Especially for Rural Programs

Hi all,

HHS is putting out what they call "mini-grants" -- up to $50,000 for capacity building for CBOs that serve distressed communities. The New England region consistently has overrepresentation in applications from urban programs, yet they have a special set-aside for rural programs.

What does this mean to you? If you're a rural program, the odds are in your favor.

If you serve a community where the poverty rate is higher than state and national averages, consider this grant opportunity to expand your federal funding base.

Best,
Liz



Department of Health & Human ServicesAdministration for Children and Families
Office of Community Services

Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program
HHS-2007-ACF-OCS-IJ-0036

Due 04/10/2007

Executive Summary

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), announces that applications will be accepted for new grants pursuant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) authorized under Title XI Section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing Social Services Research and Demonstration activities and the Department of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, Public Law (P.L.) 109-149.

Pursuant to this announcement, OCS will award funds to help build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations that address the needs of distressed communities. A distressed community is defined as a neighborhood or geographic community with an unemployment rate and/or poverty rate equal to or greater than the State or national rate. The Targeted Capacity Building Program will focus on capacity building among organizations addressing the following programmatic service areas: help for at-risk youth; help for the homeless; marriage education and preparation services to help couples who choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages; or social services to those living in rural communities.