Volunteer Generation Fund#13VG153400

Volunteer Florida’sFY2013

Build – Engage – Sustain - & - Transform (BEST)Skills-Based Volunteers Grants

Proposal Guidance & Forms

December 15, 2013 – September 30, 2014

Release Date: October 21, 2013

PROPOSALS DUE:Friday, January 3, 2014 5:00 PM EST

THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS (BRAILLE, LARGE PRINT) UPON REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT US AT (850) 414-7400 (VOICE/TTY) WITH YOUR REQUEST.

WHAT IS SKILLS-BASED VOLUNTEERING? Skills-based volunteering (SBV) is an innovative approach that is rapidly gaining recognition as a powerful driver of both social impact and business value. SBV is a strategic type of volunteerism that exponentially expands the impact of nonprofits by incorporating a whole range of skills that strengthen the operations and services of nonprofit organizations. Skills based volunteerism utilizes the skills, experience, talents and education of volunteers and matches them with the needs of nonprofits. There are several models that effectively engage skills-based volunteers, such as, mentoring or tutoring at all educational levels, as well as

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leadership and business mentoring at the Executive levels. There are opportunities for volunteers to touch a particular cause, or bring skills and knowledge to affect change in their communities through a greater commitment of time, and done-in-a-day projects. Volunteers can choose to use their personal or professional talents, work individually or in teams and take on long or short term projects. And, skills-based volunteerism can be a pathway to employment by maintaining skills or learning new skills. Volunteers may provide services for local, national or international organizations, and assist with planned projects or respond to immediate critical needs, such as disaster response. Individual skilled volunteers may offer their particular expertise to a nonprofit agency, while corporate skills-based volunteering may involve employee volunteers working on projects for a nonprofit organization through a structured program developed and managed by their employer. Skills-based volunteering is about matching the right person with the right skills and knowledge, at the right time, to the right project in order to achieve greater impact. By leveraging all types of knowledge and expertise, skills-based volunteers help to build and sustain nonprofits’ capacity to achieve their missions successfully and can serve to enhance and enrich the lives of the volunteers. Volunteer Florida will focus on training volunteer connector organizations* to work with a wide range of skills-based volunteers, including corporate groups, veterans, the under-employed and unemployed individuals seeking to maintain current skills or learn new skills. (*Volunteer Connector organizations = Community, faith-based and government organizations connecting volunteers with the needs in their communities. Volunteer connectors help individuals, groups, families and corporate partners become effectively engaged in service to their communities.)

PROPOSAL ASSISTANCE Two (2) Technical Assistance Conference calls to assist Applicants in their preparation of a complete and competitive proposal have been scheduled: Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM EDTMonday, October 28, 2013 at 3:00 PM EDTCall-in information is: (888) 670-3525 Participant pass code: 3822432866#

Following the Technical Assistance Conference Call, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) listing will be posted on the BEST Skills-Based Volunteers web site at: www.volunteerflorida.org/bestvolunteers

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY ONE proposal per Applicant Applicants may be any community or faith-based organization that maintains a 501(c) (3) nonprofit status, or government entity in Florida. The applicant must be an organization that mobilizes people and resources to deliver creative solutions to community problems by offering programs and services that:

Recognizes that all volunteers have skills and talents to share. Connect people with opportunities to serve. Promotes volunteering at all levels and ages. Builds or establishes partnerships and collaboration among organizations in the community.

Volunteer Florida encourages all Applicants to make every effort to include volunteers of diverse backgrounds and ages and to recruit military veterans, disadvantaged youth and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations must be made to allow persons with disabilities access to volunteer opportunities. Grantees are urged to find opportunities to partner with existing AmeriCorps and other national service programs where possible.

PURPOSE

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Volunteer Florida proposes to strengthen the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit, manage, support and retain skills-based volunteers to serve in high quality volunteer assignments. The BEST Skills-Based Volunteers Program (SBV) will use evidence-based principles of service as a strategy and volunteering-as-a-pathway-to-work research to help meet escalating needs and affect change in the lives of those who serve, as well as those being served. BEST Skills-Based Volunteers program will target skills-based volunteers, including veterans and military families, unemployed and under-employed individuals and baby boomers. The benefits to this approach are three-fold: (1) service organizations, which are especially stretched in this recovering economy, will have increased capacity; (2) skills-based volunteers will utilize existing skills and garner new skills, which may also be a pathway to employment; and (3) critical community needs will be met. The BEST SBV program will provide sub-grants and conduct relevant, comprehensive training, with emphasis on increasing the number of skills-based volunteers, service hours, and types of activities. The BEST Skills-Based Volunteers program will strengthen the capacity of volunteer connector organizations receiving sub-grants by providing an in-depth strength-based assessment to identify resources, challenges and areas of need. Sub-grantees will receive a comprehensive, multi-phased training curriculum, funding for program enhancements, ongoing technical assistance and coaching to establish a Skills-Based Volunteer program. Volunteer Florida will make available up to $315,000, to a maximum of twenty-one (21) sub-grants of $10,000 in grant funds and $5,000 in training support for the Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) initiative, Build-Engage-Sustain-and-Transform (BEST) Skills-Based Volunteer Program. The FY2013 Volunteer Generation Fund grant is a ONE year grant.

