Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service FY 2009

End Date: 4/15/2008
CFDA # 94.007

NOTE:  Letters of intent are due April 1, 2008 at 5:00pm EDT

The Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation) provides grants to organizations to plan and carry out projects that bring Americans together to serve in their communities in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Subject to availability of appropriations, a total of approximately $500,000 will be awarded to support 2009 King Day activities, ranging in amounts from approximately $50,000 to $300,000, to support the first year of these grants. These funds are subject to the availability of FY 2009 appropriations under the authority of section 198(s) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42USC12653(9)), authorizing the Corporation to make grants to share the cost of planning and carrying out service opportunities in conjunction with the federal legal holiday honoring the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Grantees will be eligible for continuation funding in the second and third years contingent upon the availability of appropriations, compliance with requirements, and satisfactory performance.

The purpose of these grants is to mobilize more Americans to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday as a day of service in communities, to encourage those who serve on this holiday to make a long-term commitment to community service, and to bring people together to focus on service to others. The Corporation is interested in multi-state, national (10 or more states) or comprehensive regional initiatives (multi-state regions – for example, the Corporation’s clusters). Activities must include projects that improve the lives of disadvantaged youth and engage them in providing service to others. Grantees must competitively subgrant a portion of the federal funds to eligible local organizations, and may also directly support local projects, to plan and carry out direct service activities on the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Please provide more information regarding The King Day of Service as a way to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community service that helps solve social problems.
   Service projects should meet a tangible need, such as fixing up a school or senior center. In addition, service projects may also meet a need of community spirit, such as building a sense of community or mutual responsibility. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that:

• Strengthen Communities
  Dr. King recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. Through his words and example, Dr. King challenged individuals to take action and lift up their neighbors and communities through service.
       
• Empower Individuals
  Dr. King believed each individual possessed the power to lift himself or herself up no matter what his or her circumstances. Whether teaching literacy skills, helping older adults surf the Web, or helping individuals build the skills they need to acquire a job, acts of service can help others improve their own lives while enriching the lives of those who serve.
       
• Breakdown Barriers
  In his fight for civil rights, Dr. King inspired Americans to think beyond themselves, embrace differences, and work toward equality. Serving side by side, community service bridges barriers between people and teaches us that in the end, we are more alike than we are different. When diverse members of a community collaborate to address shared problems, perceived differences based on ethnic and religious background begin to yield to an awareness of our common humanity.

2. How do I know if my organization is eligible for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Grant?
   By law, any entity otherwise eligible for assistance under the national service laws is eligible to receive a grant under this announcement. The applicable laws include the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended. This means all interested faith-based and other community-based organizations, intermediary organizations, associations of volunteer centers, Indian tribal organizations, state commissions on service, community foundations, and state or local government agencies may apply.
        
   Organizations that currently operate a Corporation-funded program or are applying for other Corporation funding are eligible applicants. However, applicants must differentiate between this grant’s proposed activities and those of the pending application.
        
3. I work for a state or local government agency. Are we eligible to apply?
   State and local government agencies are eligible for this competition. By law, any entity otherwise eligible for assistance under the national service laws is eligible to apply for and receive a grant under this announcement. The applicable laws include the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.
        
   Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to non-profit organizations, state service commissions, volunteer centers, institutions of higher education, national or regional education agencies, educational institutions, and faith-based institutions.
        
4. We are a local organization that operates throughout a regional area. What do you define as regional? What are the Corporation’s clusters?
   Regional organizations may include organizations that operate in multiple states. As stated in the funding notice, we are interested in funding national and regional organizations that engage local affiliates/chapters, as well as regional collaborations or consortia that use, supply, or help connect volunteers in their respective states. One of the stated evaluation criteria is the ability of the requesting organization or consortium to actively engage a broad network (multi-state, national, or multi-state regions).
        
   The Corporation is divided into five regional clusters that consist of 10 or more states:

• Southern Cluster (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky)
• Atlantic Cluster (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands)
• North Central Cluster (Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
• Southwest Cluster (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)
• Pacific Cluster (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)

5. What does it mean that the second and third years of funding are contingent upon successful completion of the first year?
   Successful applicants will be approved to negotiate up to a given amount of funding for the first year of a three year program period. Following negotiations, the funds will be awarded to support the first year of the grant. The Corporation is under no obligation to provide continuation funds beyond the first year.
        
   Continuation funding for the second and third years of the grant is contingent upon:

• The availability of appropriations,
• The successful completion of the requirements established for the prior year of funding, including satisfactory performance (e.g., securing the applicable match, meeting measures of performance established in the award agreement), and
• Submission of a successful continuation application and the next year’s budget.

