hhs-2024-acl-aoa-innu-0025.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due May 6, 2024

Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion

Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services - Coordinated Systems Demonstration Opportunity number: HHS-2024-ACL-AOA-INNU-0025

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program Description 8

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18

Get registered 19

Find the application package 19

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20

Application contents & format 21

Step 4: Learn About Review & Award 28

Application review 29

Award notices 34

Step 5: Submit Your Application 35

Application submission & deadlines 36

Application checklist 38

Learn What Happens After Award 39

Post-award requirements & administration 40

Contacts & Support 42

Endnotes 44

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 May 6, 2024

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 6, 2024.

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 6

Program Description 8

Basic information Administration for Community Living

Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion

Have questions? See

Contacts & Support.

Key facts

Opportunity Name:

Innovations in Nutrition

Programs and Services -

Coordinated Systems

Demonstration

Opportunity Number:

HHS-2024-ACL-AOA-

INNU-0025

Federal Assistance Listing:

93.045 – Special Programs for the Aging, Title III, Part

C, Nutrition Services

Key dates

Application deadline:

May 6, 2024

Expected start date:

August 1, 2024

Expected award date:

July 17, 2024

Informational conference call:

March 27, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

ET, 888-790-3361,

Passcode: 6877154

Instant replay:

Available March 28, 2024, 800-568-4850

Summary This Notice of Funding Opportunity has three goals. 1) To improve the senior nutrition program by optimizing senior center collaboration, innovation, and quality. 2) To identify and share best practices for this collaboration. 3) To promote senior center modernization.

• Award Size: $4,800,000 over a 4-year project period, to be paid out in one-year budgets

◦ Year One budget: up to $1.8 million

◦ Years Two through Four budget: up to $1 million

• Match: Yes, cash or in-kind

• You must show the capacity to work nationally

• Who is eligible? Domestic public or private nonprofit entities. These include state and local governments. They also include tribal governments or organizations

(American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American). Faith or community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education are also eligible

Funding details Type: Cooperative Agreement

Expected funding: $4,800,000

Expected awards: 1

Funding range:

• Year 1: $1,500,000 to $1,800,000

• Years 2 – 4: $850,000 to $1,000,000

We plan to fund awards in four 12-month budget periods for a total of four years periods of performance of August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2028.

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).

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Eligibility Who can apply

Eligible applicants This opportunity is open to all past and current grantees as well as new applicants.

Only these types or organizations may apply:

• Domestic public or private non-profit entities, including state and local governments

• Tribal governments or organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native

American)

• Faith-based organizations

• Community-based organizations

• Hospitals

• Institutions of higher education

Other eligibility requirements

To pass screening for responsiveness, applications must meet the following criteria:

• Meets 25% match

Cost sharing The cost sharing for this program requires you to contribute 25% of the project’s total cost.

You can calculate this cost-sharing requirement by using the following formula:

• Start with the federal share

• Multiply the federal share by 25 and divide that product by 75

EXAMPLE: Multiply $120,000 (federal share) x 25 (required cost sharing percent) and divide that product by 75.

Cost sharing in this example is $40,000.

Types of cost sharing

You can meet your match requirement through any combination of:

• Cash contributed by your organization

• Cash contributed by partners or other third parties

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

• In-kind (non-cash) contributions from third parties

Cost-sharing commitments

Recipients must follow through on their promise of cost-sharing funds. This includes those who have promised an amount more than the required minimum. We put these commitments in the Notice of Award.

If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount. You’ll have to include your funds when you fill out your Federal Financial

Reports.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Program Description Statement of need Success for senior nutrition programs and senior centers is interdependent. Both are funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA). Many congregate nutrition programs while not all are located within senior centers. Within those senior centers, nutrition is but a piece of what they have to offer and will often incorporate many other services to benefit the older adults they serve.

Both types of organizations need to provide cost-efficient, innovative, and high-quality services. This ensures financial sustainability and meets the changing needs of older adults.

• Older populations are growing in number and diversity. The population of those 65 or older has increased by 33% in the past 10 years. By 2060 it will triple to 98 million

• The pandemic has helped us collectively realize the importance of social connectedness[1]

• Senior centers can be focal points in communities. They offer older adults and caregivers’ access to nutrition, socialization, fitness, legal support, etc.

