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Commonly Asked Questions: Community Collections Grants (Individuals)

Posted by: John Fenn

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[CAQs listed below were updated August 1, 2023] Below you will find commonly-asked questions as well as other resources to support your application to the Community Collections Grant program as an individual. You can find the application materials for this program on the Of the People website:

Help Understanding this Funding Opportunity and Application Process

Dates to Note

  • July 15, 2022. Questions about applying for this funding opportunity may be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on the date identified here. No questions will be accepted after this date.  See Section D.2 in the NOFO (Questions and Answers) for more information.
  • August 1, 2022.  Applications for this funding opportunity are due by 12:00 p.m. (noon ET) on the date identified here.  See Section D.3 Application Package and Submission Requirements for more information.

Using the Notice of Funding Opportunity (“the Notice”) as a Planning Tool

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (the “Notice”) states application requirements organized across distinct sections.  Each section is important and provides detailed information and definitions related to specific aspects of the application process:

  • Sec. A:   Program Description giving background, the purpose of the grant, program expectations and deliverables, and an overview of the selection process. ***
  •  Sec. B:   Federal Award Information summarizes key elements of the opportunity including the period of performance, estimated start date, and estimated funds available and number of awards.
  •  Sec. C:   Eligibility Requirements details both who may apply for the grant and other conditions affecting a satisfactory application.
  •  Sec. D: Application and Submission Information gives a full description of the needed elements of the application itself, including project proposal information, project budget information, and required forms, as well as details on when and how to submit the application package itself. ***
  •  Sec. E:   Application Review and Award describes how an application will be evaluated and how the Library will notify successful applicants. ***

*** While all information is important to the purpose, requirements, and expectations of the grant program, these three (3) sections are critical to helping applicants plan, outline, and create their grant proposal.

The Notice also provides information regarding expectations of grant management and legal considerations that will apply if the Library awards a grant to an applicant, including:

  • Sec. F:   Project Management and Reporting summarizes the Library’s expectations of an awardee including project planning, interim and final reporting, and communications with the Library’s program team.
  • Sec. G:  Federal Award Administration describes the legal and regulatory framework applying to the grant including applicable Library and federal regulations, general terms and conditions, disclosures, and intellectual property right considerations.
  • Sec. H:    Other Information defines the payment schedule for awards

Federal Systems and Forms

As a government agency, the Library of Congress complies with federal rules regarding the distribution of funds.

CAQs [Updated August 1, 2023]

Grant program overview

  1. What’s the purpose of this program? Through a gift from the Mellon Foundation, the Library will support a multiyear initiative that entails public participation in the creation of archival collections. Specifically, the Library of Congress seeks to award grants to support contemporary cultural documentation focusing on the culture and traditions of diverse, often underrepresented communities in the United States. These projects will result in archival collections preserved at the American Folklife Center and made accessible through the Library of Congress’ web site. The major goals of this grant program are to enable communities to document their cultural life and experiences from their own perspectives, while enriching the Library’s holdings with diverse materials featuring creativity and knowledge found at the local level. As such, successful applications will come from individuals closely affiliated with the community they propose to document.
  2. Can I get more information about the program, the Library’s collections, or the documentation standards, digital submission specifications, fieldwork, or methods relevant to this funding opportunity? Please direct questions to the Grants Officer, who will relay your query to the appropriate staff: [email protected].
  3. I’m not sure if this is the right program for me.  Are there other funding opportunities available? Over the next several years, the Library will offer several programs as part of the “Of the People” program.  Areas of interest, funding available, and the number of awards may vary.  All funding opportunities will be listed on the “Of the People: Widening the Path” Funding Opportunities {link to post} page for easy reference.  Bookmark the page or subscribe to blog (RSS or email) to stay informed.
  4. I see there is mention of hosting a public program, and that there is up to $10,000 available in addition to the grant award (up to $50,000). What do you mean by “hosting a public program”? The Library encourages successful applicants to plan and hold a public event in their home community that provides an opportunity to share about the project. This could be a listening session toward the start of the project that will enable community members to learn more about it, a story circle during the project that provides a space for individuals to participate, or a celebration toward the end of the project that recognizes all those who have been involved. Such public events could be held at libraries, parks, community centers, or a number of other spaces and venues. Applicants who envision a public program as part of their proposal should be prepared to describe the basic outline and goals of a program, but there is no need to have it fully planned at the time of application.
  5. Will there be an equal number of awards made to organizations and individuals? There is no preference either way.
  6. Will there be 10 grants awarded to individuals and 10 awarded to organizations? Or will it be a TOTAL of 10? Total of 10, no preference either way re: individuals or orgs.
  7. Can a group submit more than one application with a different awardee designated for each? Yes, there is no restriction on that.
  8. Is community based on location or by connected interests. Today thanks to internet, there can be communities connected across the U.S. The nature of a given community should be articulated or described by the applicant. There are no expectations that community be either location-based or connected by interests.
  9. Is the $50,000 award taxable to individuals? Award funds are considered taxable expenditures. See exceptions and more information on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/private-foundations/grants-to-individuals. The Library is not in a position to provide tax information and recommends that awardees consult with a tax attorney.
  10. Can you submit more than one application? There is no limit on the number of applications submitted by one applicant, but a given applicant can only receive one award.
  11. Is the documentation shared with the library still able to be used by us, or are you expecting to own it exclusively? Section G.5 of the NOFO discussed the intellectual property requirements for this grant. As indicated therein, the Library’s preference is for projects that extend an open license for non-commercial public use, because the Library’s intention is that the collections created are of maximum benefit to the public. The Library does not expect exclusive ownership of documentation or deliverables provided to the Library; however, applicants must describe any limitations on intellectual property that will affect the Library’s use of any project deliverables.