6. My organization currently receives funds from the Corporation. Are we eligible to apply?
   Yes. Recipients of other Corporation grants are eligible to apply. However, applicants must differentiate between this grant’s proposed activities and those of the currently funded program.
        
7. Do I have to apply for a three year grant?
   Yes. This year applicants will apply for a three year grant. Applications for less than three years of funding will not be considered. 
        
8. Do we write a grant narrative for one year or for all three years?
   Applicants need to provide a narrative description that covers all three years. 
        
9. Do the organizations that we are proposing to work with have to be non-profit organizations?
   No. The organizations that you work with can be non-profits or for-profit organizations, as well as other kinds of organizations such as, but not limited to, schools, institutions of higher education, local or state governments, and faith-based organizations.
        
10. Under ‘Cost Sharing or Matching’, “there is a 70% required non-federal match.” Is this correct?
    Yes. By statute, the federal grants we provide for this project, together with all other federal funds you use to plan or carry out the service opportunity, may not exceed 30 percent of the total project cost. Therefore, your match must be at least 70% of the total project cost.
         
    For example, if you request $100,000 in federal dollars, you must have a total projected cost of at least $333,333 and a non-federal match of at least $233,333 (cash and/or in-kind contributions). If you request $300,000 in federal dollars, you must have a total projected cost of at least $1,000,000 and a non-federal match of at least $700,000 (cash and/or in-kind contributions). The total project cost multiplied by .30 is the maximum amount of money you can request from the federal government. (Total project cost minus federal dollars requested equals the required match). It may assist in the calculation to apply the formula as follows:
          
          Total Project Cost x .30 = Maximum Federal Contribution
          Total Project Cost - Federal Dollars Requested = Non-Federal Match
         
11. Could you give examples of how an organization could meet the funding match requirements for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service grant?
    The non-federal match may include cash and in-kind contributions, including, but not limited to:

• Volunteer “staff” who help plan and supervise the volunteer activities. These are people who are donating their time to set up the project. (This does not include volunteers just participating in volunteer activities.)
• Staff time to plan, set up and run the service activity.
• Supplies used in the service activities (e.g., paint, construction materials, etc.).
• Transportation costs related to the service activity.
• Any snacks or meals provided to the volunteers during the day of service.
• Cash from non-federal sources.
• Building costs if doing an indoor project (e.g., people’s time to open the building, cost of renting out such a space, security costs, cost of using the space for the time of the project).
• Advertising and outreach costs for getting the word out about the project.
• Donated staff time for planning, set up, and implementation from collaborating organizations.
• Shirts or equipment created for the event, whether donated or purchased with non-federal funds.

12. Do I need to spend all of the funds within the first year of the grant?
    Yes. All funds, including matching funds, awarded for the first year must be expended by the end of the first year, which is September 30, 2009.
         
13. Do we have to wait until we have raised the entire match to receive the federal funds?
    No. Federal funds will be released as you demonstrate commitments and have a need for the funds. At the end of the first year of the award, you must account for all grant funding and matching funding.
         
14. If we are passing funds through to state or local programs, does the match on those funds have to be raised at the state or local level?
    No. Match can be raised at either the state, national, or local level, but the grantee is ultimately required to document the matching funds to the Corporation.
         
15. Can the funds be used to support staff functions at the national organization that are not specifically programmatic, but support its work with subgrantees? For example, could these funds be used for a staff person’s time whose work includes the financial management of the relationship between the national organization and the subgrantees?
    Yes. Up to 20% of the funds awarded may be used for administrative costs. The funds are only to be used for activities related to the proposed project. Indirect cost charges will follow both the CNCS guidance and the applicable OMB cost principles of OMB Circular A-122 (Section C, Indirect Costs) or A-21 (Section F, Facilities & Administration).
         
16. Can the grant be used to support a luncheon or party celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and accomplishments?
    No. Funding from the grant can only be used to support service program activity. Applicants may not use any part of an award to pay honoraria or fees for speakers. The award must not be used to support a celebration banquet or other activity that is not connected to the actual service. Although celebrations, parades, and recognition ceremonies are valuable activities and may be a part of the activities that subgrantees plan on the holiday and lead to or celebrate a commitment to service, these activities do not constitute direct service under this grant and the grant may not fund such activities.
         