The production, and cost management of meals and services requires a range of skills. Senior nutrition programs and senior centers must serve different generations.

Each has different expectations for service, socialization, and connection to community.

Therefore, there are a variety of reasons they might attend these senior centers and participate in these senior nutrition programs. A recent study found that people [2] generally fell into two groups: those who come for socializing/ activities, and those who came to get connected to health benefits.

Background

The Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is implemented through the works of our aging network in communities across the Nation. Our network provides services, referrals, and programs to older adults. Two of the most common locations services are offered are through senior centers and congregate meal sites. The OAA focuses on older adults and family caregivers with the greatest economic and social need. Need is defined at the

State and local level, based on community demographics. The OAA encourages providing regular physical activity, evidence-based programs, and nutrition service using a person-

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 centered, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate approach to meet the needs of the target population.

These services are typically offered in senior centers.

Senior centers

The OAA defines a multipurpose senior center as “a community facility for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of services, which shall include provision of health (including mental health), social, nutritional, educational services and the provision of facilities for recreational activities for older individuals.”

Senior centers are valued partners in the Aging Network that support community living by keeping older adults active, engaged, informed and healthy.

Many senior centers serve as important focal points for the delivery of comprehensive services and offer:

• Health screening and exercise programs

• Transportation

• Education

• Programs that can help reduce the incidence of social isolation and loneliness among older adults that strengthen their social skills

• Congregate and home-delivered meals within OAA senior nutrition programs

Senior nutrition programs

The OAA Senior Nutrition Programs include the Congregate Nutrition Program and the

Home Delivered Nutrition Program.

• Congregate Meal: A meal provided by a qualified nutrition project provider to a qualified individual in a congregate or group setting

• Home Delivered Meal: A meal provided to a qualified individual in his/her place of residence

The goal of the senior nutrition program is to:

• Reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition

• Promote connection with others, and

• Enhance the health and well-being of older adults

Senior nutrition programs are funded in part by OAA federal funds. They are also funded by State and local governments, foundations, direct payment for services, fundraising, program participants’ voluntary contributions (time and/or money), and other sources.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Administration for Community Living

ACL wants to create a stronger, broader network that has the tools and resources to be successful. As part of that strategy, OAA authorizes and promotes sharing of best practices, fostering innovation, increasing business acumen, capacity- building, and organizational development. Together, this network seeks to sustain programs that serve older adults effectively.

ACL Innovations funding supports projects with broad implementation throughout the nation’s senior centers and senior nutrition program sites.

Previous successful grants awarded under this program have shown improvements in social and economic need.

• Social need includes several factors. The first is health and access (physical and mental disabilities, language barriers, chronic illnesses, and interpersonal safety concerns). The second is identity (religious affiliations, sexual and gender identity, veterans, Native American populations, etc.)

• Economic need results from income at or below the Federal poverty line. It considers housing instability, food insecurity, lack of transportation or utility assistance needs, etc.

Desired activities, focus areas, and priorities There are three goals that must be met.

Goal 1: Create innovative, high-quality collaboration between senior nutrition programs and senior centers.

Recommended activities and use of funds:

• Develop and implement a strategy to meet program training and technical assistance (TA) needs of collaborative senior centers and senior nutrition programs

• Provide technical assistance through office hours, in-depth consultation, and developing deep expertise on emerging issues impacting these organizations and older adults

• Create focus groups, conduct surveys, and perform site visits. Consider what is and is not working. Identify trends in participation and look for challenges, opportunities, and innovations

The recipient will:

1. Share findings with ACL. Provide resources that address issues that arise

2. Collaborate with ACL to prioritize which resources need revising, and which do not yet exist

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

3. Grantee resources and sub-awards are determined during the initial work plan review period. They are updated during annual review meetings and must be approved by ACL

This project focuses on technical assistance and resource center development. Recipients must develop a comprehensive strategy for involving the various models of congregate nutrition sites and/or senior center which can include:

1. Local community non-profit organizations

2. State/local/county governments

3. Organizations that meet the social and economic needs listed in Background

Goal 2: Identify and disseminate best practices of senior nutrition program and senior center collaboration.

