Notice of Funding Opportunity

Office of Community Services Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs

Community Economic Development Projects Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EE-0026

Application due Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 9

Program description 11

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20

Find the application package 21

Get registered 22

Learn more 22

Watch the pre-application presentation 23

Step 3: Build Your Application 24

Application checklist 25

Application contents and format 27

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 47

Application review 48

Award notices 62

Step 5: Submit Your Application 63

Application submission and deadlines 64

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 66

Post-award requirements and administration 67

Contacts and Support 69

Before you begin 3

Modifications 72

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 registrations are 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 the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Thursday, May 27, 2027, Thursday, May 25, 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) on your keyboard.

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

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

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 9

Program description 11

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Office of Community Services

Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs

Funding community development corporations to create and expand businesses and full-time employment opportunities in communities with persistent poverty and high unemployment.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Community Economic Development Projects

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-

EE-0026

Federal assistance listing:

93.570

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

Tuesday, September 8, Thursday, May 27, 2027

Thursday, May 25, 2028

Expected project start date: September 30, 2026 (2027, 2028)

See intergovernmental review for other submission processes that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary The Community Economic Development (CED) program creates high-quality, permanent full-time jobs for individuals with low income. Jobs created with CED funds provide employment opportunities with benefits such as paid leave, health care, and opportunities for career growth.

CED creates jobs by funding community development corporations (CDCs) to create and expand businesses and job opportunities. Example activities include funding start-up capital for operating expenses, providing loans and equity investments to viable, participating businesses, and funding for construction and renovation projects.

In addition, CED addresses barriers to employment. Employees are connected to critical support services that remove barriers to long-term employment and economic mobility. Seventy-five percent of all jobs created with CED funds are filled by individuals with low income that have legal authorization to work in the United States, hereafter referred to as “eligible individuals.”

CED issues awards to private, nonprofit CDCs, including faith-based organizations and tribal and Alaska Native organizations. Local CDCs promote community revitalization through CED by funding economic development.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Funding details Type: Grant

Expected total program funding: $17.48 million

Total expected awards: 22

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

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

This is full funding.

We plan to fund a three-year project period with one three-year budget period for projects not involving construction.

We plan to fund a four-year project period with one four-year 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 Eligible applicants Qualified CDCs (private, nonprofit organizations) are eligible to apply. In accordance with section 680(a)(2) of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act, 42 U.S.C.

9921(a)(2), to be a qualified CDC, an organization must meet the following three conditions:

• The organization must be a private, nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

• The organization’s articles of incorporation or bylaws must demonstrate that the CDC has a principal purpose of planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community development projects.

• The organization’s board of directors must have representation from these three groups: community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders.

See the attachments section under additional eligibility documentation for more information on documentation required to demonstrate eligibility.

Other eligibility criteria Individuals (including sole proprietorships), federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible to apply.

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

Disqualifying factors We will review your application to make sure it meets these responsiveness requirements.

We won’t consider an application that:

• Requests funding above the award ceiling.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is from an individual (including a sole proprietorship), a federal entity, or a foreign entity.

• Is received in paper format that didn’t have a previously approved exemption from ACF.

• Is submitted by an organization that does not include proof of meeting the three conditions described in additional eligibility documentation.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section9921&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section9921&num=0&edition=prelim

Application limits If you submit the same application more than once under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), we will only acknowledge the last on-time submission.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement, meaning you do not need to contribute to the costs of this project.

If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. If you receive an award, we will include your voluntary commitment in the award, and you must report on the funds. If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Statutory authority 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, and the most recent language is in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L.

119-75, 140 Stat. 173, 277.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section9921&num=0&edition=prelim

Agency priorities Required alignment with ACF vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles The recipient of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals or agency priorities in accordance with ACF’s vision, mission, values, priorities, & guiding principles when authorized. Funded activities must advance ACF’s vision of resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure children, youth, families, and communities, and support ACF’s mission to foster health and well-being through effective, accountable, and compassionate human services when awarded in any programs that authorize these priorities.

Consistent with ACF’s values, in carrying out any project that is funded under this NOFO, the recipient is required to adhere to the following principle:

1. Program integrity and fiscal stewardship: Administer funds in accordance with all applicable federal statutes, regulations, and award conditions; maintain strong internal controls; and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

The recipient is also required to adhere to the following principles when consistent with the authority and scope of the award and its activities:

2. Evidence-based and outcome-focused practices: Design and deliver services using evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches, establish measurable performance goals, and use data to monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

3. Partnership and local leadership: Coordinate with state, tribal, territorial, local, and community partners, as appropriate, and tailor services to meet community-identified needs while respecting local decision-making authority.

