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Commonly Asked Questions: Community Collections Grants (Organizations)

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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 organization. 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 applicants 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. Can a group submit more than one application with a different awardee designated for each? Yes, there is no restriction on that.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. We noticed that your grant is focused primarily on developing a collection, rather than on programming (though we do see that separate funding for a public program may be possible after the initial grant is approved). Part of our archive development work involves cross-generational interviewing between youth and elders and within that process some curricular programming at the high school. Are we correct to assume that such youth programming and curricula is not directly part of this particular grant? That is not to say that you don’t think such work is important. But in terms of budgeting and emphasis in the grant, those programming activities are less important to emphasize? As the grant program serves to support cultural documentation activities, proposals should prioritize descriptions of documentation activities, but can include other activities that may be undertaken as part of the proposed project.

Eligibility

  1. Who is eligible to receive this grant? Applicants may be non-profit organizations subject to 26 U.S.C 501 c (3), including institutions of higher education, colleges and universities, as well as professional associations and community groups.  For-profit applicants are not eligible.
  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. 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.
  6. Can you please assist us in clarifying if Not for Profit Institutes for Higher Education are eligible to apply for the following opportunity? Yes, higher education institutions that have non-profit status are eligible to apply for this opportunity.
  7. I am a Grant Management Specialist for the Osage Nation Tribe. I was reading through the NOFO and we are interested in the grant for our Cultural department. But, I hadn’t read anywhere that a Federally Recognized Tribe is Eligible. Can you verify if we are eligible? Yes, federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply. Review the NOFO for eligibility details.
  8. 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.)
  9. Given the language copied below, would our institution qualify based on the attached documentation? “The program is open to US-based Individual applicants and non-profit Organizations (subject to 26 U.S.C. 501 c (3)), including institutions of higher education, colleges and universities, as well as professional associations and community groups. For 2024, the Library intends to award ten 12-month grants of up to $50,000 each.” Please review section C of the NOFO for all information related to Eligibility Information.
  10. Our plan includes a focus on education and contemporary efforts to expand the high school facility and link it more firmly to traditional practices. In the process of collecting oral histories, the topic of the old boarding school formerly on the site of the current high school will be included among other themes and questions we’ll be pursuing for this project. We noticed a Dept of Interior/NEH opportunity related to boarding school histories that we may also apply to as part of this project. Since you are also a federal agency, would applying for one grant put us out of the running for the other? We can mention that we hope to pursue the NEH grant in our application for you. But if that would compromise our application for your LOC grant, we may forgo the NEH opportunity since yours would be our higher priority. Per section D.5.1.1 (C) of the NOFO, applicants must provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable.

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 are to be submitted via 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.

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. 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.
  5. Would a project to document how cultural arts practices are being used to respond to disasters/pandemic be a suitable project? Yes.
  6. 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).
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.

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 the Notice, 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 cost share or matching requirement for this grant program, however proposals that include matching or cost sharing elements are allowed and may be rated more highly.
  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 at [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.
  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: https://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.

