FY 2011 SNAP Participation Grants | Apply Online

FY 2011 SNAP Participation Grants (USDA FNS SNPA 11) - FAQs

What is the FY 2011 SNAP Participation Grants opportunity?

The FY 2011 SNAP Participation Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FNS SNPA 11) was a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). It focused on increasing participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by making it easier for eligible households to apply for and receive benefits.

What was the main goal of this grant program?

The main goal was to increase SNAP participation by reducing friction in the application and eligibility process and by improving access for eligible people who face barriers to enrollment. The program emphasized practical, on-the-ground improvements that simplify how households enter and move through the SNAP process.

What types of projects were encouraged?

Projects were encouraged if they either (1) simplified SNAP application and eligibility determination processes or (2) improved access to SNAP benefits for eligible households who may face barriers to enrollment. Examples described in the opportunity include streamlining forms and procedures, improving screening and eligibility determination, reducing unnecessary steps, addressing documentation hurdles, and improving points of entry where people can learn about or initiate SNAP applications.

What is meant by "simplifying SNAP application and eligibility determination" in this competition?

Within the context provided, simplification meant making SNAP systems more user-friendly and reducing administrative friction. This could include streamlining forms and procedures, improving how applicants are screened, improving eligibility determination processes, and reducing unnecessary steps that slow down or complicate enrollment.

What does "improving access" mean for eligible households?

Improving access referred to measures that make benefits easier to reach for people who qualify but face barriers to enrollment. The announcement highlighted efforts like strengthening outreach and access strategies and improving entry points where eligible households can learn about SNAP or start an application.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants included State governments, county governments, city or township governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Institutions of higher education were explicitly excluded from eligibility under the 501(c)(3) category as stated in the opportunity summary.

Were nonprofit organizations eligible, and were there any restrictions?

Yes. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations were eligible applicants, with the stated exception that institutions of higher education were excluded.

Did the grant encourage partnerships or collaboration?

Yes. The program was designed to encourage collaboration between State agencies and community partners, particularly organizations that frequently interact with low-income households and people experiencing food insecurity.

What types of community partners were specifically recognized in the solicitation?

The solicitation explicitly recognized community-based and faith-based organizations, food banks, and other emergency feeding organizations, reflecting an intent to support projects that combine administrative improvements with community-level access solutions.

What law authorized this grant program?

The program was authorized under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

How much total funding was available under this opportunity?

FNS made a total of $5 million available for this grant competition.

Was there a minimum award amount?

The listed award floor was 1, indicating that awards could be made in very small amounts depending on the project scope, although the total funding available for the overall program was $5 million.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, lowering barriers for smaller nonprofits and local governments to apply.

What type of funding instrument was used?

The funding instrument was a grant.

What was the funding activity area?

The opportunity was categorized under the Food and Nutrition funding activity area.

What CFDA number was associated with this program?

The opportunity was associated with CFDA number 10.580 (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Process and Technology Improvement Grants).

When was the announcement posted and when did applications close?

The announcement was posted on April 6, 2011. The application deadline closed on June 6, 2011. The archive date listed was July 6, 2011.

What does it mean that the opportunity is archived?

Based on the provided dates, the archive date (July 6, 2011) indicates the solicitation was no longer active after that time. The deadline itself closed on June 6, 2011.

Where could applicants find the full application requirements?

Applicants were directed to the official Request for Applications (RFA) for full details on requirements, formats, and submission instructions.

Were there any page limit rules mentioned?

Yes. The notice clarified that letters and forms were exempt from the page limitation, suggesting the main narrative portion of proposals was subject to a page cap while standard attachments (letters and forms) were not.

Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?

The point of contact listed was Gregory Walton, Grants Officer. He could be reached by phone at 703-305-1575, and an email contact was referenced in the announcement.

Which federal agency administered the competition?

The competition was run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

What kinds of barriers to enrollment did the opportunity aim to address?

Based on the description, the opportunity aimed to address barriers such as complicated forms and procedures, unnecessary steps in the process, challenges with documentation, and limited or weak access points for initiating or learning about SNAP applications.

Was the focus only on outreach, or also on administrative changes?

The focus included both. The opportunity emphasized administrative improvements (simplifying application and eligibility determination) and access/outreach strategies to ensure eligible households were not left out.