In addition, in keeping with ACF’s priorities, the recipient must administer any project that is awarded under this NOFO in accordance with the following objectives when consistent with the scope of the award and its activities in programs that are authorized to advance them:

4. Family stability and child well-being: Strengthen families, promote safe and stable home environments, and improve outcomes for children and youth through prevention-focused and developmentally appropriate services.

5. Work, self-sufficiency, and economic mobility: Support pathways to employment, job retention, and economic independence for individuals and

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values families, including through workforce development, education, and supportive services.

6. High-quality early care and learning: Where applicable, invest in high-quality early childhood programs that support school readiness, healthy development, and long-term success.

The recipient must demonstrate ongoing compliance with these values and priorities, in all programs that are authorized to advance them, through program design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. Failure to meaningfully align funded activities with the applicable requirements may result in corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or other enforcement actions consistent with federal grant regulations found at 2 CFR Part 200 and the terms and conditions of this award.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200

Program description Overview The CED program provides funding to CDCs for projects that address the economic needs of individuals with low income eligible to work in the United States. This program also promotes community revitalization by creating quality jobs and businesses while providing support services.

CED advances ACF’s priorities of promoting work and self-sufficiency and ensuring value alignment in funding by creating jobs that enable work to serve as the primary pathway to economic independence for low-income individuals and families.

The three pillars of the CED program Pillar 1: Create new high-quality, permanent, full-time jobs for eligible individuals Full-time jobs created with CED funding promote economic self-sufficiency by providing quality employment opportunities. Quality employment refers to permanent, full-time jobs that include supports such as health care benefits, retirement benefits, career growth opportunities, flexible and predictable work hours, and opportunities to play a meaningful role in the business. A minimum of 75% of the newly created jobs must be filled by eligible individuals. Within that group, a majority must have a need for the support services provided by the project (see Pillar 2).

While the focus of the program is on job creation for individuals with low income, some businesses will need to hire managers or other experts with unique experiences. These individuals may be more difficult to identify and recruit but must also be eligible to work in the United States. This is why ACF only requires that 75% of the newly created jobs be filled by individuals with low income.

Important definitions

• Full-time position: A nonseasonal position requiring at least 30 hours of work per week. Several part-time positions that add up to a full-time equivalent are not considered a full-time position.

• Low income: A household income level that is 200% of the official poverty guidelines or less, as found in the most recent revision of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

Pillar 2: Address barriers to employment through support services CED addresses barriers to employment by providing support services that allow individuals hired to succeed and remain employed in the jobs created through CED.

Examples of support services include employment training, child care, transportation, substance use disorder treatment, reentry support services, and certification courses.

Recipients are encouraged to partner with organizations who can provide supportive services. Partner organizations with expertise in these areas can better support these particular needs, while the CED funding should primarily support the project objective of creating jobs for eligible individuals.

Pillar 3: Promote community revitalization by investing in local communities Local community investments and job creation spur community revitalization by increasing economic activity, strengthening local businesses, and creating employment opportunities. As individuals gain stable income, they are better able to support local services, housing, and businesses, which helps attract additional investment and improve overall community well-being.

The CED program funds organizations that know their communities and develop projects that are responsive to the community’s needs. Community buy-in is critical. It helps to ensure there’s continued support for the project, which will lead to the project’s success beyond the CED project period.

Using CED funds to make an impact 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 full-time jobs that result in increased self-sufficiency for eligible individuals and families with low incomes.

• Create or expand businesses that economically revitalize communities with high rates of poverty and unemployment.

• Attract additional funding to increase investment and quality of life in these communities.

• Promote increased access to quality jobs in low-income and economically distressed communities.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Create a minimum number of full-time jobs for eligible individuals living in the community served. (See job creation requirements under Project types:

non-construction and construction.)

Eligible activities CED funds may be used for the start-up or expansion activities of participating businesses, as consistent with 2 CFR Part 200. 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.

• Support services for employees of participating businesses. You are encouraged to leverage support services provided by your network partners, though you can also provide these services directly.

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

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

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

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

CED projects may use multiple strategies as long as they create full-time positions.

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. These loans are used 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 that builds on CED funds must be used to continue or expand the activities of the approved project. All loan repayments funded with CED funds must begin during the course of 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 2 CFR Part 200.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Real property vs. intangible property When 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.

This means that 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 annual appropriations legislation. Meaning, there is a 12-year federal interest in the intangible property, and it is subject to 2 CFR 200.315 and related requirements.