THE GRANT PERIODProposals are due by

Friday, January 3, 2014 5:00 PM ESTto:

BESTvolunteers@volunteerflorida.org Proposals received after 5:00PM EST may not be considered.

This proposal is for a nine-month period, beginning on December 15, 2013 and ending on September 30, 2014. The program period will begin upon execution of the BEST Skills-Based Volunteer grant contract and terminate on September 30, 2014. Volunteer Florida reserves the right to allocate funds based on Reviewers’ recommendations and funding availability. Grants should be designed:

1. To establish measurable outcomes, including the numbers of both new and retained skills-based volunteers and hours of service for volunteers recruited, managed and supported by these grants, as well as the types and amounts of activities carried out by skills-based volunteers.

2. To increase the number of veterans engaged in service opportunities as skills-based volunteers. 3. To build capacity of the organization by implementing three or more effective volunteer management

practices. (As defined by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Guidelines) 4. To expand the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit and manage new and retained

skills-based volunteers to serve in measurable volunteer assignments, including those aligned with special days of service such as ML King Day of Service, Earth Day, and the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.

FUNDING AMOUNTS & MATCH REQUIREMENTS

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Volunteer Florida will award up to 21 sub-grants of $15,000 each, as follows:          $5,000 will be used to provide lodging, meals during the training and a comprehensive, four (4) part training program in Orlando for two (2) participants from each sub-grantee. The training is designed to help sub-grantees build capacity by developing a skills-based volunteer program. Note: Sub-grantees will be responsible for transportation costs to and from Orlando for all four (4) trainings. Transportation costs are eligible for reimbursement through grant funds (as part of the $10,000 listed below) or may be used as part of the required match.         $10,000 will be awarded to sub-grantees to be used as seed money to develop a skills-based volunteer program. Sub-grantees may use their grant award for one of the following options:

1.      For capacity building, cash may be used to hire new or support existing personnel to develop or augment a skills-based volunteer program. Eligible program activities include recruiting and training skills-based volunteers, leveraging partnerships, writing grants, and related activities.2.      To build capacity through infrastructure, grant funds may be used for equipment, technology and software which are directly related to the recruitment, support, management and retention of skills-based volunteers and tracking volunteer hours and activities.3.      Transportation costs (airfare, car rental, mileage, tolls, meals enroute) for the four (4) training sessions for two (2) participants in Orlando. 4.      The grant funds may be split between items 1 through 3 (personnel, infrastructure needs, and/or transportation costs to the required trainings).

         Grantees are required to provide a 50% ($7,500) in-kind and/or cash match*. Examples of in-kind match include personnel, training, office space, supplies, transportation costs to attend the required training sessions (if not paid from the $10,000), etc. Grantees will be required to provide documentation of match utilized with each request for reimbursement. *Cash match may NOT be from Federal sources and volunteer service hours are NOT eligible.*

         Volunteer Florida will encourage geographic diversity by actively seeking proposals from all seven (7) regions of the state, as defined by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (http://www.floridadisaster.org/county_em/county_list.htm), granting approximately three (3) awards in each region (maximum of 21 grants statewide).          All sub-grants will be paid on a cost reimbursements basis, based on timely submission of reports and verification of match funds. Sub-grantees will be required to provide proper documentation of expenditures for each month. Volunteer Florida will have the final approval of all expenses.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND SOURCE Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, was established in 1994 by the Florida Legislature to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. The Commission is administratively housed in the Executive Office of the Governor and guided by a bipartisan board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Volunteer Florida strengthens Florida’s communities through national service, fostering volunteerism and leveraging resources. In carrying out its mission, Volunteer Florida partners with community and faith-based organizations, non-profits, businesses, government entities, school boards, colleges and universities. Each year, Volunteer Florida awards and administers AmeriCorps funding that is received from the Corporation for National & Community Service. The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal government agency that encourages Americans of all ages and backgrounds to engage in community-based service to meet the nation’s educational, public safety, environmental and other human needs. In

