Skip
Navigation
Home | FAQ | Privacy
| Feedback
| About
The CFDA Website | Search

93.009 COMPASSION CAPITAL FUND

(CCF)

FEDERAL AGENCY

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION

Section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing Social
Services Research and Demonstration activities and the Departments of
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act of 2004, Public Law 107-116, Title II.

OBJECTIVES

To provide grants to charitable organizations to emulate
model social service programs and to encourage research on the best
practices of social service organizations. This is accomplished through
the goal of assisting faith-based and community organizations to increase
their effectiveness, enhance their ability to provide social services,
expand their organizations, diversify their funding sources, and create
collaborations to better serve those most in need. This is accomplished by
funding experienced intermediary organizations in well-defined geographic
locations with a proven track record of providing technical assistance to
smaller faith-based and community organizations in their communities, as
well as providing one-time $50,000 grants to smaller faith-based and
community organizations to build their capacity.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS

Intermediary organizations use the CCF funds to provide two
services within their communities: 1) Technical assistance to faith-based
and community organizations; and 2) Financial support through sub-awards
to some subset of the faith-based and community organizations in their
communities. Technical assistance activities funded under CCF are to be
conducted at no cost to interested faith-based and community
organizations. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in the
delivery of capacity-building assistance to smaller organizations in
several of the following areas: strategic planning, financial management,
board development, fund development, and outcome measurement. Technical
assistance should be provided on a long-term, on-going basis to smaller
organizations. The program goals would be further accomplished through the
issuance of sub-awards by the funded intermediary organizations to a
diverse set of small faith-based organizations that seek to increase
program and organizations effectiveness for a 12-month period. Sub-Award
recipients must adhere to the following: sub-award recipients must be
chosen from fair and open competitive process; sub-award recipients must
not be pre-selected; the awarding process must be fair and open
competition and include outreach to both faith-based and community
organizations; intermediary reorganizations must provide on-going
technical assistance and capacity-building support to the organizations to
which they issue sub-awards; and the criteria for selection must not
include consideration of the religious nature of the program it offers.
Priority for sub-awards is given to organizations that historically have
not received grants from the Federal government. Intermediaries must not
require sub-award applicants to provide matching funds even if the
applicants offer matching funds in their applications. Intermediaries must
not require sub-award applicants to have 501 (c) (3) status or to identify
a sponsoring organization with 501 (c) (3) status; Organizations that
partner with an intermediary to deliver technical assistance or provide a
cost-sharing fund for the proposed project are not to be eligible for
sub-awards, unless approved by the Administration for Children and
families; Sub-awards should not be used to assist organizations in
differing stages of development. Sub-awards may also be provided to
promising organizations to expand the reach of existing programs;
Sub-awards must not be used to provide direct services, but rather improve
the sub-awardee's efficiency and capacity. Organizations who receive the
targeted capacity building funds (mini-grants) are able to use the funds
to improve their organization in a sustainable way by increasing
effectiveness and sustainability, enhancing their ability to provide
social services, expanding their organization, diversifying funding
sources, and emulating model programs and best practices. They must use
the awards to increase efficiency and capacity; therefore, the awards
cannot be used to augment or supplant direct service delivery funds. The
Office of Community Services (OCS) will not fund any project, either
demonstration or targeted capacity building, where the role of the
applicant is primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations
other than the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in
the implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This
prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting for
specific services or activities needed to conduct the project. CCF monies
shall not be used to support inherently religious practices such as
religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Grant or sub-award
recipients, therefore, may not and will not be selected based on religious
criteria. Neutral, non- religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor
religion must be

employed in a selection of a grantee and sub-award
recipients. n t must have a substantive role in the implementation of the
project for which funding is requested. This prohibition does not bar the
making of sub-grants or sub-contracting for specific services or
activities needed to conduct the project. CCF monies shall not be used to
support inherently religious practices such as religious instruction,
worship, or proselytization. Grant or sub-award recipients, therefore, may
not and will not be selected based on religious criteria. Neutral,
non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be
employed in a selection of a grantee and sub-award recipients.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant Eligibility

(Intermediaries): County governments, City or township
governments, Special district governments, State controlled institutions
of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally
recognized), Nonprofit organizations having a 501(c) (3) with the Internal
Revenue Code, other than institutions of higher education, Private
organizations of higher education, For-profit organizations other than
small businesses, Small businesses, and faith-based organizations.
Application Eligibility (Mini-Grants): Nonprofit organization shaving a
501 (c) (3) statues with the IRS, other than institutions of higher
education and nonprofit organizations that do not have a 501 (c) (3)
states with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, and
Native American Tribal governments (Federally recognized). Faith-based
organizations are eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Believed to be in the public's interest to broaden Federal
efforts to work with faith-based and community organizations, the
Compassion Capital Fund will assist in the effort to enhance and expand
the participation of faith-based and community groups serving those in
need. Intermediary organizations awarded under this program will serve as
partners to both the Federal government and the faith-based and community
organizations that they assist. The intermediaries will represent a
diverse set of affiliations, and will assist community-level organizations
that have a range of service goals, target populations, affiliations, and
beliefs. The targeted capacity building program will benefit faith-based
and community organizations that provide services in one of the priority
areas.