Eligibility

  1. Who is eligible to receive this grant? Applicants must be individuals. If a group of individuals wishes to work together on a project, the application must identify one individual as the potential awardee.
  2. Are applicants in the U.S. territories eligible to apply? Yes, applicants located in the U.S. territories meet the eligibility requirements.
  3. Will the Library accept multiple proposals from the same applicant? An eligible applicant may submit only one application under this announcement. Applicants may be included in multiple proposals as members of collaborative partnerships or within a single organization.
  4. May two entities collaborate and submit one proposal? While the Library encourages collaboration among entities and will accept proposals that leverage the resources of two or more organizations, Library grants will be awarded to only one entity. Therefore, applications must identify a single lead recipient, who will be listed as the awardee and responsible for all financial requirements under the grant.
  5. I am an individual with a start up, which is stronger per application? Should I apply as myself with letters of recommendation from Congress or as my emerging green corporation? That is your preference. The applications will be evaluated as stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. There is no preference re: individual applicants vs. organization applicants.
  6. If an individual is applying and has an UEI with their company, can they use their UEI associated with their entity or do you recommend they complete the other survey form? If an individual is applying, they should not use a UEI associated with an organization. However, individuals that have incorporated as sole-proprietorships can ask to be paid via the sole-proprietorship and provide the UEI for the sole-proprietorship. All individual applicants must meet the eligibility requirements stated in the NOFO.
  7. Greetings, what are the expectations of public accessibility regarding the documentation created? Considering the nature of the cultural heritage that has historically dealt with extensive situations of extraction, how does this project navigate that? There is a statement about intellectual property and ethical concerns in the NOFO, and we recommend all applicants review that statement. In general the materials coming to the Library through the CCG program should be publicly accessible to patrons, but we recognize there will be various situations involving potentially sensitive materials and are willing to discuss those cases with awardees.
  8. I’m contacting you from the Office of Research at FIU. I’d like to confirm whether the funding opportunity (030ADV23R0050) is only open to individuals and if so, would the award go directly to the individual, as well. Opportunity 030ADV23R0050 is open only to individuals, but opportunity 30ADV23R0051 is open to organizations.
  9. Is there an age restriction for individuals? In order to apply (i.e., contract with and receive grant funding from the Library of Congress), an individual must be at least 18 years old.
  10. Would it be possible to pay students on this grant who are undocumented? No. (Note: the NOFO requires applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (see C.1). Moreover, grant recipients are required to comply with all applicable laws (see G.1); therefore, to the extent grant projects and budgets identify contractors, subcontractors, or other payees, such payments must adhere to the terms of the Library grant and applicable law.)
  11. I have started an LLC and am applying on SAM.gov for an UEI. Am I still eligible to apply even though I am not a non-profit? Per section D.4 of the NOFO, If you have an existing SAM.gov registration under a personal LLC, you may request payments to be made to your LLC (provided it is listed as “active” on SAM.gov). You do not need to set up a new entity in order to receive payment from the Library.

Funding period/length

  1. What are the grant amounts the Library will award? The Library of Congress intends to award up to 10 Grants pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity. The Library’s intention is to make grant awards of up to $50,000.
  2. How long is the funding period? The funding period is 12 months.
  3. If my proposal was selected, when would I receive funds? The Library expects to announce funding decisions later this year. Once a decision has been made, many factors may affect the specific timing of payments to applicants as outstanding issues are resolved and the Grant Agreement is made available for review and acceptance. Once the Grant Agreement is fully executed, the Grant Officer will share instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. See Section E.2 Notice of Federal Award for more information.
  4. Once awarded, as far as reporting, will there be assistance to ensure we’re in compliance for reporting the appropriate information? Yes.
  5. Did I understand that the project has to be complete within 12 months? The award period is for twelve months, so all project activities funded by a grant must be completed within that time frame.
  6. Are awardees able to receive guidance and support from the LOC during their project period relating to bettering content documentation strategy and methods? Yes.
  7. And what is the desired timeline/12 month project dates? November 30, 2023 is the earliest expected start date for projects, so the grant period would run until November 29, 2024.
  8. I read that the project can start as early as November 2023; is there a clear end date? Does the project need to be completed and reported by the end of calendar year 2024? If there is a community event does that also need to happen by the end of 2024? The project would need to be completed by November 29, 2024. Any discussion about a community event would happen after award, and the timeline determined at that point.

