Q&A

Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department announces two changes to Year 3 CFCI Care Grant Program Area 28 ONLY. This change does NOT apply to any other Year 3 CFCI Program Areas or funding opportunities.

1. For Program Area 28: American Indian Daycare and Family Resource Center, the maximum amount that an organization may apply for is now $10,164,300 over 3 years (increased from the original $1.2MM).

Partnerships and/or collaborations between multiple organizations are encouraged to meet the parameters of Program Area 28 — in particular, the possible necessity of locating a daycare for children on a site that might provide more security than a general Family Resource Center.

Organizations that are deeply rooted in the LA County Native American community, and/or are American Indian-led, are encouraged to apply.

2. Additionally, a deadline extension has been made for Program Area 28 ONLY due to the increase in funding amount and potential scope of proposed projects.

The new deadline date is January 19, 2024, for Program Area 28 ONLY.

Remember to use https://www.GrantRequest.com/SID_6277?SA=AM to get back into an already-created application. This will prevent you from creating a new application.

Can you send the application materials directly to my email? I can’t access the Amity website and we would like to begin the application process.

The application must be accessed and filled out online; Amity cannot accept emailed or snail-mailed applications. There are 25 different Program Areas and the applications are not exactly the same. There is a Word version of each application available with all of the questions for you to fill out before accessing the application online.

It looks like the address you are using for the Amity Foundation TPA page is incomplete. Be sure to use https://www.amityfdn.org/tpa. Once you are on the page, you will need to scroll down and locate the Program Area you are interested in applying for on the right-hand side. The Word doc, a full .PDF of the entire application + instructions, and a link to begin your online application are available as links under each Program Area.

When applying for this opportunity, do we sign into a certain portal or upload documents to submit via email? When attempting to find the portal, the site was giving an error message.

In order to create a NEW application, go to www.amityfdn.org/tpa. Scroll down the page and locate the Program Area you would like to apply for on the right-hand side. Click the “drop-down” arrow to the right of the Program Area title. You will see “Click here for link to online application.”

You cannot create a new application from www.GrantRequest.com. Email Amity at TPAGrants@amityfdn.org if you are receiving an error message or require more assistance.

[1/2] We do not have a physical administrative office. On the application, is it allowed to enter N/A for questions 8 and 9?

For your administrative offices, you should enter the address where you receive your tax documents / the address listed on your tax documents (Q8). Answer Q9 with the Q8 address in mind (use the address lookup tool at https://www.lavote.gov/apps/precinctsmaps). For Q10, explain that your services are virtual. You should indicate how you will make sure you are only serving LA County residents with these funds.

Q11 would be “No”. In the space provided, cut and paste your virtual services explanation.

[1/2] We have a physical address which is listed in our California State documents and a mailing address that is a P.O. Box. We do not have a “Headquarters.”

For your administrative offices, you should enter the address where you receive your tax documents / the address listed on your tax and/or business documents (Q8). It sounds like the address on your California State documents is the correct administrative offices address; the mailing address should be entered into Q13. Answer Q9 with the Q8 address in mind (use the address lookup tool at https://www.lavote.gov/apps/precinctsmaps).

[10/23] I work for a nonprofit that oversees many areas within LA County. Should we only submit one application for all of LA County, or should staff members from each of our areas within the county submit separate applications?

Only one application per organization per Program Area is allowed. If your different area offices are independently organized with their own documentation (501c3, etc.) in existence for more than 1 year and in Good Standing with the California Secretary of State, they would be considered standalone organizations and eligible to apply.

[10/23] Is there a way to find out the remaining funding available by Program Area given this is Year 3?

No further funding will be allocated or distributed through the Year 3 CFCI Care Grants.

[10/11] Are we required to submit a separate application for each Program Area / category?

Yes.

[10/11] What if you are applying to multiple programs with different milestones / measurable outcomes?

It is expected that different programs proposed in different program areas (by the same organization) would all have different milestones and measurable outcomes. If you are awarded, milestones and measurable outcomes will be used to create your contract and deliverables. Every award requires a separate contract.

[10/11] Are applications reviewed on a “first come, first served” basis? Is there a benefit to submitting an application sooner rather than later?

No, it does not make any difference when you submit your application as long as it is submitted before the deadline. These funds are not “first come, first served”. We HIGHLY encourage submitting before the deadline day; waiting until the day applications are due is to risk not being able to submit due to technical issues.

[10/11] What is the difference between Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 funds—is Year 3 the third year of the first year of funding?

Each year / round of funding provides grants that are 36 months (3 years) long. The grants end after 3 years, funding is not re-upped or in any other way continued. Year 1 CFCI grants sunset in 2025, Year 2 CFCI grants sunset in 2026, and Year 3 grants (this current round of funding) will sunset in 2027.

I am having some issues with our application on the page where the demographics and percentages are input. Our demographics equal 100% but the red error sign continues to say that it must equal 100%.

There may be a glitch in the application form. Try checking all the boxes for every characteristic and enter “0” in the box for demographics where you have no representation.

We provide telehealth, so our providers are often working out of their own homes. I don’t think it’s safe to put down their home addresses under “services address.” What should I write down?

Please do not list employee information. You may enter “not applicable” or “N/A” for Question #10, select “no” for Question #11, and then explain more about your telehealth model in the answer field.

My program can be applied to many different program areas. In order to get funded in different program areas, can I submit the same application and budget for each area or do I need to break down my entire program and explain how different departments reach different goals?

Since you are looking for full funding for your program, it is recommended that you submit the application for the full program in each Program Area that it qualifies for.

I noticed a reference to "written questions" that had a separate due date then the overall application. Are these questions the ones found on the application portal? Or are there a separate set of questions that need to be answered and emailed to y'all here at this email address?

Questions about the funding opportunity and application will be accepted until Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 5:00PM Pacific Time. By “written questions,” we mean the questions you might have ABOUT the application. Please do not submit your answers to questions IN the application. Any questions you have about the application can be sent to TPAGrants@amityfdn.org. All answers, including answers to questions you ask during webinars, will be posted as a Questions & Answers (Q&A) document on the www.amityfdn.org/tpa website.

Question #43 – If we indicate other Program Areas in this question, does that mean this application will apply to all of those Program Areas?

No. You must fill out separate applications for each Program Area. Question #43 is meant to inform us that a single organization has applied in other Program Areas. If a single organization has applied in multiple Program Areas, there will be additional review to confirm duplication of Personnel or Non-Personnel line items prior to award. Organizations only need to worry about this if they are AWARDED in two or more different Program Areas. "Double-dipping," or charging for the same item twice, is not allowed. "Double-dipping" refers to a duplication of services, personnel, or other line items, where the line item is accounted for in one project budget and also shows up in a second project budget associated with the same organization. Significant backup documentation will be required to prove that any crossover of personnel, services, or other line items is distinct and separate, if a single organization is awarded in two different Program Areas.

If we’ve provided an answer in Question #43, do we need to submit answers in Section 2 of the application with responses for all of the other Program Areas that we selected?

No. Only answer questions in the application FOR THE PROGRAM AREA that you are applying under. Do not answer any of the questions with regard to your other applications in other Program Areas. Questions in Section 2 in each application should only be about the program you are describing in response to the specific Program Area. You need multiple applications for multiple Program Areas. For every Program Area you are applying in, fill out the application for that Program Area separately.

Do we need to submit a separate budget for each application area of interest?

Yes. For every Program Area you are applying in, fill out the Budget Form for that Program Area separately.

I would like clarification regarding the question "Have you ever received a grant, funded contract, and/or funding from Los Angeles County?" How much of this funding should we try to capture in this question—would providing detail regarding the funding received in the last 5 years suffice?

You can limit your answer to contracts received in the last year. The narrative box is mostly there to support people who want to explain a single payment or amount of money they received from the County that it is less than 10 or 20 or $30,000.

How do you define “system-impacted” youth?

The CFCI Committee has not provided a definition for “system-impacted”. The CFCI Committee has provided the following guidelines: All CFCI funds are to be used to transform Los Angeles County with programs that serve chronically under-resourced communities and address negative outcomes caused by racially driven criminal legal system inequities and long-term economic disinvestment.

How is “direct service” defined?

The CFCI Committee has not provided a definition for “direct service”. Generally, direct services are specific and tangible activities, assistance, or interventions provided directly to individuals, families, or groups of people in need. Direct services focus on staff and/or supplies to deliver the services, rather than using funds for contractors and consultants, or building organizational capacity.

Does the term indigenous refer only to indigenous nations of North American or is this a reference to members of global indigenous community members living in LA Co?

The CFCI Committee has not provided a definition for “indigenous”. Program Area descriptions and language are not meant to be prohibitive or prescriptive. If you believe your program or project is a good fit for a particular Program Area, we encourage you to apply.

It says only one application per organization can be submitted; Can different organizations with the same fiscal sponsor apply?

Yes.

How long is the term of contract?

36 months (3 years).

Confirming that Chrome is an acceptable browser for accessing the application software?

Yes.

Are you supposed to apply once for multiple Program Areas or once per each Program Area?

You need multiple applications for multiple Program Areas. For every Program Area you are applying in, fill out the application for that Program Area separately.

Does the service area and the office have to be in the same location?

No.

To clarify, we can apply in and receive multiple sources of funding?

Each organization can submit one application per Program Area in which they have 2 or more years’ experience.

If we can’t move ahead in the online application without verifying/filling information, is there a document that has all the exact questions so we can prep before submitting in the portal?

It is strongly recommended that you write out your answers in a Word or other document, and cut and paste them into the online form. You can get a Word document of the application at www.amityfdn.org/tpa.

I have created several applications accidentally. Do I delete all other applications after I submit a completed application?

Deleting drafts (in progress applications) is not necessary.

Can you help us understand Question #17: Do you have any outstanding audit financial claims in the last 5 years?

Have you failed an audit by a funder and had to return funding? That would require a “yes” response, plus the nature of the financial claim, the amount, and the date.

Will the system work so it can be completed over time?

While you can save an application in progress in the system, there is a time-out function after 1 hour, and if you have not saved your application, it is possible for you to lose your work. It is strongly recommended that you write out your answers in a Word or other document, and cut and paste them into the online form when you are ready to submit.

Can you make edits to the application if you have already “saved and finish later” and moved on to another section?

Yes. You can make edits up until you submit the application.

Why are mobile numbers not valid phone numbers?

You can try removing the “xxx-xxx-xxxx” from the mobile phone field and see if that solves the error message problem.

We are a national nonprofit headquartered in Southern California, but have individual chapters. When answering the question about organization budget, are we discussing our national budget or our SoCal chapter budget?

Answer any organizational budget questions using information from the local chapter (SoCal) budget.

The list of attachments in the webinar states “ZIP codes.” Is there somewhere other than Question #41 in the application where we are also supposed to attach a separate list?

ZIP codes are to be provided in the application itself, in Question #41 as you identified. We recommend focusing on ZIP codes where you conduct the majority of your services, outreach, recruitment.

The checklist provided is, specifically, an “Application Document + Information-on-Hand Checklist.” It represents all of the information you should gather prior to starting an application.

Are responses to these questions permitted to be any length necessary to provide full detail?

The software defaults to a limit of 64,000 characters. We respectfully request responses that are between 250 and 500 words where possible.

We are fiscally sponsored by an organization that has a budget larger than 1.5 mil. Would that preclude us from applying?

No. Please DO NOT provide your fiscal sponsor’s annual budget information as Attachment #1. Do not answer any organizational budget questions in the application using your fiscal sponsor’s budget. We require information about the annual budget of your separate organization.

We serve people throughout multiple Supervisors districts--can we list all of them? or should we just list the District where our main office is located? Same question for SPAs, too.

You may select the boxes for all Districts where you provide services. You may select the boxes for all Service Planning Areas (SPAs) in which you provide services. Please explain your service area in your application. Provide the ZIP codes where you are providing services.

[10/23] Do you have any grant writing orgs you suggest working with?

It is up to the individual organization to select a proposal writer you feel comfortable with, should you choose to engage one.

_________________

Amity Foundation provided a technical assistance webinar earlier this summer that included documents and resources designed to help you create a better proposal. You can find links to these resources, including a full recording of the webinar, here: www.amityfdn.org/technical-assistance-webinar-info

There’s another good proposal writing resource here: https://grantadvance.com/grant-applications-goals-vs-objectives/

If you are looking for ideas about how to measure the results of your program or project, the links below might be especially helpful:

Amity Foundation Resource Directory Packet - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6050e8e53cea454e57494a2d/t/649d9de0ae86554375ac0cde/1688051168915/2023+Amity+TPA+Resource+Packet+PDF+with+Hyperlinks.pdf

Urban Institute Outcome Indicators Project (suggests outcomes for measuring 14 different types of programs / projects) - https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/performance-management-measurement/projects/nonprofit-organizations/projects-focused-nonprofit-organizations/outcome-indicators-project

Better Evaluation Rainbow Framework “Determine What Success Looks Like” - https://www.betterevaluation.org/frameworks-guides/rainbow-framework/frame/determine-what-success-looks

[1/2] Are we allowed to submit letters of recommendation from public officials to support our grant application?

The only accepted attachments are detailed on the “Attachments” tab. No additional attachments will be made available to reviewers.

[1/2] We are a small church and non-profit and as a (501) 3c, we have been advised we did not need to file tax returns as a church. Are there any other forms of documentation you accept from tax exempt entities who do not have the aforementioned documents?

You are correct to note that churches are exempt from filing a 990-tax form with the IRS. However, churches are required to submit a CA state tax form, form 199. The only forms we will accept for Attachment #1 include Federal 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S; and the State of California Form 199.

[1/2] On the Budget Form template, do we list positions that are crucial to the program but not being requested to be funded by CFCI?

You should include all staff that are required to deliver the program/project on your budget. All staff required to deliver the program or project that you are proposing are allowable “Personnel” line items. Please DO NOT include any line items in “Personnel” or “Nonpersonnel” sections that you are NOT requesting Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funds to support.

[1/2] Would you take a look at the draft budget and see if there is anything that stands out in the draft budget that looks incorrect?

Amity cannot provide any feedback on applications / application elements in progress. It is the responsibility of the applying organization to justify the program and/or services they propose, and to make a convincing argument that they are required, appropriate, and effective.

[1/2] If an organization is under a year old (as of 05/2023) and applies with a fiscal sponsor, what document can they provide for the tax document since the new organization will not have a 990 yet for 2022?

Please DO NOT provide your fiscal sponsor’s annual budget information as Attachment #1. Do not answer any organizational budget questions using your fiscal sponsor’s budget. We require information about the annual budget of your separate organization. You are required to submit documentation of your entire organization’s annual organizational budget in Attachment #1; we will accept tax forms for 2022. The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S; and the State of California Form 199.

[1/2] For faith based organizations, they are 990 exempt, what document do they need to submit?

Faith-based organizations may submit the State of California Form 199.

[1/2] We have a fiscal sponsor. Do we provide information regarding their board on our Leadership Characteristics Form?

Only provide information about your (applying organization’s) advisory board and/or leadership-level staff.

[1/2] In the Leadership Characteristics Form I was trying to highlight many of the PE teachers and coaches in the schools that demonstrate diversity working in these communities. There are 65 of them and there are not enough lines in the Form.

