Assets for Independence Demonstration Program

The summary for the Assets for Independence Demonstration Program grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Administration for Children and Families OCS, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Assets for Independence Demonstration Program: This announcement has been modified.
***The application package for this funding opportunity announcement has been revised to include the Promise Zones certification form.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Community Services (OCS) will be accepting applications for grants to administer projects for the Assets for Independence (AFI) demonstration program.
AFI grantees administer projects that provide individual development accounts (IDAs) and related services to low-income individuals. Participants open an IDA and save earned income that is matched by project funds. The combined participant savings and project matching funds will be used for an allowable asset: a first home, a business, or post-secondary education or training. Projects also assist participants in obtaining the skills and information necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Grantees are encouraged to tailor the strategies and services they offer to the needs of their project participants and the opportunities in their community. Examples of activities in this area include financial education, asset-specific training, financial coaching, credit-building services, credit/debt counseling, and assistance with tax credits and tax preparation.
AFI projects must be funded with a combination of the federal AFI grant and cash from non-federal sources. The amount of cash from non-federal sources must be at least equal to the federal AFI grant amount. Applicants must provide documentation of commitment of non-federal funds in their application. Specific requirements for this documentation will be included in the funding opportunity announcement.

Federal Grant Title:	Assets for Independence Demonstration Program
Federal Agency Name:	Administration for Children and Families OCS
Grant Categories:	Income Security and Social Services
Type of Opportunity:	Discretionary
Funding Opportunity Number:	HHS-2015-ACF-OCS-EI-1005
Type of Funding:	Grant
CFDA Numbers:	93.602
CFDA Descriptions:	Assets for Independence Demonstration Program
Current Application Deadline:	Jun 15, 2015 Electronically submitted application
Original Application Deadline:	Jun 15, 2015 Electronically submitted application
Posted Date:	Apr 8, 2015
Creation Date:	Apr 10, 2015
Archive Date:	Jul 15, 2015
Total Program Funding:	$11,250,000
Maximum Federal Grant Award:	$1,000,000
Minimum Federal Grant Award:	$10,000
Expected Number of Awards:	35
Cost Sharing or Matching:	Yes

Applicants Eligible for this Grant: State governments
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Independent school districts
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
County governments
Special district governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Small businesses
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Private institutions of higher education
City or township governments
Additional Information on Eligibility: The Assets for Independence (AFI) program is authorized to award grants to the following entities: all non-profit entities with 501(c)(3) status; state or local government agencies, or tribal governments, applying jointly with a non-profit with 501(c)(3) status; financial institutions that are federally certified as either a Low-Income Credit Union or a Community Development Financial Institution and that demonstrate a collaborative relationship with a local community-based organization whose activities address poverty in the community and the needs of community members for economic independence and stability; and entities deemed eligible under Section 405(g) of the AFI Act.
Governmental entities: If a governmental entity applies jointly with an entity with 501(c)(3) status, either entity may be the official applicant that will be responsible for grant administration and AFI project implementation if an award is made. Regardless of which entity is the official applicant, documentation of 501(c)(3) status of the non-governmental joint applicant is required to establish eligibility, and applications submitted by joint applicants must include a signed agreement between these entities.
Other entities, including nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status and for profit entities, are only eligible for AFI funding if they satisfy the requirements for either a Low-Income Credit Union or a Community Development Financial Institution. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to review the ACF Policy on Grants to Faith-Based Organizations at: http: //www.acf.hhs.gov/acf-policy-on-grants-to-faith-based-organizations. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
Link to Full Grant Announcement: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2015-ACF-OCS-EI-1005
Grant Announcement Contact: ACF Applications Help Desk [email protected]
ACF Applications Help Desk

Administration for Children and Families - OCS 202-690-7110
Similar Government Grants: • Native Asset Building Initiative; • Opportunity HHS-2008-ACF-OCS-EI-0053
More Grants from the Administration for Children and Families OCS: • Community Economic Development Planning Grants; • Medical-Legal Partnerships Plus (+); • Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration; • Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot; • Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Legal Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA)