FY 2009 Participation Grants

Dear Interested Party:

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is announcing the opportunity to submit grant applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation Grants (PPG) for fiscal year (FY) 2009.  Subject to the availability of Fiscal Year 2009 funds, a total of $5 million is available for FY 2009.  Our intention is to award up to $1 million of this money to an otherwise acceptable proposal that involves a partnership between a State agency and one or more private non-profit organizations, including faith-based or community-based organizations.  This year we will also award additional points to an applicant who provides a proposal designed to improve the retention of eligible households’ participation in SNAP at the point of recertification.  A copy of the Request for Applications, which provides all of the pertinent details regarding the submission of grant applications, is enclosed.

All 53 State agencies that administer the FSP, State or local governments, agencies providing health or welfare services, public health or educational entities and private nonprofit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations may apply.  The proposal may involve partnerships between State agencies administering the SNAP and other public and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations.  Eligible applicants may use the money to support projects that develop and implement simple food stamp application and eligibility determination systems, or measures to improve access to food stamp benefits.

The enclosed application materials outline the requirements which must be adhered to in order to be considered for funding under the program.  All completed grant applications must be received by FNS on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), June 11, 2009.  Applications must be submitted directly to FNS at the address noted in the Request for Applications or submitted electronically by accessing www.grants.gov.  Applications submitted via email or fax will not be accepted.  If you choose to mail the application, we strongly suggest using a mail delivery service that guarantees delivery and allows you to track delivery to FNS.  If you opt to submit the application via the www.grants.gov website, please be aware that in order to use the grants.gov system, the user will need to register online to obtain both a Data Universal Number and a Contract Registry Number. When using the grants.gov portal to apply, we suggest you submit the online application at least two (2) weeks in advance of the due date in case there are problems with the government-wide website and you want to submit your application via a mail delivery service. All applicants opting to submit their application via www.grants.gov must also send an e-mail to Lisa Johnson, Grants Officer, at Lisa.Johnson@fns.usda.gov advising that the application was submitted through the grants.gov portal.  This e-mail must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on the due date.

Regardless of the delivery method you choose, please do so sufficiently in advance of the due date to ensure your application package is received on or before the deadline.  It is your responsibility to meet the June 11, 2009, 5:00 p.m. EST due date.  Late applications will not be considered in the competition.  Furthermore, we will not consider additions or revisions to applications once they are received by FNS.

All questions about the PPG or the grant application process should be directed to Lisa Johnson of the Grants Management Division via email Lisa.Johnson@fns.usda.gov or (703) 305-2848.

Sincerely,

Arthur T. Foley
Director
Program Development Division                                                

Last modified: 04/11/2012