Your organization’s Board of Directors and Executive team / C-suite or leaders in charge of making decisions for the organization are the names that belong on the Leadership Characteristics Sheet. You can answer questions in the application about the diversity of staff (Questions #35 & #36).

[10/30] I didn’t file the business taxes for 2022 due to lack of income, however, I filed the personal taxes for 2022. Is there any room to consider applying?

The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S. Even if you have no income to report, it is mandatory for all businesses to file taxes in the State of California.

[10/23] What should I use for Attachment #1? Fiscally sponsored projects do not file separate tax returns. Our project is included in the fiscally sponsor tax return information.

Have your fiscal sponsor verify your individual organization’s 2022 total revenue on the fiscal sponsor’s letterhead, and use this as Attachment #1.

[10/23] I didn’t file the business taxes for 2022 due to lack of income, however, I filed the personal taxes for 2022.

The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S. Even if you have no income to report, it is mandatory for all businesses to file taxes in the State of California.

[10/11] For organizations that are part of a national 501c3, can they submit their regional, LA chapter budget?

Yes. Answer any organizational budget questions using information from the local chapter (SoCal / LA) budget.

[10/11] What financial documents are acceptable?

For Attachment #1, accepted documents include the 2022 IRS forms 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, 8879-TE, 568, or 1120-S. For churches, we will also accept the State of California Form 199.

Regarding the Leadership Characteristics Form, what type of information is the “affiliation” column looking for?

This is where you can list where your Board member works, the job title they hold, or other organizations they might volunteer for.

Regarding the Leadership Characteristics Form, may we just say “yes” or “no” in the LGBTQIA+ column?

There is not a “yes” or “no” option, only options in the drop-down menu are available. You can choose the “+ Other Identities” option if details are not available for privacy or other reasons. If you do not collect this information, leave the column blank.

What is the County department and address and what is the Amity address that should be listed on the Certificates of Insurance as described in the grant application?

PLEASE do not acquire or bind any insurance prior to submitting your application. Insurance is required before contracting, it is NOT required to apply. You may only charge NEW or ADDITIONAL REQUIRED insurance to this grant, and if you buy insurance before you are awarded, you will not be able to charge it to the grant. Should you be awarded, you will be provided with the County and Amity addresses you will need to list for additional insured.

When the application states budget do they mean the annual revenue? Because my organization is an LLC/S-Corp not a non-profit.

There are two different references to “budget” in the application. 1. We require an attachment to show your organization’s annual revenue; we will accept tax forms for 2022. The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S. We use Attachment #1 to determine your annual organizational revenue; that is all the document is required for. 2. You are also required to fill out a Budget Form that aligns with your proposed project or program using these funds, showing line items for all three years and how you intend to spend the money, should you be awarded. This is also a required attachment.

Regarding the budget I know you want organizations to include a copy of their taxes to show their "budget." For us smaller organizations are we limited/capped by our past budget for asking for more than our budget? What if our budget was not enough to accomplish what he needed, or we were at a loss? Do we only get the amount listed on our taxes or is it possible to be granted more than our “budget”?

We require 2 documents—a tax form for Attachment #1 in addition to a program or project budget on the Budget Form. The size of your organization / the amount of your annual revenue is not considered when your application is being scored. When you build the Budget Form for your program or project, ask for as much funding as you need to deliver the program or project you describe in your application.

What does it mean “cannot benefit Amity Foundation”?

If you receive an award through this funding opportunity, you may not use any of the money to pay Amity Foundation. None of the awarded funds can benefit Amity.

Could you please send over the Leadership Characteristics Form? We've run a thorough search through all the documentation we can find and still can't seem to find the form in question.

When you are in your application, go to the “Attachments” tab—it’s pretty far over on the right, the next-to-last tab before “Review My Application.” The Leadership Characteristics Form is linked under #4, “Board and Executive Leadership Names & Demographics Requirement.”

There is a paragraph that begins, “Download and fill out”—that’s where the form is. Hit the blue, bolded words “Leadership Characteristics Form” and you will automatically link to the “Helpful Resources” page at amityfdn.org. There’s a big orange button that says “Download Leadership Characteristics Form” and once you click on that, the form will download onto your device.

How can I show proof of payment or verification for my work? Do you accept alternatives to the W-2 form?

The purpose of Attachment #1 is to determine your annual organizational budget, or how much assets / income your organization works with over a 12-month period. The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S.

Can we add lines to the Budget Form?

It is strongly recommended that you use the form provided to the best of your ability. However, if you absolutely cannot show critical elements of your program or project budget due to the constraints of the form, email TPAGrants@amityfdn.org.

Edits that you make yourself to the Budget Form are not allowed. Amity will not accept an altered Budget Form.

If everything I need doesn’t fit on the Budget Form, should I combine line items in a single cell?

You can use Column F to explain any combinations or details about line items and amounts.

In the Budget Form, does the "Total for all 3 Years" portion of this template self-populate in all columns?

Yes.

How do I indicate on the Budget Form if there is more than one CBO partnering together on an application?

You can use Column F to explain details about line items and amounts. You could also label each line item with an acronym representing the organization it is assigned to.

We have PT staff who receive less benefits than FT staff. Is there a way to have different percentage of fringe benefits (for example 30% FT staff and 12% PT staff?)

There is not a way to calculate different fringe benefits for separate staff. You could try working out an average percentage that would suffice for your application, knowing that if you are awarded, the Amity accounting staff will work with you to make sure your budget is accurate. You can use Column F to explain the details.

If a second CBO is listed on the Subcontractor line, it looks like a monthly amount, plus monthly services and supplies. And then filling out Column F with the short explanation. Correct?

Correct.

Can we use the Budget Form Template from previous grant cycles?

No, the template has changed for Year 3, Program Areas 22-46.

Any particular requirements for leadership and board on the Leadership Characteristics Form?

Year 3 funding available through the Care First Community Investment Funding Opportunities prioritizes organizations with leadership that strongly reflects the characteristics of the population they serve. The Leadership Characteristics Form will be available to external reviewers and will be considered in scoring.

We have a national governing board that oversees national objectives, but we also have a SoCal advisory board. In the Leadership Characteristics form, should we answer for SoCal or national? How about for Direct Services Staff? What about for Board and Executive Leadership?

Answer questions on the Leadership Characteristics Form for the SoCal Chapter.

Can I use testimonies or verifications from some of the organizations I have been working with?

The only accepted attachments are detailed on the “Attachments” tab, in addition to the Budget Form. No additional attachments will be made available to reviewers.

How can we attach information for LLC partners that are not nonprofit?

We do not require professional organization status documentation for partners. The applying organization should provide an attachment that proves their status as a formally organized entity.

Can you review the breakdown of required attachments? Or where can we find a specific documents list?

Application Document + Information-on-Hand Checklist:

-Organization’s most recent tax return (Form 990, 2022 preferred)

-Proof of professional status (501c3, LLC, Fiscal Sponsor Agreement)

-Insurance documentation (not scored!) – Current COI -OR- quote from a broker -OR- attestation of insurance requirements

-Demographic breakdown of organization’s leadership (Leadership Characteristics Template – form provided)

-ZIP code(s) predominately served

-Funding request and program or project plan: Desired amount over 3 years, staffing, milestones, timeline, outcome (impact), etc.

-Budget form (Budget Form Template – form provided)

Our organization is fiscally sponsored. For Attachment 2, Proof of Professional Status Requirement, do we need to attach the 501c3 and a fiscal sponsor agreement?

All you need to provide is your fiscal sponsor agreement.

Is there a place in the online application system (or elsewhere) to submit additional supporting attachments, such as if we wanted to attach a one-page project design logic model summarizing our planned activities and intended outcomes?

The only accepted attachments are detailed on the “Attachments” tab, in addition to the Budget Form. No additional attachments will be made available to reviewers.

Where do we attach the Certificate of Insurance (COI)?

You can attach the Certificate of Insurance in the “Attachments” section (or tab) of the application.

Scroll down to Question #3, “Insurance Requirement.”

Then hit the “Choose File” button and select the COI document that you want to attach from your computer.

Be sure to hit the “Upload” button to upload the selected document.

Please explain the demographics form and what is required eligible for this opportunity.

The Leadership Characteristics Form is a required attachment for the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant, and must be submitted along with the other attachments for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be eligible for external review.

Year 3 funding available through the Care First Community Investment Funding Opportunities prioritizes organizations with leadership that strongly reflects the characteristics of the population they serve. The Leadership Characteristics Form will be available to external reviewers and will be considered in scoring.

The Leadership Characteristics Form does not impact eligibility.

Do I need to show proof of my business license when submitting the application?

A business license is not a required attachment for the application. After an application is submitted, there is an eligibility screening review where the lack of a business license may affect whether or not an application goes forward to external review.

Our organization has a total operating budget of $2.1M, but that revenue is for our foster family agency. Our [separate program], which is what we will be using for this opportunity, has an operating budget of only $175K (all private donations). Can we still apply or are we ineligible because of our foster family agency?

Organizations with budgets over $1.5MM are eligible to apply.

You are required to submit documentation of your entire organization’s annual organizational budget in Attachment #1; we will accept tax forms for 2022. The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S. You may not submit a program budget for Attachment #1.

We are fiscally sponsored by an organization that has a budget larger than 1.5 mil. Would that preclude us from applying?

No. Please DO NOT provide your fiscal sponsor’s annual budget information as Attachment #1. Do not answer any organizational budget questions using your fiscal sponsor’s budget. We require information about the annual budget of your separate organization.

Please email Amity at TPAGrants@amityfdn.org.

With regard to our Leadership Characteristics Form, whose information do we enter if we have a fiscal sponsor? Does an organization operating under a fiscal sponsor have to have a board?

You do not have to have an independent Board if you have a fiscal sponsor. You may answer the question regarding the decision-making individuals for your organization. Do not use information about your fiscal sponsor on the Leadership Characteristics Form.

[1/2] Is there a cap price or percentage maximum amount allowed or not allowed per year for renting a facility for the youth ?

There is no cap price amount or percentage for renting a facility for your youth program. Funds may be used to pay the rent of the LA County-based location used for the program or project.

[1/2] Does property that is needed as part of the project qualify for funding if I can keep each item under the $5,000 “capital costs” limit?

Any property of over $5,000 that appreciates or depreciates over time is considered a capital cost. Amounts under $5000 (for a required refrigerator, shed, piece of furniture or equipment, etc.) are allowed costs.

[1/2] We would like to use the funding from this grant to fix up some of our properties so that we can provide services like financial education and vocational services. Specifically, we would like to update the painting, flooring, tree trimming, and landscaping. Is it possible to use the grant in this way?

CFCI Care Grants are restricted to direct services. Property improvements are not allowed.

[1/2] We plan to supplement the rest of the project with other funding. Should we also count the time spent on the project NOT funded by this grant as part of this staffing?

The Budget Form should only be used to describe expenses you will charge to this grant, not as an indication of the full cost of elements that you will NOT be paying out of the grant. There are no extra points / consideration given to leverage or additional funds outside of the grant.

[1/2] We are wondering if food for program participants can be included as a funding line item?

This sounds like an allowable line item for your program or project. Be sure to provide the rationale in Column F on the Budget Form and to talk about the necessity of the provision of food for your participants in your narrative. Just a reminder that alcohol is a disallowed cost.

[1/2] Regarding the Program Director & Program Manager positions that we want for the programs, can we designate them as consultants with a 1099 arrangement?

It does not sound like this arrangement would pass the State of California's "ABC" law. Under the ABC test, an individual is presumed to be an employee, unless the hiring company can prove that the worker: 1) Performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; 2) Is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as the work performed; 3) Is free from the company’s direction or control while performing their duties. Failure to satisfy each of the three elements will result in an individual being classified as an employee. Should you be awarded, Amity can work with you to determine employee roles. Another question this raises is, does your organization have more than 2 years of experience providing the services you are proposing? If you need to hire all new staff and you do not have experience operating an organization with staff, this does question your capacity and ability to meet the Program Area requirements. Year 3 CFCI Care Grants are not intended to fund new organizations or start-ups.

[11/27] Is it okay to pay for California State filing fees and or USPTO government filing fees if it's for student/participants?

Yes, this is an allowable use of funding.

[11/27] I would also like to pay for 50 student/participants to have work boots and other items needed to get training and a job in the building/construction trade. Is that permitted as well?

Yes, this is an allowable use of funding.

[11/27] Can professional development be included in the cost of the project?

No. The Year 3 CFCI funds are to be used for direct services.

[10/23] Would you define “Project Management Costs”? Should we think about them as Admin/Indirect, or should we also include the Program Manager’s salary in this category?

A staff member such as a Program Manager is a Personnel cost. The 15% Project Management Costs are “indirect” costs or operations costs that go to your organization without needing to be assigned to a line item. Program Management Costs will not need receipts or other accounting backup to justify payment.

[10/23] What is the formula to find the hourly wage for a salaried position?

For Personnel who work 52 weeks a year (this can include vacation time, as long as they are paid throughout vacation), 40 hours a week, divide their salary total by 2,080 (52 weeks a year X 40 hours a week is 2,080).

[10/23] Are we required to have equal budgets for each year of the three-year grant?

Yes.

[10/23] Just to confirm, the funding available from this grant cannot be used to pay for salary of an existing employee?

You can pay the salary of an existing employee with the CFCI Year 3 funds.

[10/23] Does the number of people per dollar impacted, or any metric like that, have influence over the score of an application?

Reviewers are asked to determine if a budget is reasonable and feasible as compared to the number of people served, the staff required to do the work, and the type of work proposed.

[10/23] Can we use this funding to augment existing salaries (ex. if staff person A’s salary of $60K/annually is covered by a different grant, can we request $10K/annually to raise their salary?)

No, funds cannot be used to augment the salary of staff working on a different project / covered by a different contract. Funds must be used to cover costs exclusive to the CFCI Care Grant-funded project.

[10/23] Is depth of impact on participants, per dollar, viewed any differently than breadth of number of individuals impacted?

It is the responsibility of the applying organization to justify the program and/or services they propose, and to make a convincing argument that they are required, appropriate, and effective. Programs and services vary widely in intensity and duration and there are no set expectations about cost.

[10/23] If applying for different program areas is there a maximum amount in total that an organization can apply for?

You can apply for the maximum amount allowed in the program area to which you are applying in.

Can we buy a van with this money?

LA County has been clear that CFCI funds may not be used for capital costs. The purchase of a van is a capital cost (property over $5,000 that appreciates or depreciates over time). You could use funds to lease / rent a van for the three-year grant period.

Our Director is a 1099, can we pay for her out of the project management 15%? Or should we put her on the “consultant” line item?

You may list your Director on the “consultant” line item as a direct expense, and it is also allowable to pay your Director out of the project management percentage. It is the opinion of the Amity accounting team that there would be more of a benefit to your organization to assign your Director to the “consultant” line item in the Non-Personnel section, so the project management costs can be reserved for other expenses not directly associated with the award.

We understand that the TOTAL budget must be the same for all three years of the grant. But can individual line-item costs vary? For example, in the first year can we apply for program development funds and in the second-year program implementation?

