Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 22, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov.

Applications must include:

• Standard forms:
  • SF 424
  • SF 424A
  • SF 424B
  • Grants.gov lobbying form
  • Key contacts form
  • SF LLL (if applicable)
  • Project/performance site location
  • Objective work plan
• Table of contents
• Project summary (1 page max)
• Project narrative
• Line-item budget and budget narrative
• Attachments:
  • Indirect cost agreement (if applicable)
  • Proof of nonprofit status (if applicable)
  • Assurance of community representation on board of directors (if applicable)
  • Organizational capacity supporting information
  • Third-party agreements (if applicable)
  • Letters of support
  • Maintenance of effort certification
  • Governing body documentation
  • Community-based strategy documentation (optional)
  • Match waiver request (if applicable)

Applications are limited to 100 pages, not including the maintenance of effort certification and standard forms. Applications must be formatted on standard-sized pages with one-inch margins on all sides using 12-point Times New Roman font; however, a 10-point font may be used for footnotes and text in tables and graphics. If possible, page numbers should be included. The table of contents and project summary must be single-spaced. The project narrative must be double-spaced. The line-item budget and budget narrative and attachments may be single-spaced, as may tables and footnotes throughout the application. The funding agency recommends that files be in .pdf format; however, the funding agency also supports the file formats listed on page 19 of the NOFA file.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applicants may request training and technical assistance (TTA) from the funding agency's regional TTA centers, which can be found online at acf.gov.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Project narrative (75 points)
• Organizational capacity (15 points)
• Line-item budget and budget narrative (10 points)

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

In general, applicants must provide 20 percent of the total project cost via cash and/or in-kind contributions, including cash contributed by applicants, cash contributed by partners or third parties, and in-kind contributions from third parties.

Applicants must meet their proposed matching contributions, even when they exceed the minimum required percentage.

The funding agency will waive matching requirements of up to $199,999 for the governments of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Other applicants may also request a waiver of match requirements, if they meet the criteria outlined on pages 32-33 of the NOFA file.

Funding Notes:

An estimated $18 million is available to support an expected 20 awards of at least $100,000 through this program. Project and budget periods may span 12, 24, or 36 months, and the maximum award amount will vary according to the project and budget period as follows:

• Up to $300,000 for 12-month projects
• Up to $600,000 for 24-month projects
• Up to $900,000 for 36-month projects

Funds will be distributed at the start of the project period.

The anticipated project start date is September 30, 2025. Each 12-year budget period ends on September 29 of the applicable year.

Applicants must budget for all expenses associated with required attendance at post-award meetings. The project director and a financial management staff person working on the project must attend post-award training during the first year of the award and attend an annual award recipient meeting during each year of the award. Refer to page 29 of the NOFA file for details.

All project income must be used for award-supported project activities.

Funds will not support:

• Construction
• The purchase of real property
• Major renovation
• Providing third-party training and technical assistance to other tribes or Native American organizations or to people who are not members of the award recipient organization
• Feasibility studies, business plans, marketing plans, or written materials such as manuals that are not an essential part of the recipient's long-range development plan
• Ongoing administrative functions that are not related to the proposed project
• Ongoing service delivery programs or the expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery programs
• Projects that do not further the three inter-related program goals of economic development, social development, and cultural preservation
• Projects from consortia of tribes that do not include documentation from each participating consortium member specifying their role and support
• Projects from consortia of tribes that duplicate activities for which participating members also receive funding from the funding agency
• Salaries at a rate exceeding that of Executive Level II

For FY 2024, a total of $11,798,311 was distributed via 14 awards ranging from $744,408 to $900,000 through this program. For FY 2023, a total of $6,741,370 was distributed via 22 awards. Refer to the Award file for details.