JOLI Fact Sheet

February 14, 2012
Audience:
Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI)
Topics:
Eligibility, Guidance, Policies, and Procedures, Prospective Grantees
Types:
Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET
Job Opportunities For Low-Income Individuals
Office of Community Services
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

Purpose:To foster the economic self-sufficiency of the targeted populations by creating new jobs for low-income individuals through business plans and the provision of technical and/or financial assistance to private employers in the community.

Uses:  Grants are awarded for project costs for

  • Startup or expansion of businesses;
  • Self employment/micro-enterprise projects
  • Capital expenditures such as the purchase of equipment, however, funds may not be used for construction and purchase of real property;
  • Allowable operating expenses; and
  • Loans or equity investments.

Type of Grant: Competitive discretionary grants.

Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(4) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for this program.

Appropriations: In FY 2011, $ 1.6 million.

Authority: Section 505 of the Family Support Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-485), as amended by Section 112 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, (P.L. 104-193).      

Program Characteristics:     

  • There were four grants awarded in FY 2011 that are expected to support about 186 jobs. Projects have three years to complete implementation.
  • In 2011, the JOLI program strongly encouraged applicants to propose projects that support child care and early childhood education as such projects create jobs for low-income participants and support other working families. In addition, OCS would encourage projects that coordinate support services for participants with a program that provides Individual Development Accounts.
  • Grant award were a maximum level of $290,000 and funds may cover project costs for business start-up or expansion and the development of new products and services.
  • Types of projects funded include micro-enterprises in such industries as: child care, health care, catering services, property management, and Green jobs.