Correct, line-item amounts may vary. It is only the total amount for each Program Year that must be equal (down to the penny).

Are there specific costs that are allowed or disallowed in the 15%-line item for project management? Is this what is typically also referred to as overhead?

With the exception of unallowed costs (see the “Unallowed Costs” tab on the Budget Form”), there are no receipts or invoices required for the 15% Program Management costs. They are the equivalent of “overhead” costs.

What do you mean about not being able to rent space to ourselves?

You cannot rent space from your own organization. If you own the space, you cannot charge yourself rent for using the space for CFCI funding. Rent paid to a landlord / property owner who is not your own organization is allowed.

Is facility cost an allowed cost with government funding?

Funds may be used to pay the rent, utilities, and other operating expenses of the LA County-based location used for the program or project.

Is insurance something you must have before applying, or can you add it as a cost within the budget for the grant being applied for?

You DO NOT need to have insurance in order to apply. You are encouraged to add the costs of any new or additional insurance to the “Insurance Costs” line item on the Budget Form. You cannot pay for / pay a portion of insurance you already have using the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant.

Give us examples of capital costs. Can you share a link?

Capital costs are expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life. This is from the Code of Federal Regulations, which LA County defaults to in questions about budgets. You can read more here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.439

Would office supplies include PCs and work equipment?

No, technically, PCs and other machines would be listed in the “Equipment” line item. Examples of “Office Supplies” include paper clips, pens, paper, and pencils. You can find line items like these in the “Non-Personnel” portion of the Budget Form.

Can we purchase video equipment and tools for filmmaking?

Yes.

Is it possible to use funding for the purchase of educational equipment for teaching the art of filmmaking and video production? Such as cameras, lights, and green screens?

Yes.

Is there a Budget Form that is fully editable? Our finance team had some edits to make on the locked cells.

Edits to the Budget Form are not allowed. Amity will not accept an altered Budget Form.

We will be adding subcontractors. Will Amity require a detailed budget for subcontractors or will a lump sum in the line item suffice?

A lump sum in the consultant line will suffice. Use the Column F narrative to describe the names and activities subcontractors / consultants are required to perform for the success of your project.

Are the numbers listed under “Monthly Salary” to be considered a sample or are they the limit of the personnel budget?

The provided amount in Row 7 is only a sample / example meant to help guide you. There is a minimum wage requirement: $16.90 in unincorporated Los Angeles County, and $16.78 in the City of Los Angeles. These amounts may go up in February 2024.

Do I put down the fringe benefit amounts in the hourly wages?

The fringe benefit percentage is entered in Cell B20, Cell B65, and Cell B110 in the Budget Form Template. The fringe benefit percentage is an overall percentage (applies to all staff salaries).

What are the parameters for the allowable Insurance Costs?

Insurance costs are an allowable line item on an applicant’s Year 3 CFCI Care Grant project budget. Insurance costs added to your project budget must be limited to new insurance costs attributable to the project; and/or insurance costs over and above what you currently pay for insurance that are required to contract for Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funds.

Would promotional materials such as pens with our logo on them be considered an unallowed advertising cost?

Correct. Such items are Unallowed Costs.

Are social media boosted posts / ads considered an unallowed advertising cost?

Yes. These are Unallowed Costs.

Are costs for equipment to create advertising materials (cameras, software, etc.) allowed?

Yes.

Is the number of weeks per year 52 if staff get vacation pay?

Yes. Paid vacation can be included in the number of weeks billed to the project budget.

Can costs include direct services for education and recreation for grades 3-12?

Yes.

What does “overlap” mean?

“Overlap” or double-dipping refers to a duplication of services, personnel, or other line items, where the line item is accounted for in one project budget and also shows up in a second project budget associated with the same organization. Significant backup documentation will be required to prove that any crossover of personnel, services, or other line items between awarded projects is distinct and separate.

Does this restriction [overlap] apply to CFCI funding a CBO may have received, or may request, from other TPAs or County Departments to deliver, augment and/or expand access to its justice-focused programs and services?

We cannot anticipate the requirements of other TPAs. In general, all government funding does prohibit replacing funds from other contracts, and disallows payment for the same staff, service, or line item twice.

Would funding still be considered “supplanting” funding if the original funding source is no longer available?

No.

Can we apply for a small portion of the funding for the first year, but a larger part of the funding in the second year?

No. You must request exactly the same amount of funding in each year. You may, however, distribute the funding to different line items each year.

If we have a full-time staff person whose salary is only covered 50% from another grant, and only for the first year of the grant, do you want us to show the full cost of the program? Or just the amount requested from this opportunity? Is there a place where we can explain?

In your Budget Form, only list the percentage of staff time you are charging to THIS project / THIS budget. If the staff person will be paid a different percentage over a specific period of time, use two lines in the budget to differentiate the percentage paid. There is a narrative column (Column F) where you can tell us more about the percentages or other information.

Can mortgage payments for an office building where services are delivered be part of allowed expenses?

Mortgage payments are not recognized expenses; only the interest is. Since an organization’s ownership of a building pre-dates the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant, only a portion of the interest could be allocated in the “rent” line item. You will be asked for back-up documentation to justify the percentage you are charging; it must relate only to the funded project, and not overlap with other usages for the office building for your other programs.

The RFP states that the budget has to be the same each year, but with staff COLA/Step increase, this has been a challenge. Does it have to be the same each year down to the dollar?

Yes.

Can we pay for rent of a building?

Funds may be used to pay the rent of the LA County-based location used for the program or project.

A lot of salaries are low for LA cost of living. Would it be “reasonable, feasible” to pay employees above average, such as 55-65k for staff not in leadership status?

The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant does not define salary levels beyond minimum wage. Apply for what you need to employ staff within the bounds of the minimum and maximum funding amounts for your Program Area.

Can the budget pay for a portion of a larger program budget?

The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant may not be used to replace payment for staff and services already covered by another contract. As long as there is no overlap with any current or previous CFCI or Non-CFCI awards, the budget you submit may be a part of a larger program / budget. No points are available for leverage and the budget will be considered as a standalone budget.

Is the 15% Project Management cost calculated across ALL direct costs? Or, like typical indirect cost calculations, does it automatically eliminate rents, equipment, technology.

The 15% Project Management cost is calculated across all line items for each year.

What about the salary and payment for employees, how does that affect the budget if employees may be the same across different Program Areas?

Applicants are eligible to receive awards in separate Program Areas, subject to a review that determines that the services provided will be distinct and not overlap with any current or previous CFCI or Non-CFCI awards. Should you be awarded in multiple Program Areas, and a review determines that there is overlap in services and/or staffing, amounts may be reduced to remove the overlap.

Is the fringe benefit percentage per staff or overall (all staff salaries combined)?

Combined / overall. Please enter only one number in the box designated for your percent fringe benefits cost.

Please clarify the “Project Management” line item.

The 15% Project Management costs are “indirect” costs or operations costs that go to your organization without needing to be assigned to a line item.

If we need to hire more people are there any restrictions around that?

No.

Can we budget salaries for new hires?

Yes.

What can the Project Management percentage pay for per budget guidelines?

The 15% Project Management costs are “indirect” costs or operations costs that go to your organization without needing to be assigned to a line item. You should refer to the “Unallowed Costs” tab on the Budget Form to better understand what costs are not allowed.

What is the consideration of an organization’s current annual budget and how much they can be awarded?

External reviewers will be provided with all submitted documents and will look at an organization’s annual budget as they work through scoring. It may raise concerns for a reviewer if an organization is asking for a funding amount that is many times over the organization’s typical annual budget. Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funding is intended for organizations that have been providing services for over 2 years, as opposed to new organizations or start-ups. That said, we recommend that you ask for a funding amount that will adequately cover your costs and allow you to deliver your program or project.

Can we ask for funding for existing programs?

Yes.

Can the organization hire independent contractors?

Yes.

Can In-Kind be included in budget?

It can be included on one of the fillable lines as a line item, but is not required.

Is there a minimum budget criteria?

Refer to the minimum and maximum funding amounts for the Program Areas. The minimum total amount of funding over three years is $150,000 ($50,000 per year).

If an item comes in under budget, will we be allowed a certain amount of using $$ for another item?

Awarded organizations will have the opportunity to modify their budgets 2 times per year. In the event that a budgeted amount turns out to be too little or too much, those funds can be moved from / to other line items to reflect the true cost and reallocate costs appropriately.

If we do not have insurance, is that something we should include in our budget for the program?

You may include insurance costs on your budget. Remember, you do NOT NEED TO HAVE INSURANCE in order to apply.

Do we count CEO, Program Manager, and then direct services providers in our total of staff? Or do we say only the Program Manager and direct services providers?

All staff required to deliver the program or project that you are proposing are allowable “Personnel” line items.

Please clarify the Fringe Benefits line item on the budget for salary: The directions say to add medical benefits and insurance there?

If your organization pays medical benefits and worker’s comp as part of employment, you may charge these costs as a percentage of the base salary you pay your employees and enter that percentage in the space provided. The Budget Form will automatically calculate a total.

The budget shows insurance as a line item as well below salaries. Do we note that this is under salaries?

The “Insurance” line-item in the “Non-Personnel” section of the budget is the amount you pay for organizational insurance such as general liability, auto, or other insurance as an organization. It is not the same as Fringe Benefits.

Do we include mileage, internet and phone cost per person under salary as well or under the line item budget section as other expense items?

These costs would be non-personnel expenses and belong in the line item budget section under “Non-Personnel.”

As an org with a budget over $1.5M and one that has received county funding, would our application be more competitive/looked at more favorably if we requested a smaller amount (e.g. the minimum amount)?

Project budgets are not considered when priority points (for a smaller annual budget / no County funding) are determined. Project budgets are scored based on the reviewer’s determination that they are feasible and reasonable. Reviewers will have access to annual budget information, but there is no scoring associated with comparing the annual budget to the project budget.

On the Q and A page there was a question asked about social media promotions or ads. If we are advertising the actual program if we are awarded and not specifically our business that is that allowed? For example, “You may qualify for free therapy if you meet zip code and other eligibility requirements.” To let the potential participants know that there are funds available for direct services? Are we allowed to use our own funds to advertise the program?

This type of advertising is allowed. You have understood the restrictions—you may not use the funding to generally promote your business, but you can advertise for clients to attend your funded program or activity. Should you be awarded, the CFCI Care Grant contract does not limit or put any restrictions on the way you spend funds not received through the Care Grant process.

I noticed that even our attempts to lower our costs on the budget sheet it's still somewhat high. My question is that when reviewed, instead of disqualifying due to our budget cost or if remaining balance amount to be distributed to small organizations is low, will organizations receive a lower amount in order to continue our efforts of serving our communities?

There is no score attached to the amount you request; it’s recommended that you request the amount you require to deliver the program or project that you propose. Any requests that are higher than the annual/total amounts will be evaluated based upon funding availability. Awards may be reduced, not awarded, or multiple awards may be made from a single application. Amity reserves the right to adjust or reduce the amount of funds awarded to individual organizations as needed. You will not be disqualified for asking for any amount of money above $50K/year or $150,000 total. $150,000 over three years is the minimum you are allowed to request.

Is there an average or median grant amount?

There is no average or median available. Awards in Years 1 and 2 ranged from the minimum to the maximum in all Program Areas. It’s recommended that you request the amount you require to deliver the program or project that you propose.

Is it likely that we will not receive the full amount we asked for?

There is no formula or process for reducing the amount of award based upon the requested amount; it’s recommended that you request the amount you require to deliver the program or project that you propose. Any requests that are higher than the annual/total amounts will be evaluated based upon funding availability. Awards may be reduced, not awarded, or multiple awards may be made from a single application. Amity reserves the right to adjust or reduce the amount of funds awarded to individual organizations as needed.

Can we use grant funds for a stipend to participants of a workforce training program?

Yes. Stipends should be entered in the Non-Personnel section of the Budget Form.

Will recurring insurance expenses be eligible expenses?

You are encouraged to add the costs of any new or additional insurance, and such insurance can be funded in each year of your grant. You cannot pay for / pay a portion of insurance you already have using the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant.

What budget are you looking for in a candidate for a contract?

The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant does not define budget limits beyond the minimum and maximum amounts that you may apply for. Create a budget that allows you to deliver the program or project you propose.

[1/2] If we as an LA County based organization wish to subcontract to another nonprofit that services LA County schools, but their administrative office in in New York, is that allowed?

There is not a process for checking on the location of subcontractors / consultants that the applicant might use in the delivery of their proposed program or project. It is the applying organization that must have an LA County ZIP code for administrative offices in order to be eligible.

[1/2] If an entity is headquartered in Riverside County, but with operations and a charitable impact on LA County, would that suffice?

The applying organization would need to have a LA County headquarters. If your administrative offices are not physically located in LA County, with a LA County ZIP code under the jurisdiction of a LA County Supervisor, you are not eligible for the CFCI Care Grants.

[1/2] Are we eligible to receive this collaborative grant as the lead organization despite not providing "direct service to youth and families"? In our proposed approach we would subcontract dollars directly to the organizations that do "direct service".

The applying organization needs to show 2 or more years’ experience of direct services experience in order to be eligible to apply for CFCI Care Grant funds. It sounds like the direct services providers would pass eligibility, but the larger supporting nonprofit would not.

[10/30] I’ve registered a business in the city of Los Angeles on January 2022, and I received a vendor ID number and EIN number. Do I qualify to apply?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying in LA County. It sounds like the applying organization would not pass the eligibility requirements.

[10/23] Do you need have your 501c3 documentation at the time of your application?

A 501c3 is not required; however, organizations must have been registered for at least 12 months/1 year as shown on the California Secretary of State website https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business. You may use a fiscal sponsor to apply for these funds if you do not have the required 12 months as an organization. Please visit the Fiscal Sponsor section, below.

[10/23] I work for a large nonprofit which has an international HQ in the Midwest, but we have an LA County HQ with staff devoted specifically only to the LA County area as well. Can we still apply?

The applying organization would need to be your LA County HQ with its own separate EIN and documentation. If your administrative offices are not physically located in LA County, you are not eligible for the CFCI Care Grants.

[10/23] If our administration and staff have experience providing direct services but our nonprofit is new would our new nonprofit qualify? We have not yet filed taxes so we don’t have tax returns yet?

You must have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If your nonprofit has been registered for less than 1 year, it is not eligible. You may want to consider a fiscal sponsor; fiscal sponsorship is an option for an organization that might not otherwise be eligible for this funding opportunity. Please visit the Fiscal Sponsor section, below.

[10/23] If we don’t have experience in a certain Program Area, are we able to subcontract to organizations that do offer direct services?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying in LA County. It sounds like the applying organization would not pass the eligibility requirements.

[10/23] I’ve registered a business in the city of Los Angeles on January 2022 and I received a vendor ID number and EIN number. Do I qualify to apply?

If you registered on or before January 5, 2022, you are eligible.

[10/11] Our organization serves youth experiencing homelessness, 25%-35% of whom have experience with the justice system, and 90% of whom identify as BIPoC. Are we qualified?

You are eligible to apply for funding. Based upon the information you have provided, it sounds like several Program Areas might be a good fit for you. Remember to target the program you propose to the populations specified in the Program Area.

