
located on the following Web sites: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
ccf/.
    Applicants will be sent acknowledgements of received applications.

    Dated: April 25, 2005.
Josephine B. Robinson,
Director, Office of Community Services.

Voluntary Budget or Tribal Membership Assurance

    As the authorized individual signing this grant application on 
behalf of (name of applicant), I hereby attest and certify that the 
most recent annual operational budget for (name of applicant) is less 
than $500,000, or that the tribal membership of (name of applicant) is 
less than 5,000.
Date:------------------------------------------------------------------

 Printed Name of Authorized Individual:--------------------------------

 Signature of Authorized Individual:-----------------------------------

[FR Doc. 05-8607 Filed 4-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-U