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doing so, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the ties that bind us together as a people, and provides educational opportunities for those who make a substantial commitment to service.Volunteer Florida’s BEST Skills-Based Volunteers grant is funded as a FY2013 Volunteer Generation Fund grant through Grant #13VG153400, from the Corporation for National and Community Service. All grant awards are contingent upon the availability of funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: PROGRAM DELIVERABLES Successful grantees must accomplish all of the following:

Complete an in-depth Pre-training Strength-Based Assessment and self-evaluation to assess the strengths, resources, barriers and challenges of the agency or organization. (December)

Two (2) Staff members from each sub-grantee will be required to participate in the comprehensive, in-depth, BEST Skills-Based Volunteers training program, based on the California Volunteers Service Enterprise Initiatives (CVSEI), funded by the Volunteer Generation Fund in FY 2010-2012, and combined with other evidence-based models. The training design includes four (2) day modules, to be presented over a four month period. The grant award includes training, lodging and meals (at per diem rates) for two (2) Staff members. Sub-grantees will be responsible for all transportation-related costs, to and from each training. All trainings will be held in Orlando. The (tentative) dates* for the four (4) trainings will be:

January 20 - 22, 2014February 10 – 12, 2014March 10 – 12, 2014April 7 – 9, 2014

*The location will be announced at a later date. Use $10,000 provided by the sub-grant to establish a Skills-Based Volunteers program to build

organizational capacity. Develop a Business Plan to include a Skills-Based Volunteers Program. Develop and produce a Volunteer Manual to include: Organization’s Mission and Vision statements,

Policies and Procedures, agency orientation, training policies, volunteer position descriptions, with measurable volunteer roles, based on the strength-based assessment outcomes, to attract and retain skills-based volunteers.

Develop strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining new and current skills-based volunteers, including veterans, unemployed and under-employed individuals.

Host activities targeting skills-based volunteers on at least one special day of service, such as, ML King Jr. Day of Service (January 2014), Earth Day (April 2014), Global Youth Services Day (April 2014), 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance or participate in a Volunteer Florida 20/20 (Anniversary) activity.

Each sub-grantee will recruit, manage, and support a minimum of 100 skills-based volunteers, including veterans, unemployed and under-employed individuals, serving at least 800 hours.

Maintain a minimum volunteer retention rate of 30%, (based on pre-training measurements.) Implement three (3) or more effective volunteer management practices, as defined by the Corporation

for National and Community Service (CNCS) guidelines. Participate in a Site Visit and Program Evaluation conducted by Volunteer Florida. Create a Skills-Based Volunteers recognition award program to recognize volunteers.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

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Grantees are required to report volunteer census data and progress toward completion of program objectives twice during the grant period and submit monthly Periodic Expense Reports (PER) to document program expenses and request reimbursements. Reports dates are:

Period Covering Due Date*Post training Program Report December 2013 –April 2014 April 15, 2014Periodic Expense Report (PER) December 2013 – August

201415th of following month

Final PER Thru September 15, 2014 October 15, 2014Final Program Report Thru September 30, 2014 October 15, 2014*Failure to file timely reports may result in delayed reimbursements.

PROPOSAL CRITERIA AND INSTRUCTIONS Volunteer Florida will select proposals using skills-based volunteer experts, volunteer peer reviewers, and Volunteer Florida staff. Volunteer Florida will review proposals for adherence to federal and state contractual funding requirements. Volunteer Florida may conduct clarifying interviews in person or through conference calls prior to final approval.

Grant proposals should be single-spaced, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins and a maximum of 9 pages. Proposals must be submitted electronically, in one PDF file. ***Failure to follow these instructions may disqualify your proposal***

Budget must include a cost match totaling at minimum of 50% of the sub-grant amount ($7,500). ***Cash match may NOT be from any other Federal sources and volunteer service hours are NOT eligible***

Proposals will be scored on a 100-point scale. A total of ten (10) additional points will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate 100% cash and/or in-kind match.

Application must include the applicant’s region (1 to 7) using the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s regional map, (http://www.floridadisaster.org/county_em/county_list.htm).

The proposal must be signed by an authorized representative of the applicant organization. The proposal must include all of the following components:

Cover Sheet & Executive Summary (100 words maximum) (0 points – 1 page)Provide an overview of your proposal and summarize the key points of what your program will accomplish. If your proposal is successful, the Executive Summary will be used on the Volunteer Florida web site.

