Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2014 ACF OCS EE 0819
Apply for HHS 2014 ACF OCS EE 0819
- The Administration for Children and Families OCS in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.570 Community Services Block GrantDiscretionary Awards.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 15, 2015 and posted on May 23, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 24, 2015 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $9,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 13 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- To be eligible for the CED program, an applicant must meet three conditions 1. Applicant must be a private, non profit CDC with 501(c)(3) or non 501(c)(3) status 2. Applicant must have articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other official documents demonstrating that the CDC has as a principal purpose the planning, developing, or managing of low income housing or community economic development activities and 3. The Board of Directors must have representation from each of the following community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders. Note The CDC designation does not need to be specified on any official documents as long as the three requirements stated above are met.rdquo Faith based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement. Faith based organizations are encouraged to review the ACF Policy on Grants to Faith Based Organizations at http //www.acf.hhs.gov/acf policy on grants to faith based organizations. Applications from individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship for profit organizations are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative Projects grant is a discretionary funding opportunity run by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS). Its purpose is to invest in community-based business development that improves both economic opportunity and physical health in low-income areas that are considered food deserts or that can clearly demonstrate similar need. Need can be shown in several ways, including limited access to healthy food retail, a high share of low-income residents, high rates of diet-related health conditions, or a large concentration of people eligible for food assistance programs. The central idea is to support practical, on-the-ground healthy food ventures that increase access to affordable, nutritious foods while also strengthening local economies through job creation and business growth.
Funding is provided through the Community Economic Development (CED) program within the broader Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) framework. OCS is aiming to fund projects that do two things at the same time: expand healthy food availability and purchasing in underserved communities, and create employment and business opportunities that help low-income individuals move toward self-sufficiency. In addition to improving food access, these grants are positioned as part of a larger federal strategy to reduce long-term dependency on federal assistance, address chronic unemployment, and counteract ongoing community deterioration in both urban and rural settings.
A major requirement of the program is that funded projects must produce sustained employment outcomes, not just short-term activity. Grantees are expected to actively recruit low-income individuals for the jobs created through the project, help them succeed in those positions, and ensure that the businesses and the jobs remain viable for at least one year after the grant period ends. The program allows either non-construction or construction-related projects, and it permits facility construction when it is necessary to support business creation, expansion, or job creation. However, it draws a clear line on job counting: temporary construction jobs tied to startup or expansion activities do not count toward the program’s job-creation totals because they are not intended to be permanent.
In terms of funding structure, OCS planned to award up to 9.5 million dollars total, with an expected 13 awards. Individual awards range from a floor of 100,000 dollars to a ceiling of 800,000 dollars, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement listed. The grant period depends on the project type: non-construction projects are funded for up to 3 years, while construction projects can run up to 5 years. The program falls under CFDA 93.570 (Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Awards) and is categorized under Income Security and Social Services.
Eligibility is focused on Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that are private, nonprofit organizations. Both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status may apply, as long as they meet the program’s CDC criteria. To qualify, an applicant must (1) be a private nonprofit CDC, (2) have organizing documents (such as articles of incorporation or bylaws) showing that a principal purpose is planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community economic development activities, and (3) have a board of directors that includes representation from community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible if they meet these requirements, while individuals, foreign entities, sole proprietorships, and for-profit organizations are not eligible and would be disqualified.
The opportunity also encourages strategic alignment and geographic equity through bonus points. Applicants can strengthen their proposals if their healthy food projects collaborate with other federal HFFI programs or certain additional federal programs tied to healthy food access, if they target rural communities, and if they are located in states or U.S. Trust Territories that do not currently have an active CED HFFI project. In other words, proposals that coordinate across federal efforts, reach rural or underserved regions, and expand HFFI coverage into new places are positioned more competitively.