[10/11] Will larger agencies have a shot at this grant?

Absolutely.

[10/11] Are LAPD affiliates such as “Topanga PALs” eligible for CFCI funding?

These funds are not intended for police or police-affiliated organizations.

[10/11] For Program Area 25, Access to Funding for Small Business, does an applicant have to have 2 years of experience in order to apply?

Since the Program Area references “start-ups,” the 2 years of services experience is waived.

[10/11] For Program Area 25, Access to Funding for Small Business, are the “education programs, academies, and workshops” for the businesses themselves, or for people who the businesses serve?

These are activities for the businesses themselves.

[10/11] We have opened a new program in LA this year. Since our LA program is new will this disqualify us from applying?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying in LA County. Your new LA County program would not be eligible.

[10/11] If we’ve received an LA County Department of Arts and Culture grant that is current, are we still eligible to apply?

If you have received LA County funding from any department, at any point, current or past, you are eligible to apply.

[10/11] Must we serve re-entry youth or justice department involved youth to be eligible?

No. If your project or program meets the needs and the populations specified in the Program Area description, we encourage you to apply. If you do not have the required experience with the population identified in the Program Area language, your application will not be competitive.

[10/11] Are orgs with budgets over 1.5 million disqualified from applying?

No. Organizations with budgets over $1.5MM are eligible to apply. Several large organizations have been funded in Years 1 and 2 of the CFCI Care Grants.

[10/11] If our organization received Year 1 CFCI funding, are we eligible for Year 3 funding?

Yes.

[10/11] For Program Area 27 - Sports and Play - is a dance program eligible for this program area?

This program area “is intended to provide youth development and diversion through sport and play." If you believe your proposed project meets this, and the other elements in the program description, we encourage you to apply.

[10/11] Are Amity STOP Program subcontractors eligible to apply for this round of funding?

Yes.

[10/11] If you have received a prior CFCI award are you still eligible to apply for this round of funding and if so do we need to mark the box yes for prior county funding?

Yes and yes.

[10/11] We recently applied for Year 2 funds and have not heard our status. Can we apply in Year 3?

Yes, we encourage you to apply in Year 3. You can use the same programs or concepts from your Year 2 applications as long as you have 2 or more years’ experience in the Year 3 Program Areas for which you apply.

[10/11] Our concept was selected for Year 3 and our language was used to describe the Program Area. Can we apply for funds in that same Program Area?

Yes. You may apply and you may use the same narratives / program elements as long as you have 2 or more years’ experience in the Year 3 Program Areas for which you apply.

If we're a nonprofit with a lot of art for mental health for low-income youth and families but we don't have experience with at-risk youth would we still qualify for this grant? Would our application be competitive?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying. If you do not have the required experience with the population identified in the Program Area language, your application will not be competitive.

Are single member LLCs eligible to apply?

Yes, as long as you have been organized as shown by the California Secretary of State online business search for a minimum of one year (since January 5, 2023). You can check your status here: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business

I have worked on a small scale with community therapeutic Art activations around the city of Los Angeles and Long Beach and haven't really received funding and many experiences I've created have been funded out of my own pocket, through donations or in tandem with my teaching at the CSULB. Will this impact my eligibility?

Sole proprietors are not eligible for the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant. This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying.

You must also have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If you are not applying as an organization that has been registered for more than 1 year, you are not eligible. You can check your status at https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov.

Should I still apply without certification? I didn't see a question regarding certifications on the q&a page.

No certification is required to be eligible to apply for these funds.

We have had a program for post-high school Opportunity Youth that has been on hiatus for 4 years. Would a proposal to revamp the program be considered eligible?

As long as you have more than 2 years serving the population / the elements described in the particular Program Area, yes, this would be an appropriate use of funding.

I own a mental health private practice in Long Beach. My business is an S-corp. Does my organization qualify to apply?

S-corps are eligible to apply. You must have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If your S-Corp has been registered for less than 1 year, it is not eligible.

I am a sole proprietor. Am I eligible to apply?

No, the funding opportunities are not open to sole proprietors. You must have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If your new organization has been registered for less than 1 year, it is not eligible.

We wanted to clarify whether new organizations like ours can still participate and/or whether you could guide us to other opportunities for startup nonprofits.

Care First Community Investment is focused on bringing County funds to providers who have been serving their communities for over two years but have never been able to acquire County contracts. In Year 3, there is an exception for applicants in Program Area 25, Access to Funds for Small, Minority-Owned Businesses. You must have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If your new organization has been registered for less than 1 year, it is not eligible.

We're located in Los Angeles, but some of our services go to people outside Los Angeles County. Are we allowed to apply for this funding?

Yes, you are eligible to apply. Understand that these funds are limited to services for LA County residents only, so you should have a system in place that lets you determine that only LA County residents are receiving the funded supplies/services.

Our Year 3 concept was selected for recommendation. Can we apply for a Year 3 grant using that concept?

Yes. You may use your accepted Year 3 concept to apply for Year 3 funds.

Is the LA County Probation Department eligible to apply?

No. LA County Departments and programs are not eligible for Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funds.

Does the service area and the office have to be in the same location?

No.

Can you clarify the eligibility of a current Awardee (Year 1) with over $1.5MM annual budget?

You are eligible to apply.

I have everything established in my proposal and have done already; can you review my proposal on YouTube before I continue filling it out and let me know if I qualify?

Amity Foundation is not reviewing applications. Applications are only eligible for the review stage if they have been submitted through the application portal. This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying. Additionally, organizations must be in Good Standing with the Secretary of State of California, and have been operating as a registered business for a minimum of 1 year. If you don’t have any organizational documentation, you might consider applying under a fiscal sponsor. Please see the “Fiscal Sponsor” section for more information.

Do you have to be a nonprofit to apply, or can you also be a for-profit business / LLC?

For-profit businesses and LLCs are eligible to apply.

Do we need a registry of charitable trust number/be in good standing with the registry of charitable trusts to be eligible?

Yes.

What caught my attention were your comments regarding the equity issue, specifically referring to orgs with mostly white leadership when they serve predominantly people of color. This is the case with our organization, and I wanted to know if it would exclude us from applying?

While we cannot make the determination about whether to apply for you, you have understood correctly that organizations with leadership that strongly reflects the population served will be prioritized. You are eligible to apply.

Please explain the demographics form and what is required eligible for this opportunity.

The Leadership Characteristics Form is a required attachment for the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant, and must be submitted along with the other attachments for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be eligible for external review.

Year 3 funding available through the Care First Community Investment Funding Opportunities prioritizes organizations with leadership that strongly reflects the characteristics of the population they serve. The Leadership Characteristics Form will be available to external reviewers and will be considered in scoring. The Leadership Characteristics Form does not impact eligibility.

What if our organization does not have a physical location/headquarters? We are 100% remote and our services are community-based and virtual.

You may apply with the understanding that CFCI Care Grant funds must be limited to services within LA County. Services outside of LA County are not eligible. You can use the address where you receive official documents (such as tax forms) as your headquarters address.

Does SPA 6 program area qualify to apply for this grant?

Yes. Service Planning Area 6 is in Los Angeles County.

Do you have to be a nonprofit organization in order to apply for the grant?

No.

Do you have to serve YOUTH to receive a grant?

No.

Our organization has a total operating budget of $2.1M, but that revenue is for our foster family agency. Our [separate program], which is what we will be using for this opportunity, has an operating budget of only $175K (all private donations). Can we still apply or are we ineligible because of our foster family agency?

Organizations with budgets over $1.5MM are eligible to apply. You are required to submit documentation of your entire organization’s annual revenue in Attachment #1; we will accept 2022 IRS Form 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, 8879-TE, 568, or 1120-S. You may not submit a program budget for Attachment #1.

Do organizations have to be registered to do business in “either” Los Angeles County or City of Los Angeles? Or is it Los Angeles County AND City of Los Angeles?

Organizations may have a business license in LA County OR a city within LA County. Both are not required.

Is this funding for work with justice-impacted adults only?

No.

Are organizations who offer diversion services disqualified because we partner with law enforcement? Or can the funds just not be applied to support diversion services?

No, you are not disqualified. The specific prohibition is “No funds are to be used for law enforcement purposes.” The question we suggest you answer for yourself is, are your diversion services considered to be law enforcement? All CFCI funds are to be used to transform Los Angeles County with programs that serve chronically under-resourced communities and address negative outcomes caused by racially driven criminal legal system inequities and long-term economic disinvestment. Another question you could think about is, do your diversion services foster transformation in disenfranchised / marginalized / over-policed communities?

I would like to know if my reentry program qualifies. It is located in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles 90059.

90059 is an LA County ZIP Code and meets the requirements for geographic eligibility.

Are we eligible to apply even though we are a 501c4?

501c4 organizations are eligible to apply. The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant is open to organizations that have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in providing direct services to individuals and families in the Program Area for which they are applying, and a minimum of 1 year as a formal organization registered with the California Secretary of State.

I am a professional with 19 years of experience in my field and want to transition to nonprofit services. Does my work experience qualify for the 2-year program existence requirement?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying. Additionally, organizations must be in Good Standing with the Secretary of State of California, and have been operating as a registered business for a minimum of 1 year. If you are an individual providing services and not incorporated in any way, the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant is not open to individuals.

What is “Good Standing”?

During the screening process, your organization will be searched for on the California Secretary of State bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov website. An example of an organization in Good Standing that meets the minimum requirements is https://www.amityfdn.org/s/GoodStandingOrgExample.png

On the right-hand side of the page, the “Initial Filing Date” is 11/27/1995. The initial filing date for the applying organization should be September 1, 2022 or earlier to qualify as a business that has been registered for one year or more.

I wanted to confirm LLCs businesses can apply. Our LLC is 1 year old but we have programming documented to have started April 2020. Would be still eligible to apply?

LLCs are eligible to apply. It sounds like your documentation is dated before January 5, 2023, and should satisfy eligibility requirements for organizations.

Is a joint powers authority eligible to apply for these grant funds?

It is not the purpose of Care First Community Investment to provide funding to government or public entities as part of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). All applications will be reviewed with that understanding.

We are a 501c3 primarily serving the prison and previously incarcerated communities. Do we fit in any of the Program Areas?

That determination cannot be made for you. Based upon the information you have provided, it sounds like several Program Areas might be a good fit for you.

Must the organization have 2 years of experience serving the reentry population?

No. Organizations must have a minimum of 2 years of experience delivering direct services in the Program Area under which they apply. Not all of the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant Program Areas focus on the reentry population.

Do you fund faith-based organizations?

Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply.

What if the organization serves City and County residents, can they still apply?

A resident’s city does not affect eligibility. Funds must go to programs, projects, and/or services for residents of ZIP codes in LA County.

Are 501c8 and/or grass roots organizations eligible?

Yes. Please submit your letter of determination or other business entity documentation as Attachment #2, Proof of Professional Status, along with your application.

As a new nonprofit seeking funding for a TAY housing program, may I still submit if we don’t have service history?

If your organization has under 2 years of experience providing services, it is not eligible; if your organization has not been a registered business entity for a minimum of 1 year, it is not eligible. If you meet the services requirement, you could consider a fiscal sponsor.

If we applied for a previous CFCI grant (not through Amity), are we still eligible to apply here?

You are still eligible, however any services funded through the CFCI Funding Opportunity Program Areas presented here must be distinct and not overlap with any current or previous CFCI awards.

We are fiscally sponsored by an organization that has a budget larger than 1.5 mil. Would that preclude us from applying?

No. Please DO NOT provide your fiscal sponsor’s annual budget information in Attachment #1. We require the annual budget of your separate organization. Do not answer any of the questions regarding your organizational budget in the application itself based upon your fiscal sponsor’s budget information.

If we have been funded by LA County, does that prohibit us from applying?

No.

Are organizations in all LA County ZIP Codes eligible to apply? Or only some ZIP codes?

All LA County ZIP codes are eligible. Organizations serving individuals in ZIP codes in Los Angeles County that are lowest services, highest need are prioritized for funding. You can find out the needs level / services level of the ZIP codes you are located in as well as the ZIP codes you serve by using the tools below:

Justice Equity Services Index (JESI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-services-index

Justice Equity Needs Index (JENI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-need-index

We offer an online training program that can reach businesses outside of LA County. Are we allowed to do that with these funds?

Funds must be limited to services within LA County. Services outside of LA County are not eligible.

Are public charter schools with 501(c )(3) status eligible?

Yes.

I recently dissolved my LLC. Can I apply with my new organization?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing those services in their Program Area of choice. If your organization has under 2 years of experience providing services, it is not eligible. Amity will consider leadership-level experience on a case-by-case basis, should the organization itself be under 2 years old. You must have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If your new organization has been registered for less than 1 year, it is not eligible.

My staff is all-volunteer. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes.

In the past we have received Purchase orders from LA County DMH, and are currently providing services to two Juvenile Halls through LACOE, does that disqualify us from participating?

If you have received LA County funding, you are still eligible to apply.

If we received a one-time funding opportunity for 20K last year from Los Angeles County, can we still apply? Or would this funding opportunity count against the organization due to the one-time grant opportunity?

Organizations that have never received any funding from LA County will be prioritized. You can tell us more about your LA County funding in the box provided in Question #20.

If our organization receives LA County CSBG funding, are we disqualified from applying for this proposal?

If you have received LA County funding, you are still eligible to apply.

If the funding from LA County was pass-through to an org we fiscally sponsored, does that lower our eligibility?

You are still eligible to apply.

[1/2] We have a fiscal sponsor. Do we provide information regarding their board on our Leadership Characteristics Form?

Only provide information about your (applying organization’s) advisory board and/or leadership-level staff.

[10/30] Can an organization apply in more than one category AND act as a fiscal sponsor for an org who is applying in another category?

This is acceptable as a fiscal sponsor can serve as a fiscal sponsor of an organization and apply for CFCI Year 3 funds in the Program Area for which it is applying in.

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying in LA County.

An acceptable fiscal sponsor will be a nonprofit organization that demonstrates sufficient experience as determined by Amity. Experience includes providing fiduciary oversight, financial management, insurance, and/or other administrative services to smaller organizations outside of / in addition to the applicant.

We are interested in subcontracting 3-4 smaller organizational partners. Is there a clear distinction between what is permitted to bring in a group under subcontractor status, as opposed to what would need us to categorize as fiscal sponsors to these partners?

There is not. The guidelines in the application for fiscal sponsors do not apply to subcontractors nor to awardees, should you be awarded and use the funding to subcontract.

I'm curious if there are any exceptions made to the fiscal sponsorship requirement. Our current fiscal sponsor is based in New York, but our work is centered here in Inglewood, and we have a reputable standing within the local arts community.

For this particular grant opportunity, fiscal sponsors must be located in the State of California. We can offer some resources for CA fiscal sponsors if you are interested. You may apply without a fiscal sponsor in place; you would need to attach a letter of attestation on your organizational letterhead saying you intend to have a fiscal sponsor in place prior to contracting (probably December). The language we require on your letter of attestation is specified on the Attachments tab in the application itself.

Can we get a list of possible fiscal sponsors currently working with the Amity Foundation?

