ACF seeking Applications for Social and Economic Development Strategies – Growing Organizations in United States

Deadline: 13 July 2020

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2020 funds for projects under the Social and Economic Development Strategies for Growing Organizations (SEDS-GO) program.

This FOA is focused on assisting growing organizations in reaching their full potential as highly functioning entities able to effectively serve their Native American communities. Native American communities include American Indian tribes (federally-recognized and non-federally recognized), Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders.

SEDS-GO applicants should choose no more than two of the following eight program areas of interest to target in the proposed project:

Staff Development: Staff should have the knowledge to administer current organizational programs effectively. Projects might focus on improving current staff capacity to effectively administer project activities, or ensuring staff members in each role are qualified to operate effectively. This may include addressing staff expertise for the: Executive Director, Administrative Support Staff, Financial Staff, IT Staff, Human Resources, Program Staff, Communications, Resource Development Staff, and/or Tribal Membership Staff.
Governance: The necessary policies and procedures should be in place for the governing board to effectively guide the organization. Projects might focus on ensuring tribal codes and ordinances are in place, or ensuring the governing board has the necessary training regarding roles and responsibilities of elected positions.
Effective Grants Management: The organization should have a track record of effective grants management and use of diversified funds. Projects might focus on building capacity and infrastructure to secure and manage diverse funding sources to effectively operate programming; improving successful management and sustainability of state, federal or non-federal grants; ensuring grants compliance and operational oversight; or improving the organization’s internal risk assessment to attract additional funders.
Strategic/Community Planning: The organization should have a current document on file that demonstrates the organization’s role in supporting the long-term vision of the community it serves. Projects might focus on organizational strategic planning; facilitating long-term community visioning; developing regional growth plans; or developing policies and procedures to engage with the community on an ongoing basis.
Financial Management Systems: Current financial systems and policies and procedures should be in regular use and compliant with 45 CFR § 75.302 (Financial management and standards for financial management systems). Projects might focus on developing financial, travel, procurement, organizational, and/or HR policies; improving on an employee handbook; or, reviewing and updating the current accounting software, chart of accounts, and/or payroll management system.
Use of Technology: The organization should have the technological equipment, software, and/or network infrastructure it needs to serve its community effectively, along with the necessary policies and procedures for safe and responsible use. Projects might focus on updating computer hardware and software; improving internet access and infrastructure reliability; or improving policies governing internet access, equipment use, inventory requirements, and/or social media.
Ability to Track and Manage Data: The organization should have the systems and knowledgeable staff necessary to securely collect, manage, and analyze data in order to track project outcomes and make informed, data-evidenced decisions. Projects might focus on improving databases used to track data; updating data software used such as Excel or Access; developing processes used to collect, manage and analyze data; or, training staff on software and/or evaluation skills.
Partnerships: The organization should leverage healthy partnerships, preferably documented, with all external organizations it must work with in order to serve its community effectively. Projects might focus on forming Memorandums of Agreement or Understanding with current and new partners; increasing programs, training, and/or professional development opportunities; establishing recruitment pools, outreach, and/or communications procedures; or improving economic development opportunities with federal agencies, state agencies, and/or foundations.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding: $1,000,000
Expected Number of Awards: 5
Award Ceiling: $200,000 Per Budget Period
Award Floor: $50,000 Per Budget Period
Average Projected Award Amount: $175,000 Per Budget Period Anticipated Project Start Date: 09/30/2020
Length of Project Period: 36-month project period with three 12- month budget periods

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §2991b and 45 CFR §1336.33, eligible applicants under this announcement are:

Federally recognized Indian tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA);
Incorporated non-federally recognized tribes;
Incorporated state-recognized Indian tribes;
Consortia of Indian tribes;
Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations;
Urban Indian Centers;
Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or non-profit village consortia;
Non-profit native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects;
Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations;
Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska with villagespecific projects;
Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by the BIA;
Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians;
National or regional incorporated non-profit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives;
Public and non-profit private agencies serving native peoples from Guam, American
Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
Tribal colleges and universities, and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that serve Native American Pacific Islanders.