Key administrative details include that applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the listed due date (the record shows an original closing date of July 21, 2014, a later current closing date of April 24, 2015, and an archive date of May 24, 2015). The funding opportunity number is HHS-2014-ACF-OCS-EE-0819, and the administering agency is ACF/OCS. For technical issues accessing the full announcement, the listed support contact is the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative (CED HFFI) Projects grant?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), under the Community Economic Development (CED) program within the broader Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) framework. It funds community-based business development projects that increase access to affordable, nutritious foods while also strengthening local economies through job creation and business growth.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to invest in practical, on-the-ground healthy food ventures that improve both economic opportunity and physical health in low-income areas considered food deserts or that can clearly demonstrate similar need.
What kinds of communities is this grant intended to serve?
The grant targets low-income areas that are considered food deserts or that can demonstrate comparable need. The emphasis is on underserved communities where improved access to healthy food can also support economic development and employment.
How can an area demonstrate it has a "food desert" or similar need?
The opportunity notes several ways need may be demonstrated, including limited access to healthy food retail, a high share of low-income residents, high rates of diet-related health conditions, or a large concentration of people eligible for food assistance programs.
What outcomes is OCS aiming to achieve with these awards?
OCS is aiming to fund projects that (1) expand healthy food availability and purchasing in underserved communities and (2) create employment and business opportunities that help low-income individuals move toward self-sufficiency.
Is job creation required as part of the project?
Yes. A major requirement is that funded projects must produce sustained employment outcomes. Grantees are expected to recruit low-income individuals for jobs created through the project, support their success in those roles, and ensure the business and jobs remain viable for at least one year after the grant period ends.
Do temporary construction jobs count toward job creation requirements?
No. The program explicitly states that temporary construction jobs tied to startup or expansion activities do not count toward the program's job-creation totals because they are not intended to be permanent.
Are construction projects allowed under this grant?
Yes. The program allows both non-construction and construction-related projects, and it permits facility construction when necessary to support business creation, expansion, or job creation.
What is the total amount of funding available and how many awards were expected?
OCS planned to award up to $9.5 million total, with an expected 13 awards.
What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards range from $100,000 (minimum) to $800,000 (maximum).
Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed in the information provided.
How long is the grant period for funded projects?
The grant period depends on the project type. Non-construction projects are funded for up to 3 years, while construction projects can run up to 5 years.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 93.570 (Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Awards).
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under Income Security and Social Services.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is focused on Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that are private, nonprofit organizations. Both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status may apply if they meet the program's CDC criteria.
What requirements must an applicant meet to qualify as an eligible CDC?
An applicant must (1) be a private nonprofit CDC, (2) have organizing documents (such as articles of incorporation or bylaws) showing a principal purpose of planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community economic development activities, and (3) have a board of directors that includes representation from community residents, business leaders, and civic leaders.
Are faith-based organizations eligible?
Faith-based and community organizations are eligible if they meet the CDC eligibility requirements described in the opportunity.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Individuals, foreign entities, sole proprietorships, and for-profit organizations are not eligible and would be disqualified.
Are there any proposal advantages or bonus points mentioned?
Yes. The opportunity encourages strategic alignment and geographic equity through bonus points. Applicants can strengthen proposals if their healthy food projects collaborate with other federal HFFI programs or certain additional federal programs tied to healthy food access, if they target rural communities, and if they are located in states or U.S. Trust Territories that do not currently have an active CED HFFI project.
How does collaboration with other federal programs affect competitiveness?
The opportunity indicates that proposals may be more competitive if they coordinate with other federal HFFI programs or certain additional federal programs tied to healthy food access.
Does the opportunity prioritize rural communities?
Yes. Targeting rural communities is specifically listed as a factor that can strengthen a proposal through bonus points.
Does the opportunity encourage projects in places without an active CED HFFI project?
Yes. Being located in a state or U.S. Trust Territory that does not currently have an active CED HFFI project is listed as a factor that can strengthen a proposal through bonus points.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is HHS-2014-ACF-OCS-EE-0819.
Which agency administers this grant?
The administering agency is the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS).
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the listed due date.
What due dates are listed for this opportunity?
The record shows multiple dates: an original closing date of July 21, 2014; a later current closing date of April 24, 2015; and an archive date of May 24, 2015.
Who should applicants contact for technical issues accessing the full announcement?
For technical issues, the listed support contact is the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
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