Recommended Activities and Use of Funds:

• Identify best practices, for example by:

◦ Creating opportunities for peer interactions, e.g., Listserv

◦ Leveraging partnerships e.g., Advisory committee, ACL resource centers

◦ Performing site visits to high performing organizations

◦ Researching grey and professional literature

• Disseminate best practices, for example, by:

◦ Creating newsletters, social media, listserv, webinars, quickinars, videos

◦ Developing resources like toolkits and template materials

◦ Blend research and qualitative information into a blueprint for modernizing programs

◦ Developing interactive trainings e.g., webinars, regional/state/national conferences, and events

◦ Creating consumer-focused materials

◦ Contribute to professional publications and conferences

◦ Working closely with partners to help with dissemination

• Regularly provide summaries to ACL regarding best practices, technical assistance needs, professional expertise and emerging issues

Information Accessibility, and 508 Compliance

All distributed information and products developed during this period must be

508-compliant and meet the cultural/linguistic needs of the intended audience. They

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 must be reviewed and approved by ACL before posted on the Nutrition and Aging

Resource Center.

At the conclusion of this project, the grantee will transfer all content from listservs, collaboration platforms, videos, and other grantee-developed resources to ACL. This will be transferred in a mutually agreed upon electronic format.

Focus areas and priorities for goals 1 and 2

• Developing partnership approaches for joint modernizing. For example, how can individual senior nutrition programs and senior centers partners identify best approach?

• Meeting the needs and interests of current and future older adults by researching trends, challenges, gaps, and opportunities, including the views of older adults who do and do not participate in the program (e.g., men, younger older adults who are

60-70 years, etc.)

• Understanding the interconnected roles of senior nutrition program and senior center in each other’s success

• Optimizing and prioritizing training and innovation resources across senior nutrition program and senior center

• Person-centered services – Meal choices (cultural focus, medically tailored, various times during the day, Grab and Go, Café models) flexible service offerings that allow participants to select and change their services based on changes in need, collaborative assessment, and referral, allowing flexible services as individuals’ needs change)

• Modernizing services, for example, dining experience enhancements, home-delivered meal methods, updating or expanding activities or socialization

• Sustainable programs, for example, braiding funding from multiple funders, fundraising, congregate meal site updates, intergenerational activities, use of technology, cost containment, policy impacts on meal attendance, effective management of volunteers and staff, marketing strategies, seniors participating in ownership/management/advisory roles, and more

• Providing trauma-informed nutrition services[3], for example, de-escalating interactions, policies that allow for flexible dining room set up, communication approaches, nutrition education framework (e.g., unhealthy dietary habits, chronic disease and poor health outcomes may be results from adverse experiences and not necessarily individual choices[4], enhanced wellness practices and promotion of healthy choices

• Coordinating health and social services, for example, offering evidence-based health promotion programs[5], outlining the benefits and challenges of eating together,

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://acl.gov/senior-nutrition managing difficult behaviors, increased health screening and on-site or partnerships to optimize access to health services, etc.

• Publishing in peer reviewed journals and consumer media publication

• Understanding the value of congregate meals to senior nutrition programs and senior centers, older adults, communities, and families. For examples, reasons for attending or not attending SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM AND SENIOR CENTER, use of community assessments and participant surveys to evaluate service adequacy and quality, etc.

Subawards During Year 1 the recipient may create and issue subawards for projects consistent with

Goals 1 and 2.

• Examples: short term pilots to incentivize best practices, challenge grants to identify innovative practices, (mini grants to support one-time purchases, awards, demonstration, or research grants, etc.), contracts, or similar methods

• Applicants should describe their approaches for ensuring that activities at the local level inform (and are informed by) those at the national level and advance the nationwide capacity and dialogue for more effectively serving older adults

• Recipient will establish uniform data collection requirements for all sub-grantees that at minimum collect the number and types of persons served and activities performed, as well as the impact of supported projects

• Sub-award should also identify and foster scaling of promising and impactful practices, as feasible

• Research efforts may:

1. Identify and demonstrate senior nutrition programs and senior centers collaborative innovation and quality

2. Demonstrate impacts on older adults, organizations and communities related to the SNP intent areas

3. Perform qualitative research to get older adults’ (participants and non-participants) views on senior nutrition programs (key stakeholder interviews, listening sessions) trends in participation, challenges, opportunities, innovations etc. in order to understand what is and is not working

• Further, the successful grantee shall adhere to all requirements, including those for making and monitoring sub-awards, as outlined in 45 CFR Part 75. As with other demonstration programs that seek to test new innovations in service delivery and the building of national capacities to meet the needs of specific populations of older adults, the activities conducted in this priority area should closely align with those undertaken in response to Goals 1 and 2

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Goal 3: Expand and enhance previous efforts to modernize senior center programs.

