HHS_2024_ACF_OCS_EE_1965.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due July 17, 2024

Office of Community Services (OCS)

Community Economic Development (CED) Projects Opportunity number: HHS-2024-ACF-OCS-EE-1965

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 8

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 16

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Learn more 17

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 19

Application contents and format 20

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 44

Application review 45

Award notices 58

Step 5: Submit Your Application 60

Application submission and deadlines 61

Application checklist 64

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 66

Post-award requirements and administration 67

Contacts and Support 68

Appendix 71

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by July 17, 2024 Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 17, 2024.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 8

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Office of Community Services (OCS)

This program creates quality jobs and provides wraparound services that help individuals with low incomes become economically self-sufficient.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity Name:

Community Economic Development (CED) Projects

Opportunity Number:

HHS-2024-ACF-OCS-

EE-1965

Federal Assistance Listing:

93.570

Statutory authority number:

42 U.S.C. 9921(a)(2)

Key dates

Application deadline:

July 17, 2024

Expected award date:

August 30, 2024

Expected start date:

September 30, 2024

See deadlines.

Summary This program provides funding to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for projects that will address the economic needs of individuals with low incomes by creating quality jobs and businesses and providing wraparound services.

The CED (Community Economic Development) program is based on three pillars:

• Creating new high-quality, permanent, full-time jobs for individuals with low incomes.

• Addressing barriers to employment by providing wraparound services that focus on the needs of the individuals with low incomes hired into jobs created through

CED.

• Promoting community revitalization by infusing funding into local communities to support economic development.

CED projects must:

• Be ready to implement at the time of award.

• Create a minimum number of jobs for individuals with low incomes that result in increased self-sufficiency.

• Create or expand businesses that promote economic revitalization in low-income communities.

• Attract additional public and private funds to increase investment and quality of life in low-income communities.

• Promote equity in underserved communities.

CED funds may be used for start-up or expansion activities of participating businesses provided that such expenses comply with the cost principles set forth at 45 CFR part 75, subpart E.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

This program is authorized by section 680(a)(2) of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9921(a)(2).

Funding details Type: Grant

Estimated total program funding: $13.6 million

Total expected awards: 17

Minimum award amount (award floor): $100,000

Maximum award amount (award ceiling): $800,000

Funding periods: 36-month period of performance with one 36-month budget period for projects not involving construction; 48-month period of performance with one 48-month budget period for projects involving construction.

Awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to federal funds availability.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Who can apply

Eligible applicants Entities that meet all three of the following criteria may apply:

• Private, nonprofit CDC with 501(c)(3) status.

• Articles of incorporation or bylaws demonstrate that the CDC has a principal purpose of planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or CED activities.

• The CDC’s Board of Directors has representation from each of the following:

community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders.

Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities may not apply.

Other eligibility criteria Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

See initial review for disqualification factors.

Cost sharing This program has a no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we will consider it during review. We will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting. If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Program description The CED program is based on three key pillars:

1. CED creates new high-quality, permanent, full-time jobs for individuals with low incomes. It does this by funding business development and expansion efforts (for example, entrepreneurship and social enterprise).

◦ Jobs created with CED funding help people become economically self-sufficient by providing living wages, health care benefits, retirement benefits, career growth opportunities, flexible and predictable work hours, and opportunities for employees to be meaningfully integrated into the businesses.

◦ A minimum of 75% of the newly created jobs must be filled by individuals with low incomes. Of those, a majority must have a need for the wraparound services provided by the project (see the following requirement).

◦ While the focus of the program is on job creation for individuals with low incomes, some businesses will need to hire high-level managers or other experts with unique experiences who may be more difficult to identify and recruit. For this reason, ACF only requires that a minimum of 75% of the newly created jobs be filled by individuals with low incomes.

Full-time position – A nonseasonal position requiring at least 30 hours of work per week. An aggregation of part-time positions to a full-time equivalent is not considered a full- time position.

Low-income – A household income level that does not exceed 200% of the official poverty guidelines, as found in the most recent revision of the HHS Poverty Guidelines.

Self-sufficiency – A status of an individual or family where, by reason of employment, eligibility for public assistance is replaced by the financial capacity to meet all basic needs.

2. CED addresses barriers to employment by providing wraparound services that focus on the needs of individuals with low incomes who are hired into jobs created through CED.