Application details

  1. What is the application deadline? All proposals must be submitted electronically via email to [email protected] no later than 12:00 PM (Noon Eastern Time) on August 1, 2022. No application materials can be submitted through Grants.gov.
  2. What should be in an application packet? Refer to Section D of the Notice for detailed information.  In brief, the application packet must contain:
    • a SF-424 Application for Federal Domestic Assistance-Short Organizational;
    • a Proposal Narrative of no more than 5 pages describing the proposed project, the organization, key project staff/consultants, a description of past activity relevant to the project proposed, and necessary disclosures
    • a Budget Plan Worksheet, i.e., a completed version of the Excel worksheet attached to the notice
    • a Budget Narrative of approximately 2-4 pages explaining the connection between the proposed project and the budget plan
    • Necessary appendix materials including disclosures and other notices as are relevant to individual applicants.
  3. How should the Standard Form (SF-424) PDFs and the budget narrative excel spreadsheet be submitted in the MS WORD electronic copy version of the proposal? The PDFs may be submitted as PDFs, and the excel spreadsheet budget may remain in excel format, with the MS WORD file(s) of the application. Files may be attached separately to a single or multiple emails to [email protected].  Please make sure each submission email clearly identifies the proposal applicant(s) and proposed project title.  See Section D.6 Email Submission Requirements.
  4. Are the cover page, budget attachments (Budget Narrative Template (excel) and Budget Justification (word/ PDF), the appendices and the standard forms (SF424) considered part of the proposal 5-page count limit? No, these documents, forms, attachments, and the cover page will not count against the 5-page limit.
  5. Appendices: Should the separate appendices be submitted as individual appendix files? The Library does not have a recommendation or preference, and it may depend on the email server or file size (please see the Notice for the Library’s maximum email size limit). All appendices may be combined into one PDF or submitted as individual PDF files. Please make sure individual files and emails are clearly labeled and connected to your application.
  6. Should the appendices be combined into a single PDF file with the Project Narrative and other attachments? The Library does not have a recommendation or preference and it may depend on the email server or file size (please see the Notice for the Library’s maximum email size limit). All appendices, project narrative sections, and other forms and attachments may be combined into one PDF or submitted as individual PDF files. Please make sure individual files and emails are clearly labeled and connected to your application.
  7. How do you recommend we submit the documents that are currently linked as pdfs? You will email them to the address listed on the webpage and Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
  8. When we download those documents and prepare to complete them, should we duplicate the pdf or download a pdf-to-word converter to complete the file? Submitting a PDF is OK.
  9. I believe you said that the SF-424 form for Individuals is located on Grants.Gov, is that correct? Yes and on grant webpage.
  10. We will have several pdfs – do you want them sent separately, or is it ok to combine them into one pdf with a table of contents? Review the NOFO for submission instructions.
  11. Can you send a zip file? No. Submission instructions can be found in the NOFO.
  12. Should we fill out the “narrative” and “budget” forms for the individuals? I can’t find forms specifically for organizations except for the NOFO 030ADV23R0051. NOFO #030ADV23R0051, Community Collections Grants to Organizations, has its own Budget Plan Narrative and Worksheet which are required for the application to be considered complete. You can view and download the templates on the Community Collections Grant webpage: //www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/.
  13. Could you elaborate on what is needed on a budgetary level? Please see section D.5.2 of the NOFO for detailed information on budget requirements and how to complete the Budget Plan Worksheet and Narrative. Template files can be found on the Community Collections Grant webpage: //www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/
  14. Would it be preferable if the project hires an archivist as a consultant so the material can be organized and catalogued with metadata in a manner that the LOC would like to receive the material? Each awardee project team receives training in metadata preparation of project documentation materials, so hiring an archivist is not necessary, but that is a decision for project teams to make.

Proposal Narrative

  1. What information should I include in my project description? Applicants should use the project description to provide a reasonable explanation of the work they would like to perform and to demonstrate how the proposed work would align with the goals of the program overall.  Applicants should also review the factors the Library will consider in evaluating applications to make sure their proposal addresses these points sufficiently. See Section E. Application Review and Reward for more information.
  2. Are project timelines and other visual charts allowed in the proposal? Yes, project timelines and other visual charts are allowed in the proposal and may be included in the body of the project narrative (5-page limit) or as a separate, supplementary appendix.
  3. I don’t want all the materials I collect or include in my project to be shared in the Library’s collections for public use.  What should I do? The Library’s preference is for projects that extend an open license for non-commercial public use to the collection materials, but we encourage applicants to describe in detail any specific limitations they might predict for portions of the collection. See Section G.5. Intellectual Property Rights and Data Use for more information. The Library intends to be attentive to culturally sensitive materials that may be part of documentation gathered during a project, and will work with grant awardees to determine the most appropriate approach regarding access.  In either the proposal or as a separate appendix document, applicants with concerns must describe any limitations on any intellectual property that will affect applicant’s performance of the grant or affect the Library’s (or the public’s) subsequent use of any deliverable under the agreement (e.g. potential documentation of copyrighted cultural material). In particular, the applicant must describe the intellectual property in sufficient detail, clearly state any limitations, and describe how the Library can use the work with the limitations described or proposed by the applicant.
  4. Please define “Contemporary” per grant solicitation? Contemporary refers to the time period of creation for the cultural documentation materials supported by grant funds. We intend for awardees to conduct fieldwork activities documenting cultural activity happening now, even if the cultural traditions or practices themselves have a long history.
  5. This collections is seeking Community Based Participatory Research? Correct? There is no requirement for, or limitation, to a particular research methodology. The grant program is intended to foreground community perspective in and through the cultural documentation fieldwork.
  6. CBPR – Community Based Participatory Research is the priority this round? There are no priorities for funding certain approaches or methods listed in the NOFO. The grant program serves to support communities in documenting their living cultures, so applicants ought to discuss and demonstrate their connections to the community under focus.
  7. When we speak about documentation by communities is having consultants who are expert in media production an asset? Or is that frowned upon? Not frowned upon – whatever is appropriate and needed for the project.
  8. In the narrative template do we list the word “Tin” and the number or just the number in the line provided? You can include the word.
  9. When presenting our project, can we use history as a launching point within the projected proposal? We recognize that history of cultural practices and communities may be a necessary component for contextualizing a given project. History should not be the focus of a project, however, for an application to be competitive.
  10. Would a project to document how cultural arts practices are being used to respond to disasters/pandemic be a suitable project? Yes.
  11. Do you have to list the names of contractors when submitting the grant? You are asked to describe main project leader(s) and members driving it forward, but not everyone involved is expected to be listed (as that can change too).
  12. Must project reflection be happening currently or may we reflect the history center that celebrates the culture of our community and documentation of that life style over the past 150 years? Project activities supported by grant funds must happen during the twelve-month award period.
  13. Is there any political aspect okay? The nature of this question is unclear, but it is generally okay to include political activities or aspects in the cultural documentation for a given project.

