CBO/FBO GATEWAY

USDOL Faith-based Grass Roots Org & Intermediaries Grants (April 6, 2004)

Here are the 2 long-awaited announcements that the USDOL is soliciting proposals: for grants to "grass roots" non-for-profit organizations, both faith and community-based, to connect with local workforce One-Stop delivery systems [operated by our Regional Workforce Boards (RWBs) in Florida] A total of $1 million nation wide, to fund 40-50 grants of about $20K to $25K each. Proposals due on May 7, 2004, and require description of partnership with local One-Stop system (see the first text and PDF Federal Register notices). Note that the Dominican-American Foundation of Miami won such a grant in the last competitive round in the Spring of 2002. for grants to local and state workforce boards (RWBs in Florida) potentially working with/through NON-PROFIT INTERMEDIARIES to link with and provide sub-awards to grass roots organizations. A total of $5.5 million is available nation-wide, to fund 10 to 20 grants of $200K to $300K for up to 18 months. See details and required forms in the second set text and PDF links below for the Fed Register notice. Proposals are due for this competition on May 6, 2004. Note that this project proposal must have a specific sustainability plan based on existing local relationships/agreements, must include commitments fro 3 businesses or business sectors to provide jobs, and must target census tracts with high unemployment rates and potential FBCO (Faith-based and Community Organizations). Note that in the 2002 round the State of Florida in partnership with the Broward Regional Workforce Board won a state-level outreach grant and Brevard United way in partnership with the Brevard Regional Workforce Board and several local FBCOs won an intermediary grant (their successful grant application is posted on the "Grants and Founding Sources-TIPS" section). Some general points for guidance/consideration: -Regional Workforce Boards should actively work with existing FBCO partners who are interested in pursuing the grass roots grants. You should also be prepare to respond to new proposed partners and give them a clear idea of what you would need to "sign off" as a partner on their application, complete with specific timelines for reviewing their proposals. -Any grass roots organization that does not have a pre-exiting relationship with the local RWB, needs to make contact immediately to discuss possible grant application. A map of RWBs, directory and list of contacts is posted on the Workforce Florida website in the section on Regional Workforce Boards and look for the Executive Director for the RWB serving your area. -The Labor Market Information office in the Agency for Workforce Innovation has been asked to gather the info on census tracts needed for the second competition to determine areas on high unemployment. As soon as that info is ready we will post in on our "CBO/FBO Gateway" website. -At this point we do not anticipate that AWI or WFI will be submitting a state-level proposal but will want to support strong local RWB proposals that support state strategic priorities, and have been reviewed at state level before submission. State-level "sign-off" does not appear to be required by USDOL, but if you want such state support/endorsement, we will need to hear your intentions well in advance, and then have a good complete draft in time for full review before the deadline. RWB 23 in Miami has already announced its probable intent to submit an intermediary-partnered application, and we will let everyone know who is joining the competition. - Without intending to discourage any one wishing to compete, we realize that any winning proposal from Florida will need to be extremely strong, well-prepared, and almost complete by now to be competitive against the expected mass of "hungry" proposals from other states that have not won before. We also expect to be working closely with the Governor’s Faith-Based Council’s Intermediaries Committee to maximize chances of winning another such grant for Florida For more information, please access this USDOL announcement, or view the official notice: Grants for Small Grassroots Organizations (pdf) Grants for Workforce Investment Boards (pdf)