Amity Foundation does not have partnerships / direct relationships with fiscal sponsors, but if you email us at TPAGrants@amityfdn.org, we can provide a short list of fiscal sponsors we are comfortable recommending. We have sourced the fiscal sponsors from the following directory: (Fiscal Sponsor Directory.org / California), https://fiscalsponsordirectory.org/?page_id=997, which is available for your own research. You may submit a contract with a fiscal sponsor of your choosing who is not on any of these lists, as long as the following conditions are met.

• By the contract execution date, you must have a signed agreement in place with a fiscal sponsor that has been approved in writing by Amity, or the award will be rescinded.

• An acceptable fiscal sponsor will be a nonprofit organization that demonstrates sufficient experience as determined by Amity. Experience includes providing fiduciary oversight, financial management, insurance, and/or other administrative services to smaller organizations outside of / in addition to the applicant.

• Fiscal sponsors must be based in California, must be registered with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of one year prior to the application deadline, and must have a status of “Good Standing.”

• The fiscal sponsor must be willing to obtain insurance at the required amounts of coverage, and name the applicant (provider organization), the County, and Amity as additional insured.

• Amity will, at its sole discretion, determine if a fiscal sponsor’s documentation is sufficient and acceptable, or if additional information is needed. Amity reserves the right to not accept an applicant based upon review of a fiscal sponsor’s experience and documentation.

It says only one application per organization can be submitted; Can different organizations with the same fiscal sponsor apply?

Yes.

Is there a cap on the fee that can be charged by a Fiscal Sponsor?

No.

Community Partners as a fiscal sponsor charges 15% administration fees. Is the full 15% an allowable expense?

Yes.

As a fiscal sponsor, can more than one of our clients apply for the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant Funding Opportunity?

Yes.

Are you ineligible if you are without a fiscal sponsor?

Fiscal sponsorship is an option for an organization that might not otherwise be eligible for this funding opportunity. Fiscal sponsorship is not required. The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing those services. You can use the chart on page 13 of the PDF of the application if you need to make a determination about applying with or without a fiscal sponsor. Please contact Amity at TPAGrants@amityfdn.org if you would like help identifying a fiscal sponsor.

Can I partner with a Unified School District as a fiscal sponsor?

Yes.

We are fiscally sponsored by an organization that has a budget larger than 1.5 mil. Would that preclude us from applying?

No.

What is a fiscal sponsor? A company that is donating funds?

A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization that provides fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to help build the capacity of an organization. A fiscal sponsor usually charges a fee for these services.

Does my fiscal sponsor have to serve the same population?

No.

[1/2] Do we include funding we received as a subcontractor to an agency that received the direct funds?

No.

[10/23] I have not received a direct services contract with LA County but have operated as a subrecipient of LA County funds, functioning as subcontractors to the primary contractor. Have I been funded by LA County?

As your organization has never independently contracted with LA County, you would answer “No” to Question #18.

[10/11] Do LAHSA contracts count as County contracts?

No.

We have two grants where State and Federal dollars flow through the County. So, we contract with the County, but these grants are not County dollars. Should we list these on the application?

If your organization has never received funding from LA County, your application will be prioritized for CFCI funding through the scoring process. Please explain the source of the funds, what they are for, etc., even if the funds have flowed through the County. Please provide more information about your LA County funding in the box provided in Question #18. This information will be used to help inform priority points. You only need to list contracts from the last year or two.

Do we need to list all awards we have ever gotten from the County in Question #20?

You can limit your answer in Question #18 to contracts received in the last year or two. The narrative box is mostly there to support people who want to explain a single payment or amount of money they received from the County that it is less than 10 or 20 or $30,000.

What do I do if I can’t fit my entire answer in Question #18?

If you do not have enough space to describe your previous funding, you can use the answer field in Question #17 (audit narrative box) for the rest of your response. Use the phrase “Answer continued from Question #18:” and then continue with your explanation.

Since the application asks for info from 2022 and we received a small grant in 2023, should it be listed?

If you have ever received funds from LA County, including if you have been awarded but have not received a contract or your reimbursement yet, you should respond “yes” to Question #18. Be sure to explain more about the funds, including the fact that you have not received them yet, in the provided narrative field.

Does this include the Economic Opportunity Grant / does this include the recent Creative Recovery LA grants?

Yes. Please provide more information about your LA County funding in the box provided in Question #18. This information will be used to help inform priority points.

Are funds from a Supervisor considered LA County Funds?

Yes.

Does funding by the County include CFCI funding that we just received?

Yes.

Is the Department of Health Services considered County funding?

Yes.

If we have just received notice that we will be receiving our first County grant after 15 years as a 501c3 but we will not receive any actual funds until August 2023, does that count as having already received County funding?

Yes. Please provide more information about your LA County funding in the box provided in Question #18. This information will be used to help inform priority points.

If we have been funded by LA County, does that prohibit us from applying?

No.

In the past we have received Purchase orders from LA County DMH, and are currently providing services to two Juvenile Halls through LACOE, does that disqualify us from participating?

No. Even if you have received LA County funding, you are still eligible to apply.

We also worked under the Transforming LA Initiative under LA County DMH last year and are waiting to hear about it going forward for the second half of this year.

If you have received LA County funding, you are still eligible to apply.

If we received a one-time funding opportunity for 20K last year from Los Angeles County, can we still apply? Or would this funding opportunity count against the organization due to the one-time grant opportunity?

Organizations that have never received any funding from LA County will be prioritized. Please provide more information about your LA County funding in the box provided in Question #18. This information will be used to help inform priority points.

How do you determine if organizations have experienced barriers to accessing County funding?

If your organization has never received funding from LA County, your application will be prioritized for CFCI funding through the scoring process.

What if our organization has received funding from the County through a different office/initiative? Are we disqualified?

If you have received LA County funding, you are still eligible to apply.

If our organization receives LA County CSBG funding, are we disqualified from applying for this proposal?

If you have received LA County funding, you are still eligible to apply.

If we receive minimal funds from the LA County of Arts and Culture's OGP program and/or a Supervisor’s discretionary funds, how does that effect our application?

If you have received LA County funding, you are still eligible to apply. Organizations that have never received any funding from LA County will be prioritized. Please provide more information about your LA County funding in the box provided in Question #18. This information will be used to help inform priority points.

Does county funding mean dollars from Supervisors?

Yes.

If the funding from LA County was pass-through to an org we fiscally sponsored, does that lower our eligibility?

You are still eligible to apply.

We have various distribution locations within Los Angeles County. Can any of these locations [list of cities in LA County] be used as our Los Angeles County service address?

Yes, all Los Angeles County ZIP codes where you provide services are accepted in response to Question #41, “List the ZIP codes you intend to serve with the project or program that you are proposing in this application.”

Most of our services are online. Can I provide services online with clients, or do the services need to be in person only?

Funds can only go to support residents of LA County, and there are ZIP code questions regarding your service area in the application that impact your score. Should you be awarded, there will be extra steps to determine that the funds you receive are limited to LA County residents.

Does the service area and the office have to be in the same location?

No.

How many points would an organization get if they serve a high service and high need area, like downtown? How many points would an organization get if they serve a high service, low access and high needs area, like Lancaster / Palmdale?

ZIP codes can receive up to 5 priority points for being lowest services, and 5 priority points for being highest needs. Lowest services = 5 points, low services = 4 points, moderate services = 3 points, high services = 2 points, and highest services = 1 point. The needs scoring uses the same point spread. To see if the Los Angeles County ZIP codes you are serving are lowest services, highest needs, you can look them up on the JESI and the JENI tools, which are the only tools being used to evaluate ZIP codes:

Justice Equity Services Index (JESI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-services-index

Justice Equity Needs Index (JENI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-need-index

What if we serve multiple ZIP codes that vary across those scales?

The mean and median scores are calculated to arrive at the points awarded.

What if where we provide services is different from the communities our clients come from?

Provide the ZIP codes of those you serve in Question #41 “List the ZIP codes you intend to serve with the project or program that you are proposing in this application.” You can explain further in Question #42.

We provide services at several locations. How would we describe it? In the #36 box?

Yes, this is one of several places in the application where you are invited to fully describe the location(s) where you deliver services. Questions #10, 11, and 12 are also available for you to give more detail about where you are located and where you provide services.

If our services are provided in prisons and juvenile detention facilities, how should we determine our ZIP codes?

It sounds like the ZIP codes you serve are the ZIP codes where the prisons and juvenile detention facilities are located. If you collect the ZIP codes of the people you serve in these facilities, these are also ZIP codes you serve. To see if the Los Angeles County ZIP codes you are serving are lowest services, highest needs, you can look them up on the JESI and the JENI:

Justice Equity Services Index (JESI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-services-index

Justice Equity Needs Index (JENI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-need-index

The location of services and students I serve are in high needs areas, but my organization’s ZIP code is not high needs. How can I identify that in the application?

We understand that service providers may have a business address that is different from the addresses where they provide services. Questions #8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are available for you to give more detail about where you are located and where you provide services. In Question #41, list the primary ZIP codes where you recruit / provide services. You may further explain your service population in Question #42.

What is meant by “high need areas?” Level of violence? Income levels?

Amity Foundation will use the JESI and JENI tools to see if the Los Angeles County ZIP codes you are serving are lowest services, highest needs.

Justice Equity Services Index (JESI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-services-index

Justice Equity Needs Index (JENI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-need-index

Can we specify high needs census tracks, especially if there is variance in ZIP code?

We will need for you to provide the ZIP code information. You can tell us more about census tract-level information in your narrative in Question #42.

We serve all of LA County. How many ZIP codes would you recommend we include?

Only list ZIP codes where you provide the majority of your services and/or conduct MOST of your outreach and recruiting.

What if we propose a project in a different service area that doesn't match our ZIP code?

We understand that service providers may have a business address that is different from the addresses where they provide services. Questions #8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are available for you to give more detail about where you are located and where you provide services. In Question #41, list the primary ZIP codes where you recruit / provide services. You may further explain your service population in Question #42.

The physical address of our office is not the same as each staff member. Members work hybrid and at locations such as schools, charter sites, non-profit auditoriums or community libraries.

We understand that service providers may have a business address that is different from the addresses where they provide services. Questions #8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are available for you to give more detail about where you are located and where you provide services.

How is the funding distributed equitably across Districts when it has been determined that there is a greater need in some Districts?

Amity Foundation will use the JESI and JENI tools to see if the Los Angeles County ZIP codes you are serving are lowest services, highest needs.

Justice Equity Services Index (JESI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-services-index

Justice Equity Needs Index (JENI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-need-index

According to the JESI and the JENI, there are lowest services, highest-needs ZIP codes in all Supervisor Districts.

[10/30] For the Certificate of Insurance, could you tell me what address we should input for Los Angeles County. And, for citing Amity, should we just cite "Amity", or "Amity Foundation"?

PLEASE do not acquire or bind any insurance prior to submitting your application. Insurance is required before contracting, it is NOT required to apply. You may only charge NEW or ADDITIONAL REQUIRED insurance to this grant, and if you buy insurance before you are awarded, you will not be able to charge it to the grant. Should you be awarded, you will be provided with the County and Amity addresses you will need to list for additional insured.

What is the County department and address and what is the Amity address that should be listed on the Certificates of Insurance as described in the grant application?

PLEASE do not acquire or bind any insurance prior to submitting your application. Insurance is required before contracting, it is NOT required to apply. You may only charge NEW or ADDITIONAL REQUIRED insurance to this grant, and if you buy insurance before you are awarded, you will not be able to charge it to the grant. Should you be awarded, you will be provided with the County and Amity addresses you will need to list for additional insured.

Regarding the different insurance policies necessary to participate, can you provide an estimate of the costs that past awardees have paid for their insurance policies in each of the insurance categories?

Insurance quotes can vary widely, and it is expected that organizations will do the footwork to find costs that work best for them. Resources we feel comfortable recommending include Charity One Insurance (charityoneinsurance.com) and Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (insurancefornonprofits.org). You may use any provider you choose, however, as long as you meet the required coverages.

Are the various insurance policies necessary for participation allowed to be placed into the budget for the award, or do awardees need to?

Only NEW and ADDITIONAL insurance costs can be added to your program or project budget, and you can charge 100% of your new / additional costs to the grant. You DO NOT have to have insurance or a quote in order to apply.

Will recurring insurance expenses be eligible expenses?

You are encouraged to add the costs of any new or additional insurance, and such insurance can be funded in each year of your grant. You may not pay for / pay a portion of insurance you already have using the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant.

Is insurance something you must have before applying, or can you add it as a cost within the budget for the grant being applied for?

You DO NOT need to have insurance in order to apply. You are encouraged to add the costs of any new or additional insurance. You may not pay for / pay a portion of insurance you already have using the Year 3 CFCI Care Grant.

Can you confirm if a company with only 1 employee needs to provide proof of worker’s compensation insurance?

If the 1 employee is, indeed, employed as a direct report, and is not the Executive Director and/or sole owner-operator, then yes, worker’s comp is required.

If the one employee is the owner-operator, then no, worker’s comp is not required.

Must we have ALL of the insurances listed or does it depend on the type of organization? For example, would $1M general liability for housing suffice?

The insurance classifications and levels are mandatory.

What address should we put on the COI for the certificate holder?

You will not be required to produce a COI with named certificate holders until the contracting stage. The General (Commercial) Liability policy will need to name Amity and LA County as added insured, should you be awarded. Please attach your COI as it appears currently, if you have one.

Should organizations just upload a PDF document to indicate their insurance status if they don’t have the required COI?

The attachment to fulfill the insurance requirement should be one of the following three documents:

A. Certificate of Insurance (COI) with your current insurance provider.

B. A cost quote on the listed coverages from an insurance broker.

If you cannot provide either (A) or (B), attach

C. A letter signed by your authorized official stating that “[NAME OF ORGANIZATION] attests that we do not have any insurance policies or coverage at this time. [NAME OF ORGANIZATION] understands that we will be responsible for meeting required insurance limits prior to contracting.”

The coverages required for contracting are as follows:

1MM Commercial General Liability; policy must name LA County, its agents, and Amity as additional insured

$2MM General Aggregate

$1MM Products / Completed Operations Aggregate

$1MM Personal and Advertising Injury

$1MM Each Occurrence

Professional Liability – Errors and Omissions

$1MM per claim

$2MM aggregate

Automobile Liability (if applicable, for instance, transporting clients)

$1MM Bodily Injury and Property Damage for each single accident

Includes owned, leased, hired, and/or non-owned automobiles

Employers’ Liability / Workers Compensation

Coverage with limits not less than $1MM per accident

Sexual Misconduct

Limits not less than $1MM per actual or alleged claim of sexual misconduct and/or molestation, abuse, harassment, mistreatment or maltreatment of a sexual nature

$1MM aggregate

Who needs to be listed on the insurance and what are their addresses as needed by the insurer?

PLEASE do not acquire or bind any insurance prior to submitting your application. Insurance is required before contracting, it is NOT required to apply. You may only charge NEW or ADDITIONAL REQUIRED insurance to this grant, and if you buy insurance before you are awarded, you will not be able to charge it to the grant. Should you be awarded, you will be provided with the County and Amity addresses you will need to list for additional insured.