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 the Grants Officer, and the response will be posted weekly in the CAQs.
  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.  As indicated in the Notice in Appendix B: Budget Definitions, 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. We are a new non-profit organization.  We aren’t registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) yet due to the cost of legal retainers and filing fees. We are currently fund-raising to pay for that. Are you willing to allow us to apply as a non-profit pending?   Yes, if your organization is able to register in SAM and obtain a UEI number.
  15. Are public institutions of higher education eligible as applicants?  Yes.
  16. I am applying for the grant on behalf of an association.  The organization has an EIN number, but not a UEI number.  May I apply for the grant on behalf of the association using my UEI number? If the grant is being awarded to an organization, the organization must be registered in SAM, and its UEI number is required.  If the grant is awarded to an individual, check with SAM.gov regarding the use of other numbers for the SAM registration.
  17. May I apply for a grant as an individual for a project that furthers the work of an organization? Yes.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  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. 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).
  26. 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.
  27. In the SF-424 application, what is #4 “funding opportunity number” for the “widening the path” grant?  For organizations, it is the Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 030ADV22R0061.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. 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. Projects should foreground the community’s perspective and involvement.
  33. Does the 15% allowed for indirect costs apply to total direct costs or is it 15% of the total amount of the grant?  15% of the total grant.
  34. When do we submit the SF 424 form?  With the application.
  35. 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.
  36. 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.
  37. Would letters of support be from our Library Director or another administrator in our organization?  It is up to the applicant to decide.
  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?  If there will be no cost sharing, please indicate that in your Budget Narrative.  If there is a cost-share, you may add a cost-share tab to the Budget Plan Worksheet and itemize, or alternatively, describe it in detail in terms of type of cost and amount in your Budget Narrative.
  41. The SF-424 asks for a UEI rather than DUNS Number.  How should we complete the form? The transition from DUNS number to a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov  occurred in April 2022.  You must use your UEI number.
  42. Can State Arts Agencies apply for the Community Collections Grants to Organizations? Applicants must meet the requirements stated in section C.2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
  43. We are not yet a 501c3 (we submitted our application right before the pandemic and the process came to a grinding halt until just a few weeks ago). But we do have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor (Northwest Film Forum). Can groups and collectives who do not yet have 501c3 status, but who do have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor, apply? Applicants must meet the requirements stated in section C.2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
  44. I am reaching out to see if a town can apply as a stand-alone entity or if we need to partner with a local non-profit or individual to apply for funding through this program. Applicants must meet the requirements stated in section C.2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
  45. Can you please confirm the eligibility for our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization? Our query arises from the fact that we are a national nonprofit working closely with individual communities. We feel confident that we can write an exciting and mutually beneficial proposal, given how complementary the mission of our organization is with the purpose, expectations, and deliverables of your grant opportunity. For example, we focus specifically on documenting “the cultural life and experiences of diverse communities from their own perspective,” as your grant language states, and we would be honored to add to the holdings of the Library of Congress. However, the language within the call for proposals and the Notice of Funding Opportunity states that the grant is meant to “support projects within their communities.” Is this meant to be a strict 1:1 relationship between a local organization and their community? Can a national organization, with intimate ties to each community that adopts our model, apply for this critical funding to support these local projects? Applicants must meet the requirements stated in section C.2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The Library does not have the capacity to comment on the fit of specific organizations or projects with the CCG program.
  46. Hi I am interested in applying for the Of The People Grant. Can you provide details of how to submit for this grant? I have reviewed the submission requirements in the documents attached in the grants.gov site. There was not an active link to apply for the grant. Also, I have not been issued my UEI number and was informed that issuance is taking longer than usual. Please advise. Thank you. See section D.3 in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed information on submission requirements. All application materials must be submitted via email to [email protected] by the due date and time listed in section D.3. We encourage applicants to reach out directly to SAM.gov with any questions regarding UEI numbers. The registration process may take several weeks to complete.
  47. I work with faculty from the University who are wishing to submit grant proposals. We have a faculty member interested in the Community Collections Grant. I read the Notice of Funding but didn’t see stipulations on limiting submissions from the university. However, we had a faculty member attend the webinar the other day and she noted that the presenter shared that this is a limited submission opportunity–only one application per university will be permitted. Can you confirm this is the case? Per section C.2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, an eligible applicant organization may submit only one application under this announcement.
  48. Can you plesase advise how I would obtain the package ID for Funding Opportunity Numbers: 030ADV22R0061 and 030ADV22R0059. All information about the grant program and requirements for applying is available on this web page: https://www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/ 
  49. Thank you for your open communication with applicants. We are a nonprofit organization in the process of obtaining our UEI. We also need to register at SAM.gov, correct? Yes after you obtain your UEI from SAM.gov, you will need to complete your registration on SAM.gov Please see Appendix A of the NOFO for more information. 
  50. I will be partnering with the American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions in San Antonio and we have a few questions about the grant:•            Copyright: How holds copyright for the materials recorded and collected? We would like to build upon this effort with a larger project and want to ensure we will not run into issues with copyright•            Can we use grant money to pay performers for their time and performances?Thank you for your time! All rights remain with the creators of the collection materials, as described in Section G of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Awardees are able to use funds to provide stipends and payments. We recommend reviewing the NOFO in its entirety to ensure that you accurately describe how you plan to use grant funds. 
  51. Will we get a recording after the webinar? Yes – we will put a recording link on the main CCG application webpage.
  52. 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.
  53. 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.
  54. 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.
  55. 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.
  56. 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
  57. Is the email case-sensitive? Type it as shown in NOFO and on grant webpage.
  58. As an example a community of online gamers is that a community? Yes. The proposal must describe the community as stated in the NOFO.
  59. 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.
  60. 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.
  61. 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.
  62. 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.
  63. 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.
  64. 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
  65. 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.
  66. Would being a non-Asian American applying for grant that will involve Asian community members be a DISADVANTAGE to my my chances of receiving award? I noticed previous awards all show face of community member related to grant…so I am concerned if I apply using my non-profit 501c3, it will be a disadvantage. As outlined in the NOFO, applicants must demonstrate their relationship to the community(ies) at the focus of the proposed project. There is no preference between individual or organizational applicants.
  67. I cannot download Form SF-424 Application for Federal Domestic Assistance to apply as an Individual. Can you send me the form? All grant application files, including the SF-424 Form, can be download from the application webpage: https://www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/
  68. Can I possibly get a link to apply for the grant or do I upload the information provided directly to this email? Per section D.6 of the NOFO, all application materials must be emailed to [email protected].
  69. Do organizations need to complete the SF-424 or is this only for individuals? The Institute has a SAM-UEI number. Yes, organizations must complete the SF-424S Short Organizational Form per section D.5.3 of the NOFO.
  70. Appendices: Overlap Statement. “Applicants must provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable.” [Our organization] receives funding from The National Endowment for the Arts for “Artists Fees”. Should we win the CCG, it would go towards documenting/archiving the event. These funds would not commingle. Do we need to create the “Overlap Statement” to make sure everyone knows the funds would not overlap? Please advise. Yes, please include this information in the Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement included with the application.
  71. 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: https://www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/collect-and-preserve/community-collections-grant-application/
  72. 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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