17. What do I need to include in the detailed budget?
    The budget should be sufficient to perform the tasks described in the proposal narrative for the first year of the grant. The budget should be sufficient to perform the tasks described in the proposal narrative for the first year of the grant. Do not include unexplained amounts, amounts for miscellaneous or contingency costs, or unallowable expenses such as entertainment costs. Costs may include travel necessary to meet grant and grantee obligations as stated in Section III. Eligibility Information. Round all figures to the nearest dollar.
         
    Refer to the Federal cost principles at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html for information on allowable costs in Federal grants.
         
    Budgets for subsequent program years will be developed and submitted prior to approval of continuation grants for the second and third years.
         
18. Does providing more than the required matching amount increase an applicant's chance of receiving funding?
    All things being equal, the amount of the match will be considered under the following evaluation criterion: cost effectiveness and capacity to leverage Corporation funds.
         
19. Will the grant require the successful applicant to measure their performance in any particular way?
    Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service grantees are required to submit performance measures, as appropriate to their program, that relate to the citizen service that will be carried out with the grant. The performance measures are a requirement of the grant. Grantees are accountable for achieving these measures during the period of the grant and for reporting on expected accomplishments.
         
    For more information about performance measures under Corporation grants, including a toolkit to assist in the development and implementation of performance measures, visit the Corporation technical assistance provider’s website at: http://www.projectstar.org.
    
20. Can two or more organizations apply together for funding?
    Yes. Organizations may jointly apply for funding as a consortium or collaboration. For the purposes of the application, one organization should be listed as the applicant and the partnering organizations can be referenced in the narrative of the proposal.
         
21. If we plan to collaborate with other organizations already working nationally or in a specific region, should we name these organizations in our application?
    Yes. It will strengthen your application if you disclose any identified entities that you plan to work with. It would also help to describe your present relationship, or if you plan to develop a relationship.
         
22. Can we collaborate with other organizations with the same focus or similar missions?
    Yes. Where organizations share a specific societal mission and use volunteers to meet similar objectives, we encourage them to consider collaborating.
         
23. How do you define an applicant’s network?
    For purposes of this grant, a network is a preexisting group of organizations that are affiliated with the applicant or a single large organization with multiple offices/chapters/affiliates in multiple locations. Only applicants capable of carrying out multi-state, national focused (10 or more states), or comprehensive regional initiatives are eligible for funding. 
         
24. Do you know about how many grants will be awarded?
    Not at this time.
         
25. Does the 41,000-character limit apply to the program design, organizational capacity, and budget/cost effectiveness as well?
    Yes. The total number of characters available for the application narratives are 41,000 characters. Thus, it applies to the combined number of characters for all three narratives of the application: program design, organizational capacity, and budget/cost effectiveness. The character count includes all letters, punctuation, and spaces in a document. One double-spaced, 12-point font page equals approximately 2,000 characters. Your application must be submitted using eGrants, the Corporation’s integrated, secure, web-based system for grant application and management. To create and submit an application, access eGrants at http://www.nationalservice.gov/egrants/.
         
26. Does the Corporation intend to contact organizations that we list in our application as possible partners?
    Yes. The Corporation may contact organizations that you list in your application as possible partners.
         
27. When will the successful applicant(s) be notified?
    We plan to notify successful and unsuccessful applicants by early June 2008.
         
28. Are you interested in project models that have the potential to be replicated?
    We hope that we will identify some lessons learned and best practices through this grant competition; however, we have not specified any evaluation criteria related to the ability of the project to be replicated. As stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, we are more interested that the proposed project demonstrates the potential to have a large-scale impact and that the applying organization has the ability to leverage a broad network.
         
29. What does it mean that each awarded organization (but not subgrantees) will be expected to be a part of a collaborative group?
    The Corporation will facilitate a collaborative group, comprised of the grantees, that will be required to attend two annual trainings, participate in conference calls (frequency to be determined by need and may include subgrantees), develop larger initiatives, and build capacity of subgrantees for expansion of the King Day of Service. Each training will likely to be no more than two days and will likely be in Washington, DC. Grantees could expect to bring up to two people.
         
30. Additional questions?
    The funding notice, with the complete application instructions is available on the Corporation’s web site at http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp. For further information or a printed copy of this NOFO, contact Rochelle L. Barry at (404) 331-4646 ext. 2 or send an e-mail to MLKGrants@cns.gov.

Technical Assistance Information:

The Corporation will host a technical assistance call to answer applicant questions about this funding opportunity. The technical assistance call will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The call-in number is (866) 705-1874 and the passcode is 7103609. Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in the technical assistance call.