Organizational Capacity (10 points – 1 page) Describe your capacity to implement and manage the proposed program, including fiscal oversight and experience. To receive all points, the ideal proposal will demonstrate plans to use a technology-based tracking system to collect and report data that demonstrates measurable results, a clearly defined internal operation process for the organization, and a financial management system that will provide organizational sustainability. Proposal Narrative (50 points – 1-3 pages) Use the proposal narrative to explain how your organization will benefit from an in-depth self-assessment, a comprehensive training program and a skills-based volunteer program. Describe how you will meet the objectives listed in the Successful Outcomes/Program Deliverables and discuss your organization’s ability to

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partner with other nonprofit groups, including faith-based groups and community efforts to develop and implement a skills-based volunteers plan targeting veterans, boomers, unemployed and underemployed individuals to connect them with meaningful volunteer opportunities. To receive all points, the proposal will articulate the benefits of an in-depth self-assessment to the organization and what a skills-based volunteer program will bring to the organization and community. The ideal proposal will succinctly state how a skills-based volunteer program will strengthen the applicant’s organization and build sustainable solutions to address local challenges faced by nonprofit organizations, increase opportunities for service-as- a-pathway-to-employment and recognize the individual skills and talents of volunteers as valuable resources.

Required Letters of Support (10 points – 2 pages) All proposals are required to include two (2) letters of support and commitment (not more than 1-page each), printed and signed on letterhead, from supporting organizations, faith-based groups, the Executive Director of a partnering organization or local government official(s) with whom you plan to partner or engage during this grant period. These letters should include a general description of the type(s) of support your organization will receive, including a description of any cash or in-kind match to be provided, such as use of space, expertise, equipment and materials, or training. To receive all points, the ideal proposal will demonstrate collaboration and partnership and will not be a general form letter or a letter from a partnership outside of the current proposal. Letters of Reference will be disqualified.

Budget Worksheet & Narrative (30 points – 2 pages) Discuss the adequacy of your budget to support your program design, including how it is sufficient to support your program activities and desired outputs and outcomes. Your proposed budget should be sufficient to allow you to perform the tasks described in your narrative.

As you prepare your budget: 1. All the amounts you request must be defined for a particular purpose. Do not include

miscellaneous, contingency, or other undefined budget amounts. 2. Itemize each cost and present the basis for all calculations in the form of an equation in the

narrative section. 3. Do not include unallowable expenses, e.g., entertainment costs (which include food and

beverage costs) unless they are justified as an essential component of an activity. 4. Do not include fractional amounts (cents). 5. Please explain how the cost of the required criminal history checks and FBI checks are

covered if they are not included in the budget. Please refer to the relevant OMB Circulars on allowable costs for further guidance. The OMB circulars are online at www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/circulars .

A-21 - Cost Principles for Educational Institutions, 2 CFR 220 A-87 - Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, 2 CFR 225 A-122 - Cost Principles for Non Profit Organizations, 2 CFR 230

Source of Match In the “Match Funds” field that appears at the end of the Budget Section, enter the name of agency/organization providing the match, a brief description of the Match, the amount, the match classification (Cash, In-kind, or Not Available) and Match Source (State/Local, Federal, Private, Other or

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Not Available) for your entire match. Define any acronyms the first time they are used. The Budget Narrative (up to 1 ½ pages) should provide a detailed explanation of costs in each line item including budgeted match. Matching funds are required. Grantees must provide 50% in-kind and/or cash match. Grantees will be required to provide documentation of budgeted match with their requests for reimbursement. To receive all points, the ideal proposal will demonstrate community sustainability and investment through cash and in-kind match. ***Cash match may NOT be from any other Federal sources and volunteer service hours are NOT eligible.*** Budget Worksheet & Narrative instructions: Grant Funds (see pages 10-11 for Match Funds instructions)

1a. Personnel: Include expense for employees whose activities directly relate to the program. List each staff position separately and provide position description, salary, FTE of each employee and percentage of effort devoted to this award. Each staff person’s role listed in the budget must be described in the narrative. 1b. Fringe Benefits. Identify the types of fringe benefits to be covered and the costs of benefit(s) for each staff position. Unless exempt by the IRS with accompanying documentation (note in the narrative and provide documentation with application), all projects must pay FICA for all personnel, even when the organization does not supply the personnel expense. Other allowable fringe benefits typically include Worker’s Compensation, Retirement, State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Health and Life Insurance. List each benefit as a separate item. Holidays, leave, and other similar vacation benefits are not included in the fringe benefit rates but are absorbed into the personnel expenses (salary) budget line item. 2a. Training Sessions in Orlando. Please do not make any changes to the grant funds within this line item. This is the total cost of four (4) trainings, lodging and meals during trainings for two (2) individuals within your organization.2b. Transportation to Training Session in Orlando: Provide a calculation to include itemized costs for airfare, transportation, lodging, per diem, and other travel-related expenses multiplied by the number of trips per staff. Applicants must adhere to the State of Florida mileage per diem and meal rates. State mileage reimbursement rate is $0.445 per mile. These transportation costs to and from the training will be the responsibility of the sub-grantee. These costs may be reimbursed through grant funds, or may be included as match.

