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1. Eligibility Requirements

• All projects must have a program component that responds to COVID-19 impacts. 
• All applicants must provide proof of nonprofit status. 
• The organization must have the capacity to comply with the program guidelines. 
• A clearly defined Scope of Work, Budget and Schedule must be included in the submitted application. Clearly defined performance standards/metrics/outputs and outcomes must be identified within the narrative. 
• The program must maximize positive impacts in the Royal Oak Community. 
• The program goals must be realistic and achievable.

2. Funding Requirements

Eligible program participants for the ARPA program must meet ARPA guidelines according to the Treasury Final Rule and 2 CFR 200.

Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for financial assistance from the City of Royal Oak (Individuals are not eligible to apply directly for funding):

Eligibility Criteria	Description
Nonprofit Status	Grants may be awarded only to nonprofit agencies, chartered by the State of Michigan, that have federal tax‐exempt 501(C) (3) status and can provide a letter from the IRS.
Non-Discrimination	Grants may be awarded only to agencies that certify they will comply with the City's non-discrimination policy, a clause in the contract between the City and an agency.
Accessibility	Applicant agencies must demonstrate that programs, facilities, and projects will be accessible to people with disabilities.
Organizational Stewardship	The organizations are encouraged to have year‐round managerial leadership and an active board of directors that is reflective of the community it serves.
Financial Controls	The applicant agency must have an adequate financial management system in place to maintain effective control and accountability over all funds, property, and other assets. Sufficient backup documentation is required in order to be reimbursed for eligible expenses.
Complete Application	The application is submitted by the grant deadline, is accurate and all components of application are provided.
Maximum Funding Level	The maximum level of funding that can be requested by a nonprofit agency is 25 percent of the agency’s total actual operating expenses for the last completed fiscal year.
Two Categories Policy	Nonprofit agencies can be awarded funding in only two grant categories for a total award of $50,000 maximum. Please note: Individuals are not eligible to apply directly for funding.

All entities applying for the NOF ARPA grant program must demonstrate:

1. The negative economic impact of COVID-19
2. How the program they are applying for funding is addressing the impacts of COVID-19
3. 501(C)3 Organization must be registered with Sam.gov

3. Eligible ARPA Program Priorities

Applicants can only apply once and can only receive a single award for a MAXIMUM of $50,000.  Applicants can apply in up to two priority areas. Minimum request is $25,000 in any one priority area. All required documentation must be submitted at the time of application.

Funding through this NOFA will be provided for seven (7) eligible activities under:

I. Education Examples

Education component may provide support to improve literacy, leadership development, and/or basic job training or skill set improvement. Proposals must be focused on the three major content areas below:

1. Literacy
2. Enrichment/Readiness
3. Job Training

II. Seniors Examples

Seniors’ component includes activities targeted for the well-being of senior citizens for transportation and physical, mental, emotional, and social health services. Services in this category should be focused on:

1. Transportation Resources and Services
2. Health Care Services
3. Senior Health & Wellness programs and activities

III. Health Examples

Health component is specifically designed for the provision of other health services, which does not include transportation or medical appointments. Basic health services may include, but are not limited to:

1. Nutritious lunch and snacks
2. Socialization and recreation, community outings, personal grooming, and hygiene
3. Therapeutic activities, health monitoring, medication administration, individual, family or group counseling services, and prescription assistance programs.

IV. Public Safety Examples

Public Safety component includes neighborhood or community-based activities focused on safe keeping of citizens. Program services may include, but are not limited to:

1. Domestic and gun violence prevention
2. Crime reduction and supportive counseling and referrals
3. Cyber Security Informational Programs/Trainings
4. Representation/Human Trafficking services
5. Grief support to individuals and families 

V. Recreation (Youth) Examples

Recreation component will be focused on youth programs. Eligible service activities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Arts, crafts, music, theater
2. Youth sports and activities

VI. Mobility and Accessibility Example

Programs and services that address and improve access and quality of life through sustainable transport and mobility. 

