The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will award Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations (CDC) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects to enhance job creation and business development for low-income individuals. OCS seeks to fund projects that implement strategies for fostering self-sufficiency for low-income families and achieving sustainable employment and business opportunities. 

Eligibility:   An applicant must be a private, non-profit Community Development Corporation (CDC) having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS.  The applicant should also be experienced in planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community development activities. The grant is meant to benefit students who meet the definition of either educationally or economically disadvantaged, and who express an interest in pursuing a health degree program are eligible for participation in an HCOP program during their primary, secondary pre-professional, and professional education.

IRN Technical Advisors want to make it easier for you to apply. They have researched and put together a summary of the request for proposal with direct links to valuable resources.

 Download the YouthBuild Grant Workplan to get tips!

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
From the Federal Register

CED projects are expected to actively recruit low-income individuals to fill the positions created by CED-funded development activities, and to assist those individuals to successfully hold those jobs and ensure that the businesses and jobs created remain viable for at least one year after the end of the grant period. Recruitment and retention are typically addressed through activities that help address personal barriers such as illiteracy, substance abuse, inadequate transportation, lack of affordable child care, insufficient life skills, past criminal history, health problems, and other challenges that could inhibit an individual’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency.

For more information about the grant: www.hrsa.gov 

FUNDING RANGE
From the Federal Register

Approximately $16 million was allocated for CED for Fiscal Year 2011. The maximum amount awarded for any one proposal cannot exceed $800,000.

Our technical advisors can help you apply. Send an email to info@illinoisresource.net to learn more about our place-based technical assistance.