*updated content 6/2/11 12:30pm EST*
by Gustavo Torrez,
Program Manager
Hello Everyone,
As we prepare for our Health Advocacy Webinar Tomorrow: LGBT Engagement in Local Community Transformation Grants, we want to remind you all of key dates and information for the Letters of Intent required by CDC to be eligible to apply for the Community Transformation Grants.
As I just mentioned applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent to be eligible to apply for funding. Letters of Intent are only being accepted by mail and need to be received no later than June 6th.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) must be sent by express mail (U.S. Postal Service) or a delivery service to:
Vivian Walker, Grants Management Officer
CDC-RFA-DP11-1103
Department of Health and Human Services
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
2921 Brandywine Road, MS E-09
Atlanta GA 30341
PLEASE NOTE:
If you do not submit a Letter of Intent or if your Letter of Intent is received after June 6th you will be unable to apply for the funding.
If you think there might be a possibility that you will submit an application or if you would like to let others know you are interested it is a great idea to submit a Letter of Intent. Any information you provide in the Letter of Intent does not dictate the content of your application, nor will it have any bearing on the scoring of your application.
Are you Eligible to apply? If you meet the Eligibility Criteria below then yes, and most of you will meet the criteria. So it is important to submit a LOI for this award so others know that you exist.
First, all entities listed in Section III, (Eligibility Information) of the FOA are eligible to apply. These are: state and local government agencies, state and local nonprofit organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages, Tribal organizations, which include Intertribal Councils and American Indian Health Boards, Urban Indian Health Programs, tribal and intertribal consortia as outlined and defined in the FOA.
The Bold items in red below are all items that must be included in your Letter of Intent:
- Funding opportunity announcement title and number.
~ Title: Public Prevention Health Fund: Community Transformation Grant
~ Number: CDC-RFA-DP11-1103PPHF11
- So, In order to meet the objectives of the FOA, eligible applications must describe the area be served in the Letter of Intent. The area to be served must be one of the following
- Large counties, defined as those with populations of 500,000 or more according to the 2009 Census estimates
- States
- States minus their large counties
- Tribes
- Territories
You must indicate one of the five areas described in your letter of intent.
Further clarification on this section and areas to be served can be found by clicking here.
- Be sure to include the name of the lead or fiduciary agency or organization, the official contact person and that person’s telephone number, FAX number, mailing and email addresses.
- Additionally, clearly indicate whether the applicant intends to apply for Capacity Building or Implementation grants.
Capacity Building awards will range from about $50,000 to $500,000, depending on the applicant and the area to be served.
Implementation awards will range approximately as follows:
- For states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations applying to serve large counties, states or states excluding large counties eligible to apply on their own, awards will range from about $500,000 up to around $10,000,000.
- For territories, awards will range from about $100,000 to $150,000.
- And for Tribal and American Indian/Alaska Native Consortia, awards will range from about $100,000 to $500,000.
Below you will find characteristics of a successful recipient of both funding categories, as well as the required activities for each direct from the CDC FAQ page.
Capacity Building Applications
What are the characteristics of a successful recipient of Capacity Building funds?
An applicant applying for Capacity Building funds should have limited or no experience in implementing policy, environmental, programmatic, and infrastructure changes, but demonstrates a readiness to develop the capacity to do so. Steps towards developing capacity include:
- Establishing or strengthening a multi-sectoral coalition
- Participating in training on policy, environmental, programmatic, and infrastructure changes
- Summarizing existing community health data and conducting a health needs assessment of the area, including the identification of population subgroups experiencing health disparities
- Conducting a policy scan and documenting gaps in existing policies, environments, programs, and infrastructure
What activities will be required of recipients of Capacity Building funds?
Recipients of Capacity Building funds will be expected to demonstrate existing capacity and experience in successfully conducting activities in the following areas:
- Program capacity
- Fiscal management
- Leadership team and coalition development
- Community health assessment and planning, including the development of a Community Transformation Plan (CTP)
- Development and implementation of a Capacity Building Plan (CBP)
- Development and implementation of a core evaluation plan
Implementation Applications
What are the characteristics of a successful recipient of Implementation funds?
An applicant applying for Implementation funds should have the following experience and support already in place:
- One or more active coalitions with demonstrated success in working with state, community, tribal or territorial leaders, as appropriate to implement policy, environmental, programmatic and infrastructure change strategies
- Demonstrated efforts to reduce health disparities.
- Demonstrated ability to meet reporting requirements such as programmatic, financial, and management benchmarks as required by the FOA.
What activities will be required of recipients of Implementation funds?
Recipients of Implementation funds will be expected to successfully conduct activities in the following areas:
- Program infrastructure.
- Fiscal management.
- An established multi-sectoral leadership team and coalition (or coalitions).
- Selection of strategies.
- A Community Transformation Plan (CTP).
- Performance monitoring and evaluation.
- Participation in programmatic support activities.
- Furthermore, you must complete the LOI Strategic Directions and Strategies Checklist (Appendix G in the FOA which can be accessed by clicking here.
This document provides information on which strategies the applicant anticipates addressing in their CTG application. As mentioned before the information provided is not binding. CDC States “Any change in the strategic directions from those outlined in the LOI and those in the final application will not be held against the applicant”.
- Finally, indicate whether you will allow the name of your organization and contact information to be provided on a Web site.
We recommend that you allow your information to be posted to the CTG site. This site will be accessible to all applicants who submitted a Letter of Intent. Even if you think you might apply but are not 100% sure yet, submit a Letter of Intent. The information shared will be organized by state to facilitate local connections and collaboration. So even if you are not 100% about applying submit a Letter of Intent and allow others to access your information so you are not invisible as groups are writing their proposals.
Now that you have all the requirements for the Letter of Intent here is the specific Format CDC requires for all Letters of Intent:
The LOI should be no more than two pages (8.5 x 11), double-spaced, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, written in English (avoiding jargon), and unreduced 12-point font.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) should be:
- No more than two pages (8.5 x 11 inches).
- Double-spaced.
- Printed on one side with one-inch margins.
- Written in English (avoiding jargon).
- Written in unreduced 12-point font.
- Include completed copy of the LOI Strategic Directions and Strategies Checklist (Appendix G of the FOA ).
I hope this information helps as you all decide on submitting for this award.
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions if you would like more assistance. There is an entire section on Letters of Intent as well!
Gustavo Torrez
LGBT HealthLink, The Network for Health Equity 