Credentials/Documentation

Any nonprofit agency must provide proof of its nonprofit
status through one of the following: a) A reference to the applicant
organization's listing in the Internal revenue Service's (IRS) most recent
list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS code. b) A copy of a
currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate c) A statement from a State
taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State official
certifying that he applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that
none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or
individuals. d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit
status. e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a
State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent
organization that the applicant organization if its local nonprofit
affiliate. Applicants for both CCF programs must also provide the
following forms: SF 424, SF 424A, SF 424B, certification regarding
lobbying and associated disclosure of lobbying activities (SF LLL), and
environmental tobacco smoke certification. Private nonprofit organizations
are encouraged to submit with their applications the additional survey
located under Grant Related Documents and Forms titled Survey for Private,
Nonprofit Grant Applicants.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372,
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. An applicant should consult
the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or
her State for more information on the process the State requires to be
followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program
for review.

Application Procedure

The application must be double-spaced and single-spaced on
8-1/2 x 11 plain white paper, with 1 inch margins on all sides. The
application must use Times New Roman 12 point font or Arial 12 point font.
All pages of the application (including appendices, resumes, charts,
references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially
numbered. Each application may include only one proposed project. For the
intermediary applications, the Project Narrative including Table of
Contents must not exceed 25 pages in the application project narrative
sections. There is a 5-page limit to any additional supporting
documentation, including letters of support. The project description
should include all the information requirements described in the specific
evaluation criteria outlined in the program announcement. In addition, the
applicant needs to complete all the standard forms required for making
applications for awards under this announcement. Applicants requesting
financial assistance for non-construction projects must file the Standard
Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs. Applicants must sign and
return the Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must
disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form LLL when applying for an
award in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the
certification with their applications. They must also fill out Standard
Forms 424 and 424A and the associated certifications and assurances based
on the instructions on the forms. Private, non-profit organizations are
encouraged to submit with their applications the survey located under
Grant Related Documents and Firms titled Survey for Private, Nonprofit
Grant Applicants. For the mini-grant applications, the Project Narrative,
including the Table of Contents, must not exceed 8 pages. Pages submitted
beyond the first 8 in the application Project Narrative section and Table
of Contents will be removed prior to panel review. The Narrative Budget
Justification, Standard Forms for Assurances, Certifications, Disclosures
and appendices and the cost-share letters are not included in this
limitation, yet applicants are urged to be concise. Any additional
supporting documentation, including letters of support and appendixes must
not exceed 5 pages. The project description should include all the
information requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria
outlined in the program announcement. In addition, the applicant needs to
complete all the standard forms required for making applications for wards
under this announcement. Applicants requesting financial assistance for
non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, Assurances:
Non-Construction Programs. Applicants must sign and return the Standard
Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must disclose lobbying
activities on the Standard Form LLL when applying for an award in excess
of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their
applications. They must also fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the
associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions on the
forms. Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and
Firms titled Survey for Private, Nonprofit Grant Applicants.

Award Procedure

Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and
scored competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside
the Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part V
of the Program Announcement to review and score the applications. The
results of the review will be a primary factor in making funding
decisions. ACF may also solicit comments from Regional Office staff and
other Federal agencies. ACF may consider a variety of factors in addition
to the review criteria identified above, including geographic
diversity/coverage and types of applicant organizations, in order to
ensure that the interests of the Federal Government are met in making the
final selections. Furthermore, ACF may limit the number of awards made to
the same or affiliated organizations although they would service different
geographic areas. The successful applicants will be notified through
issuance of a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the
amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the budget
period for which initial support will be given, the nonfederal share to be
provided, and the total project period for which support is contemplated.
The financial Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer.

Deadlines

Deadlines for grants are announced in www.grants.gov, as
part of the solicitation of applicants.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

30 - 60 days.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances
such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are
widespread disruption of mail service. Determinations to extend or waive
deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Formula and Matching Requirements

For the Intermediary Demonstration Program, grantees must
provide at least 20 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The
total approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the
nonfederal share. The nonfederal share may be met by cash or in-kind
contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match
requirements through cash contributions. Grantees will be held accountable
for commitments of nonfederal resources even if over the amount of the
required match. Failure to provide the amount will result in disallowance
of Federal funds. Applicants without a firm cost share commitment will not
be evaluated. Applications that fail to include the required amount of
cost-sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible
for funding. There are no cost sharing or matching requirements for the
Targeted Capacity-Building Program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The Demonstration Program awards grants for project periods
of up to three years. Awards, however, will be made on a competitive
basis, for a one-year budget period. Applications for continuation grants
funded under these awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the
three-year project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding would
be in the best interest of the government. Awards for the Targeted
Capacity-Building Program are for a 12-month budget period.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

