Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP)

• Applicants for the CFPCGP must meet all the eligibility requirements stated in this RFA and provide qualifying documentation to support their eligibility for this program at the time of application. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. 
• Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply for this program. 
• For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. 

To be eligible for a grant under 7 USC 2034, CFPCGP, a public food program service provider, a tribal organization, or a private nonprofit entity, including gleaners, must 

1. have experience in the area of[1]
   1. community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-sized farms, including the provision of food to people in communities with low incomes and the development of new markets in communities with low incomes for agricultural producers; 
   2. job training and business development activities for food-related activities in communities with low incomes; or 
   3. efforts to reduce food and nutrition insecurity in the community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs; 
2. demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation; 
3. demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties; and 
4. collaborate with one or more local partner organizations using one or more action steps proposed by Congress to achieve a “hunger-free communities' goal. 

Definition of Private Non-Profit: “Private Nonprofit entities” are defined as any nongovernmental corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization which: 

1. Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest. 
2. Is not organized primarily for profit; and 
3. Uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations. 

Acceptable Evidence: The following documents can be used as proof of Private Non-Profit eligibility. 

1. A copy of a currently valid Internal Revenue Service tax exemption certificate. 
2. A statement from a state taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate state official certifying that the applicant organization has a non- profit status. 
3. A certified copy of the organization’s certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes private non-profit status.
4. Any of the above proof for a state or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate. See the NIFA Policy Guide for additional information.

• Exceed the budgetary guidelines: Proposals for planning grants requesting below $25,000 or over $50,000 will not be reviewed. Proposals for CFP requesting under $125,000 per year or over $400,000 will not be reviewed. 
• The following documents are necessary for peer review process: 

1. Evidence/Proof of eligibility. 
2. One-page Abstract/Project Summary 
3. 15-pages Project Narrative 
4. Separate PDFs for Project Summary and Project Narrative. Combining the abstract and the project narrative as one document will result in the application not being reviewed. 
5. Conflict of Interest Form 
6. Current and Pending Form 
7. Data Management Plan (DMP)  
8. Budget for each year of funding requested plus cumulative budget. 
9. Budget Narrative for federal and matching funds for each year of funding requested. 
10. Matching funds. A dollar-for-dollar is matching is required for CFP and PP applications. Budget and budget narrative to include matching funds. The dollar for-dollar must be secured for all federal funds requested at the time the application is submitted. A written verification of commitments of matching support (a pledge agreement) is not required at time of application submission. 
11. Matching funds must be accurately provided in the R&R Budget and SF-424 forms in the application. 

• Portable Document Format (PDF): All documents and attachments must be in a Portable Document Format (PDF).

• Be attentive of the due date
  • Late submission represents an automatic decline.
• Meet the format requirements (page length and PDF format all documents)
• Complete and submit the following documents:
  • Project Summary and Project Narrative are two separate documents to be submitted
  • Review the SF424 and R&R Budget documents are aligned
  • Understand and submit the Current & Pending and Conflict of Interest documents
  • Submit proof of eligibility
• Submit to the correct Program Code
• Review that the budget is within the maximum award amount based on the Program Code
• Understand and meet the matching requirements