Recommended activities and use of funds

To better ensure that senior centers have the tools and resources necessary to develop and implement programs that meet the current and future needs of the Nation’s older adults this project will:

• Leverage and Build Upon the Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center grantee work which includes:

◦ Modernizing Senior Centers website,

◦ Maintain the National Institute of Senior Centers no cost membership,

◦ Senior Center Month webinars

◦ The State of Today’s Senior Centers: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities

◦ Videos to promote the importance of senior centers

◦ Programs of Excellence searchable clearinghouse

◦ Monthly senior center articles

◦ Webinars and conference presentations

• Recipients shall allocate no less than $250,000 per year to meet this goal

Focus areas and priorities for goal 3

• Expand the ability of senior centers to effectively meet the diverse needs of older adult participants, including the consideration of racial and ethnic equity, ability, technology, and intergenerational (including intergenerational shared sites) factors

• Develop and implement a strategy for meeting the training and technical assistance needs of senior centers

• Contribute to an ACL-hosted website which serves as a comprehensive source of information on senior center programming

• Develop and deploy a communications strategy

• Collect and promote models and best practices in senior center programming

• Provide tools and resources that develop senior center program excellence, quality, and business acumen

• Facilitate an opportunity for senior center peer exchange

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://www.ncoa.org/professionals/senior-centers/modernizing-senior-centers-resource-center https://www.ncoa.org/professionals/senior-centers/modernizing-senior-centers-resource-center https://www.ncoa.org/page/the-national-institute-of-senior-centers https://www.ncoa.org/page/national-senior-center-month https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-state-of-todays-senior-centers-successes-challenges-and-opportunities https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBQ3IVLssSRlluWc2hvTI3Edy3t1TAi5z https://www.ncoa.org/nisc-programs-of-excellence https://www.ncoa.org/professionals/senior-centers/national-institute-of-senior-centers-news/senior-center-spotlight

Cooperative agreement terms Cooperative agreements require substantial ACL project involvement after an award is made. There are specific roles for both you and ACL.

Your responsibilities

Recipient must execute the activities as noted in the program description and the responsibilities of the cooperative agreement listed here:

• Successfully complete the post-award project alignment period

• Finalize project workplans

• Work with ACL to post 508 Compliant content onto the Nutrition & Aging Resource

Centerwebsite

• Immediately notify ACL of needed or anticipated modifications to the workplan

• Assist ACL in strengthening awareness of technical assistance and resource needs for diverse older adult populations. Identify networks of aging and human services agencies that serve the identified population

• Collaborate with ACL, the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center, and other stakeholders to provide technical assistance or resources

• Provide training to the network of aging and human services agencies

• Share information with ACL and other entities as appropriate

• Participate in regular technical assistance-related calls, as determined by ACL

• Improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement

• Ensure the project continues by creating contingency plans should staff turnover or delays in hiring staff occur

• Include the following when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other ACL-supported publications and forums: “This project was supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $XX with XX percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $XX amount and XX percentage funded by non- governmental source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor are an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.“

Statutory Authority: OAA 1965 as amended, Title IIIC; 93.048 Special Programs for the

Aging, Title IV and Title II Discretionary Projects.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://acl.gov/senior-nutrition

Our responsibilities

• Collaborate with the recipient in the finalization, execution, and modification of the work plan

• Follow guidance from National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging on the provision of technical support and associated tasks related to key programs

• Host and facilitate upload of grantee resources onto the Nutrition & Aging Resource

Center website

• Provide consultation in:

