First Nations Development Institute is pleased to announce a new project -- VITA Plus: Building Native American Family Economic Security and Linking Asset-Building Programs in Indian Country. As part of this project, First Nations will provide grant support for ONE new grantee in the state of Washington.  Under  this grant, the recipient will launch a new Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site serving a Native community (or Native community members) and will also provide links to integrated asset-building programs (e.g., Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), entrepreneurship training, credit repair, financial education, micro- and small loans, homeownership, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and/or public benefit programs such as TANF, housing assistance, child tax credit, etc.) throughout the state of Washington.

First Nations recognizes that VITA is an essential service in the promotion of asset-building among individuals and families in Native communities. We also recognize that individuals who utilize VITA services often need to be linked with other asset-building services, or public benefits for assistance, to improve their economic situation. Thus, the ultimate purpose of the project is to develop innovative and linked program models that will provide resources to Native families through effective financial education, bundled services and tools for asset development in order to create pathways out of poverty. These asset-building activities may have long-term ramifications for entire families and future generations.

In all, First Nation recognizes that VITA may be just one intervention point in the asset-building needs of vulnerable individuals or families.  Thus, increasing knowledge of complementary programs will allow Native American individuals and families served to increase family economic security and empower them to make better economic choices throughout their lifetime.

First Nations will award ONE grant in the amount of $45,000 over 2 years,  to an organization meeting the following criteria: 1) committed to opening a VITA site for tax filing years 2012 and 2013; and 2) able to link VITA clients with complementary integrated asset-building programs and/or access to public benefits that promote economic security of clients. At the end of this grant project, First Nations expects that the funded organization will have identified and linked most clients to 1) tax programs/products such as the EITC, Child Tax Credit, or Tax-time savings bonds; 2) Integrated asset-building programs (e.g., Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), entrepreneurship training, credit repair, financial education, micro- and small loans, homeownership,);  and 3) Public benefit programs such as TANF, housing assistance, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), etc.

A key component of this grant is that the grantee be able to conduct client referrals or to provide clients information about these programs and opportunities to promote family economic security and asset-building. Specifically, we will work with the selected grantee to help them assess clients for potential needs and direct clients to a benefits portal.

In addition, we will expect our grantee to participate in a monthly technical assistance call with a case manager and attend an a three-day integrated asset-building training institute during the summer of 2012, which will be hosted by First Nations Development Institute. First Nations will cover the travel expenses for two representatives from the grantee organization who have key responsibility for starting the VITA site. The three-day training will cover topics related to asset building programs that could be implemented by the VITA site, or a partner organization, to benefit the VITA clients. The grantee will participate in a research evaluation which will include the collection of qualitative and quantitative data from the VITA site. Ultimately, the research portion of this project will look at the effectiveness of the project as a model in promoting family economic security and asset-building in Native communities. 

Applicant organizations must be located in the state of Washington and the applicant’s target population must be primarily Native American. 

Organizations eligible to apply include

• Native American tribes,
• 501(c)(3) organizations,
• tribal §7871 organizations,
• community organizations without 501(c)(3) status with a qualified fiscal sponsor,
• and  tribal colleges or tribal schools with programs that meet the spirit of this grant initiative.

All applicants must fully complete the First Nations ONLINE Grant Application, including the submission of all necessary attachments. The following attachments must be uploaded during the submission process:

• Attachment A: An estimated budget for the proposed project that breaks down costs and is reasonable and related to grant expenditures. (view sample)
• Attachment B: A detailed project timeline that documents important project goals, milestones and benchmarks. (view sample)
• Attachment C: A copy of the organization’s or fiscal sponsor’s IRS Determination Letter
• Attachment D: List of Board of Directors, with Tribal affiliation (if applicable), and Key Staff 
• Attachment E: A completed W-9 for the organization or parent organization/fiscal sponsor. (download form)

Proposals are due March 23, 2012 at 5:00 PM (MST). Please allow yourself enough time to submit a complete application before then, as the system will shut down automatically at 5:00 pm and no data may be entered thereafter.  Partial, faxed, emailed, mailed or applications that are not received on time due to user error will not be considered.   

Questions
Should you have questions about the RFP or this project, please do not hesitate to contact Jaci Ree by phone at (303) 774-8838 or by email at jaci@oweesta.org.

Additional Resources

• Download printable Request for Proposals
• Download instructions on using First Nations' Online Grant Application System