VII. Arts & Culture Examples

Art and Culture are catalysts for expression, connection, collaboration, and community. This component will prioritize initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors, and promote development. Examples include projects that:

1. Develop arts & culture-based beautification projects
2. Positively impact the perception of the City of Royal Oak
3. Coordinate and promote arts, culture, history, and heritage events and activities

4. Timelines and Key Dates

Application Round Opens:	Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Submission Deadline:	Friday, October 6, 2023
Award Announcements:	Monday, November 13, 2023
Grant Contract Start Date:	Tuesday, December 12 , 2023
Grant Contract End Date:	Wednesday, October 15, 2024
Last Day to Submit Reimbursements:	Friday, November 29, 2024

5. Application Selection Process

The City of Royal Oak expects to receive many highly competitive applications from across the City of Royal Oak. All applications that meet the basic eligibility requirements will go through a ranking process. Applications will be selected and funded based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate their capacity to implement a successful project/program/activity, the City’s priorities, project ranking, and available funding.

Qualifying proposals meeting the above listed criteria will be ranked and scored on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the lowest and 100 the highest score. Proposals must score at least 80 points to be recommended for funding.

Proposals will be ranked according to the score and recommended for funding in rank order. The

Scoring Criteria is as follows:

• Organizational Information:  30 points
• Funding Need:  15 points
• Project Description:  55 points
• Total Score:  100 points

Responses will be evaluated on a 5-point scale where a multiplier will be used (1, 2, and 3) to compute the total points for each area:

• 5 - Points: criterion is clearly, directly, and verifiably satisfied
• 4 - Points: criterion appears to be satisfied
• 3 - Points: criterion appears to be satisfied, but is lacking in clarity or documentation
• 2 - Points: criterion is only partially satisfied
• 1 - Point: criterion is not satisfied
• 0 - Points: question or questions are incorrectly answered or not answered completely

After grant award decisions are made, all applicants will be notified of their award status.

Beneficiaries will be monitored to assess whether the organization program/activities have achieved its objectives and determine whether the program has maximized impacts and outcomes in the community and to the people being served.

6. Assessment Criteria

Nonprofit Impact Oriented		Min	Max
Organizational Information		0	30
Mission and work demonstrate a clear purpose to address health, economic, or racial inequities	Nonprofit is awarded additional points if they can demonstrate a clear  purpose to address health, economic, or racial disparities. Examples include: History of Organization and mission Letters of support Collaboration with other organizations providing similar programs/services and goals to address inequities Clearly demonstrates increased access to essential program/services not previously accessible	0	15
Nonprofit organization has less than five (5) employees with an operating budget less than $150,000	Nonprofit organization can demonstrate they have five (5) or less employees and they have an operating budget less than $150,000	0	15
Funding Need		0	15
Ability to demonstrate funding need	Non-profit should be able to respond to community need through one or more of the following: Clear overview of the strength of the program’s finances Clear operating deficit due to increased operating cost, reduced participation, reduced funding, etc. Community assessments (surveys and observations)	0	10
Not received additional federal funding for COVID-19 response (ex: PPP)	Signed PPP loans, SBA, ARPA affidavit from the nonprofit demonstrating that no other funding for COVID-19 relief has been received,	0	5
Project Description		0	55
Implementation of social worker programs in support of mental health concerns	Implementation of social worker programs to support mental health concerns for youth Implementation of social worker programs to support mental health concerns for the general public	0	15
Implementation of programs to support those with food or shelter insecurities	Programs that address food and shelter security at a community level, which is a systems approach including local infrastructure, economic and job security, homelessness, hunger, education and awareness, and resource collaboration and connection	0	15
Program Design & History	Nonprofit will be awarded points based on the strength of the program design and program history. A clearly defined Scope of Work and budget align (activity being funded) The project outputs and goals are realistic and achievable and can be performed within the specified period	0	10
Capacity to administer the program	Nonprofit has identified key personnel to oversee the program and the organization has experience to run the program proposed The organization has the capacity to comply with the program guidelines Program budget and explanation are realistic and reasonable Explanation of Financial Management System Organization has accounting systems in place to manage program budget	0	15

Important Notes

No person or organization will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with the City’s funds on the basis of race, color, religion, sex including pregnancy (childbirth, and related medical conditions), sex stereotyping, transgender status and gender identity, national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, or political affiliation or belief.

PLEASE NOTE: Only digital, electronically transmitted applications will be accepted.

Organizations may want to consult with a tax professional when applying. Recipients found to have expended grant funds on expenses previously covered by another federal, state, or local program or on ineligible expenses will be required to repay all grant funding awarded by this program.

For questions about the application, eligibility, or other concerns, please contact:

Jill Martin, Program Manager

Jill.Martin.@romi.gov