◦ Identifying issues in technical assistance and resource needs

◦ Understanding the Older Americans Act and associated regulations

◦ Connecting with the network of aging and human services agencies

• Attend and participate in major project events, as appropriate and feasible

Funding policies & limitations For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrictions on them, see 45 CFR part 75, General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

Funding policies

• Under this NOFO, you can’t continue existing projects without expansion or new and innovative approaches

• Meals are allowed only in limited circumstances linked to program activities, like during travel or when approved in advance by ACL. See Allowable Costs and

Activities, Exhibit 4: Selected Items of Cost, Meals in the HHS Grants Policy

Statement

• Certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment. See 2 CFR

200.216 to make sure this does not apply to any proposed equipment in your application

Unallowable costs

IMPORTANT: The successful grantee, including any sub-grantees, will not be permitted to use project funds for:

• Construction and/or rehabilitation of buildings

• Basic research, such as scientific or medical experiments

• Medical care

• Income maintenance

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 https://acl.gov/senior-nutrition https://acl.gov/senior-nutrition https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/grants/grants/policies-regulations/hhsgps107.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/grants/grants/policies-regulations/hhsgps107.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216

• Equipment purchases, unless such equipment is demonstrated to be necessary to carry out an activity otherwise fundable under Title IV of the Older Americans Act

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. Learn more at 45 CFR 75.414, Indirect Costs.

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.

Program income

It is called program income if you make any income from your project activities. You will have to use those funds to add to the project activities. Find more about program income at 45 CFR 75.307.

Statutory authority OAA 1965 as amended, Title IIIC; 93.048 Special Programs for the Aging, Title IV and Title

II Discretionary Projects.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.414 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/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 19

Find the application package 19

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account 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-ACL-AOA-

INNU-0025. You can also find materials at Applying for Grants on our website.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 19 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://acl.gov/grants/applying-grants

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents & format 21

Application contents & format Applications include 4 main components. This section includes guidance on each. Make sure you include each of these:

Component Submission format

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form

Budget narrative justification Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form

Attachments Insert each in the Other Attachments form.

Standard forms Upload using each required form.

Required format for project & budget narratives

Font: Times New Roman or Arial

Format: PDF

Size: 11-point font

Footnotes and text in graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing for Project Narrative main content: Double-spaced

Spacing for Budget Narrative: As needed

Spacing for project summary, tables, footnotes: Single-spaced

Margins: 1-inch

Include page numbers

Project narrative Page Limit: 20

File name: Project Narrative

The project narrative is the most important part of the application. We use it as the primary basis to decide whether your project meets the statutory requirements and to review its merit. The project narrative should give a clear and concise description of your project.

Be sure to cite all your sources. Merit reviewers may lower your score if you do not.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21

Also study the merit review criteria to make sure you answer all questions and cover all topics reviewers will look at.

Project relevance & current need

Project abstract

Provide a brief project summary of no more than 265 words. You will need to include:

• Goals: Broad overall purpose, like a mission statement, that says what you want to do and where you want to be

• Objectives: Narrow, specific, and clear steps toward the goals. These are the “how” to achieve the goals

• Outcomes: These are the measurable results of a project. Include expected changes among those served, such as clients, systems, organizations, and communities.

These should tie directly to your goals and those of this funding

• Products: The materials and other deliverables you expect to generate through the project

Problem statement

A description of the nature and scope of the specific problem you plan to address. Use both quantitative and qualitative terms to document the problem.

Approach

Goals and objectives

A description of the project’s goals and major objectives consistent with those outlined in the Notice of Funding. Unless the project involves multiple, complex interventions, we recommend that you have only one overall goal.

Proposed intervention

A description of the activities you are proposing to address the problem described in your Problem Statement. You should also describe the reasons why you chose these activities. Include factors like:

• Lessons learned from similar projects

• The factors that make the activities possible or easier to implement like existing social or economic conditions that can help you achieve your goals

• Any major barriers you expect and how your project will be able to overcome them

• The role and makeup of any planned strategic partnerships to help implement the activities. Include other organizations, supporters, and consumer groups

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

Special target populations

This section should describe:

• The specific populations you plan to focus on, including a description of particular challenges, and your plans for addressing those challenges

• How the proposed intervention will target populations with the greatest economic and social need

Project management

This section should:

• Delineate the roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants, and partner organizations