◦ Services can include, but are not limited to, child care, transportation, substance use disorder treatment, English language education, and financial literacy assistance.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

Wraparound services – Coordinated, individualized, and community-based support and services that are designed to help individuals achieve their goals and improve their overall well-being.

3. CED promotes community revitalization by infusing funding into local communities to support economic development.

◦ The CED program funds organizations that know their communities and the people who live there and can efficiently and effectively create new community economic development projects that are culturally appropriate and that promote equity.

◦ Community buy-in is a critical aspect of the CED program, as it helps to ensure there is continued community support for the project, which will lead to sustained success of the project beyond the CED project period.

◦ In order to secure community buy-in and to ensure that CDCs are effectively addressing the needs of their communities, the Board of Directors for the governing organization must include representation from the community.

See eligible applicants.

CED funds are flexible and can be used in many ways to achieve program objectives.

CED projects must:

• Be ready to implement at the time of award.

• Create jobs that result in increased self-sufficiency for individuals and families with low incomes.

• Create or expand businesses that promote economic revitalization in low-income communities.

• Attract additional public and private funds to increase investment and quality of life in low-income communities.

• Promote equity in underserved communities.

To ensure CED-funded projects make an impact in the communities they serve, CED projects must create a minimum number of jobs for individuals with low incomes based on total award funding and project type. Projects that involve construction are not expected to create jobs until construction is complete. Projects that do not involve construction can begin job creation earlier within the project period. Therefore, projects involving construction are expected to create fewer jobs than those that do not involve construction.

Projects involving construction activities must create a minimum number of jobs based on the following formula:

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

[Total Amount of Federal CED Funds Awarded] divided by [$32,000] = [Minimum Number of Jobs to be Created]

For example, if a recipient is awarded $800,000 in federal CED funds, it must use that money to conduct activities that will create at least 25 jobs ($800,000 ÷ $32,000 = 25).

Projects that do not involve construction activities must create a minimum number of jobs based on the following formula:

[Total Amount of Federal CED Funds Awarded] divided by [$27,000] = [Minimum Number of Jobs to be Created].

For example, if a recipient implementing a non-construction project is awarded $800,000 in federal CED funds, it must use that money to conduct activities that will create at least 29 jobs ($800,000 ÷ $27,000 = 29).

For a table with examples of the minimum number of jobs based on specific award amounts, see Appendix: Sample chart of minimum number of jobs to be created.

We do not give priority to applications that propose jobs above the required minimum.

Eligible activities CED funds may be used for the start-up or expansion activities of participating businesses, as consistent with 45 CFR part 75. This includes:

• Start-up capital for operating expenses, such as salaries, facilities, and equipment that will be replaced by projected earnings.

• Loans to identified, viable, participating businesses.

• Equity or stock investment in identified, viable, participating businesses.

• Providing support services to employees of the participating businesses. You can provide support services either directly or in partnership with service providers.

• Construction. For more information, please see the section about construction projects.

• Other types of business development activities that lead to measurable job creation.

• Travel for key project staff to attend ACF-sponsored workshops/conferences/ recipient orientations.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

Participating business – A business that has been identified as a CED project participant with a signed a third-party agreement with the CED applicant to create new jobs that meet the program requirements.

Equity investment – The provision of capital to an identified for-profit participating business entity for a specified purpose in return for a share of ownershipevidenced by a formal equity investment agreement. This may involve the issuance of stock, as in an equity stock investment. An equity investment may be either in a subsidiary for-profit corporation of the applicant or in an unaffiliated business.

Stock – A share of ownership in a for-profit company. Stocks are sold to investors by a for-profit corporation to raise capital for the start-up and/or expansion of the business.

Stock purchases by the recipient are equity investments. Such investments may be made by recipients in affiliated and nonaffiliated businesses. Stock is considered intangible property under the Uniform Administrative Requirements of 45 CFR part 75.

Loan – Money provided to finance an eligible participating business borrower evidenced by a promissory note and loan agreement for a specified purpose to be repaid, with a stated rate of interest and within a specified period. Loans made to eligible participating businesses must be at or below market rate (or what commercial lenders would offer).

This includes a distinct loan fund established exclusively for CED projects as a resource for loans to finance eligible business development and operational activities that, when principal is repaid, are used to make new loans that support a similar purpose. In all instances, the first borrower must be identified along with the standards used for selection. Interest accrued on CED funds must be used to continue or expand the activities of the approved project. Repayment of all loans funded with CED funds must begin during the funded project period and a balloon payment is not allowed. No portion of a loan is forgivable. Loans are considered intangible property under the Uniform Administrative Requirements of 45 CFR part 75.