Budget Narrative and Worksheets

  1. Why do I have to explain my budget information in two separate sections and formats?  What’s the relationship between the Budget Plan Worksheet and the Budget Narrative? The Library requests two different perspectives on project budgets to aid in the evaluation of the overall project proposal:
    • The worksheet asks applicants to provide a detailed view on the estimated costs of the project to demonstrate the applicant has fully considered the resources needed for the project and that only allowable expenses are included.
    • The narrative ask applicants explain how the costs included are reasonable and necessary for project performance and demonstrate that grant funds would be used appropriately and wisely to support program objectives.
  2. How do I prepare a proposed budget? Applicants should consider their proposal and identify needed resources, goods, and services using the categories shown on the worksheet as prompts: Salaries Wages & Benefits; Travel; Equipment; Supplies; Contractual; Other.  Items to include should be allowable under federal regulations and as specific as possible.  Amounts to include should be reasonable for the scope of the proposed project – allocating too little money to resource needs can raise as much concern as allocating too much money. More information is also available in the CRS report “How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal” [updated Aug. 28, 2019].
  3. What are allowable costs? As a general rule, allowable costs are those that are reasonably part of, and of benefit to, the proposed grant project.  Costs that apply to multiple projects or personal expenses are typically not allowed as direct expenses. For example, a camera or printer for applicant’s use in project fieldwork and other documentary work would not be included; reasonable costs of paper or ink for this program could be allowed. For specific questions, contact the Grant Officer as directed in Section D.2. Questions and Answers.
  4. Are travel costs allowable in the grant budget? Yes. Applicants should ensure any per diem costs (lodgings or meals and incidentals expenses per day) do not exceed allowable government rates as defined by the U.S. General Services Administration.  For information on permitted per diem rate, applicants can use the GSA’s Per Diem Rates Look Up tool
  5. My project expenses are primarily salary to myself, travel, and supplies.  Do I need to fill in the other categories? For the sake of clarity, applicants should enter $0 for total expenses in categories where they have no planned costs.
  6. Are matching funds required? There is no mandatory matching requirement for this grant program.
  7. What happens if our proposal is selected for funding and there are budget or personnel changes? To make a change to a submitted proposal before the application deadline, contact the Grant Officer [email protected] as directed in Section D.2. Questions and Answers. Changes or modifications to a proposal after it has been selected for funding will be handled on a case by case basis by the Library. For modifications to an awarded project, please see the terms of the agreement created for how to proceed. In most cases, minor modifications may be requested as long as the original, funded intent of the award does not change. In extreme cases, grantees who are not able to fulfill the terms of their award may be subject to early termination or other terms as specified in their award agreement.
  8. Generally, is the bulk of costs used to pay people? Each project is different. It’s up to applicants to determine the resources needed to complete the project.
  9. Re: budget, are there guidelines related to supply and materials costs? Yes. Please review the NOFO for more information.
  10. If we plan to do a community event – should that be included in the budget? No. That is additional funds to be budgeted after being awarded the grant, so no need to include.
  11. As an individual applicant, if I’m doing the bulk of the documentation/filming/photographing with the support of other community members, am I allowed to include myself in the budget to account for my time or am I meant to only use the funds to pay others? Yes, you would be allowed to include a line item for your own stipend.
  12. Under direct costs – equipment: it states a per-unit acquisition cost that equals or exceeds $5,000. Does this mean that I cannot request the purchase of audio recorders? Or is this more for printers, computers, cameras, etc.? This amount ($5,000) refers to the threshhold at which a single item is defined as “Equipment” rather than “Supplies” per 2 CFR 200.313: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.313. Per section D.5.2.2 of the NOFO, equipment related directly to project activities are considered allowable costs under this grant.

Selection and award processes

  1. Who will review grant applications? The Library will assemble panels comprising a member of the American Folklife Center Board of Trustees, American Folklife Center staff, and invited panelists. See Section E. Application Review and Award for more information.
  2. When will the Library communicate grant decisions? The Library intends to communicate funding decisions by November 18, 2022.