• Describe how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes

• Specify who will have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks like: project leadership;

monitoring progress, including towards stated goals; preparing reports; and communicating with other partners and ACL

• Describe the approach you will use to track the progress of tasks and objectives

Project impact

Outcomes

Outcomes are the observable end results you expect from your intervention that:

• Describes how a particular intervention will benefit senior nutrition programs and senior centers in ways that optimize senior nutrition program and senior center collaboration, innovation, and quality

• Demonstrates functional status, well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness, or behavior

◦ Examples include:

▪ A change in the number or types of activities that improve the quality of services

▪ A change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system. For example, a new model of joint partnership between a senior nutrition program and a senior center that others in the ACL network can replicate

▪ New knowledge that can contribute to the field, such as program innovations or changes in community demographics

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23

A measurable outcome is not a measurable output, like the number of clients served; the number of training sessions held; or the number of service units provided.

ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes. Reviewers will score your application on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited. In this section, you will:

• List and explain the outcomes you expect because of the project. These should match the measurable outcomes in your Workplan attachment

• Describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large. For example, how the findings could help other organizations address the same or similar problems

Evaluation

This section should explain the techniques and tools you will use to:

• Collect the data and measure outcomes listed in the Outcomes section of your project narrative

• Determine whether the proposed intervention achieved its expected outcomes

• Document lessons learned – both positive and negative –that will be useful to people interested in replicating

Dissemination

This section should describe:

• What you plan to share about the project’s results

• How you plan to share it. Be sure to include how you will share information:

◦ in a prompt manner

◦ in easily understandable formats

◦ sharing with people who might be interested in using your results to inform practice, programs, or policy—and those interested in replicating your project

Organizational capability

This section should describe:

• How the applicant organization is organized

• The nature and scope of the organization’s work and skills

• The organization’s capability to sustain project activities after funding ends

• Any contractual organizations that will help achieve project goals. In this section, cover the capabilities that you have not mentioned elsewhere in this project narrative. Those might include:

◦ any current or prior experience relevant to the project, and

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24

◦ the record of strong or compelling reports, publications, and products the project team has prepared related to this project

Work plan

You must provide a work plan for each of the 4 project years in this program’s period of performance. The work plan connects your period of performance outcomes, strategies and activities, and measures. It provides more detail on how you will measure process and outcomes. The project work plan should be submitted as an attachment, has no page limit, and is not included in the 20-page limit of the project narrative.

The work plan should reflect the project narrative and budget. It should include:

• A statement of the project’s overall goal, expected outcomes, key objectives, and the major tasks or action steps

• For each major task or action step:

◦ the timeframes involved, including start and end dates

◦ the lead person responsible for completing the task

To complete your work plan, see the Project Work Plan Sample Template on our website.

Budget narrative Page Limit: None

File Name: Budget Narrative

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form 424-A. See

Standard forms.

It includes added detail and justifies the costs you ask for. As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are reasonable and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations

Justify all the costs, including showing how you calculated them. To create your budget narrative, see the Sample Format on our website.

You will need to include:

• A combined 4-year budget narrative justification

• A detailed budget narrative justification for each of the 4 budget years in this program’s period of performance

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25 https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Facl.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fgrants%2Fwork%2520plan%2520template.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/grants/Budget%20Justification%20Sample%20Template%20%20Instructions.pdf

Attachments You will upload attachments in Grants.gov using the Other Attachments Form.

Indirect cost agreement

If you include indirect costs in your budget using an approved rate, include a copy of your current agreement approved by your cognizant agency for indirect costs. If you use the de minimis rate, you do not need to submit this attachment.

Commitment letters

Include letters from any organization that will have a significant role in carrying out your project. The letter should explain their role and their commitment to the project.

• Include confirmation of project commitments made by key collaborating organizations and agencies

• Include any organization who will significantly help carry out the project

Please put your letters together into a single attachment.

Proof of nonprofit status

If your organization is a nonprofit, you need to attach proof. We will accept any of the following:

• A copy of a current tax exemption certificate from the IRS.

• A letter from your state’s tax department, attorney general, or another state official saying that your group is a nonprofit and that none of your net earnings go to private shareholders or others.

