Applications Open for Social and Economic Development Strategies Grant Program

Deadline: 30-Jun-21

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 funds for the Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) program.

This program is focused on community-driven projects designed to grow local economies, strengthen Native American families, including the preservation of Native American cultures, and decrease the high rate of current challenges caused by the lack of community-based businesses, and social and economic infrastructure in Native American communities.

Native American communities include American Indian tribes (federally-recognized and non-federally recognized), Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives, and Native American Pacific Islanders.

Due to the recent Congressional passage of the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2020, ANA will prioritize funding for applications seeking assistance for the following:

the development of a tribal code or courts system for purposes of economic development, including commercial codes, training for court personnel, and the development of non-profit subsidiaries or other tribal business structures;
the development of a Native community development financial institution, including training and administrative expenses; and
the development of a tribal master plan for community and economic development and infrastructure.

Program Areas of Interest

Program areas of interest for this FOA include, but are not limited to, the following:

Social Development: Projects that develop and implement culturally appropriate strategies to meet the social service needs and well-being of Native Americans. Examples include the following:
- Addressing Mental Health
- Anti-Human Trafficking
- Community Health
- Early Childhood Development
- Missing and Murdered Native Americans
- Native Arts and Culture
- Nutrition and Fitness
- People with Disabilities and Community Living
- Public Safety and Security
- Strengthening Families and Parents
- Substance Abuse, Smoking, and Vaping
- Youth Development
Economic Development: Projects that promote the creation of a sustainable local economy to enhance the economic independence of Native people. Examples include the following:
- Agriculture
- Asset Building
- Career Pathways
- Commercial Trade
- Economic Competitiveness
- Economic Infrastructure
- Entrepreneurship and Microbusiness
- Master plans for Community and Economic Development
- Native Community Financial Development Institutions
- Place-based Economic Development
- Subsistence Lifeways
- Tourism
- Workforce Development
Governance: Governance is defined as increasing the ability of tribal and Alaska Native villages and territorial governments to exercise local control and decision-making, and to develop and enforce laws, regulations, codes, and policies that reflect and promote the interests of community members. Examples include the following:
- Comprehensive Intergovernmental Strategies
- Emergency Preparedness
- Federal Recognition (one-time support)
- Governmental or Organizational Administration
- Leadership Skills
- Self-Governance Infrastructure and Planning
- Technology Infrastructure

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding: $9,000,000
Expected Number of Awards: 28
Award Ceiling: $400,000 Per Budget Period
Award Floor: $100,000 Per Budget Period
Average Projected Award Amount: $280,000 Per Budget Period
Length of Project Period:
- 12-month project period and budget period
- 24-month project period with two 12- month budget periods
- 36-month project period with three 12- month budget periods

Eligibility Criteria

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 (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C §1603(29));
Urban Indian Centers;
Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs);
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.