[10/23] What should I use for Attachment #1? Fiscally sponsored projects do not file separate tax returns. Our project is included in the fiscally sponsor tax return information.

Have your fiscal sponsor verify your individual organization’s 2022 total revenue on the fiscal sponsor’s letterhead, and use this as Attachment #1.

[10/23] We are a fully philanthropically funded program within a large institution - we do not have separate financial statements and instead are wrapped up in the large institution. This distorts our financial picture and need. How would we best demonstrate this need while meeting the attachment requirements of the application?

While you are correct that you must provide the tax document / annual revenue for the entire organization, you should use the narrative box in Question #18 to describe your circumstances.

[10/23] What was the percentage of organizations with a budget larger that $1.5MM that were awarded in previous rounds of funding?

About 15-20% of CFCI Care Grant funding went to organizations with annual revenue greater than $1.5MM.

[10/11] What financial documents are acceptable?

For Attachment #1, accepted documents include the 2022 IRS forms 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, 8879-TE, 568, or 1120-S.

[10/11] The 990 generally covers gross proceeds. Operating budgets are usually fluid, If our gross proceeds are over the threshold but our operational budget is just under the threshold will we be eligible?

The size of your organizational budget has nothing to do with your eligibility. You are eligible whether or not you are over the $1,500,000 threshold. We use Attachment #1 to determine annual organizational revenue so we can assign priority points. Organizations with annual revenue under $1,500,000 receive priority points.

When the application states budget do they mean the annual revenue? Because my organization is an LLC/S-Corp not a non-profit.

There are two different references to “budget” in the application. 1. We require an attachment to show your organization’s annual revenue; we will accept tax forms for 2022. The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S. We use Attachment #1 to determine your annual organizational revenue; that is all the document is required for. 2. You are also required to fill out a Budget Form that aligns with your proposed project or program using these funds, showing line items for all three years and how you intend to spend the money, should you be awarded. This is also a required attachment.

Regarding the budget I know you want organizations to include a copy of their taxes to show their "budget." For us smaller organizations are we limited/capped by our past budget for asking for more than our budget? What if our budget was not enough to accomplish what he needed, or we were at a loss? Do we only get the amount listed on our taxes or is it possible to be granted more than our “budget”?

We require 2 documents—a tax form for Attachment #1 in addition to a program or project budget on the Budget Form. The size of your organization / the amount of your annual revenue is not considered when your application is being scored. When you build the Budget Form for your program or project, ask for as much funding as you need to deliver the program or project you describe in your application.

May we submit the 2022 Form 990-N for Attachment #1?

Yes, Form 990-N is accepted.

What if you do not have audited financials?

Audited financials are not required. For Attachment #1, accepted documents include the 2022 IRS forms 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, 8879-TE, 568, or 1120-S.

Do you have a preferred template for the Organizational Budget?

For Attachment #1, accepted documents include the 2022 IRS forms 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, 8879-TE, 568, or 1120-S.

Does the committee favor deficit budgets over balanced?

Applications are reviewed and scored by reviewers from the community; the Annual Organizational Budget / Attachment #1 is only used to confirm whether or not an organization is smaller than $1.5MM a year. Deficit or balance is not used in the scoring rubric.

Can the 990 reported earnings be under what the annual budget is?

We are requesting the applicant’s 2022 tax forms to determine annual revenue. If you have a 990, that is the only form you should upload.

Our organization has a total operating budget of $2.1M, but that revenue is for our foster family agency. Our [separate program], which is what we will be using for this opportunity, has an operating budget of only $175K (all private donations). Can we still apply or are we ineligible because of our foster family agency?

Organizations with budgets over $1.5MM are eligible to apply.

You are required to submit documentation of your entire organization’s annual organizational budget in Attachment #1; we will accept tax forms for 2022. The tax forms accepted include the 2022 990, 990N, 990EZ, 990 postcard, Form 8879-TE, Form 568, or Form 1120-S. You may not submit a program budget for Attachment #1.

We are fiscally sponsored by an organization that has a budget larger than 1.5 mil. Would that preclude us from applying?

No. Please DO NOT provide your fiscal sponsor’s annual budget information as Attachment #1. Do not answer any organizational budget questions using your fiscal sponsor’s budget. We require information about the annual budget of your separate organization.

If our annual budget is larger than $1.5M but we serve high need areas, is that still considered a priority?

Organizations with annual budgets under $1.5MM receive priority points. Organizations physically LOCATED IN ZIP codes classified as lowest services, highest needs using JENI and JESI tools receive priority points. Organizations that SERVE ZIP codes classified as lowest services, highest needs using JENI and JESI tools receive priority points.

Justice Equity Services Index (JESI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-services-index

Justice Equity Needs Index (JENI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-need-index

In the last round, were any awards made to CBOs that have had LAC contracts in the past and budgets over $1.5M? In other words, did any non-prioritized applications receive an award?

Yes.

What percentage of funding will be made available to organizations with budgets above $1,500,000?

No funding is set aside for organizations with annual budgets over $1.5MM.

How do you define "organizational budget"? Is it based on revenue or expense? Does it include in-kind?

Base your Organizational Annual Budget on revenues over 12 months. Reporting in-kind donations of time or services is voluntary. The IRS requires you to include non-cash contributions of property. Most organizations have a start date of Jan. 1 or July 1 to calculate annual revenue. Amity will look at the amount of your revenue over 12 months to determine priority points.

How would you advise us to make a distinction between the large foundation Organizational Annual Budget we are applying with and the budget of the smaller program that offers the services?

The narrative box in Question #15 is provided for any information you would like us to consider about your Annual Organizational Budget. A project or program budget cannot be substituted for an Annual Organizational Budget.

Will we lose points if we submit the 2021 990?

We will accept 2021 tax returns. The attachment (Attachment #1 – Annual Organizational Budget Attachment) is not scored. It is a required document for your application to be considered complete.

We file a 990 EZ postcard with IRS for 2022, meaning our income was below $50,000. Do you want the Excel where it shows our financials?

We prefer a copy of the 990EZ postcard.

I never made any revenue under my business license because I tried filing for a 501c3?

It is mandatory for all corporations to file tax returns, even if the business was inactive or did not receive income. Please attach the most recent tax return for the applying organization (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, etc.) to fulfill requirements for Attachment #1.

Our most recent tax return is from 2021, are we still eligible?

Yes.

I would like to know which documentation I can submit in lieu of Income Tax Return, since my organization is a 501 C3 nonprofit.

501c3s are required to file tax documents. If your annual gross receipts are under $50,000 a year, you are required to file a 990N.

We plan to subcontract with multiple smaller agencies. I know my agency has to submit its 990 form; do we have to submit 990s of any other documentary evidence of our subcontractors’ annual budgets?

No, we only request the tax forms of the applying organization. You may want to tell us more about your subcontractors in your narrative, including if you provide a significant portion of their annual budgets and/or if they have annual budgets under $1.5MM.

What can we submit if we are a new organization who hasn’t filed a tax return?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying. Additionally, organizations must be in Good Standing with the Secretary of State of California, and in operation as a registered business for a minimum of 1 year (1/5/2023).

Can I submit 2020 tax documents?

We prefer 2022 tax documents, will accept 2021, and would like to talk more if you don’t have your 2021 document yet. Please email TPAGrants@amityfdn.org.

What if a tax return has not been processed or info sent back to the nonprofit due to an IRS issue?

We prefer 2022 tax documents, will accept 2021, and would like to talk more if you don’t have your 2021 document yet. Please email TPAGrants@amityfdn.org.

[10/23] We have over 10 years program experience in the schools and communities we work in but were only incorporated as a nonprofit in March 2021. Can we still apply?

Your incorporation date of March 2021 would make your organization eligible for the Year 3 CFCI funding. Describe your years of experience in your narrative. In Question #20, enter the “10” as the number of years you have been providing services.

Is there a specific reason why newer organizations (less than a year of operation/existence) are ineligible for applying for the grants?

Currently, Care First Community Investment is focused on bringing County funds to providers who have been serving their communities for over two years but have never been able to acquire County contracts. That focus may change. You might consider a fiscal sponsor if you have not been organized for at least 1 year; please see the “Fiscal Sponsor” section.

If you are long-established organization, but have a new program under two years, does that qualify?

No. This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing services in the Program Area for which they are applying.

Will there be technical support offered with the grant?

Yes.

Do we need a registry of charitable trust number/be in good standing with the registry of charitable trusts to be eligible?

Yes.

As a new nonprofit seeking funding for a TAY housing program, may I still submit if we don’t have service history?

An organization with less than 2 years of experience delivering services in the Program Area for which it is applying is not eligible for funding.

Can my extensive experience in the field be considered in lieu of the 2 years of service experience required?

Amity Foundation will look at these issues on a case-by-case basis based on what the applicant can submit to support experience. Please email us at TPAGrants@amityfdn.org.

You must have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If your new organization has been registered for less than 1 year, it is not eligible. You might consider a fiscal sponsor in this case; please see the “Fiscal Sponsor” section.

What if my non-profit is under a year now and my other company had a contract for 3 years but ended in 2021?

This funding opportunity is open to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families and that have a minimum of 2 years of experience providing those services. If your organization has under 2 years of experience providing services, it is not eligible. You must have been registered as an organization with the California Secretary of State for a minimum of 1 year in order to be eligible. If your new organization has been registered for less than 1 year, it is not eligible. You might consider a fiscal sponsor in this case; please see the “Fiscal Sponsor” section.

[1/2] Can an NPO partner with a government agency? We partner with the Sanitation District of Los Angeles County's Education Department and we offer STEM classes to students in underserved areas. Could we submit a joint proposal with them or are government agencies not allowed to collaborate?

CFCI Care Grant funds may not be granted or distributed to government entities/agencies. You are encouraged to apply and describe the partnership, but no line items / funding should be dedicated to the Sanitation District.

[1/2] For program area 22, am I correct in my assumption that an organization will be responsible for providing rental assistance grants for this service population? So a portion of the grant will be used to provide mini rental assistance grants to qualified individuals?

Looking at the language in Program Area 22, providing rental assistance subsidies, stipends, and/or payments would be an allowable use of funding. Mini grants with an application process are not required or defined. It is up to the applying organization to justify the program elements that you feel best meet the needs of your participants and the Program Area description.

[1/2] Could a CBO apply to receive funding as lead applicant, and also be included as support services partner within another CBO's application?

Yes. Understand that, should both projects be awarded, there will be a review to determine that there is not a duplication of services, personnel, or other line items, where the line item is accounted for in one project budget and also shows up in a second project budget associated with the same organization. Significant backup documentation will be required to prove that any crossover of personnel, services, or other line items is distinct and separate.

[1/2] We would like to use the funding from this grant to fix up some of our properties so that we can provide services like financial education and vocational services. Specifically, we would like to update the painting, flooring, tree trimming, and landscaping. Is it possible to use the grant in this way?

CFCI Care Grants are restricted to direct services. Property improvements are not allowed.

[1/2] We are wondering if food for program participants can be included as a funding line item?

This sounds like an allowable line item for your program or project. Be sure to provide the rationale in Column F on the Budget Form and to talk about the necessity of the provision of food for your participants in your narrative. Just a reminder that alcohol is a disallowed cost.

Can we buy a van with this money?

LA County has been clear that CFCI funds may not be used for capital costs. The purchase of a van is a capital cost (property over $5,000 that appreciates or depreciates over time). You could use funds to lease / rent a van for the three-year grant period.

[10/23] How would a coalition of separate organizations go about applying for this under one single application? Should one organization apply for all funding with individual organization needs detailed on the budget sheet or should each organization apply separately?

The coalition should select a lead applicant, a single organization, which will apply on behalf of the partnership. On the Budget Form, in Column F, you can use the narrative space to describe which partners will be using the funds requested on each line item, how much of the funding the partner organization will use, and what the funds will pay for.

[10/11] For Program Area 25, Access to Funding for Small Business, what can the funds be used to pay for?

The Program Area specifies access to capital and other education and information, technical assistance, community connections, small business start-up, retention, growth, success, access to space/facilities, mentorship and networking opportunities, customized opportunities, small business development, education programs including academies and workshops.

[10/11] For program area 25 how would you apply if you are partnering with another organization?

The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant does not provide partnerships and does not define guidelines for partnership. In your application you should describe your rationale for how you set up your partnership.

If we are partnering with another organization to apply for this grant, but we are the organization submitting the application and that will manage the grant -- what information do you need about our partner organization? Which parts of the application does the partner organization need to fill out?

Indicate on the budget the amount of funds that are passing through to the partner organization in Column F (the budget narrative column) as well as what the funds are for—you could use both Personnel and Non-personnel line items to do this, although many orgs opt to keep partners entirely on the “subcontractors” line item; and describe the work your partner will do along with the other elements of your program where possible in Questions #21-40 in the application. You may also describe your partnership in Question #16; if your organization is a small organization, with an annual budget under $1.5MM, make note of this in Question #16 and add that you are using the space to describe your partner org.

How is direct service defined?

The CFCI Committee has not provided a definition for “direct service”. Generally, direct services are specific and tangible activities, assistance, or interventions provided directly to individuals, families, or groups of people in need. Direct services focus on staff and/or supplies to deliver the services, rather than using funds for contractors and consultants, or building organizational capacity.

Can costs include direct services for education and recreation for grades 3-12?

Yes.

If an applicant has offered services for 2+ years, can our proposal request support for expanded scope of services or a new partnership subcontract?

Yes.

We are able easily to scale up/down our capacity to serve people. With limited funding, we appreciate you are unable to fund all qualified projects. Where on the application is the best place to make it clear we can easily do 1/2 (or double) the work?

Describe the program or project required to meet the need in the community you serve, and request the amount of funding required to deliver that program or project. Proposed projects and programs may be awarded at the full amount, the amount of award may be reduced, or the proposal may not be awarded at all. There is no scoring associated with scale.

Are there any particular criteria for who is a participant? E.g. justice involved, LA County, etc.

All recipients of Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funds must be located in an LA County ZIP code. Organizations should apply in the Program Area that is the best fit for the services they provide, and describe the population they serve as thoroughly as possible. Some Program Areas specify youth, some specify re-entry, some do not specify participants at all. It is not likely that a program with services tailored to senior citizens will get funded in a youth-oriented Program Area, for example.

What metrics or benchmarks do you use to determine the success of a program?

There are many online resources to help service providers with metrics and data. Please see the “Application Resources” section above for some places where you can get started.

What benchmarks does Amity use to fund a program?

Amity does not review or evaluate applications for Year 3 CFCI Care Grants. Independent reviewers from the community score applications. The scoring criteria are as follows:

Screening & Priority Points (Total Points Possible)

Application is complete; organization is viable & eligible (Pass / Fail)

Organization has an annual budget under $1.5 million and has never been funded by LA County.* (10 Priority Points)

Organization is in & serves LA County high need, low services areas and populations. (10 Priority Points)

POINTS AVAILABLE (20 PRIORITY POINTS)
______________________

*A one-time amount of $10,000 or less from LA County will not impact the assignment of priority points.