The rule states that intangible assets in the form of loans, equity investments, stocks, or other debt instruments become the sole property of the recipient after no more than 12 years after the end of the award period. This rule stands as long as the intangible assets and program income are used by recipients for any eligible purpose consistent with section 680(a)(2)(A) of the CSBG Act, 42 U.S.C. 9921(a)(2)(A).

Examples of intangible property Debt instruments: Any financial documents that allow the issuing party to raise funds by promising to repay a lender in accordance with the 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. This can include trademarks, copyrights, patents and patent applications, loans, notes and other debt instruments, lease agreements, stock, and other instruments of property ownership.

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 award and must be completed during the assigned project period. All business expansion or creation and all job creation must be completed and CED funds must be spent within the grant project period.

Non-construction projects Projects are considered non-construction projects if they involve limited alteration or renovation, costing the lesser of $250,000 or 25% of the total direct costs cumulative over the period of performance, to support participating business creation or expansion (or both) and job creation. Under the non-construction project award, minor alterations and renovations are an allowable cost with prior approval (in an application or rebudgeting application) so long as it complies with federal regulations and does not

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section9921&num=0&edition=prelim exceed the identified major renovation threshold. For more information, see the HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS) 3.4.8 and C.5.3 and the definitions (minor renovation, major renovation, and major renovation threshold) in the ACF Glossary.

Non-construction projects typically involve a loan or equity investment in participating businesses.

Job creation requirements for non-construction projects 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 carrying out a non-construction project is awarded $800,000 in federal CED funds, the participant must use that money to create at least 29 jobs ($800,000 ÷ $27,000 = 29.6). This program only counts full-time jobs. Therefore, a result of 28.9 means a minimum of 28 jobs must be created.

Social enterprise development that helps start-up businesses flourish by providing support, resources, and business services and advice is allowed. However, training and placing individuals in positions existing prior to the start of the project, even positions guaranteed to eligible individuals through a formal agreement with an employer, is not considered job creation.

Construction projects Projects are considered construction projects if they require construction or renovation to real property before the project can create jobs. This is regardless of whether the construction is funded by federal funds or owned by the recipient or a participating business.

The CED program allows facility construction as needed to support participating business creation, expansion, and job creation. However, we encourage you to read the federal requirements related to “real property” carefully, as those apply only to projects where the recipient owns the property.

All environmental and historic preservation requirements must be fulfilled before award, or before drawdown of funds.

Job creation requirements for construction projects Projects that involve construction are not required 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.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://acf.gov/policy-guidance/hhs-grants-policy-statement https://acf.gov/policy-guidance/hhs-grants-policy-statement https://acf.gov/grants/manage-grant/glossary

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

[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, the participant must use that money to conduct activities that will create at least 25 jobs ($800,000 ÷ $32,000 = 25). This program only counts full-time jobs. For example, a result of 24.9 means a minimum of 24 jobs must be created.

Short-term construction jobs to prepare businesses to start up or expand are not counted when determining the number of jobs created under the CED program, as they are designed to be temporary.

Federal interest When federal funds are used to acquire, construct, and renovate (major) real property, a Notice of Federal Interest (NFI) must be filed and recorded with the local jurisdiction.

The real property is subject to 2 CFR 200.311 and associated requirements. Real property reporting is required (SF-429 suite of forms) and reporting continues until ACF approves the disposition and issues a formal written release of the federal interest. For more information see CED-ACF Real Property Guidance webpage, ACF Property Guidance pages, and HHS GPS 3.4.6.

Statutory and national policy All environmental and historic preservation requirements must be fulfilled before award, or before drawdown of funds. (2 CFR 200.300; HHS GPS 3.4, C.4, D.4, D.5)

Title and insurance To protect the Federal interest in the real property, insurance must be obtained insuring against risk from physical destruction immediately upon acquisition or completion of the construction or modernization project. The fee interest title insurance policy and the physical destruction insurance must insure the full-appraised value of the building, regardless of whether federal support is partial. ACF is considered an interested party and must be notified of any changes in the policy or coverage. (2 CFR 200.304, 200.310, 200.406, 200.443, 200.447, 200.452, 200.465; HHS GPS 3.4, C.4)

Independent appraisal An appraisal by a certified independent appraiser must be obtained for the real property project. The appraiser identifies, based on industry standards, which approach (sales, cost, and income) to establish the property value for a variety of actions (e.g., insurance, loan, financial viability of an investment project, determining

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 https://acf.gov/ocs/policy-guidance/ced-acf-real-property-guidance-what-does-it-mean-my-ced-grant https://acf.gov/grants/manage-grant/property https://acf.gov/grants/manage-grant/property https://acf.gov/policy-guidance/hhs-grants-policy-statement reasonableness). For construction projects, the cost approach is typically used. The appraisal cannot be more than 3 years old. (2 CFR 200.311; ACF Property Glossary )

Bonding and builder’s risk insurance Builder’s risk insurance and bonding costs are allowable and subject to 2 CFR 200.304, 200.326, and 200.427.

