Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCS EO 0011
Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCS EO 0011
- The Administration for Children and Families in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.593 Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 9, 2009 and posted on Apr 9, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 8, 2009 See link to full announcement for details. IMPORTANT NOTE Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted no later than 430 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,838,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $475,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- An applicant must be a non profit organization with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status. Faith based and community organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) grant is a discretionary federal program run by the Office of Community Services (OCS) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its core purpose is to move Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low income people toward long term economic self sufficiency by supporting business creation, business growth, and self employment opportunities that lead to real, lasting jobs and income.
JOLI is designed around the idea that strengthening local businesses and entrepreneurs in low income communities can translate into stable employment pathways for people who are struggling to enter or stay in the workforce. Under this program, grantees are allowed to provide both technical assistance and financial assistance to private employers and participants. The expectation is that projects do more than offer short term help; they should create sustainable businesses and job opportunities that continue to function beyond the grant period. A key requirement is durability: the businesses and the jobs supported through the program must remain viable for at least six months after the grant ends.
Funded projects must fit into one of three program strategies. The first is new business ventures, which focuses on launching new enterprises that can employ or be owned by low income individuals. The second is business expansion, which helps existing businesses grow in a way that results in additional jobs or better employment outcomes for the target population. The third is self employment and micro enterprise, which supports individuals starting or expanding very small businesses, often as a route to income when traditional employment is not immediately accessible. Across all strategies, the grant emphasizes practical supports that lead to measurable outcomes such as job placements, business starts, and business stability.
A major program rule is that at least 20 percent of awarded JOLI funds must be used for direct financial assistance to program participants specifically to create or expand a business. In other words, this is not a program where all funding can be spent on staffing, training, planning, or administration; a meaningful portion must flow directly to people as tangible capital or financial support tied to business development. Alongside that financial component, grantees must actively recruit TANF recipients and other low income individuals both to participate in business development activities and to fill the jobs that are created under the grant.
The program also recognizes that employment and entrepreneurship barriers are often personal and community based, so funded projects are expected to help participants overcome obstacles that could prevent success. While the announcement does not list every possible barrier, the intent is clear: applicants should plan for challenges like limited transportation, lack of childcare, weak credit history, limited prior work experience, or gaps in access to training and networks, and they should build realistic support systems to address them so participants can stay employed or keep their businesses operating.
For JOLI purposes, "low income" is defined using HHS poverty guidelines, meaning eligible individuals are those living in households at or below the federal poverty level as published by HHS. This definition is important because projects must be able to document that the people being served meet the program standard, not just a general idea of need.
To be competitive and compliant, applicants must show they are ready to operate immediately and responsibly. Beyond presenting a clear and viable business creation or expansion strategy, applicants must demonstrate they have the management capacity, staff, and other resources required to run the project. They also must include written commitments from third party partners, which signals that collaboration is not optional or informal but documented and role based. The announcement further requires evidence of site control, meaning applicants need to show they have secured the location(s) necessary to carry out activities (for example, a training site, office space, or business facility as relevant). Finally, applicants must have referral sources that can reliably identify and connect eligible low income individuals to the program and to the jobs created, which is essential given the recruitment and placement expectations.
In terms of funding details, the opportunity listed an estimated total funding amount of $4,838,000 with an expectation of 11 awards. The award ceiling was $475,000, and there was no stated minimum award amount (award floor listed as $0). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, which typically lowers the barrier to entry for community based organizations that may not have large pools of unrestricted funds.
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status. Faith based and community organizations were explicitly eligible, while foreign entities were not eligible under this announcement. The funding instrument type was a grant, and the activity category fell under Income Security and Social Services (CFDA 93.593).
This particular notice was posted April 9, 2009, with an original and current closing date of May 8, 2009, and it was later archived June 7, 2009. Applications submitted electronically through Grants.gov were required to be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the contact point was the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov, and the full announcement link was provided through the ACF grants site.
Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) Grant - FAQs
What is the JOLI grant program?
The Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) grant is a discretionary federal program run by the Office of Community Services (OCS) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It supports projects that help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low income individuals move toward long term economic self sufficiency through business creation, business growth, and self employment opportunities that lead to lasting jobs and income.
What is the main goal of JOLI?
The core purpose is to help TANF recipients and other low income people reach long term economic self sufficiency by strengthening local businesses and entrepreneurs in low income communities and connecting that growth to stable employment pathways.
Who runs and administers JOLI?
JOLI is administered by the Office of Community Services (OCS) within ACF, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
What types of activities does JOLI fund?
JOLI funds projects that support business creation, business expansion, and self employment/micro enterprise development. Grantees may provide both technical assistance and financial assistance to private employers and participants, with a focus on measurable outcomes such as business starts, job placements, and business stability.
What are the three program strategies applicants must choose from?
Funded projects must fit into one of these strategies: (1) New business ventures (launching new enterprises that can employ or be owned by low income individuals), (2) Business expansion (helping existing businesses grow to create additional jobs or better employment outcomes for the target population), or (3) Self employment and micro enterprise (supporting individuals starting or expanding very small businesses as a route to income).
Does JOLI allow financial assistance as well as technical assistance?
Yes. The program allows grantees to provide both technical assistance and financial assistance to private employers and participants.
Is there a required minimum amount of funding that must go directly to participants?
Yes. At least 20 percent of awarded JOLI funds must be used for direct financial assistance to program participants specifically to create or expand a business.
Can an applicant use all grant funds on staffing, training, or administration?
No. A key rule requires that a meaningful portion of funds (at least 20 percent) must flow directly to participants as financial assistance tied to business creation or expansion, so the entire award cannot be spent only on staffing, training, planning, or administration.
