Capacity Strengthening Initiative Frequently Asked Questions
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General Questions
How does MDH define "community-based organizations"?
Community-based organization (CBO), for the purpose of this RFP, is defined as an entity dedicated to enhancing a community's social health, well-being, and/or overall functioning. These communities may be defined by geographical, psychosocial, cultural, and/or spiritual boundaries. Furthermore, a community-based organization is characterized by its commitment to being community-driven, with the community influencing all aspects of its existence.
What type of fundraising support can be funded by this grant?
Both types of capacity-building projects could be considered eligible.
What is MDH's frame of reference for what constitutes a social determinant of health?
For this grant, we are not using one model or framework. Broadly, we acknowledge that social determinants of health can encompass a multitude of factors including food, housing, education, employment opportunities, etc.
Funding
If we are awarded and use the grant money to hire a person to do grant writing, will the funding for that person continue or will the grant be a one-time award?
This is a one-time grant award. We expect the grant to begin in April 2024 and to end on June 30, 2025.
Are we able to decrease the grant amount we've requested if upon receipt we have already accepted another grant?
Yes.
To what degree must the impact of this project or applicant organization relate to health? Would a proposal from a housing nonprofit focused on one of the stated objectives, increasing funding diversity, be competitive? Either the organization or the project must be related to health in some way. Is that correct?
Yes, the aim of this grant is to strengthen organizational capacity so that community based organizations are better equipped to apply for and receive funding to achieve their goals and serve their communities, which will ultimately reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes. As long as the issues addressed by the organization are related to reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes, then it could be a good fit for this grant.
Is the expectation that grant-funded activities result directly in improved health outcomes/decrease in disparities? Or are the desired outcomes about the capacity-building work that the organization will do that will eventually (and not necessarily during the grant period) result in improved health outcomes?
The desired outcomes are about the capacity-building work that the organization will do that will eventually (and not necessarily during the grant period) result in improved health outcomes.
If an organization is new to serving Minnesota, and their headquarters is in California, are they eligible to apply? Also, what is the operating budget maximum?
Applicants must be located in and conduct grant activities in the state of Minnesota, but fiscal agents may be located outside of Minnesota. There is no operating budget limit for this RFP; however, applicants with current annual budgets less than $500,000.00 may be considered priority applicants. For more information on competitive priorities, refer to page 15 of the RFP.
Should the non-lead organization contact info, EIN, Tax ID be included in some way? Should the non-lead organization prepare a Due Diligence Review Form? In the workplan, should the key staff be identified by which organization they work?
Only the lead organization is required to provide details such as contact information, EIN, Tax ID, etc. It is not necessary to provide this information for non-lead organizations unless the non-lead organization is acting as your fiscal agent. In the work plan, key staff should be identified by which organization they work for. Collaboration is highly encouraged, so if you are partnering with other organizations, please refer to this collaboration in all relevant parts of the application.
Is eligible applicant proposes to use CSG funding to form a collaborative partnership with a for-profit community health technology company that will strengthen their capacity to apply for and win future funding (i.e., boosting the operational capacity of the eligible applicant, empower them to reach more people in more places, making it possible to track data and meet reporting requirements, etc.).
This could be an eligible project.
I am wondering if you can clarify if grant money could be used for funding for CALS training for all inpatient staff? If I am reading correctly, I am assuming no, that is not a health disparity and does not relate to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia. etc.
The aim of this grant is to strengthen organizational capacity so that community-based organizations are better equipped to apply for and receive funding to achieve their goals and serve their communities, which will ultimately reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes. If this activity meets this aim, then it could be a fit for this funding.
Can we use this grant to fund the start of our community farm and are there safety liability issues with funding farm equipment? Does farm equipment count as office supplies? Can we pay for site insurance through this funding opportunity, does a laptop count as office supplies, and can we do buckets of funding in the budget rather than line items?
Farm equipment would not be considered office supplies, but a laptop could. Please note that any individual piece of equipment that costs more than $5,000 in not an allowable expense. Similar budget items may be grouped together (e.g., office supplies such as pens, paper, and notebooks for an estimated $200). Applicants should include all relevant direct and indirect costs in their budget, and if selected for a grant award, CHE staff will negotiate final budget items with the applicant before a grant agreement is finalized to ensure all costs are allowable and budgeted appropriately. Please refer to budget instructions on page 28-30 of the RFP for more information about how to complete the budget.
Would either of these be an eligible project?
Developing a strategic plan that would take into account reframing the programming and infrastructure of our organization based on the changing nature, needs and opportunities presented by the community we serve.
Hiring a consulting firm to research and develop a list of funding prospects (primarily foundations and corporate giving programs). This would help diversify our funding base and open up more opportunities for general operating support.
Can a single proposal include both of these activities?
Yes, they could be eligible, and a single proposal may include multiple activities.
We plan to submit an application for a new staff position. We had planned a salary of $75,000 with estimated fringe of 35% which is over the max $100,000 threshold. If our reimbursement request stays within the max threshold, would that be fine? Otherwise, should we reduce the salary to $71,000 (plus $24,850 estimated fringe) to stay under the 100k?
Per the RFP, the estimated award maximum for this grant is $100,000. An applicant may submit a request for more than that amount, but we recommend staying within the estimated award range. If funded, applicants may choose to pay any additional costs that exceed the award amount.
Would a new hire/role be categorized as Infrastructure Investment or Workforce Development?
Workforce Development.
Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
Are laptops and monitors an eligible expense? Capacity is currently limited by outdated office equipment for some members of the coalition.
Yes, laptops and monitors may be eligible expense.
Do you consider intake expenses as ineligible expenses?
This may be considered ineligible if the intention is to provide a direct service, as the primary purpose of this grant is not to fund direct service activities. The goal of this grant is to enhance the capacity of community-based organizations to apply for and secure funding, enabling them to accomplish their objectives and better serve their communities.
We are trying to figure out if the indirect costs are included in the $100,000 max award ceiling or if that only applies to the direct costs.
Yes, direct costs are included in the $100,000 max award ceiling.
Could you please clarify if federal income tax, social security tax, Medicare, Minnesota income tax, and unemployment insurance are considered fringe allowances?
Federal income tax, social security tax, Medicare, Minnesota income tax, and unemployment insurance are not considered fringe allowances. Fringe allowances typically include additional benefits or perks provided by employers beyond the regular salary or wages, such as health insurance, retirement contributions, or other non-monetary benefits.
Our fiscal sponsor takes a percentage of our awarded grants. Are we able to add that percentage into the request?
Fiscal agents may be paid a portion of the grant award according to how they directly or indirectly support the project. Please note that any expense that covers other projects outside the scope of the proposed project for this application must be prorated accordingly.
An eligible applicant proposing to use CSG funds to purchase a community health software platform tool that strengthens their capacity by streamlining operations, automating their processes, and creating a single source of data truth (i.e. streamlining community needs assessments, automating communications to the community, the ability to manipulate and evaluate data more efficiently and effectively, etc.)?
This could be an allowable expense; however, any individual piece of equipment that costs more than $5,000 would not be an eligible expense with grant funds. MDH will review and approve any equipment expenses less than $5,000 on a case-by-case basis upon an award offer.
How is the due diligence form evaluated and scored? Is it higher scores are evaluated as lower ranking?
The due diligence review is a component of MDH's pre-award assessment. These reviews enable MDH to assess applicant capacity and identify opportunities for technical assistance for grant recipients. It's important to note that this form does not contribute to the application scoring criteria upon which grant award decisions are made. Its purpose is solely to ensure appropriate levels of technical assistance are provided if the applicant is selected for funding.