• A certified copy of your certificate of incorporation. This document must show that your group is a nonprofit.

• Any of the above for a parent organization. Also include a statement signed by an official of the parent group that your organization is a nonprofit affiliate.

Resume and job descriptions

For key personnel, attach resumes for positions that are filled. If a position isn’t filled, attach the job description with qualifications.

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#p-75.2(Cognizant%20agency%20for%20indirect%20costs)

Standard forms You will need to complete some standard forms. Upload the standard forms at

Grants.gov. You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and their instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission requirement

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) With application.

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) With application.

Grants.gov Lobbying Form

(Certification Regarding Lobbying)

With application.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27 https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/

Step 4:

Learn About Review & Award

In this step

Application review 29

Award notices 34

Application review Initial review We review each application to make sure it meets basic requirements. We won’t consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that doesn’t meet all eligibility criteria

• Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range.

• Is submitted after the deadline

• Fails to meet 25% match of projects total cost

• Where the application does not include a Budget Narrative/Justification for years 1, 2, 3, and 4. It must also include a combined Budget Narrative/Justification for the proposed 48-month period

• Where the application does not include a Project Workplan for years 1, 2, 3 and 4

If you don’t follow page limit or formatting requirements, we may remove pages from your application.

Merit review A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. The members use the following criteria.

Criteria

Project relevance & current need (Maximum points: 10)

Project Abstract (5 Points)

1. Does the abstract provide a brief project summary of no more than 265 words?

2. Does this abstract include goals?

◦ A broad overall purpose, like a mission statement, that says what you want to do and where you want to be

3. Does this abstract include objectives?

◦ A narrow, specific, and clear steps toward the goals. These are the “how” to achieve the goals

4. Does this abstract include outcomes?

◦ Measurable results of a project. Include expected changes among those served, such as clients, systems, organizations, and communities. These should tie directly to your goals and those of this funding

Step 4: Learn About Review & Award 29

5. Does this abstract include products?

◦ Materials and other deliverables you expect to generate through the project

Problem Statement (5 Points)

1. Does this section provide a description of the nature and scope of the specific problem planned to be address?

2. Does this use both quantitative and qualitative terms to document the problem?

Approach (Maximum points: 30)

Goals and Objectives (5 Points)

1. Does this section consist of a description of the project’s goals and major objectives?

2. Are the goal(s) and objective(s) listed consistent with those outlined in the Notice of

Funding?

Proposed Intervention (10 Points)

1. Does this section provide a description of the activities proposed to address the problem described in the Problem Statement?

2. Does this section describe the reasons why these activities were chosen? Does it include factors like:

◦ Lessons learned from similar projects

◦ The factors that make the activities possible or easier to implement like existing social or economic conditions that can help achieve the goals

◦ Any major barriers expected and how the project will be able to overcome them

◦ The role and makeup of any planned strategic partnerships to help implement the activities. Including other organizations, supporters, and consumer groups

Special Target Populations (5 Points)

1. Does this section describe the specific populations planned to be focused on, including a description of challenges, and plans for addressing those challenges?

2. Does this section describe how the proposed intervention will target populations with the greatest economic and social need?

Project Management (10 Points)

1. Does this section delineate the roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants, and partner organizations?

2. Does this section describe how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes?

Step 4: Learn About Review & Award 30

3. Does this section specify who will have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks like:

project leadership; monitoring progress, including towards stated goals; preparing reports; and communicating with other partners and ACL?

4. Does this section describe the approach that will be used to track the progress of tasks and objectives?

Project Impact (Maximum points: 30)

Outcomes (10 Points)

1. Does this section clearly identify observable end results expected from the intervention?

2. Does this section describe how a particular intervention will benefit senior nutrition programs and senior centers in ways that optimize senior nutrition program and senior center collaboration, innovation, and quality?

3. Does this section demonstrate how proposed activities will contribute to functional status, well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness, or behavior? Examples include:

◦ A change in the number or types of activities that improve the quality of services

◦ A change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system. For example, a new model of joint partnership between a senior nutrition program and a senior center that others in the ACL network can replicate

◦ New knowledge that can contribute to the field, such as program innovations or changes in community demographics

4. Does this section match the measurable outcomes in the Workplan attachment(s)?

5. Does this section describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large? For example, how the findings could help other organizations address the same or similar problems

Evaluation (10 Points)

1. Does this section explain the techniques and tools that will be used to collect the data and measure outcomes listed in the Outcomes section of the project narrative?

