Grants to USA Nonprofits, Agencies, Tribes, and For-Profits

Grants to USA Nonprofits, Agencies, Tribes, and For-Profits for Programs to Promote Broadband Connectivity

Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program

GrantWatch ID# 206662

Agency: Federal

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Funding Source

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB)

CFDA Number: 32.011

Funding or PIN Number: FCC-ACOGP-23-001

Geographic Focus

All USA
USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA);

Important Dates

Conference Date: 01/04/23
Deadline: 01/09/23 11:59 PM EST

Grant Description

Grants to USA and territories local nonprofit organizations, government agencies, tribal governments, housing authorities, and for-profit organizations for broadband programs to benefit low-income households. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take up to several weeks to complete.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that qualifying low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The ACP is the successor program to the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program which was established pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to provide discounted broadband service to low-income households, including those experiencing economic disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of the ACP Outreach Grant Program is to facilitate the promotion of the ACP and increase awareness of and participation in the ACP among eligible households. To support this goal, the FCC is providing federal financial assistance through the ACP Outreach Grant Program to engage in targeted outreach to low-income households nationwide both to gauge existing levels of ACP awareness and to promote increased awareness of and participation in the program by eligible households.

To support the ACP Outreach Grant Program goal, the FCC has identified three objectives:

Expand and support diverse and impactful outreach efforts nationwide;
Strengthen outreach partners nationwide by empowering them to mobilize people and organizations to help raise awareness about the ACP; and
Increase ACP enrollment as a result of ACP Outreach Grant Program funded activities.

These objectives are consistent with the authorizing language in the Infrastructure Act and are also consistent with the Commission’s strategic goals and objectives.

For information about funding priorities, see the following link: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/acp_outreach_grant_program_nofo.pdf#page=6

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Recipient

Eligibility

City or township governments
County governments
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Special district governments
State governments

Additional Criteria for Eligibility

For FY 2023, eligible entities may include the following governmental and nongovernmental organizations to serve as outreach partners to the FCC to conduct ACP outreach and/or ACP application assistance to eligible households:
• State governments and subdivisions thereof (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico);
• U.S. Territory governments and subdivisions thereof such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
• Local governments and subdivisions thereof (including county, borough, municipality, city, town, township, parish, local public authority, special district, intrastate district, council of governments, and agencies or instrumentalities of multi-regional or intrastate or local government);
• Tribal governments and subdivisions thereof, as well as tribal organizations;
• Public housing agencies;
• Tribal designated housing entities;
• Social service providers (e.g., food banks, community transportation, childcare);
• Education organizations, such as schools and other institutions of higher education;
• Workforce development training organizations;
• Non-profit organizations (501(c)(3) status is not required);
• Community-based organizations (including faith-based organizations and social service organizations);
• Community anchor institutions;
• Public service organizations; and
• Consortia of the entities listed above.

For information about ineligible entities, see the following link: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/acp_outreach_grant_program_nofo.pdf#page=10

For information about funding restrictions, see the following link: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/acp_outreach_grant_program_nofo.pdf#page=18

Pre-Proposal Conference

You can choose to attend one or more of the following webinars:
- Dec 16, 2022 12:00 PM
- Jan 4, 2023 12:00 PM

Register here: https://fcc-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_mRzSm63PRzSxEufsRNBe9Q

Pre-Application Information

Complete applications must be received through https://www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 9, 2023.
Anticipated Funding Selection Date: On or before March 10, 2023
Anticipated Award Date: No later than March 31, 2023

Other Key Dates:
- Obtaining a valid Employer Identification Number: Four weeks before submission deadline
- Creating a Login.gov account, for a single sign on registration, to then establish an organization registration with
- System for Award Management (SAM) SAM.gov: Four weeks before submission deadline
- Registering in Grants.gov and adding organization profile, or updating registration: Four weeks before submission deadline
- Assigning roles and access in Grants.gov: Four weeks before submission deadline
- Starting application in Grants.gov Workspace: Two weeks before submission deadline
- Submitting the final application in Grants.gov: No later than the submission deadline

FCC expects to complete its review, make selection of successful applicants, and process awards on or before March 10, 2023.

Webinar Recording: https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/2022/11/webinar-discuss-affordable-connectivity-outreach-grant-program

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$70,000,000

Number of Grants

200-400

Estimated Size of Grant

The minimum (floor) amount an applicant may apply for is: $50,000
The maximum (ceiling) amount an applicant may apply for is: $1,000,000

The ACP benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Term of Contract

For the ACP Outreach Grant Program, grant recipients must expend awarded funding against their approved projects and supporting milestones within 24 months (2 years).
• Projected period of performance start date: March 2023
• Projected period of performance end date: March 2025

Contact Information

FCC Grants Team
Please direct programmatic inquiries to:
Miriam Yohannes Montgomery
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
Miriam.montgomery@fcc.gov
ACPgrants@fcc.gov

Please direct grant management inquiries to:
Joy Sears
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
Joy.sears@fcc.gov
ACPgrants@fcc.gov

FCC Section 504 Compliance Officer
Gerard Williams
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
FCC504@fcc.gov
(202) 418-1505

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