CED projects may use multiple strategies, as long as they result in the creation of full-time positions.

The training and placement of individuals in positions existing prior to the start of the project, even positions guaranteed to individuals with low incomes through a formal agreement with an employer, is not considered job creation.

Social enterprise development that helps start-up businesses flourish by providing support, resources, and business services and advice is allowable, if it demonstrates that it will help those businesses create new jobs that meet the program requirements.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

Project types (non-construction and construction) CED-funded projects can be considered non-construction or construction projects.

Both types of projects must be ready to be implemented at the time of the grant award and completed during the assigned project period.

The grant period for non-construction projects is three years, and the grant period for construction projects is four years. You must clearly specify in the application whether you are applying for a three-year non-construction project or a four-year construction project.

All participating business expansion/creation and job creation must be completed and CED funds expended within the grant period. Changes in direction in the final year of a project are discouraged.

Non-construction projects Projects are considered non-construction projects if they involve limited alteration or renovation, costing less than $250,000, to support participating business creation and/ or expansion and job creation. Non-construction projects typically involve a loan or equity investment in participating business(es).

Real property vs. intangible property Per language in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-47), in instances where you propose to loan money or have an equity investment in a third-party participating business, you own the note on the intangible property, not the real property itself. The third-party participating business is the property owner of record.

As such, the federal interest is in the debt instrument, as an intangible property and not the property. The intangible property is subject to the 12-year rule set forth in the appropriations language (see, for example, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-47)), which states that intangible assets in the form of loans, equity investments, and other debt instruments become the sole property of the grantee after a period of not more than 12 years after the end of the grant period, provided that such intangible assets and program income derived therefore are used by grantees for any eligible purpose consistent with section 680(a)(2)(A) of the CSBG Act.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

Debt instruments – Any financial documents that enable the issuing party to raise funds by promising to repay a lender in accordance with terms of a contract. Types of debt instruments include notes, bonds, certificates, mortgages, leases, or other agreements between a lender and a borrower.

Intangible property – Property having no physical existence, such as trademarks, copyrights, patents and patent applications, loans, notes, and other debt instruments; or lease agreements, stock, and other instruments of property ownership.

Construction projects Projects are considered construction projects if they require construction or renovation prior to the project’s ability to create jobs. For more information, see the ACF Property Glossary page and related real property pages under the ACF Property Guidance.

Construction projects typically include commercial real estate for lease or use by small-and large-scale business operations.

The CED program permits facility construction, as needed, to support participating business creation, business expansion, and job creation.

Any CED project with construction activities that must be completed before jobs can be created, regardless of whether the construction is paid for with federal funds or whether the property is owned by the recipient or participating business, will be considered a construction project and granted a 48-month project period. However, we encourage you to read carefully the federal requirements related to “real property”, as those apply only to projects where the recipient owns the property.

For ACF property-related policy and guidance, please refer to the ACF website. To learn more about how real property requirements apply to CED projects, please refer to the ACF website.

Short-term construction jobs associated with preparing for participating business start-up or expansion are not counted when determining the number of jobs created under the CED program, as they are designed to be temporary.

All environmental and historic preservation requirements must be fulfilled before award, or before drawdown of funds. For more information, please see the administrative and national policy requirements section, National Environmental Policy Act.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/real-property-and-tangible-personal-property#book_content_10 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/real-property-and-tangible-personal-property#book_content_10 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/real-property-and-tangible-personal-property https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/real-property-and-tangible-personal-property https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/policy-guidance/ced-acf-real-property-guidance-what-does-it-mean-my-ced-grant https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/policy-guidance/ced-acf-real-property-guidance-what-does-it-mean-my-ced-grant

Supporting energy communities Aligned with President Biden’s Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and the Justice40 Initiative, the CED program supports efforts to revitalize energy communities and communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.

Energy communities are communities that have experienced employment loss and/or economic dislocation events because of declines in the fossil fuel industry or that are disproportionately reliant on fossil fuel energy production or distribution.

Communities that have historically relied on mining and power plants have experienced steep declines over the last 50 years due to research and technological advances. This has displaced many workers and left entire communities with fewer quality job opportunities. The decline and closure of a factory or mine in a small community often meant disinvestment in and the slow decline of all businesses in that community. With the effects of the global pandemic still looming, these workers and communities have even fewer quality job opportunities.