Other general questions (submitted via email)

  1. I would like to arrange a time to discuss or get feedback on a project proposal, is that possible? The Library of Congress does not provide one-on-one feedback on project proposals for this grant program. If there is a specific question, please email [email protected], and the response will be posted weekly in the CAQs. The deadline to submit questions is no later than 5:00pm (Eastern Time) on July 15, 2022.
  2. I am having difficulty logging into grants.gov.  How do I get help? Call GRANTS.GOV support at 1-800-518-4726 or email them at [email protected].
  3. The grants.gov system does not allow me to apply for this grant.  How do I submit the application? As in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, Sections D.3 and D.6, all proposals are to be submitted electronically by email to [email protected].
  4. I have questions about whether my project is eligible for the grant. Can you review and provide advice about my particular project before I apply? No. In order to be fair to every applicant, we cannot offer personalized advice.  For guidance on your eligibility, review the Notice Sections A.2, A.3.1 and C.
  5. Can I use other federal funding that supports a scholar of an under-represented group as a cost-share? No. Federal funds may not be used for cost-sharing.
  6. Will the competition award 10 grants each for both organizations and individuals or 10 grants total for the entire competition?   10 grants total.
  7. In terms of the brief resume required as part of the application, is there a required page limit or a recommended page range?  Between two and four pages will be sufficient.
  8. For the application, does the cover page and letters of support from an administrator count towards the 5-page maximum for the narrative? No.  Those documents are separate from the narrative.
  9. To maximize their competitiveness, is it more advantageous for faculty to apply as individuals, or should our faculty be counseled to apply through the University? There is no advantage. Awardees are selected for the high quality of the proposed project within the scope of the Notice.
  10. Must each university propose only one project?  Or should we submit an institutional project and also note to faculty they are welcome to submit independently?  Yes, a university (or other organization) should propose only one project. Faculty (or other employees) are able to submit proposals as individuals, but such proposals should be for projects distinct from that submitted by the organization with which they are affiliated.
  11. Due to Adobe 8 restrictions, I cannot download Form SF-424 Application for Federal Domestic Assistance – Individual. Can you send me the form?  Yes.  Request an SF-424 form to [email protected].
  12. Is a completed project (self-published book) eligible for consideration?  If not, can I gift you a copy of the book for inclusion in the Library of Congress? No.  To be eligible, projects must be new.  To gift a book contact the Library’s Acquisitions office at (202) 707-0792 or [email protected].
  13. In the Notice, the expected start date is “November 30, 2022 (earliest).”  What would be the latest start date for the project? There is no specific “latest start date,” as such a date will be dependent on details for each project. The proposal narrative should offer a project timeline that offers expected dates for each activity or phase of the project.
  14. May I apply for a grant as an individual for a project that furthers the work of an organization? Yes.
  15. Is the grant $50,000 divided into 10 grantees or $50,000 per grantee?  Up to $50,000 per grantee. If you propose to host a public program, you may request an additional $10,000.
  16. How many interviews/people do you feel to be an efficient amount?  What is the level of expectation in terms of quantity of material?  The Library does not have a specific number of interviews or quantity of documentation in mind. In reviewing proposals, we will look at the relationship between the level of funding sought and the scale of cultural documentation activities (i.e. interviews, photography, etc) to determine if there is reasonable alignment. Application review will also entail assessing the viability of a project, in terms of both the proposed scale and the allotted timeframe as described in the project narrative.
  17. Can this grant be extended to additional years?  This grant has a period of performance of 12 months.  The timeline and budget should correspond to a 12 month period.
  18. Do individual applicants have to register on SAM.gov, or complete a Vendor Survey Form (VSF) at the time of application?  Individuals may register on SAM.gov during the application process.   Alternatively, individuals may choose to complete a vendor survey form after they have been selected for the award.
  19. For individual applications, the cover sheet stipulates either a DUNS or TIN number. I don’t have either.  A TIN is a Taxpayer Identification Number.  A Social Security Number is a TIN.
  20. What kinds of partners does this grant allow and how many of them should we be working with?  It is up to the applicant to determine the structure of the project.  Note that only one entity may apply for and administer the grant.
  21.  As an individual applicant, is the grant taxable to me and if so, can I deduct all the budgeted expenses for the project?  The Library of Congress is unable to answer tax questions.  Please review IRS regulations or seek the advice of an accountant.
  22. Can I use grant funds for equipment such as a camera or printer purchased for the project?  Yes, you can use grant funds to purchase equipment that directly supports the proposed project.
  23. The majority of my interviews will be in Spanish. Is a translated transcript + audio acceptable? Yes, translated transcript and original audio would be acceptable.
  24. What are the video and audio formats accepted by the Library? The Library prefers to receive born-digital content in non-proprietary and uncompressed formats, such as TIFF (digital image) or WAV (digital audio). Video files should be saved using common formats, such as .mp4 or .mov, and should be HD.
  25. Where can I find the grant requirements for an individual? Please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity #030ADV22R0059 for Individuals on the Of the People website {link} or Grants.gov.
  26. Could you please provide the citation for specific allowable and unallowable costs?  This is the link to 2 CFR 200, Subpart E – Cost Principles: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/2/part-200/subpart-E. Specific types of costs can be found under General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost (§§ 200.420 – 200.476).
  27. Would new additions to an existing ongoing community project be considered new in your review of proposals?   Funds from this grant program are intended to support new and contemporary cultural documentation efforts, with materials generated through projects provided to the Library for inclusion in our collections. Awardees who may be extending existing projects would discuss with the Library about inclusion of extant materials as part of a collection, as this would be decided on a case by case basis.
  28. On the SF 424 form for individuals, how do we answer Item 3, “Date Received?”  You may leave it blank.