Once an application passes screening and is scored for priority, independent reviewers will be instructed to use the following tool to score each proposal. Applications that do not pass screening will be declined.
______________________

External Review (Total Points Possible)

Organizational experience & capacity (10 Points)

Project is achievable and relevant; budget is feasible and reasonable (20 Points)

Board/leadership and staff reflect the demographics and experience of the population served (10 Points)

POINTS AVAILABLE (40 POINTS)
______________________

Priority points and external reviewer scores will be added to create a final score.

Are organizations responsible for identifying assessment support on their own, or is the idea that support is provided to them to do this?

Assessment is an eligible use of Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funding. Ask for the amount you need to deliver the project you describe. No further funds will be made available for assessment after award.

We are an LA County-based organization that provides services in LA County; we also have a separate division that provides services inside prisons throughout California. Our proposal focuses on services we perform exclusively in LA County. How do we answer the question, “Are you currently providing services outside LA County?”

You should answer “yes”. Providing services outside of LA County is allowable / does not affect your eligibility for the funds. As you know, these funds may only be used for activities and/or populations with LA County ZIP codes.

What are the specific services they prefer for this grant?

Amity cannot dictate services or create a project design for you. Program Area language is not meant to be restrictive, prescriptive, or significantly limiting. The ideas presented in the Program Area descriptions are guidelines at most, intended to spark ideas and promote creative solutions along a theme.

All CFCI funds are to be used to transform Los Angeles County with programs that serve chronically under-resourced communities and address negative outcomes caused by racially driven criminal legal system inequities and long-term economic disinvestment. No funds are to be used for law enforcement purposes. As you look at the Program Area descriptions, a question you could think about is, do your services generally align with the suggestions in the Program Area, and do they foster transformation in disenfranchised / marginalized / over-policed communities?

Could a CBO apply to receive funding as lead applicant, and also be included as support services partner within another CBO's application?

Yes. Understand that, should both projects be awarded, there will be a review to determine that there is not a duplication of services, personnel, or other line items, where the line item is accounted for in one project budget and also shows up in a second project budget associated with the same organization. Significant backup documentation will be required to prove that any crossover of personnel, services, or other line items is distinct and separate.

Can our funds be used to support people in national roles as long as they also work out of our LA office? For instance, our Senior Data Manager works in our LA office and he supports the SoCal team, as well as other chapters nationally. Can we build capacity around his role in this grant?

Funds for staff should be limited to the percentage of their work that is exclusive to LA County; all funds should be directed to capacity building specific to the SoCal Chapter. Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funds are restricted to people and/or projects within LA County.

Would funds that the partner receives push the budget over the $1.5 million threshold? It seems that should not be the case, especially because those are state and federal funds, not county funds.

No. The document you upload for Attachment #1 should be based upon 12 months of revenues received by the applying organization only.

If CBOs are indeed the best primary applicant, can the application highlight how the CBO is leveraging partners and funds from other contracts to better serve the targeted population?

No points are available for leverage and the Program/Project budget will be considered as a standalone budget.

We are in the middle of a capital campaign. Can we use these funds to support our capital campaign costs for staff and contractors that are helping with this?

This sounds like a project that has already started. Only costs associated with a proposed new project would be allowable, although the new project might contribute to your expansion. Remember that capital costs and expenditures for acquiring and/or improving land and/or buildings are Unallowed Costs, and that supplanting (using these funds to replace or as a substitute for funds already being used) is an Unallowed Cost.

What about the salary and payment for employees? How does it affect the budget if employees are working in a different Program Area?

While it is unlikely, it is possible for applicants to receive awards in separate Program Areas, subject to a review that determines that the services provided will be distinct and not overlap with any current or previous CFCI Care Grant awards. Should you be awarded in multiple Program Areas, and a review determines that there is overlap in services and/or staffing, amounts may be reduced to remove the overlap.

If we need to hire more people are there any restriction around that?

No.

Where are our clients being referred from?

Please tell us how clients are learning about / being referred for your program in Question #15. CFCI has no guidelines for referral systems. Amity Foundation cannot provide any services in connection with this funding opportunity, including referrals.

If we partner with another organization with them as the primary applicant, how do you prefer we go about that partnership--would we be a sub-contractor to that organization?

The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant does not define guidelines for partnership. In your application you should describe your rationale for how you set up your partnership.

My business is home-based and our staff works in the field directly; is that ok?

Yes, please explain your structure in your application.

We hire artists through other organizations to come do workshops. Is this considered subcontracting?

Yes.

Will you reach out to organizations if you need more information?

Yes.

Can the applying organization hire independent contractors?

Yes.

What percentage of staff can be interns and volunteers?

There are no set limits.

What do you mean by unduplicated people?

An individual participating in your program/project can only be counted once every 12 months no matter how many times they engage you for services. If they return the following year, they can be counted again as an unduplicated individual.

Is there a minimum number of clients required per year?

No.

What is meant by “lived experience?”

Personal experience having been homeless, incarcerated, in foster care, etc.

What if we don't track or ask about the gender/sexual orientations of our board members?

We are looking for organizations where the staff, board, and leadership strongly reflects the service population. We encourage you to answer the question to the best of your ability, knowing that organizations with leadership that strongly reflects the population served will be prioritized. You can leave any information you do not collect blank on the Leadership Characteristics Form.

Do you have a referral system connected to DPO, CSW of Faith Based Organizations etc. that we can connect to with our referral system?

We encourage you to seek this out and describe your intent in your application. Amity Foundation cannot provide any services through this funding opportunity, including referrals.

Do you require a Memorandum of Understanding or agreement with a K-12 school if our services are provided at the school?

No.

How do you show staff and leadership experience?

Describe experience in the narrative in Questions #20, 22, and/or 23 as appropriate.

If we are awarded, may we change the demographics [of participants] if we have trouble filling vacancies?

Non-qualified participants would not be eligible for services should you be awarded. Funds that could not be spent in accordance with Program Area milestones and deliverables in your contract and budget would go undistributed to your organization regardless of your award amount.

If we ask for the max ($1.2MM), and for some reason you’re compelled by our org/services but not willing to give us the max, would you still keep us in the pool and offer an amount of your choice?

If awarded, organizations may receive an amount that is not the same as the amount requested. In Years 1 and 2, many organizations did not receive the full amount they requested.

If we have a coalition that we provide services to a Youth Center with, and we have a coalition that we provide youth programming with, would those be separate applications? Would my organization be the lead on one application and the other organization be the lead on the other application?

Separate organizations may submit separate applications in which the other organization is a partner. However, there cannot be duplication of services in the award. If both applications are awarded, there will be a process to determine that there is no duplication of staff or services. The funding amount of either or both applications may be reduced, separate awards may be made from one application, or the application may not be funded.

Is a 40-month project acceptable?

The proposed project must be completed within 36 months from the contract start date.

After 2027, does the program restart? What happens after the grant period ends?

The Year 3 CFCI Care Grant funding opportunity will not fund services before the contract start date, nor after the contract end date.

[1/2] Here are all of our program elements (listed). Which Program Area should we apply for?

That determination cannot be made for you. Based upon the information you have provided, it looks like several Program Areas might be a fit. It’s recommended that you look at the .pdfs for each Program Area at www.amityfdn.org/tpa and see if the guidelines provide you with ideas for an application. Program Area descriptions and language are not meant to be prohibitive or prescriptive. If you believe your program or project is a good fit for a particular Program Area, we encourage you to apply.

[1/2] Is PA24 intended to serve re-entry youth exclusively, or can funded projects generally serve low-income youth impacted by the effects of poverty/racism and living in marginalized communities?

Looking at the language in Program Area 24, more generalized programming for a broader group of youth will not be as competitive as a proposal that fully explains and justifies “troubled youth”, “at-risk exposed youth”, “systems-involved youth”—it is expected that the applying organization will make a strong argument that the population they serve matches the description in the Program Area. Care First Community Investment funds are a response to over-policing and the disproportionate effect of incarceration on Black and Brown communities.

[1/2] For program area 22, am I correct in my assumption that an organization will be responsible for providing rental assistance grants for this service population? So a portion of the grant will be used to provide mini rental assistance grants to qualified individuals?

Looking at the language in Program Area 22, providing rental assistance subsidies, stipends, and/or payments would be an allowable use of funding. Mini grants with an application process are not required or defined. It is up to the applying organization to justify the program elements that you feel best meet the needs of your participants and the Program Area description.

[1/2] For Program Area 26, we are not clear about Property Management Companies.

A Property Management Company is a company that provides property management services, such as maintenance and upkeep, on-site operational services, and other services at a housing complex or other property. The Program Area language does specify that "property management companies" will be "a part of this project," so competitive applications will provide a partner or a plan for partnering with a Property Management Company.

[1/2] For Program Area 29, does it mean that services need to start for individuals while they are incarcerated, or can services start for an individual who was incarcerated in the past (say, 5 years ago)?

Looking at the Program Area language, it would not be enough to serve individuals outside of a correctional facility to fulfill the requirements of the Program Area. The Program Area states, "The goal is to teach introductory coursed inside the county's correctional facilities", and competitive applications will describe a project that meets this goal.

[11/27] Program Area 38 – in the description, it mentions “return-to-work programs.” What are people returning from? Is it maternity leave? Is it incarceration? Something else?

Incarceration.

[11/27] Program Area 39 – in the description it talks about providing support for folks to enter medical school and the healthcare field. Are you only looking to support people who are interested in becoming physicians or would a pathway to become a lactation consultant also be considered?

Looking at the language in Program Area 39, specifically “minority college students into medical school and the healthcare field,” your lactation consultant pathway program would need to involve college classes and medical school matriculation for your participants, as well as mentoring, community engagement, financial, and scholarly support to be considered competitive.

[11/27] Program Area 41 - in the description it mentions "This project is essential due to the high African American infant and maternal mortality rates in LA County." Will only projects centering African Americans be considered or will other communities be considered as well?

Looking at the Program Area language, competitive applications will focus on African American participants and community and their particular health outcomes.

[11/27] For Program Area 44, is it a requirement to specifically open a brick and motor or can our program provide fresh foods through delivery services?

Looking at the language in Program Area 44, it is up to the applicant to define “market”, and a “market” is not restricted to brick-and-mortar building. Make the case for why a delivery service is a market / why the model you propose is the best one to serve your community.

[11/27] For Program Area 44, we would have to provide both fresh food and financial wealth courses?

Looking at the language in Program Area 44, applications that describe both the provision of fresh food markets AND financial wealth courses will be more competitive.

[11/27] For Program Area 44, can we distribute fresh food for free through our food pantry?

Looking at the language in Program Area 44, it is up to the applicant to define “market”, and a “market” is not restricted to brick-and-mortar building or a traditional grocery. Make the case for why the model you propose is the best one to serve your community. Applications that describe both the provision of fresh food markets AND financial wealth courses will be more competitive.

[10/30] For Program Area 44: Fresh Food, do we have to sell food through a market, or can we distribute fresh food for free through our food pantry?

You can distribute fresh food for free through your pantry.

[10/30] My organization provides direct assistance for basic needs (e.g., transportation, utilities, food) for low-income families who have a child facing a critical illness. Our goal is to support their urgent needs, so they do not have to choose between lifesaving treatments for their child or putting food on the table or keeping the lights on. Assuming we serve your target population and individuals in JESI zip codes, would this program qualify under PA 43?

Program Area descriptions and language are not meant to be prohibitive or prescriptive. If you believe your program or project is a good fit for a particular Program Area, we encourage you to apply.

If you feel that your project is a good fit for Program Area 42 you may want to demonstrate the direct linkage between the payment assistance your organization provides to clients and how clients use that savings to pay for treatments, healthcare, or insurance.

[10/23] Does “minority owned” mean a small non-profit with less than 20 employees?

“Minority owned” in Program Area 25 means the business’s owners identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC).

[10/23] For Program Area 27, Youth Development and Diversion through Sport and Play –our service area is primarily Latino (80%+), would we be considered or competitive for funding since the focus will have an emphasis on Black Youth?

You are correct that the emphasis in Program Area 27 is on Black Youth and the Antelope Valley. Applications with these focus areas will be more competitive.

[10/23] For Program Area 46, Youth Programming in Communities of Color, will programming need to be operated by 100% people of color?

You are correct that the focus in Program Area 46 is programs and services for youth of color delivered by communities of color. Organizations that describe such programs and services will be more competitive.

[10/11] For Program Area 35, 24/7/365 Youth Center—does this require providing housing and being open overnight?

The Program Area specifies that services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, so nighttime services are required. The Program Area does not require housing.

[10/11] Program Areas 22 and 28 mention “housing navigation.” Can funds from these program areas be used to operate residential programming like transitional housing?

If your project meets the needs specified in the Program Area description, we encourage you to apply.

[10/11] Does Program Area 22 include funding for emergency shelter and/or transitional housing as needed?

If your project meets the needs specified in the Program Area description, we encourage you to apply.

[10/11] For Program Area 25, Access to Funding for Small Business, what can the funds be used to pay for?

The Program Area specifies access to capital and other education and information, technical assistance, community connections, small business start-up, retention, growth, success, access to space/facilities, mentorship and networking opportunities, customized opportunities, small business development, education programs including academies and workshops.

[10/11] For Program Area 27 - Sports and Play - is a dance program eligible for this program area?

This program area “is intended to provide youth development and diversion through sport and play." If you believe your proposed project meets this, and the other elements in the program description, we encourage you to apply.

[10/11] Can you receive CFCI Year 3 funding in more than one program areas? If so is there a cap to funding?

Applicants are eligible to receive awards in separate Program Areas, subject to a review that determines that the services provided will be distinct and not overlap with any current or previous CFCI or Non-CFCI awards. Should you be awarded in multiple Program Areas, and a review determines that there is overlap in services and/or staffing, amounts may be reduced to remove the overlap. Awards may be reduced, not awarded, or multiple awards may be made from a single application. Amity reserves the right to adjust or reduce the amount of funds awarded to individual organizations as needed. You will not be disqualified for asking for any amount of money above $50K/year or $150,000 total. $150,000 over three years is the minimum you are allowed to request.

[10/11] What about foster and youth programs?

Youth programming is a focus area for Year 3 CFCI Care Grants and youth services are represented in multiple program areas. Programming for foster youth is not a focus are for Year 3 CFCI Care Grants.

[10/11] Our center does not open 24 hours. Are we disqualified from program area 23 or 35?

It sounds like you do not have 2 or more years of experience operating a 24/7 365 days-a-year center, and would not be eligible for Program Area 35. If your project meets the needs specified in the Program Area 23 description, we encourage you to apply.

What is the age range that CFCI considers for Opportunity Youth?

The CFCI Advisory Committee did not provide definitions for many of the words and phrases in the Program Areas. It is recommended that you provide your organization’s definition for your service population as part of your funding argument.

We were curious about the CFCI definition of women; does it include all women or only cis-women?

The Care First Community Investment advisory committee has not provided any definitions for words or phrases in their materials. The intent of the funding is to increase equity for under-resourced populations, with Trans, BIPoC, and Gender-nonconforming / nonbinary individuals identified specifically. “All women” is the correct interpretation.

Is there a critical mass for the number of clients the organization needs to currently be serving for it to be considered?

No.

It is not currently the primary focus area of the organization, but it is very willing to use these funds to provide services to these populations. Should we go forward with the above applications?