Investment in local businesses and the creation of high-quality jobs in these communities are critical to providing meaningful economic revitalization that allows individuals and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Underserved communities, as designated by the Justice40 Initiative, are communities that are economically disadvantaged and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and health care. A community qualifies as “disadvantaged” if the census tract is above a designated threshold for one or more environmental or climate indicators and the tract is above the threshold for the socioeconomic indicators.

Under this funding opportunity, the CED program will award bonus points to projects that will be located in and serve energy communities (as listed in the bonus points section) and/or those designated as underserved by the Justice40 Initiative, as indicated in the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST).

Funding policies and limitations CED grant funds may not be used for:

• Reimbursement of pre-award costs.

• Subawards/pass-throughs.

• Capitalizing loan loss reserve funds.

• Providing loan(s) in which repayment begins after the end of the funded project period.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fbriefing-room%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2021%2F01%2F27%2Fexecutive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad%2F&data=05%7C01%7CChanel.Jackson%40acf.hhs.gov%7Ce095b9030ddb4fb23e2708daffd41301%7Cd58addea50534a808499ba4d944910df%7C0%7C0%7C638103583554738256%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2gmXkpEj%2FPpedamsRCNLu%2BnEzRhHCzNp0mqiUz%2B0RkU%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fbriefing-room%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2021%2F01%2F27%2Fexecutive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad%2F&data=05%7C01%7CChanel.Jackson%40acf.hhs.gov%7Ce095b9030ddb4fb23e2708daffd41301%7Cd58addea50534a808499ba4d944910df%7C0%7C0%7C638103583554738256%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2gmXkpEj%2FPpedamsRCNLu%2BnEzRhHCzNp0mqiUz%2B0RkU%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fenvironmentaljustice%2Fjustice40%2F&data=05%7C01%7CChanel.Jackson%40acf.hhs.gov%7Ce095b9030ddb4fb23e2708daffd41301%7Cd58addea50534a808499ba4d944910df%7C0%7C0%7C638103583554894487%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=d81bKajVB0gs%2FZaPJA4NRORnHN3bm8s2nBDIBmvjZt0%3D&reserved=0 https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5

• Creating or expanding microenterprise business training and technical assistance centers.

• Providing as a primary activity job training, placement of individuals into existing positions, and technical assistance.

◦ Limited job training activities can only be supported in the context of training that is provided specifically for the new positions created. For example, funds can be used to train a cashier for a specific position that has been created with CED funds, but funds cannot be used to operate a general job training.

• Placing individuals in jobs that existed prior to the proposed CED project.

See 45 CFR 75.420 – 75.475 for information on costs that are always unallowable or have restrictions.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those for a common or joint purpose across more than one project and that cannot be easily separated by project.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. Per 45 CFR 75.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you are awaiting approval of an indirect cost proposal, you may also use the de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate is 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 45 CFR 75.2 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Learn more at 45 CFR 75.414, Indirect Costs.

Statutory authority This program is authorized by section 680(a)(2) of the CSBG Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C.

9921(a)(2).

The CED authority for construction and renovation is through annual appropriations, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-47).

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.2(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.414

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Learn more 17

Get registered SAM.gov Your entity must have an active registration with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need Help? See Contacts and Support.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Search Grants at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HHS-2024-ACF-OC- EE-1965. Then, click the “Package” tab.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials, you may request them from the Grants Management Contact.

If you are also unable to apply through Grants.gov, see exemptions for paper submissions.

Learn more Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants Page.

Resources for prospective applicants will be available on the OCS website.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration http://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/search-grants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/ced-information-prospective-applicants

Pre-application presentation You can view a pre-application presentation on the OCS website. The presentation will be posted no later than 10 days after this NOFO’s publication, until the closing of this NOFO. The goal of the pre-application presentation is to outline the CED program’s purpose and strategies, provide key dates for submitting an application for CED, and review key application criteria and requirements as outlined in the NOFO.

Viewing the pre-application presentation is voluntary. Only the information provided in this NOFO will be presented. Opting to not view the presentation will not affect eligibility, application scoring, or the selection process.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/ced-information-prospective-applicants

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 20

Application contents and format Application components You will submit two files plus the standard forms in the application package.