  29. In the SF-424 application, what is #4 “funding opportunity number” for the “widening the path” grant?  For individuals, it is the Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 030ADV21R0059.
  30. Is it acceptable to add a line item for contingencies to the budget? No.  Please use the line items specified in the Budget Plan Worksheet.
  31. Will line items like travel or venue rental be convertible to telecommunications service or software costs in the event of another social shutdown? Any significant change to a grant project’s programmatic scope, or planned budget requires the Library’s explicit consent and approval, which is to be submitted in writing (including email), with a revised budget plan.
  32. In the budget narrative, how detailed do our fundraising plans need to be if our budget exceeds the $50,000 range?  Please propose a project with a budget no greater than $50,000.
  33. Does the 5 pages include the budget worksheet provided suffice or does there need to be separate budget worksheet? The 5 pages encompass only the project narrative. The budget worksheet and budget justification/narrative are separate documents.
  34. Can you please clarify whether universities can sponsor applications and whether university sponsorship would in any way undermine an application by a grassroots community history project?  That depends on the project being proposed.
  35. When do we submit the SF 424 form?  With the application.
  36. Is the SF 424 form the same as the SAM registration?  No, they are different.  The SF-424 is a form.  SAM is a system.
  37. What kinds of partners will this grant will allow and how many of them should we be working with?  It depends on the project.  For a successful application, please review the Notice.
  38. Under this grant, can we apply for funding to complete the processing of oral histories even though they will have been conducted before the grant period? No.  The projects must be new.
  39. Can the grant also cover some archival research?  Yes, to the extent that archival research informs new cultural documentation activity. Additionally, archival research should not comprise a bulk of the activity supported by grant funds.
  40. Where in the Budget Plan Worksheet do we indicate cost sharing?  There is no cost sharing allowed with the grants to individuals.
  41. My name is XX. I recently published a series of books about children in different familial situations. I look forward to receiving more information from you and see if I may be a good fit for this particular grant? Thank you! The Library is not reviewing/evaluating concepts for projects. Each applicant should review the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to determine if their project meets the requirements stated in the NOFO. 
  42. I am from Papua New Guinea. Am I eligible to apply? As described in the NOFO eligible applicants must be individuals who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents. Eligibility extends to all 50 U.S. states, protectorates, territories, and the District of Columbia.
  43. I’d like to request info on the grants for individuals for their cultural documenting. All information about the grant program is available on this web page: //www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/
  44. I have a project that I would like to propose for one of the Community Collections grants but would like some advice on whether and how it would be a good fit.  The Library is not reviewing/evaluating concepts for projects. Each applicant should review the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to determine if their project meets the requirements stated in the NOFO.
  45. I am having trouble with applying for the grant, the website is not allowing me to apply. I wanted to know if it’s too late to apply for the grant. Also this would be my first time applying for a grant. I wanted to double check my eligibility for the grant just to be 100% sure I approve.  I also wanted advice on finding or knowing who to find to hire for my event, Is the grant looking for professionals or just normal local diverse people willing to share? I want to be in conduct with the grant making sure I’m breaking no rules. Also I don’t clearly understand funding eligibility. If you can tell me where to find what is eligible to be funded by this grant specifically that would be awesome.  I also would like examples of the type of events thrown under this grant. I had an idea to host a community event based on diversity having different booths set up with different nationalities and activities. I don’t want to continue the proposal essay if This will not count as an eligible event. So if you can please shed light on what is expected that would be amazing. Information on how to apply for the grant can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and additional information can also be found on the Off The People Widening The Path website. Each applicant has to decide if they are eligible by reviewing the eligibility section of the NOFO (Section C.2).   In addition, please review the checklist provided with the NOFO to determine the documents that you need to provide with the application. All other requirements can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. In addition to reviewing the NOFO, you can also attend one of the public informational webinars or watch a recording of a webinar. Links to register or view a recording can be found on this page: //www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/.
  46. Is registration with Sam.gov required for individuals? Is the VSF still an option? If so, how do I obtain it? See section D.4 of the NOFO for detailed information. SAM.gov registration is not required for individual applicants, however, if an applicant is not registered on sam.gov you will have to complete a Vendor Survey Form (VSF) and you will have to provide the information stated in section D.4 of the NOFO and send the form via email to the Library. The VSF will be provided during the grant award process.
  47. How do I apply? Information on how to apply for the grant can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on grants.gov and additional information can also be found on the Off The People Widening The Path website.
  48. My name is XX I was curious about the tribal grants program. Would it be possible for somebody to contact me with information regarding my eligibility for the grant or loan based on the information provided thank you for your time. Information on how to apply for the grant can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on grants.gov and additional information can also be found on the Off The People Widening The Path website.
  49. My question is about the budget. Does the budget limit include the institutional indirect costs, or are the indirect costs applied on top of the direct request up to $50,000? This grant program is for individuals and indirect costs are not allowed. The $50,000 award ceiling is inclusive of all costs. However, the Library also has a 2nd Notice of Funding Opportunity for grants to organizations (030ADV22R0061) under which indirect costs are allowed. See the Of the People Widening the Path website for materials related to the organizational grant.