Reports

Intermediary recipients are required to submit semi-annual
program reports; grantees are also required to submit semi-annual
expenditure reports using the required financial standard form (SF-269)
which is located on the Internet at:
http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/SF-269.pdf. A suggested format for the
program report is sent to all grantees after the awards are made.
Intermediaries must also submit plans and procedures for the issuance of
sub-awards within 60 days of the receipt of an award. All mini-grant
recipients are required to submit semi-annual program reports; grantees
are also required to submit semi-annual expenditure reports using the
required financial standard from (SF-269) which is located on the Internet
at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/SF-269.pdf. A suggested report is sent
to all grantees after the awards are made.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133
(Revised, June 24, 1997), Audits of States, Local Governments, and
Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that receive financial
assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that
expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from the
Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No.
A-133.

Records

CCF complies with 74.50 Purpose of reports and records,
74.51 Monitoring and reporting program performance and 74.52 Financial
reporting of the Code of Federal Regulations.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-506.

Obligations

FY 05 $54,549,000; FY 06 est $64,350,000; and FY 07 est
$100,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$50,000 to $100,000; $500,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In FY 2002, CCF's first year of operation, a total of $24.7
million was awarded to 21 intermediary organizations. These intermediary
organizations gave over $10 million in sub-awards to over 550 grassroots
faith-based and community organizations implementing programs that address
the needs of the homeless, elderly, at-risk youth, families in transition
from welfare to work, and those in need of intensive rehabilitation such
as addicts or prisoners. Also awards were made to organizations that
provide marriage education and preparation services to help couples
develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages. In
FY 2003, second year awards were made to the existing 21 intermediary
organizations. $5.6 million was awarded to ten new intermediary
organizations. In addition, fifty-two $50,000 awards were made to
faith-based and community organizations addressing the needs of at-risk
youth and the homeless. In FY 2004, Congress appropriated $47.7 million
for CCF. CCF funded 14 new intermediary organizations and 102 mini-grants.
In FY 2005, Congress appropriated $54.5 million for CCF. CCF funded 24
continuation awards, 33 new awards to intermediary orgranizations and 200
mini-grants.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE

None.

INFORMATION CONTACTS

Regional or Local Office

Program Manager, Office of Community Services (OCS),
Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human
Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 5th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447.
Contact: Kelly Cowles (202) 260-2583 (office); (202) 401-4839 (fax).

Headquarters Office

Program Manager, Office of Community Services (OCS),
Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human
Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,5th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447.
Contact: Kelly Cowles (202) 260-2583 (office); (202) 401-4839 (fax).

Web Site Address

http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/[email-masked]

RELATED PROGRAMS

None.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS

The CCF Demonstration Program has funded intermediary
organizations that serve as a bridge between the Federal government and
the faith-based and community organizations that the program is designed
to assist. Intermediary organizations provide two services to faith-based
and community organizations: training and technical assistance and
capacity-building sub-awards. The CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program
has funded faith-based and community organizations with one time, $50,000
awards to increase their capacity to serve targeted social service
priority areas.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS

Criteria used for selecting Intermediary Organizations:
Intermediary organizations are evaluated on the following criteria:
approach, objectives and need for assistance, organizational profiles, and
budget and budget justification. The technical assistance strategy,
sub-award strategy, and geographic location are all factors in evaluation
the approach of the applicant. The needs of faith-based and community
organizations to be served and the needs of communities served are factors
for evaluating the objectives and need for assistance of the applicant.
The staff and position data and past experience are factors used to
evaluate the organizational profile of the applicant. Applicants will be
evaluated under the budget and budget justification criteria on the extent
to which they include a budget that is clear, easy to understand, and
provides a detailed justification for the amount requested. Criteria used
for selecting targeted capacity building grant recipients: Mini-Grant
applications are evaluated on the following criteria: approach,
organizational profiles, results or benefits expected, objectives and need
for assistance, and budget and budget justification. The factors
considered under the approach criterion are the capacity-building strategy
and the geographic location. Under the organizational profile criterion,
the staff and position data and past experience working in priority social
service area(s) are the two factors used for evaluation. Under the results
and benefits expected criterion, applicants are evaluated on the extent to
which the specific goals of the project and the results and benefits
proposed by the applicant are reasonable and likely, quantified, and
clearly linked to and supported by the proposed capacity-building
approach. Under the objectives and need for assistance criterion,
applications are evaluated on the extent to which the objectives of the
proposed project are clearly stated and shown to address the needs of the
organization. Under the budgets and budget justification criterion,
applications are evaluated based on the extent to which they include a
budget that is clear, easy to understand, and that provides a detailed
justification for the amount requested.

General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition
Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)