File One: Project Narrative Attachment Form Includes:

• Table of contents

• Project summary, one page

• Project narrative

• Line-item budget and budget narrative

File Two: Other Attachments Form Includes all attachments.

Other required forms Includes other required forms.

Required format Page limit for File One and File Two combined: 200 pages.

File Format: Portable Document File (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment Form and the Other Attachments Form:

• Adobe PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image Formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Paper Size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches

Margins: 1 inch all around

Language: English

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20

If possible, include page numbers

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman

Size: 12-point font

Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced

Project summary: Must be single-spaced

Project narrative: Must be double-spaced

Line-Item budget and budget narrative: Can be single-spaced

Attachments: Can be single-spaced

Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

Table of contents At the beginning of File One, insert a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of both files in your application. If possible, include links to the relevant content in File One.

Project summary Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of the application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL.

• A statement indicating whether the application is for a three-year non-construction project or a four-year construction project.

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address and your proposed services.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate and rank against other applications using the merit review criteria. Remember that substance and measurable outcomes are more important than length. We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

In it, you must:

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Geographic location Provide the precise physical location of your project and boundaries of the area you will serve.

Need for assistance Identify the problems you plan to solve. These problems could be physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, etc. To do so:

• Demonstrate the need, including the nature and scope of the problem.

• You may provide supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials, in an application appendix.

• Include any relevant data based on planning studies or needs assessments. You may refer to them in the endnotes or footnotes.

• Use demographic data and participant or beneficiary information where you can.

Objectives State your main objectives and any sub-objectives. Address how the objectives stated relate to the overall purpose of this program and describe how you will achieve the objectives.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

Expected outcomes Identify the outcomes you plan to achieve from the project. Outcomes should relate to the overall program as described in the program description section. If research is part of the proposed work, outcomes must include hypothesized results and implications of the proposed research.

Approach Outline your action plan. Describe the scope and detail of how you will accomplish your proposed project. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Explain potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing your project goals. Explain the strategies you will use to address them.

Describe how each aspect of the project will be implemented in order to successfully create full-time positions.

Describe a viable recruitment strategy and tracking system to ensure that a minimum of 75% of the new positions are filled by individuals with low incomes, as defined by the HHS poverty guidelines referenced in the program description. Demonstrate that, of those, a majority have a need for the wraparound services provided by the project.

Demonstrate that your strategy focuses on the number of positions created rather than the number of people hired to fill them over the course of the grant.

In the attachments section, you will provide signed third-party agreements with social service providers that will enable you to obtain referrals of individuals with low incomes. Agreements must describe the roles and responsibilities that both you and the service provider will have in support of the project. Agreements must be signed and dated by both the applicant and social service provider staff with signature authority.

Social Service Provider – An agency or organization that works with individuals with low incomes and can assist a recipient with filling the newly created positions with individuals with low income. Examples of social service providers include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), employment education and training programs (such as the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration funded One-Stop Career Centers), and local child support enforcement agencies.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23

Project timeline and milestones Provide a timeline for your project that includes milestones. To do so:

• Organize the information by task and subtask, showing related milestones.

• Provide monthly or quarterly quantitative projections for what you plan to accomplish and by when. For example, provide the number of people you plan to serve or the number of a certain activity you plan to complete.

• If you can’t quantify some of your accomplishments, provide their target dates.

• Cover the full period of performance (36 months for non-construction projects or 48 months for construction projects) in your timeline.

Organizational capacity Provide the following information for your full project team including the applicant organization and any cooperating partners, contractors, and subrecipients:

• Provide evidence that your team has the relevant experience and expertise needed to carry out your project.

• Describe your team’s experience with administering, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating similar projects.

• Provide evidence that your team has the organizational capability to fulfill their roles and functions effectively.

You will provide some supporting information in the attachments section.

Demonstrate that the Board of Directors has granted board approval for the proposed project.

Board approval – A document authorizing the approval of the proposed project by the Board of Directors in order to ensure the goals and objectives of projects are community-driven and in accordance with community-prioritized needs for job creation. This could be demonstrated through a board resolution, meeting notes, or other written documentation that records the decisions or actions of a CDC Board of Directors.

If you cannot demonstrate substantial experience with economic development projects similar in size and scope to those proposed in the application, provide evidence of a viable partnership with a more experienced partner. Describe how the more experienced partner will provide the administrative, technical, and/or financial technical assistance needed to ensure the success of the project. Demonstrate such a partnership through a third-party agreement that includes a description of roles and the relationship between you and the project partner.