  50. I am preparing materials for the grant application for the ‘Of the people’ grant program. I have a question about submission after having read the notice of funding opportunity. Am I correct that the requirements are to register on sam.gov just as a general registration but to not have to register as an entity or linked to an entity if we are doing this project as an individual and not an organization? And then once all the materials are together, am I correct that those will be submitted to you via email? I saw something on the Sam.gov site about needing a DUNS number to create an entity and I wanted to verify whether I need to take those steps or not. Can you please let me know when you get a moment? See section D.4 in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed information. SAM.gov registration is not required for individual applicants, however, if an applicant is not registered on SAM.gov they will have to complete a Vendor Survey Form (VSF) and will have to provide the information stated in section D.4 of the NOFO and send the form via email to the Library. The VSF will be provided during the grant award process. Regarding the application process, see section D.3 in the NOFO which details the application package and submission requirements. By signing and submitting the application form, the applicant assures and certifies that the applicant will comply with the policies and statutes outlined in section G. Federal Award Administration and all related Library regulations. Application materials must be submitted via email to [email protected].
  51. I have been working for two decades on historic African American communities in Kentucky’s Inner Bluegrass region. While I am not from the communities I can honestly say I have become part of the communities. I have recently moved to the area as well. The below section is what I am asking about, I would be applying as an individual. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. The major goals of this grant program are to enable communities to document their cultural life and experiences from their own perspectives, while enriching the Library’s holdings with diverse materials featuring creativity and knowledge found at the local level. The Library is not reviewing/evaluating concepts for projects. Each applicant should review the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to determine if their project meets the requirements stated in the NOFO. However, you can apply as an individual provided your proposed project meets the requirements of the NOFO and you meet the eligibility requirements stated in the NOFO.
  52. I am planning to submit an application for the Individual Community Collections Grant. I have a few questions and fully understand that your answers are based on being awarded grant funding. 1) Will you accept one-on-one field interviews that are done before the grant awards are announced? 2) If so, would you allow me to conduct one-on-one interviews as described above using my consent form or would I need to use a LOC consent form? 3) How should data that is copied from the US Federal Census, then re-entered into an Excel spreadsheet, be handled given that it will not have a time/date stamp? 4) Can the data that will be collected during the Community Collections Grant be used later to display in a museum? 1) No, all funded activity must take place in the period of performance per the award agreement; 2) All successful applicants must ensure that all project materials (collected during the period of performance of the grant agreement) meet all requirements stated in the “Applications with Proprietary Data” and “Intellectual Property Rights and Data Availability” sections of the NOFO; 3) This question was posed during the first webinar, the question is unclear and as such the Library cannot readily provide an answer; 4) Yes, materials collected during a funded project may be used in displays or exhibits.
  53. I’m writing to find out where I can find the first two Community Collections Grant webinars from 6/8 and 6/22. I will be attending the 3rd webinar but would like to catch up by watching the first two. Thank you for your help! Links to webinar recordings will be posted on this website: //www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/
  54. We will be applying for the second round of Community Collections grant funding. for our Victory of Greenwood project. We do have a fiscal sponsor, but based on the webinar and the online information, I see that this can be applied for as an individual. My questions:1. We can apply as an individual, and wait for that SAMS/Unique ID to be approved/processed while we apply for funding?2. We could also apply as an individual and NOT use that system? Or is that something I read but that is not preferred? See section D.4 in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed information. SAM.gov registration is not required for individual applicants, however, if an applicant is not registered on SAM.gov they will have to complete a Vendor Survey Form (VSF) and will have to provide the information stated in section D.4 of the NOFO and send the form via email to the Library. The VSF will be provided during the grant award process.
  55. Hi I am reaching out because I am looking into apply for the following opportunity: “Of the People: Widening the Path: Community Collections Grant to Individuals Library of Congress”. My question is can this opportunity be applied to through grants.gov? If it cannot where do I submit the completed packet? We are not accepting application documents through grants.gov. You will need to send your application materials as described in section D of the NOFO. The NOFO is available on grants.gov and Of The People Widening The Path website.
  56. I’d like to participate for this opportunity.? Help with instructions to file. Information on how to apply for the grant can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Section D,  on grants.gov and additional information can also be found on the Of The People Widening The Path website.
  57. 1. Registration with SAM.gov:  Do I need to do anything other than set up a password and login? 2. Can I use the grant to build on top of a previous cultural documentation? 3. How do I ask a technical question for my application? 1. See section D.4 and Appendix A in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed information. 2. Yes, as long as the funding is used to support new and contemporary cultural documentation. 3. See section D.2 in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed information.
  58. Will we get a recording after the webinar? Yes – we will put a recording link on the main CCG application webpage.
  59. Are you aware that key word, “Mexico” generates 25 grants of which this opportunity became visible per grants.gov? May the collections for your perusal be gathered from either side of the Mexico/US border or Texas (US) side exclusively? Grant funds may only be used to support activities related to cultural documentation within the boundaries of the United States, including territories and protectorates.
  60. I am a STEAM teacher and special educator who offers scaffolding youth. As a member of the community I am a cultural architect. This is the priority? I would consider myself an expect in action research and identify formation of underserved communities. There are no priorities for funding certain approaches or methods listed in the NOFO. The goal of the program is to support cultural documentation projects that attend to the requirements listed in the NOFO and that emphasize community perspective and/or participation in the cultural documentation.
