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Do we need a 501C(3) in order to apply for a grant?
A faith-based or community organization is not required to obtain 501C(3) status to apply for a grant program as a nonprofit. The Department does strongly recommend each prospective applicant explore such avenues to determine what is in the best interest of their organization.
When are applications available and how do we get one?
When you find a grant that meets the needs of your organization, contact that program office to find out when the grant cycle will begin. Grants are announced in the Federal Register (http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister/announce/index.html) and, typically, grant proposals are due 45 days after the grant competition is announced. If you missed this year's competition or have a few months to prepare, ask the program officer for a copy of one of last year's winning proposals; that way you will have an idea of what it takes to write a successful application.
For discretionary grants specifically from the Department of Education, you may search by eligibility (http://www.ed.gov/programs/gtep/index.html) or by the Funding Forecast (http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html)
It is important to remember that there are no special grants for faith-based and community organizations. The goal of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative is to level the playing field and break down the barriers that prohibit faith-based and community organizations from applying for federal funding. Our Web site (www.ed.gov/faithandcommunity) lists grants from the Department of Education that are open to participation by faith-based and community groups. You will also find links to the Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in the Departments of Labor, Agriculture, HHS, Justice and HUD.
What are the novice procedures and how do they apply?
In an effort to broaden the competitive pool of applicants for discretionary grant programs, the Department of Education amended its regulations to encourage first time applicants or novice applicants to apply for funding. This revision does not require every ED program to offer the novice incentive but it does allow ED programs the flexibility to offer the novice incentive where appropriate. Novice applicants will receive either up to five bonus points added to their total grant application score or the program office will conduct a separate grant competition where novice applications would be read apart from applicants with experience as a federal grantee. In order to be considered a novice applicant, the applicant can never have been awarded or participated as a partner in the program for which they are applying and have not been a federal grantee or a partner of a federal grantee in any grant program in the past five years.
Who looks at our application?
Upon arriving at the Department, grant application proposals are taken to the Application Control Center (ACC). They are logged into the system and given their unique identifier (a PR/Award number). From there the application goes to the administering ED program office where personnel review all incoming applications for completeness and eligibility. Once this is done, applications are assigned to a panel of expert, unbiased reviewers that read and evaluate them.
How will our application be evaluated?
Your organization's grant application proposal will be evaluated on the extent to which it addresses the selection criteria listed in the grant application notice. Read the selection criteria carefully. In many cases the criteria will include specific hints as to the type of data to include or specific issues, which should be addressed in order to fully, meet the criteria.
Your grant proposal should read like a road map for successfully implementing the project. It should be detailed, clear and concise.
How long does it take to find out whether or not we have been approved?
Depending on the size of the competition, it could take four to five months from the deadline date of submitting an application to when prospective applicants are informed of the funding decision.
Once approved, when do we get funding?
The start dates of a given grant program will vary. The grant application notice should give an actual or approximate start date for the program and that is when funds would be available. Successful applicants, now grantees, receive a Grant Award Notice (GAN) in the mail that informs them of the start and end dates of each budget period in the grant cycle. The GAN also includes the dollar amount of the budget period, the contact information of the program staff person assigned to work with your project and a set of attachments providing additional administering guidance.
Is money available for construction?
Typically no. Construction costs are usually an unallowable activity, unless specifically allowed under the program regulations or legislation; however, minor remodeling to an existing structure may be allowable with prior approval from program office.
Can we see the reviewers' comments?
Yes. In fact the Department strongly encourages all applicants whether successful or not in receiving funding, to request their reviewers' comments from the program office. The reviewers are asked to provide applicants with constructive comments on both the strengths and weaknesses of a proposal which would aid unsuccessful applicants in writing a stronger proposal in the future and help successful applicants implement a stronger project.
How do I become a peer reviewer?
Submit a cover letter, resume and completed registration form (http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/fbci/reviewer.html). We will be happy to pass it on to the appropriate people.
Is Technical Assistance Available?
Yes. Our office conducts several regional grant-writing workshops each year, with hands-on training by Department of Education Grants Policy and Oversight staff. (Please make sure you are on our mailing list). We are also developing a grant-writing video. In addition to the video and regional workshops, technical assistance is available through the Compassion Capital Fund. Program officers for the individual grants are also willing to answer any specific questions that you might have.
What Does It Mean If I Do Not Get the Grant?
Competition for federal funding is keen, so please have realistic expectations. Many, many organizations apply for federal funding and many groups apply several times before they receive a grant. If you do not receive funding the first time you apply, please do not let that stop you from doing your program. Do it on a smaller scale; document your successes and come up with an action plan for things that did not work. Also, request a copy of your grant reviewer's comments so that you make the necessary improvements for the next grant competition.
What If I Have an Idea But Can't Find a Program That Fits?
There are no special grants for faith-based and community groups. The goal of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative is to provide faith-based and community groups equal access to federal dollars for their outreach programs which fit into the guidelines of an already established grant program. A staff member from our Center will be happy to talk with you in order to determine whether or not your program meets those requirements. We will also be happy to offer suggestions and alternatives.
How Do I Find Partnerships?
Different communities have different needs. That's why we encourage you to talk to parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders to see where you can be of service.
Will I Be Asked To Sacrifice My Religious Character?
No. Your religious character is a central part of your organization and the driving force behind your community service activities. You do not even need to remove religious symbols from the area in which federally funded activities are being conducted; however, you may not require a person to take part in religious activities in order to participate in your federally funded program. For more information, please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html.
Will I Be Given Technical Help If I Am Awarded a Grant?
Yes. The program office will monitor your grant and provide the necessary assistance for the maintenance of the grant. The program officer will also meet with your organization several times during the year to work with you and answer any questions you may have. In addition to the technical assistance provided by the Department of Education, the Compassion Capital Fund has established intermediaries throughout the United States that will provide technical assistance to faith-based and community groups. For a complete list of these intermediaries, please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/activities.html#sect2-1
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