SCDD_Cycle_Grants_Previously_Asked_Questions.pdf

SCDD Cycle Grants Previously Asked Questions and Answers (Q&A)

GrantVantage Platform-Related Questions:

1. What is the GrantVantage website link to create a new account?

Grant application platform link: https://cascdd.gvgrantcloud.com/

2. If we have already established a GrantVantage account for a previous grant (e.g. through DDS), will we still need to set up another account?

Yes, SCDD’s grant portal is separate from that of any other entity and requires its own separate account.

3. How can I start the grant application?

We recommend potential applicants begin by reviewing the Cycle 47 Grants Guidelines document at: Cycle 47 Request for Proposal Grant Guidelines (ca.gov). A downloadable copy of the GrantVantage application is available at: SCDD Cycle 47 Application Questions. The grant application platform link is: https://cascdd.gvgrantcloud.com/

4. Will we need to set up a Microsoft account all over again, or can we use our company account?

No, you don’t need to set up a separate Microsoft account. You will just need to register a new account on SCDD’s grant application platform at: https://cascdd.gvgrantcloud.com/.

5. How many questions do we need to answer in the application?

There are 39 questions in the application. This includes those requiring documents to be uploaded and declarations/assurances that will require authorizing initials, as confirmation.

6. Can one ask for support in the portal itself?

Yes, there is a help desk link in the header of the SCDD GrantVantage portal. If you click on the question mark icon, it will take you to the help desk.

7. What are the GrantVantage office hours?

GrantVantage Help Desk Hours are from 8:00am-6:00pm, Pacific Time.

8. Is there a chat or is it just available via call?

The Help Desk will respond to a help ticket via email. If your issue cannot be resolved through email communication, you will be sent an invitation for a meeting, in order to troubleshoot.

https://cascdd.gvgrantcloud.com/ https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2024/03/Cycle-47-Grant-Guidelines-FINAL-3.22.24.pdf https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2024/03/GrantVantage-Cycle-47-Application-Questions.pdf

9. Is GrantVantage Help Desk open on weekends?

No, the Help Desk is only open Monday through Friday, from 8:00am-6:00pm, Pacific Time.

10. Will future SCDD grants use the GrantVantage platform?

Yes, future grants will all use the GrantVantage platform.

General Cycle 47 Questions

11. How long does one have to be in business to qualify to apply for the Cycle 47 Grant?

SCDD does not require any minimum length of time. All are welcome to apply.

12. Is this open to sole proprietors’ consultants? Can a school-based entity, such as a County Office, apply?

The Council will award funding on a competitive basis to California-based agencies and organizations that represent and/or serve individuals with intellectual/developmental and cross-disabilities. Eligible Applicants may include:

• Local government agencies

• Non-government organizations

• Tribal organizations

• Community-based non-profits

Established coalitions that are classified as 501(c)(3) tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Code. Under this definition, community is defined as a city, a group of cities, a county, a group of counties, and/or Tribal land(s). Applicants may submit proposals as a single organization or on behalf of a consortium of organizations.

13. The grant requests are very specific. Can the proposals address areas that are related to

- but outside of - those specific grant focus area descriptors?

Project proposals must address all or some of the components listed on the Focus Area Flyer.

Please read these documents carefully prior to submitting your application. Focus Area Flyers can be found at: https://scdd.ca.gov/grantinformation/

14. Who is on the State Plan Committee (SPC)?

A list of State Plan Committee Members can be found at: https://scdd.ca.gov/sp/.

The Scoring Panel members are qualified SCDD staff and members of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities with the requisite knowledge and/or experience in the supports and services needed by Californians with I/DD and their families and knowledgeable about the process related to the Council’s Program Development Grants (PDG).

https://scdd.ca.gov/grantinformation/ https://scdd.ca.gov/sp/

15. Can you explain what a Bidder’s Conference is?

A Bidder's Conference is a meeting that an agency schedules upon the release of a new bid proposal. The Bidder's Conference is designed to give interested and eligible vendors the opportunity to ask questions regarding the project(s) and/or application process.

16. Can you elaborate on the Self-Advocacy focus areas?

You can find more details in the following Self-Advocacy Project Flyers:

Self-Advocacy [Plain Language] Project Flyer Self-Advocacy [Isolation] Project Flyer

17. What is the maximum request/award amount per application?

For federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025, the Council has designated a total amount of $300,000 to fund Cycle 47 projects in one or more of the following proposed topic areas: Health (Tribal), Self-Advocacy (Plain Language), and Self-Advocacy (Isolation). The Council understands that the final list of approved grant projects may not address all three (3) of the targeted topic areas.

The Council will consider all proposal submissions and choose one (1) or more grant-funded projects that (in combination) will not exceed the full $300,000 budgeted amount.

18. Can one organization apply for all focus areas in one application or do you recommend separate applications with specific focus/target areas?

No, you must apply for each focus/target area in separate projects.

19. If a project addresses two areas, but the budget can be identified clearly for each area, should there be 2 applications (1 for each area), explaining that they are both part of the same project?

Please submit one application per project, even if that project addresses two areas. You will need to select the focus area that best fits your project.

20. If individuals with IDD have high support needs and/or require multiple areas of support (e.g. developmental, behavioral and/or health/medical needs), is this community or population considered under/un-served?

Yes, there is a question in the application that lists various unserved/underserved populations from which you are to select. One of those options is ‘cross-disabilities.’

21. What contributions qualify for the In-Kind Match? What counts as 'in-kind' costs?

Matching funds include:

• Non-federal public or private funds

• Funds that are not used as match for any other federal program

• Unrecovered indirect costs https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2024/03/Cycle-47-Self-Advocacy-Plain-Language-RFP-Flyer-FINAL.pdf https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2024/03/Cycle-47-Self-Advocacy-Isolation-RFP-Flyer-FINAL.pdf

• Either cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated**

In other words, match can be either an actual expenditure (cash) or a virtual cost (in-kind contribution). In-kind match contributions come from the grantee organization. In-kind match typically provided in the form (assigned value) of personnel, goods, and services, including direct and indirect costs. Third party in-kind match contributions come from other non-federal third parties. Third party in-kind match contributions come in the form (assigned value) of personnel, goods, and services (including direct and indirect costs). Grantees and third parties must document the contributed resource of value, using receipts, payroll records, etc.

The most common type of match, and the easiest to track, is cash match. Cash match is either the grantee organization’s own non-federal (general revenue) funds or cash donations from non-federal third parties (e.g., partner organizations), or by non- federal grants. A cash match is an actual cash contribution.

22. Does the Match Requirement mean that my organization has to provide a percentage of the money/cash for the project? My organization just uses volunteers and has no fiscal budget; does this mean we will not qualify?

The match may be in-kind or cash, with appropriate documentation for the resources provided.

23. Can you clarify what the Match Requirement is again (e.g. L.A County)?

A match of 25% is required for Non-Poverty Areas and a 10% match is required for Poverty Areas in which services will be provided. A ‘poverty area’ is typically defined as that in which 20% or more of the population lives below the established poverty level. Poverty levels, by county, can be found at: Exhibit A California Poverty Levels by County 2021

24. Is there a percentage limit on administrative costs?

No, there is no percentage limit, as long as the basic requirements are met.

https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2024/03/Exhibit-A-California-Poverty-Levels-by-County-2021.pdf