For more information, see the ACF Property Glossary, ACF Property Guidance, and the

HHS GPS 3.4, C.4, D.4, D.5.

Use of E-Verify All funded projects and CDCs are encouraged to use the national E-Verify system, operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration, to ensure current employees and any new employees that fill jobs created with CED funding are eligible to work in the U.S.

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR

300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

General policies All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate; racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety. If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/glossary https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/glossary https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/property/real-property https://acf.gov/policy-guidance/hhs-grants-policy-statement https://www.e-verify.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300

• Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider:

◦ Funding more applicants.

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, you may not use funds awarded under this NOFO for any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) activities. This includes:

◦ DEI- or DEIA-related research.

◦ Activities that discriminate or show preference based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected traits.

◦ Any efforts that promote a “discriminatory equity ideology.”

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, you may not use funds awarded under this NOFO to support any services or activities that teach or promote gender ideology.

For guidance on other types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200.

Program-specific limitations and policies We do not allow the following costs under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

• Reimbursing pre-award costs.

• Subawards or pass-throughs.

• Capitalizing loan loss reserve funds.

• Providing loans in which repayment begins after the end of the funded project period.

• 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 if they are provided specifically for the new positions created. For example, funds can be used to

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 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.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and are not easily separated.

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

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

You may not charge costs included in your indirect cost pool as direct costs.

Subawards We do not fund awards where your role is primarily a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

CED grant funds may not be used for subawards or pass-throughs.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive Level II. For the Executive Level II salary, please see the Office of Personnel Management information on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization.

This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

Program income If you earn any money from your award-supported project activities (known as program income), you must use it for the purposes and under the conditions of the award. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 21

Get registered 22

Learn more 22

Watch the pre-application presentation 23

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it at this NOFO’s Grants.gov opportunity page. Then select the Package tab.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21 https://www.grants.gov/support

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations [PDF] specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

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.

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

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 22 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Watch the pre-application presentation We will have a pre-application presentation, which will be posted to the CED website no later than 10 days after this NOFO’s publication and available to view until the closing of this NOFO.

Link: CED website

The goals of the pre-application presentation are to:

• Outline the CED program’s purpose and strategies.

• Provide key dates for submitting an application for CED.

• Review key application criteria and requirements as outlined in the NOFO.

Viewing the prerecorded presentation is voluntary. Only the information provided in this NOFO will be presented.

Opting not to view the presentation will not affect eligibility, application scoring, or the award selection process.

If there is a discrepancy between the presentation or materials and the NOFO, the NOFO takes precedence.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 23 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/ced

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 25

Application contents and format 27

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply. You will find the forms in Grants.gov.

File one: Narratives Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Component Included in page limit?

Table of contents Yes

Project summary Yes

Project narrative Yes

Line-item budget and budget narrative Yes

File two: Attachments Insert each in a single Other Attachments form.

Component Included in page limit?

ACF Priorities Alignment Attestation No

Indirect cost agreement Yes

Legal proof of nonprofit status Yes

Governing board documentation Yes

Additional eligibility documentation Yes

Organizational capacity supporting information (including organization chart) Yes

Third-party agreements Yes

Letters of support Yes

Evidence of site control No

Financial documentation Yes

Market research data Yes

Evidence of participating business commitment to quality jobs Yes

Step 3: Build Your Application 25

Standard forms Use each required form in Grants.gov.

Component Included in page limit?

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) No

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) No

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) No

Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424C) No

Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D) No

Key Contacts No

Grants.gov Lobbying form No

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) No

Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL) No

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

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

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

Required format Page limit for file one and file two combined: 200 pages

File format: Portable Document Format (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:

Accepted file formats

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

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

Document formats Paper size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches Margins: 1 inch all around Language: English

If possible, include page numbers.

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess because reviewers will score the application solely on information provided in the application.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman Color: Black Size: 12-point font

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 27

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

See disqualifying factors to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

File one: Narratives To submit file one, you will use the Project Narrative Attachment form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes:

• Table of contents.

