Community Economic Development Focus on Social Enterprises

This announcement has four modifications. (1) Section I. Program Description, the eligibility reference that median income at or below 80 percent of the area median income will receive priority in the form of bonus points as been removed; (2) In Section I. Program Description, the reference to substance abuse in the Rural Community definition has been modified to “...rural community with high rates of poverty, unemployment and substance abuse..."; (3) Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission, the reference to examples of number of jobs based on specific award amounts in Appendix A: Sample Chart of Jobs Created has been removed; and (4) Section V.1. Criteria, BONUS POINTS-Underserved areas, the reference to substance abuse has been modified to “...rural community with high rates of poverty, unemployment and substance abuse...". The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will award approximately $2.4 million in Community Economic Development Focus on Social Enterprises (CED Social Enterprise) program funds. CED Social Enterprise program funds will be awarded to experienced Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for well planned, financially viable, and innovative projects sponsoring social enterprise incubators. These incubators will develop new products, services, and commercial activities that result in new positions for individuals with low incomes, while also addressing a local unmet need or solution to social problems for the community’s constituents and its stakeholders. Projects also address the personal and community barriers that must be overcome to help individuals with low incomes become self-sufficient. (e.g., transportation, childcare, education/training, language, etc.) Projects can use funds for costs associated with social enterprise start-up or expansion activities, as well as technical assistance and incubator services to these businesses. Projects must be located in geographic areas with a demonstrated need for social enterprise, such as a county designated as having persistent poverty. Up to six experienced non-profit CDCs who have successfully provided technical and financial assistance to social enterprise businesses within their communities will receive awards. CED will consider geographic distribution to ensure projects are located across the country when making awards. CDC projects targeting rural communities with high rates of poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse will receive bonus points on their application.