Keeping in mind that eligible organizations have 2 years of experience in the Program Area for which they are applying, “primary focus” is not required. But 2 years of experience with serving these populations should be explained in the narrative.

Is there an option to share videos of work we've done; we find that to be the most impactful way to share our story.

No additional attachments, marketing materials, videos, or other media can be added to the grant application.

Where are more detailed descriptions of each program area’s activities and outcome expectations available?

More detailed descriptions of the Program Areas are not available. Activities and outcomes are not set, but are to be proposed by the applicants.

We serve people experiencing homelessness, many of whom are involved in the criminal justice system, but the data we collect around this is not reliable (voluntarily self-reported at intake only). If we provide generalized data around the high rates of incarceration for people experiencing homelessness, would that be sufficient to qualify us?

The main eligibility requirements are having 2 years of experience in the Program Area for which you are applying, and being an organization in Good Standing registered with the State of California for at least 1 year. There are no qualifications beyond this. Applicants are expected to support their claims of experience / show how they are qualified for the Program Area in the narrative.

Will we need to fill out this form for each Program Area? Or can we use part of the form and then itemize the other Program Area?

For every Program Area you are applying in, fill out the application for that Program Area separately. Once you submit an application, the software will autofill your answers from that application into new applications. You can still make changes to the auto-filled answers.

We are a 501c3 primarily serving the prison and previously incarcerated communities. Do we fit into any of the Program Areas?

That determination cannot be made for you. Based upon the information you have provided, it sounds like several Program Areas might be a fit. It’s recommended that you look at the .pdfs for each Program Area at www.amityfdn.org/tpa and see if the guidelines provide you with ideas for an application.

[10/30] If we have been operating as a grassroots organization and were never aware of the importance of data collection will providing name, email, race and zip code suffice?

These are acceptable forms of data collection. If your organization is awarded Year 3 CFCI funding, Amity Foundation will provide training on the appropriate data collection requirements that is suitable for CFCI funding.

[10/23] Will there be financial audits?

Any audits of the recipients of the CFCI Care Grants will look at the deliverables that are recorded in your contract and your supporting documentation. It is the responsibility of the organization to keep all backup documentation for up to 3 years after the close of the grant. The County will conduct a review to ensure that all awardees spent funds on the project that they proposed. Any audit will be conducted at no cost to the awardee.

[10/23] When will documents tied to payment (timesheets, invoices, receipts) need to be submitted?

Payments will not be invoice-based. If you are awarded, the payment structure is 4 payments a year, 25% of the annual amount per payment. The first annual 25% payment is disbursed upon contract execution, with static 25% payments every three months thereafter based upon meeting milestones. Your Grant Advocate and the Amity accounting department will work with you to come up with adequate backup before you need to submit it.

[10/23] California Nonprofit Equity Initiative includes a bill (AB 590 - Hart) that allows advance payments for nonprofits. Do these grants follow that format?

-These funds are not reimbursement funds.

[10/23] Once the grant is awarded, what triggers the first disbursement. Is there an advance disbursement or does the initial disbursement require 45 day reporting first?

Awardees will be required to confirm their budgets, milestones, insurance, and return a signed and dated contract in order to release the first payment (prior to beginning the program / delivering services). Other documentation might be required. Awardees will work with their Amity Grant Advocate in order to return all required documents timely and receive their first payment.

If chosen, what percentage of awarded amount total funds will be dispersed after 30 days of contract initiation? And what is the disbursement percentage that will be dispersed every three months/quarterly?

If you are awarded, the payment structure is 4 payments a year, 25% of the annual amount per payment. This is not a reimbursement contract; the first annual 25% payment is disbursed upon contract execution (before services start), with static 25% payments every three months thereafter based upon meeting milestones. Awarded organizations will work with Amity Grant Advocates to determine appropriate milestones and data to be collected; there will also be support for awarded organizations in data capture and reporting.

Is this a reimbursement grant?

No. Payments will be granted before services are provided.

Is it possible more funding will be allocated in this round due to the appellate court decision [upholding Measure J]?

No. The entire amount of Year 3 funding is represented in the allocations in each Program Area.

We use software for employees to clock in and out. We do not have timesheets. What can we use as backup for salaries?

Check your software for reports you can run such as a Labor Distribution report, a payroll register, a summary report, or anything else that can show time worked. The Amity accounting department will work with you to come up with adequate backup.

How does grant disbursement work – do grantees invoice Amity monthly, or does Amity disburse monthly / quarterly funds contingent on us hitting our metrics?

Payments will not be invoice-based. If you are awarded, the payment structure is 4 payments a year, 25% of the annual amount per payment. The first annual 25% payment is disbursed upon contract execution, with static 25% payments every three months thereafter based upon meeting milestones. Awarded organizations will work with Amity Grant Advocates to determine appropriate milestones and data to be collected; there will also be support for awarded organizations in data capture and reporting.

The initiation payment…will that affect the quarterly payments throughout the payments over the 3 years?

Subsequent payments will not be less due to the initial payment. If you are awarded, the payment structure is 4 payments a year, 25% of the annual amount per payment. The first annual 25% payment is disbursed upon contract execution, with static 25% payments every three months thereafter based upon meeting milestones.

Will we be audited at some point by the county? Can you please share more about this process?

The County will conduct a review to ensure that all awardees spent the funds on the project that they proposed. This will be at no cost to the awardee. We recommend that, as with all government funding, the awarded organization has and keeps invoices and/or backup documentation for every expense covered by the funding for three years after the program or project has concluded.

Is a salary allocation spreadsheet payroll report acceptable if we use software to collect hours by day but not by grant?

You will need to provide documentation as to how an allocation of the hours is calculated, and be able to justify the percent by position.

Is there a template for tracking milestones?

Yes.

Will we be required to track all positions paid out by this grant through timesheets?

Yes.

Is there a standard time-keeping sheet that you can provide?

No.

On these progress reports, are pictures allowed to be attached to the report to showcase how funds are being used and to support a claim on a milestone?

Pictures can be submitted as part of a progress report, but not as a substitution for a progress report.

I understand after the grant award, one payment will be made initially, and payments will be disbursed quarterly upon completion of project deliverables. Can you clarify if grantees can request a specific amount of funds for the initial contract payment?

Grantees cannot request a specific amount of funds for the initial contract payment. If you are awarded, the payment structure is 4 payments a year, 25% of the annual amount per payment. The first annual 25% payment is disbursed upon contract execution, with static 25% payments every three months thereafter based upon meeting milestones.

Is there going to be an Independent Audit which requires us to hire an outside impartial auditor? or will this Provided by the County for a cost?

The County will conduct a review to ensure that all awardees spent the funds on the project that they proposed. This will be at no cost to the awardee.

Can you speak to the County audit process or the invoice submission process so we can understand how onerous the county review process is? Is it monthly? What data needs to be submitted and how often?

Payments will not be invoice-based. It is fair to say that organizations should expect to keep on file all backup documentation pertaining to expenditures for this award for three years after the program or project has concluded.

Awarded organizations will work with Amity Grant Advocates to determine appropriate milestones and data to be collected; there will also be support for awarded organizations in data capture and reporting. There will be monthly and quarterly reporting requirements.

Will we be required to specifically invoice for funds in our budget according to our various staff members/expenditures, monthly as well? We are just trying to understand what the full project management requirements will be.

Payments will not be invoice-based. We do expect your budget to serve as the blueprint for who and what you pay for with these funds, and for you to be able to provide proof of that payment.

Can you please share more about what type of data we will need to collect monthly?

Amity Foundation will work with each awarded organization during contracting to determine appropriate milestones and data to be collected.

What is the monthly and quarterly outcome data that will need to be submitted?

Amity Foundation will work with each awarded organization during contracting to determine appropriate milestones and data to be collected.

When will reports be due for work completed? Monthly, Quarterly or Annually?

There will be monthly and quarterly reporting requirements.

[7/26] Does becoming an applicant reviewer disqualify a person from applying for this and future TPA grants?

No. If it is discovered that a Program Area applicant is also in the reviewer pool, they will be removed from the reviewer pool while their application goes through the scoring process. We may ask a removed reviewer to return for funding opportunities where they do not have a conflict of interest.

Can you share the link for being an application reviewer?

www.amityfdn.org/tpa

There are members of our organization interested in volunteering to review applications. Would the organization be prohibited from applying for the grant or is there way to separate out a conflict?

Amity is only using reviewers who can show no conflict of interest. Reviewers may not be applicants and may not be in close association with applicants. Reviewers are required to sign non-disclosure and conflict of interest agreements prior to review. The conflict of interest agreement stipulates that reviewers may not be employed by awarded organizations for up to 12 months after the date of contract start.

I recently submitted an application to be a Reviewer, but I would much rather apply for funding. Is this a conflict of interest? Can I remove my Reviewer application?

You may contact TPAgrants@amityfdn.org to withdraw your application to be a reviewer. If it is discovered that a Program Area applicant is also in the reviewer pool, they will be removed from the reviewer pool while their application goes through the scoring process. We may ask a removed reviewer to return for funding opportunities where they do not have a conflict of interest.

[10/11] Are larger-budgeted organizations held back until after all others have been considered, or is it a matter of priority points?

In addition to priority points, organizations that have annual budgets over $1,500,000 (larger organizations) will be considered after decisions have been made on applications from organizations with annual budgets under $1,500,000. If larger organizations submit a proposal that includes subcontracts with smaller organizations (below $1,500,000 annual budget), that proposal shall be prioritized among the remaining larger organizations for awards, subject to available funding.

[10/11] Are there priority levels for differences in budgets of larger organizations, for instance, are organizations with a budget of $2 million versus $20 million viewed the same in the secondary consideration process?

The only budget amount considered for prioritization is organizations with annual budgets under $1,500,000.

[10/11] How will agencies receive information about their application and/or scoring?

All applicants will receive notification about the status of their proposals—awarded or declined. Once all funds have been disbursed via executed contracts, Amity will notify declined applicants. Applications that were declined will receive notification via email after all contracts have been executed.

How many vendors will be selected?

The number of awards will depend upon the amount of money available per Program Area and the amount requested. If all applicants in a Program Area request the minimum award amount, more awards can be allocated out of the total Program Area funding. If all applicants request the maximum, fewer awards can be made. The total 3-year amount of funding available in each Program Area is listed beginning on page 3 of all application .PDFs at www.amityfdn.org/tpa.

If the proposal committee loves our application, but wants to give less money, what will happen?

Proposed projects and programs may be awarded at the full amount, the amount of award may be reduced, or the proposal may not be awarded at all.

How many points would an organization get if the serve a high service and high need area, like downtown? How many points would an organization get if they serve a high service, low access and high needs area, like Lancaster / Palmdale?

ZIP codes can receive up to 5 priority points for being lowest services, and 5 priority points for being highest needs. Lowest services = 5 points, low services = 4 points, moderate services = 3 points, high services = 2 points, and highest services = 1 point. The needs scoring uses the same point spread. To see if the Los Angeles County ZIP codes you are serving are lowest services, highest needs, you can look them up on the JESI and the JENI:

Justice Equity Services Index (JESI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-services-index

Justice Equity Needs Index (JENI) https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/campaign-tools/maps-and-data/justice-equity-need-index

What if we serve multiple ZIP codes that vary across those scales?

The mean and median scores are calculated to arrive at the points awarded.

What benchmarks does Amity use to fund a program?

Amity does not review or evaluate applications for Year 3 CFCI Care Grants. Independent reviewers from the community score applications.

Could you review the 20 priority points?

Screening & Priority Points: Total Points Possible

Application is complete; organization is viable & eligible: Pass / Fail

Organization has an annual budget under $1.5 million and has never been funded by LA County: 10 Priority Points

Organization is in & serves LA County high need, low services areas and populations: 10 Priority Points

POINTS AVAILABLE: 20 PRIORITY POINTS

So does that mean that if an organization does not have the 20 priority points - the organization is not eligible?

No.

What is the number out of 20 that you will be looking for?

Eligible organizations can go forward to external review with anywhere from 0 to 20 priority points.

Do you consider the grant program funded/operated by L.A. County Arts and Culture Dept. to be County funding that stops an org from receiving those 5 priority points?

Yes. You can tell us more about funds you have received from LA County in the application. This information will be used to help inform priority points.

If an organization has received some County funding in the past, do you look at how much prior funding?

Yes. You can tell us more about funds you have received from LA County in the application. This information will be used to help inform priority points.

Will Amity be able to review the application before we submit it?

No, Amity Foundation is not reviewing or evaluating applications.

We have a home office, how will you conduct a site visit?

We will work with you prior to award if we require a site visit.

I noticed a reference to "written questions" that had a separate due date then the overall application. Are these questions the ones found on the application portal? Or are there a separate set of questions that need to be answered and emailed to y'all here at this email address?

Questions about the funding opportunity and application will be accepted until Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 5:00PM Pacific Time. By “written questions,” we mean the questions you might have ABOUT the application. Please do not submit your answers to questions IN the application. Any questions you have about the application can be sent to TPAGrants@amityfdn.org. All answers, including answers to questions asked during the webinars, will be posted as a Questions & Answers (Q&A) document on the www.amityfdn.org/tpa website.

What is your targeted timeline for determining and communicating award dissemination— as this affects other fundraising activities/prioritizing and (obviously) Year 1’s timeline ended up extremely off schedule.

Contracts will be executed no earlier than April 1, 2024. Declined applicants will be notified after all award funds have been distributed, which may be after contracting. If you do not receive notice of an award, you will not receive a declination letter until July 2024 or later.

Can you clarify the deadline for the written portion of grant? I saw somewhere that the answers are due 8/28.

The application deadline for CFCI Care Grant funds is January 5, 2024 at 5pm Pacific Time. All applications will be closed at that time, and no further edits or attachments will be allowed.

The January 2 due date is for questions about the application, eligibility, the budget form, timeline, etc. These questions must be sent to TPAGrants@amityfdn.org by 5pm Pacific Time, January 2, 2024. After January 2, no further questions about the application process will be answered by email. You can refer to the Questions and Answers page at www.amityfdn.org/tpa-q/a for more information.

What is the process after you apply if you get awarded or not?

Organizations selected for award will receive a letter via email with details about their conditional award. Conditionally awarded organizations will then work with an Amity Grant Advocate to collect documentation required for contracting. Contracts will be executed no earlier than April 1, 2024. Declined applicants will be notified after all award funds have been distributed, which may be after contracting. If you do not receive notice of an award, you will not receive a declination letter until July 2024 or later.

Where can we sign up for the Budget Webinar?

www.amityfdn.org/tpa

A recording will be available no later than Monday, October 23.

Do we have to attend all of the webinars?

No. The webinars are optional. You can sign up for webinars at www.amityfdn.org/tpa. A recording of the application walk-through is available now; the recording of the Budget Form webinar will be available at www.amityfdn.org/tpa after 10/23.

When will we have access to the power point?

You can download a copy of the slide deck at www.amityfdn.org/tpa now.

Will there be a recording of this we can access and watch?

You can find recordings of webinars at www.amityfdn.org/tpa now.

Is the same information being presented in the webinars?

There are two application walk-through webinars, and the deck and information are the same. There is also a 1-hour budget form webinar.