Federal Funding for Tech Programs

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Federal Funding for Tech Programs

• Lisa Trevino Cummins
• Urban Strategies, L.L.C.
• www.urbanstrategies.us
• Washington, D.C.

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• Billions
• 1500 Different Programs
• People in Need

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Two Types of Grants

• Discretionary
• Block Grant

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Faith-based and Community Initiative

• Not a set-aside source of funds
• No funding of prostylezation, religious
  instruction, religious worship
• CFBCIs in
• Department of Education
• Department of Labor
• Department of Justice
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of International Aid
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Department of Health and Human Services

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Local and State Funding Leads

• Community Development Block Grant (HUD)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (HHS)
• Workforce Investment Boards (Labor)
• Public Housing Authorities (HUD)
• Colleges and Universities
• School Districts
• State and Local Offices

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Discretionary / National Funding Leads

• Community Technology Centers (Education)
• Community and Economic Development (HHS)
• Rural Development (HUD)
• VISTA (CNCS)

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Important Websites

• The White House OFBC
• www.fbci.gov
• Guidance to Faith-Based and Community
  Organizations on Partnering with the Federal
  Government.
• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
• www.cfda.gov.
• FedGrants
• http//www.fedgrants.gov
• The Federal Register
• http//www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

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Are You Ready to Apply?

• Minimum Requirements
• Non-Profit Status
• www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/index.html.
• Other Program Eligibility Criteria
• Presence in community?
• Community Board?
• Matching Funds?
• Direct Service Provider vs Intermediary
• Novice vs Experienced

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Proposal Planning

• Organize Your Team
• Gather Research Sources
• Line up support
• Create a work plan and schedule
• Free up staff time
• Gather attachments and fill out forms early

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Proposal Narrative and Budget Tips

• Start preparation as soon as possible
• Review as a federal reviewer
• Make the scoring criteria obvious
• Be early

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General Public Funding Acquisition Tips

• Freedom of Information Act
• Become a grant reviewer
• Learn from experience
• Access Local and State Funding Sources first
• Find a friend or make one

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Cultivating Relationships with Elected Officials

• Make sure elected officials are on mailing list
  (and keep it updated)
• Invite elected officials to your events,
  groundbreakings, task force meetings, etc.
• Monitor their legislative and committee
  activities
• Develop a relationship with the elected officials
• Create opportunities for elected officials to
  speak
• Information not endorsement
• Dinner with board, no agenda
• Invite as ex-oficio board member
• Encourage elected officials to write a column for
  your newsletters
• Get to know and develop a working relationship
  with staff
• Do not let party affiliation stop your efforts

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Working with Elected Officials Effectively

• What they can do?
• Letters of support
• Contact members office, local first.
• Wont correct shortcomings.
• Help if there is a problem
• Help get you a fair hearing when youre rejected
• Contact the agency directly with first request,
  copy Congressional Office
• Request copy of reviewers remarks
• Request meeting

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General Helpful Hints

• If you dont have the time or its not in your
  mission, dont go after funds.
• Before you locate or pay a consultant, check with
  universities for grant writers
• FOIA, personal offline conversation with grantees
• If you dont understand something on the RFP,
  call the agency staff person
• Read the application guidelines. Details,
  details, details.
• Websites tgci.org