Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 8, 2025.

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

Applications must include:

• Project narrative:
  • Table of contents
  • Project summary (1 page max)
  • Project narrative
  • Line-item budget and budget narrative
• Attachments:
  • Indirect cost agreement (if applicable)
  • Legal proof of nonprofit status (if applicable)
  • Additional eligibility documentation
  • Organizational capacity supporting information
  • Third-party agreements
  • Letters of support
  • Evidence of site control
  • Financial documentation
  • Market research and data
  • Evidence of participating business commitment to quality jobs
• Standard forms:
  • SF 424
  • SF 424A (if applicable)
  • SF 424B (if applicable)
  • SF 424C (if applicable)
  • SF 424D (if applicable)
  • Key contacts form
  • Grants.gov lobbying form
  • SF LLL (if applicable)
  • Project/performance site location(s)

Applications must be submitted as two files, plus the standard forms. The first file must include the project narrative, and the second file must include all attachments. File one and file two combined are limited to 200 pages. Applications must be formatted on standard-sized pages using one-inch margins and a black, 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, 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 24 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 view a pre-application presentation that will be posted online at acf.gov/ocs no later than ten days after the publication of the program solicitation.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Need for assistance (2 points)
• Objective and expected outcomes (3 points)
• Approach (12 points)
• Business plan - participating business viability (15 points)
• Business plan - high-quality job creation (13 points)
• Business plan - barrier reduction support services (17 points)
• Business plan - community revitalization (15 points)
• Organizational capacity (10 points)
• Letters of support (3 points)
• Project budget and budget justification information (10 points)
• Bonus points (10 points)

Additional details regarding criteria for bonus points can be found on pages 55-56 of the NOFA file.

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program. The inclusion of matching funds will not be considered during application review. Applicants that choose to include matching funds will be held accountable for any funds added, including through reporting.

Funding Notes:

An estimated $15.2 million is available through this program to support an anticipated 15 awards ranging from $100,000 to $800,000.

Projects that involve construction must create one job for each $32,000 of award funds. Projects that do not involve construction must create one job for each $27,000 of award funds. Refer to pages 11-12 of the NOFA file for details. Priority will not be given to applications that propose jobs above the required minimum.

Projects not involving construction will have a project period of three years, with three budget periods. Projects involving construction will have a project period of four years, with four budget periods. Both types of projects must be ready to be implemented at the time of award and completed during the assigned project period. Changes in project direction in the final year of a project are discouraged. Project periods are expected to start on September 30, 2025.

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

Generally, funds may not be used for providing primary activity job training, placement of individuals into existing positions, and technical assistance; however, limited job training activities may be supported if provided specifically for new positions.

Funds may not be used for:

• Costs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, including research in support of such initiatives, and any other initiatives that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or another protected characteristic
• Pre-award costs
• Subawards or pass-through funding
• Capitalizing loan loss reserve funds
• Providing loans in which repayment begins after the end of the funded project period
• Creating or expanding microenterprise business training and technical assistance centers
• Placing individuals in jobs that existed prior to the project
• Paying salaries at a rate higher than Executive Level II

For FY 2024, 20 awards ranging from $398,222 to $800,000 were distributed through this program. For FY 2022, more than $16 million was distributed via 22 awards ranging from $200,000 to $800,000. Refer to the Award file for details.