• Project summary, one page.

• Project narrative.

• Line-item budget and budget narrative.

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 your application. The summary must include:

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

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

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate using merit review criteria and rank based on application scores.

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

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.

Purpose and need

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.

• Provide, as appropriate, supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials, in your attachments.

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

• 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.

Describe how the objectives align with existing economic objectives and efforts in the local community.

Response

Approach

Step 3: Build Your Application 29

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

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

• Describe how you will carry out each aspect of the project to successfully create full-time positions.

• Describe a viable recruitment strategy and tracking system to ensure that at least 75% of the new positions are filled by eligible low-income individuals, as defined by the HHS poverty guidelines referenced in the program description. These individuals should also belong to the community served by your 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 project.

Community revitalization Demonstrate that your organization has a good relationship with the community served, including partnerships with:

• Local businesses.

• Trade and vocational schools.

• Banks.

• Nonprofit organizations.

• Faith-based entities.

• Job placement centers.

• Other community groups.

Describe how you engaged community members in developing the project design.

Describe how the project is unique to the community and how local resources will be used to contribute to development.

Demonstrate how the project will contribute to community revitalization and improve the quality of life for individuals living in the community.

Demonstrate how the project will actively discourage the involuntary displacement of community members

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.

Step 3: Build Your Application 30

• Provide monthly or quarterly quantitative projections for tasks you plan to complete and by when. For example, provide the number of people you plan to serve or the certain activities you plan to complete by a specific date.

• Provide target dates for activities you can’t quantify.

• Cover the full period of performance in your timeline.

Supporting CED priorities

Supporting workforce development and job training

Under this funding opportunity, the CED program will award bonus points for projects that demonstrate partnerships with public or private workforce development or job creation programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, or Child Welfare Offices.

Reviving economically underserved communities

Under this funding opportunity, the CED program will award bonus points for projects that seek to revive economically underserved communities by creating businesses and jobs in rural communities, persistent poverty counties, or states or trust territories without an active CED grant.

Resources and capabilities

Organizational capacity

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

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

• Describe your team’s experience (including any partnering organizations) 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.

• Demonstrate that the board of directors has granted board approval for the proposed project.

• Provide some supporting information in the organizational capacity supporting information section of your attachments.

Step 3: Build Your Application 31

Board approval documentation

A document authorizing the approval of the proposed project by the board of directors and ensuring that the goals and objectives of the project are community-driven and align with community-prioritized needs for job creation. This may be demonstrated through a board resolution, meeting notes, or other written documentation that records the CDC board of directors’ decisions or actions.

• Provide evidence of two business creation or business expansion projects that you or your project partner has executed within the last 10 years that are similar in scope or scale to the project you’re requesting CED funding for.

• Provide evidence that these projects were successful in creating full-time, full-year positions that lasted for at least 2 years beyond the project period.

• For each example given, provide quantitative and qualitative descriptions of the project impacts, the number of years the project operated or has been operating, as well as position availability. For example, you could describe the number of jobs created for eligible individuals, wages, benefits, and position descriptions, or evidence of employees no longer needing public support.

• If you cannot demonstrate substantial experience with economic development projects similar in size and scope to that 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 financial technical assistance needed to guarantee the success of the project.

• Demonstrate the partnership through a third-party agreement that includes a description of roles and the relationship between you and the project partner.

More experienced partner

A project partner that meets the following requirements:

• Is a CDC.

• Has completed two or more CED projects.

• Has completed one or more projects involving activities similar to the proposed project.

• Has experience with collaborative programming.

Step 3: Build Your Application 32

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 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 guarantee compliance with CED program requirements.

• Provide resumes demonstrating that the identified staff are qualified for their roles in the project.

• State whether all key project staff can meet the appropriate time commitments.

Identify the percentage of time each person has available for the project.

• Demonstrate that key project staff have experience in supervision, financial management, business development and management, and working with the target population.

• Describe each person’s skills and experience in enough detail to demonstrate their ability to complete the tasks assigned to them.

• In cases where a key staff person has not yet been hired, show that an appropriate position description, recruitment strategy, and estimated hiring timeline have been developed.

Plan for oversight of federal award funds and activities

You must ensure proper award oversight. The regulation that governs this oversight is 2 CFR Part 200. It includes standards for:

• Financial and program management.

• Property management.

• Procurement.

• Performance and financial monitoring and reporting.

• Record retention and access.

• Remedies for noncompliance.

• Prior written approval.

Describe your framework to make sure that your federal funds and activities have proper oversight. Include:

• A description of the governance,…