  61. Did you know this grant is listed as unrestricted in grants.gov? May you have that updated as not allowing for profit organizations please. There is no such language currently on the grants.gov application page and applications must not be submitted via grants.gov. Please read the NOFO for information on eligibility.
  62. I have already written to the email for Questions with no reply yet. What is the turn around time for reply? The grant has been prepared and is ready or review. Answers to questions submitted via email are posted in batches after internal review by the program office and various support offices in the Library. Turn around time varies by complexity of question and staff bandwidth.
  63. Is the process for obtaining the Unique Identity ID the same for individuals? Thank you. For questions and assistance with obtaining a UEI, Please visit SAM.gov’s contact page: https://sam.gov/content/about/contact
  64. Is the email case-sensitive? Type it as shown in NOFO and on grant webpage.
  65. As an example a community of online gamers is that a community? Yes. The proposal must describe the community as stated in the NOFO.
  66. Although you don’t give tax advice, do individual grantees from the first two grant rounds have experiences that individuals considering applying for this round might benefit from taking into account? Seems quite important for individual planning. Since the Library does not discuss taxable status or filing experiences with past awardees, we are not able to offer insight.
  67. If we have prior documentation, would it be attractive if we offer to donate that also – in addition to the work done for this project? Any acquisitions of materials gathered or generated prior to the start of an awarded project would need to be negotiated with the American Folklife Center after the grant award was made. Offers to donate other materials are not considered in evaluating proposals, as this is not a requirement in the NOFO.
  68. Might there be sample budgets to look at for example grants like Thai community development center or University of Oklahoma? No. Budget instructions can be found in the NOFO.
  69. What do you do with the rejected proposals? We do not retain the rejected proposals. Should unsuccessful applicants want to receive brief written feedback, they should contact the Library after the selection process is finished and awardees announced.
  70. Seeking someone to review my documents prior to August 11th 2023 submission date for proper formatting and completeness. We are not able to evaluate draft proposals nor determine competitiveness ahead of submission.
  71. I’m trying to complete the 2023 Community Collections Grant Application. When I try to get a Unique Entity Identifier, I am asked for all kinds of business documents but I don’t have a business. I don’t see an option to apply as an individual non business applicant. I have gone through all the help links and documents and have not been able to find an answer. Can you please help? Thank you. As SAM.gov is run by another agency and not the Library, we will suggest calling their customer support number (866)606-8220. Additional information can be found via the following link – https://sam.gov/content/about/contact
  72. I’m a doctoral student doing a multimodal dissertation on bodegas/corner stores – spaces with which I have a personal family and cultural history – and the intention of having video and photographic components was explicitly to create a community archive of the spaces and as a form of public scholarship. Is this sort of project – one that is integrated with or part of a dissertation – allowed? I’m specifically looking for support for the audiovisual parts of the project which require more resources and time. The program is intended to support cultural documentation from the community perspective, or that foregrounds the community perspective. It is not intended to fund dissertation research. While we cannot comment or assess the competitiveness of your idea, we recommend you thoroughly read the NOFO in order to align your proposed project with the requirements.
  73. In section D4 of the Funding opportunity document you state: “… a Vendor Survey Form (VSF) that will be provided during the award process”. Since I am applying as an individual and cannot go through registering through SAM.gov , I need to fill out this form. When will this form be provided? Before or after an award is made? Do I need to fill it out before applying? The Vendor Survey Form will be provided to applicants at the award stage, but before an award is made. It does not need to be completed before applying.
  74. Are there guidelines for completing the SAM as an individual? The checklist seems primarily geared towards organizations. As SAM.gov is run by another agency and not the Library, we will suggest calling their customer support number for any issues applicants may experience in registering (866) 606-8220. Additional information can be found via the following link: https://sam.gov/content/about/contact. Moreover, per section D.4 of the NOFO, applicants can also complete a Vendor Survey Form (VSF) in lieu of registering on SAM.gov that will be provided during the award process, not during the application stage.
  75. What is the process for documenting immigrant communities? Does the AFC/LOC accept oral histories that may be restricted? Is there a possibility for anonymity in the interviews? These are questions that can be answered by the project leader (or project team members), as the project team and community participants deem what is most appropriate for their project.
  76. Could one of my primary Laos contacts be the “face” of my award if I am selected? An applicant that is planning to engage partners, consultants, collaborators and/or service providers (Third Parties), as described below, must include all such related costs in the Budget Plan Worksheet and Budget Narrative Plan. However, the applicant is responsible for all work that will be completed under the award agreement and the Library will have no contractual relationship with Third Parties.
  77. Would you please send me the application and how to find the grant information? The Notice of Funding Opportunity for this grant and all related files can be found on the Community Collections Grant webpage: //www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/
  78. What do I also need to register at SAM. Gov if I don’t have any business yet? Or don’t have revenue to show? Am I able to apply in Sam as a new applicant ? without any revenue only I have social media marketing with no revenue. As SAM.gov is run by another agency and not the Library, we will suggest calling their customer support number for any issues applicants may experience in registering (866) 606-8220. Additional information can be found via the following link: https://sam.gov/content/about/contact. Moreover, per section D.4 of the NOFO, applicants can also complete a Vendor Survey Form (VSF) in lieu of registering on SAM.gov that will be provided during the award process, not during the application stage.

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