2. Does this section describe how the project will determine whether the proposed intervention achieved its expected outcomes?

3. Does this section describe how the project will document lessons learned – both positive and negative –that will be useful to people interested in replicating?

Step 4: Learn About Review & Award 31

Dissemination (10 Points)

1. Does this section describe what project results will be share?

2. Does this section specify how project result(s) will be shared?

◦ in a prompt manner

◦ in easily understandable formats

◦ sharing with people who might be interested in using your results to inform practice, programs, or policy—and those interested in replicating your project

Organizational Capacity (Maximum points: 10)

1. Does this section describe how the applicant organization is organized?

2. Does this section describe the nature and scope of the organization’s work and skills?

3. Does this section describe the organization’s capability to sustain project activities after funding ends?

4. Does this section indicate what contractual organizations that will help achieve project goals?

5. Does this section cover the capabilities that have not been mentioned elsewhere in this project narrative? Those might include:

◦ any current or prior experience relevant to the project

◦ the record of strong or compelling reports, publications, and products the project team has prepared related to this project

Work Plan (Maximum points: 10)

1. Is there a separate work plan for each year that includes a specific approach indicating how the performance outcomes, strategies and activities, and measures?

◦ Work Plan Year 1

◦ Work Plan Year 2

◦ Work Plan Year 3

◦ Work Plan Year 4

2. Does the work plan reflect the project narrative and budget? It should include a statement of the project’s overall goal, expected outcomes, key objectives, and the major tasks or action steps

3. For each major task or action step, does the work plan indicate:

◦ the timeframes involved, including start and end dates

◦ the lead person responsible for completing the task

Step 4: Learn About Review & Award 32

Budget Narrative (Maximum points: 10)

1. Does the budget include added detail and justifies the costs requested? Considering:

◦ If the costs are reasonable and consistent with the project’s purpose and activities

◦ The restrictions on spending funds

2. Does the Budget Narrative/Justification include a separate detailed budget narrative justification for:

◦ Budget Year 1

◦ Budget Year 2

◦ Budget Year 3

◦ Budget Year 4

◦ combined four-year budget narrative justification

Risk review Before making an award, we review the risk that you will not prudently manage federal funds. We need to make sure you’ve handled any past federal awards well and demonstrated sound business practices. We use SAM.gov Responsibility / Qualification to check this history for all awards likely to be over $250,000. You can comment on your organization’s information in SAM.gov. We’ll consider your comments before deciding your level of risk.

If we find a significant risk, we may choose not to fund your application or to place specific conditions on the award.

For more details, see 45 CFR 75.205.

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

Step 4: Learn About Review & Award 33 https://sam.gov/content/entity-information https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.205

Selection Process When making funding decisions, we consider:

• Merit review results. These are key in making decisions but are not the only factor.

• The larger portfolio of agency-funded projects, including the diversity of project types and geographic distribution.

• The past performance of the applicant. We may choose not to fund applicants with management or financial problems.

• Reasonableness of proposed costs to the expected results and the likelihood you will achieve those results.

• Available funding.

We may:

• Fund applications in whole or in part.

• Fund applications at a lower amount than requested.

• Decide not to allow a prime recipient to subaward if they may not be able to monitor and manage subrecipients properly.

• Choose to fund no applications under this NOFO.

The ACL Administrator makes all final award decisions.

Award notices If you are successful, we will email a Notice of Award (NoA) to your authorized official.

We will email you or write you a letter if your application is disqualified or unsuccessful.

The NoA is the only official award document. The NoA tells you about the amount of the award, important dates, and the terms and conditions you need to follow. Until you receive the NoA, you don’t have permission to start work.

To see what is in a NoA, see an example on our website.

Step 4: Learn About Review & Award 34

Step 5:

Submit Your Application

In this step

Application submission & deadlines 36

Application checklist 38

Application submission & deadlines See Find the application package to make sure you have everything you need.

Make sure you are current with SAM.gov and UEI requirements.