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More experienced partner – A project partner that successfully meets all the following requirements: is a CDC, has completed two or more CED projects, has completed one or more projects involving activities like the proposed project, and has experience with collaborative programming.

Project partner – Any individual, organization, or business entity participating in the project that is not the direct recipient of CED grant funds. Typical project partners include the following: equity investors, donors, a more experienced partner, a wholly owned subsidiary, or a business entity to which the recipient makes a loan or equity investment in support of grant purposes.

Note that CED recipients must play a substantive role in the project. A recipient working with a project partner must actively monitor the project and ensure compliance with CED program requirements.

Provide biographical sketches, degree information, and descriptions of previous project experience demonstrating that the identified staff are qualified for their designated roles in the project. Identify the percentage of time each individual has available for the project.

State whether all key project staff positions are filled with identified staff who have available time to fill the appropriate time commitments. Demonstrate that key project staff have experience in supervision, financial management, business development and management, and working with the target population.

Describe each individual’s skills and experience in enough detail to demonstrate an ability to fulfill the tasks assigned to them. In cases where a key staff person has not yet been hired, demonstrate that an appropriate position description, recruitment strategy, and estimated hiring timeline have been developed.

Provide evidence of two business creation or business expansion projects that you or your project partner have undertaken within the last 10 years that are similar in scope or scale to the project for which you are requesting CED funding. Provide evidence that these projects were successful in creating full-time, full-year positions that lasted for at least two years beyond the project period. For each example given, provide a quantitative and qualitative description of the impact of these projects (for example, the number of jobs created for individuals with low incomes; wages, benefits, and position descriptions; or evidence of employees no longer needing public support) and the number of years of project operation and position availability.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25

Plan for oversight of federal award funds and activities You must ensure proper award oversight. The regulation that governs this oversight is 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart D. It includes standards for:

• Financial and program management

• Property management

• Procurement

• Performance and financial monitoring and reporting

• Subrecipient monitoring and management

• Record retention and access

• Remedies for non-compliance

• Prior written approval

Describe your framework to ensure proper oversight of federal funds and activities.

Include:

• A description of the governance, policies and procedures, and systems you use for record keeping and financial management.

• A description of the procedures to identify and mitigate risks and issues. These might include audit findings, continuous performance assessment findings, and monitoring.

• The key staff who will be responsible for maintaining oversight of program activities staff and any partners or subrecipients.

Federal evaluation By accepting an award, all funded recipients agree to participate fully in federal evaluations, if selected, and to follow all evaluation protocols established by ACF or its designee contractor. Your participation may include (but is not limited to):

• Supporting and complying with special data collection requirements.

• Providing additional administrative data on program participation or service receipt.

• Facilitating on-site meetings and observations, including interviews with program and partner managers and staff as well as participants.

• Incorporating planned variation into program strategies.

Recipients selected to be in a federal evaluation will receive technical assistance and other support in meeting evaluation requirements. Recipients included in a federal evaluation must also meet regular award reporting requirements.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subpart-D

If necessary, OCS will seek approval for information collections related to the federal evaluation through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and will not request information for the federal evaluation that is subject to Paperwork Reduction Act until the information collection is approved.

You must include a statement confirming that you agree to participate in a federal evaluation if selected.

Business plan If using federal funds to support a business operation, provide a business plan that includes the following sections.

Participating business viability Identify and demonstrate viability of all participating business(es) to be created or expanded through this project. Include the following for each business:

• A description of the business.

• An explanation of whether it will be a new business or a business expansion.

• A description of what the business will use CED funds for.

• How many positions the business will create.

In all instances involving a loan, identify the business(es) that will receive the initial loans, not any subsequent future loans. Indicate that copies of signed loan agreements will be submitted to ACF upon establishing such loans with program participants.

Repayment of all loans funded with CED funds must begin during the funded project period. No portion of a loan is forgivable.

Explain the basis for projected business earnings for all the participating business(es), providing the necessary documentation demonstrating financial feasibility/viability, as outlined in the attachments section under financial documentation.

Demonstrate that the participating business(es) will create positions in a viable industry by discussing the industry’s short- and long-term outlook. Provide recent market research and/or industry data (published within the past five years) that shows that the participating business(es) will be viable in terms of competition, anticipated market, customer base, and market trends.

