FEDERAL

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
2015 Social Innovation Fund Grant

 
Description: The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) combines public and private resources to grow the impact of innovative, community based solutions that have compelling evidence of improving the lives of people in low-income communities throughout the United States. During the 2015 fiscal year, the Social Innovation Fund will invest $51 million in organizations to grow community solutions. The SIF grant will be awarded to programs aligning with CNCS’ three focus areas: 1) Youth Development, 2) Economic Opportunity, and 3) Healthy Futures. For more information about CNCS and their mission, please click here. More details about the SIF grant can be found here.

Deadline: March 17, 2015. While not required, all applicants are also requested to complete a Notice of Intent by February 20, 2015.

Eligibility: This competition is open to existing grantmaking institutions (organizations that provide grants to nonprofits as an essential means of fulfilling their mission) or eligible partnerships (between grantmakers, a State Commission on National and Community Service, or a chief executive officer of a unit of general local government where the partner organizations will share responsibilities under the award). Affiliated Network organizations that are existing grantmaking institutions are also eligible to apply if they are willing to grant SIF dollars through competitions that are open beyond their exclusive networks. Current SIF Classic recipients may apply for new interventions; however, previous funding from CNCS or another federal agency is not a requisite to apply.

Funding Amount: The SIF will award up to $51 million in grants during the 2015 fiscal year, with up to $11 million going towards the continuation of existing recipients. Each selected recipient will be awarded between $1 million and $10 million and will match every federal dollar of the grant award. At least 80 percent of awarded federal funds must be invested in subrecipient programs.
The CNCS hosted two webinars to go over the application details, including an introduction into the work of the Social Innovation Fund with insight from SIF staff and a grantee. Click here to listen.

Contact Information: http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities/2015/social-innovation-fund-notice-funding; SIFApplication@cns.gov; Phone (202) 606-3223