Who should be recruited and served under JOLI-funded projects?
Projects must actively recruit TANF recipients and other low income individuals to participate in business development activities and to fill the jobs created through the grant.
How does JOLI define "low income" for eligibility purposes?
For JOLI, "low income" is defined using HHS poverty guidelines. Eligible individuals are those living in households at or below the federal poverty level as published by HHS.
Do projects have to document that participants meet the low income standard?
Yes. Projects must be able to document that the people being served meet the program standard based on HHS poverty guidelines, not just a general concept of need.
What does JOLI mean by sustainable or durable outcomes?
The program expects projects to create sustainable businesses and job opportunities that continue beyond the grant period. A specific durability requirement is that the businesses and jobs supported must remain viable for at least six months after the grant ends.
What kinds of barriers should projects be prepared to address?
Projects are expected to help participants overcome obstacles that could prevent success. The notice points to real-world issues such as limited transportation, lack of childcare, weak credit history, limited prior work experience, and gaps in access to training and networks, and expects applicants to build realistic supports to address these types of barriers.
What capacity and readiness requirements are highlighted for applicants?
Applicants must demonstrate they are ready to operate immediately and responsibly. This includes showing management capacity, staff, and resources to run the project, presenting a clear and viable business strategy, and meeting specific documentation expectations such as partner commitments, site control, and referral sources.
Are third-party partnerships required, and do they need to be documented?
Yes. Applicants must include written commitments from third party partners. The notice indicates collaboration is expected to be documented and role-based rather than informal.
What is "evidence of site control" and why is it required?
The announcement requires evidence of site control, meaning the applicant must show it has secured the location(s) needed to carry out the project (for example, office space, a training site, or a relevant business facility). This is part of demonstrating readiness to operate.
Why are referral sources important for JOLI projects?
Applicants must have referral sources that can reliably identify and connect eligible low income individuals to the program and to the jobs created. This supports the recruitment and placement expectations built into JOLI.
Who was eligible to apply for this JOLI opportunity?
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status. Faith-based and community organizations were explicitly eligible.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities were not eligible under this announcement.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What was the funding instrument type and program category?
The funding instrument type was a grant. The activity category was Income Security and Social Services, CFDA 93.593.
How much total funding was estimated, and how many awards were expected?
The estimated total funding amount was $4,838,000, with an expectation of 11 awards.
What was the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling was $475,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No stated minimum award amount was listed. The award floor was shown as $0.
When was this notice posted and when was it due?
The notice was posted on April 9, 2009. The original and current closing date was May 8, 2009. The opportunity was later archived on June 7, 2009.
What was the electronic submission deadline time for Grants.gov submissions?
Applications submitted electronically through Grants.gov were required to be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.
Where could applicants get help accessing the full announcement?
Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement were directed to contact the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov. The full announcement link was provided through the ACF grants site.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Advanced Water Power
Previous opportunity: Surveillance of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Utilizing the Infrastructure of Existing Surveillance Programs
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCS EO 0011
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HHS 2009 ACF OCS EO 0011) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 2009 Congressional Mandates Non NORC Apply for HHS 2009 AOA MA 0907 Funding Number: HHS 2009 AOA MA 0907 Agency: Administration on Aging Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $476,000 |
| Congressional Mandate NORC Apply for HHS 2009 AOA MA 0908 Funding Number: HHS 2009 AOA MA 0908 Agency: Administration on Aging Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $438,000 |
| Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)/Rural Community Development Facilities Program (RCDAP)/ Homeland Security Program Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems Safety and Security Training and Technical Assistance Project Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCS EF 0025 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCS EF 0025 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Tribal Title IV E Plan Development Grants Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CS 0079 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CS 0079 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Mentoring Children of Prisoners Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CV 0022 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CV 0022 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Street Outreach Program Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF YO 0024 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF YO 0024 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Projects of National Significance Family Support 360 Centers Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ADD DN 0046 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ADD DN 0046 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Projects of National Significance Family Support 360 Special Initiatives Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ADD DN 0048 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ADD DN 0048 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Projects of National Significance Family Support 360 for Military Families Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ADD DN 0047 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ADD DN 0047 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Model Approaches to Statewide Legal Assistance Systems Apply for HHS 2009 AOA SL 0912 Funding Number: HHS 2009 AOA SL 0912 Agency: Administration on Aging Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $110,000 |
| National Minority Aging Organizations Technical Assistance Centers Apply for HHS 2009 AOA HD 0911 Funding Number: HHS 2009 AOA HD 0911 Agency: Administration on Aging Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $360,000 |
| Self Sufficiency Research Clearinghouse Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OPRE PD 0082 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OPRE PD 0082 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alzheimers Disease Innovation Apply for HHS 2009 AOA AI 0910 Funding Number: HHS 2009 AOA AI 0910 Agency: Administration on Aging Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alzheimers Disease Evidence Based Apply for HHS 2009 AOA AE 0909 Funding Number: HHS 2009 AOA AE 0909 Agency: Administration on Aging Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Family Connection Discretionary Grants Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CF 0078 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CF 0078 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Expansion Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OHS CM 0099 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OHS CM 0099 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Expansion Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OHS CI 0097 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OHS CI 0097 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Community Services Block Grant Training and Technical Assistance Program Strengthening the Capacity and Ability of CSBG Eligible Entities to Address Legal Issues Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCS ET 0086 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCS ET 0086 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Aging Network Business Practice, Planning and Program Development Apply for HHS 2009 AOA PG 0913 Funding Number: HHS 2009 AOA PG 0913 Agency: Administration on Aging Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $425,000 |
| Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) Demonstration Program Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCS EJ 0009 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCS EJ 0009 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "HHS 2009 ACF OCS EO 0011", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.