Demonstrate that you, or the participating business(es), have control of the site and/or facilities required to operate the project or that site control is conditioned only on the receipt of the grant award. Provide proof that the physical facility is or will be secured, as outlined in the attachments under evidence of site control.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27

For all participating business(es), include a signed third-party agreement between you and the participating business(es) that includes the following:

• A description of each of your roles and the relationship between you and participating business.

• A commitment to creating new full-time, full-year positions, 75% of which will be filled by individuals with low incomes.

• A commitment to maintaining and providing accurate, unduplicated counts of positions created as distinct from the number of individuals hired to fill them over the course of the grant.

• All the elements outlined in third-party agreements.

High-quality job creation Include a table showing the total number and types of new full-time, full-year positions that will be created. For each position, the table should show:

• Position title.

• A summary of the duties associated with the position.

• Anticipated starting wage or salary.

• A projection of wage or salary growth opportunities.

Present data published within the past five years illustrating that the wages to be paid are adequate for self-sufficiency within the geographic area in which the business(es) will be located.

Demonstrate that the participating business(es) will create high-quality jobs. This should include offering comprehensive employee benefits to those who fill the newly created positions, including at least three of the following:

• Health care benefits.

• Retirement benefits.

• Paid leave.

• Career growth opportunities.

• Flexible and predictable work hours.

• Opportunities for employees to be meaningfully integrated into the business.

• Any additional benefits that contribute to the self-sufficiency of the employee.

Describe how individuals with low incomes will be supported in achieving career growth and advancement, including any training, educational, or certification opportunities employees will be provided by participating businesses.

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Provide evidence of participating businesses’ ability and commitment to providing such benefits and career growth opportunities, as outlined in the atttachments section under evidence of participating business commitment to quality jobs.

Describe how the full-time positions will be created during the project period and will be sustained for at least two years after the end of the grant period, including listing the steps that will be taken to position the project for continued success after the end of the grant period.

Barrier reduction support services Describe the specific needs of the target population to be served and provide a plan for how support services will be provided. This includes describing the types of support services that will be provided through the CED project to newly hired individuals with low incomes. This includes establishing services and strategies for the retention of individuals with low incomes in the newly created positions.

Support services may include but are not limited to the following:

• Financial literacy services.

• Child care services.

• Transportation.

• Substance use disorder treatment.

• English language education.

• Job training.

If project partners will be providing support services, include a third-party agreement.

Agreements must describe the support services to be provided, how and when they will be provided, and the role that the partner organization will play in furthering the goals of the CED project. Agreements must be signed and dated by both the applicant and social service provider staff with signature authority.

Demonstrate your or your project partner’s capacity and prior experience in successfully delivering these types of services.

Demonstrate that a staff member exists within the applicant organization, or will be hired, who will serve in a coordinating role to connect the individuals being hired with support services. This staff member will coordinate the provision of these services directly and/or coordinate with social service providers to do so. Demonstrate that this staff member has the ability, skills, resources, and time to serve in this role.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29

Financial literacy services – Delivery of information and tools that help individuals make informed choices about their personal finances. Such services typically focus on budgeting, credit, savings, and other matters relating to personal finance.

Substance use disorder – This disorder is diagnosed when an individual’s drug or alcohol use causes them clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

Community revitalization Demonstrate how the project will be thoughtfully integrated into the broader community and its economic development needs. Demonstrate how the project will contribute to community revitalization that improves the quality of lives of the individuals currently living in the community. Demonstrate how the project will actively discourage the involuntary displacement of individuals currently living in the community.

Protection of sensitive or confidential information Describe how you will collect and safeguard protected personally identifiable information and other information that is considered sensitive. Make sure your approach is consistent with applicable federal, state, local, and tribal laws regarding privacy and obligations of confidentiality. Provide:

• The methods and systems you will use to ensure that you properly handle confidential and sensitive information including any subrecipients and/or contractors.

• A plan for the disposition of such information at the end of the period of performance.

See 45 CFR 75.303(e) for more information.

Line-item budget and budget narrative The line-item budget and budget justification supports the information you provide in the Budget Information Standard Form SF-424-A (if proposing a non-construction project) or SF-424-C (if proposing a construction project). See other required forms.

It justifies the costs you ask for and includes added detail, including detailed calculations for the “object class categories” in the Budget Information Standard Form.

You will provide this information for each year of the period of performance. See funding periods.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6.