All costs must be itemized. [EXAMPLE: Two staff members will attend the Mandatory Training Meeting. Rental Car, Gas, and tolls: $150 per meeting; Hotel: $175 per staff/per meeting; Meals $72 (per diem rate) per staff/per meeting = $644 per staff. Grand Total is $1,288 for Travel to Volunteer Florida Sponsored Meetings.]

3. Equipment: Equipment is defined as tangible, non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one year AND an acquisition cost of $1,000 or more per unit (including accessories, attachments, and modifications). Any items that do not meet this definition should be entered in supplies below. Purchases of equipment are limited to 10%

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of the total federal funds requested. If applicable, show the unit cost and number of units you are requesting. Provide a brief justification for the purchase of the equipment under Item/Purpose. Equipment purchases require prior approval by Volunteer Florida. 4. Supplies: Include expenses for supplies, equipment (less than $1,000) and materials needed to operate the program. Single items over $100 should be listed individually in the budget narrative. Please be very detailed in this section and describe who the supplies are purchased for and what the supplies are and their intended use. 5. Other Operating Costs: Expenses included in this section should be listed and justified in the budget narrative. Allowable costs in this budget category should include when applicable: National background checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State

Repository background checks, and checks through the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) are required for ALL grant-funded staff. This includes any individual who receives a salary or hourly payment from the grant.

Office space rental for projects operating without an approved indirect cost rate agreement that covers office space. For national office space, rental may be unallowable; check relevant OMB Circulars. If space is budgeted and it is shared with other projects or activities, the costs must be equitably pro-rated and allocated between the activities or projects.

Utilities, telephone, Internet and similar expenses that are specifically used for BEST, and are not part of the organizations indirect cost/admin cost allocation pool.

6. Total: Total for grant funds should equal $15,000. Please check your numbers for accuracy, reasonableness and ensure all requested items are allowable under state and federal guidelines.

General Grant Reimbursement Guidance for Food and Beverage Purchases:Staff Travel

1. State of Florida per diem rates must be followed, please refer to Section 112.061, F.S. 2. If the meal is provided at the training or meeting, the traveler cannot claim that meal for

reimbursement. 3. If the traveler does not eat the meal provided and purchases a meal, they cannot request

reimbursement for the purchased meal. NOTE: Overnight travel is required to claim meals. No meals for same day travel will be reimbursed.

To be eligible for reimbursement, the training and/or meeting must provide the following: The training and/or meeting must be a minimum of 6 hours in order to request

reimbursement for any meal. There must be a transfer of knowledge. The training must be reasonable and necessary. There must be a necessity to keep attendees in the training continuously for the 6 hours

with no break for the lunch period. Maximum meal allowances:

Breakfast – cannot exceed $6 per person Lunch – cannot exceed $11 per person Dinner – cannot exceed $19 per person

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Snacks are not an allowable purchase. The following supporting documentation is required in order for meals to be reimbursed:

There must be a sign-in sheet that identifies all participants (including staff and trainers) that were in attendance.

There must be a detailed agenda that outlines the start time and end time of each session and activities that were covered in the meeting. This agenda should include the meal time.

There must be a cost per person for each meal provided. The cost per person cannot exceed the State of Florida Guidelines ($6 breakfast, $11 lunch, and $19 dinner).

Please note that meals, food and beverages may be purchased by your program. However, if the appropriate rules are not adhered to, Volunteer Florida will not reimburse the program, nor will we allow the program to claim these costs within match funds. The program will be required to account for these purchases and allocate the costs to another part of the organization’s budget.

Budget Worksheet & Narrative instructions: Match Funds (see pages 8-9 for Grant Funds instructions)

1a. Personnel Match Funds: Include expense for employees whose activities directly relate to the program. List each staff position separately and provide position description, salary, FTE of each employee and percentage of effort devoted to this award. Each staff person’s role listed in the budget must be described in the narrative. 1b. Fringe Benefits Match Funds: Identify the types of fringe benefits to be covered and the costs of benefit(s) for each staff position. Unless exempt by the IRS with accompanying documentation (note in the narrative and provide documentation with application), all projects must pay FICA for all personnel, even when the organization does not supply the personnel expense. Other allowable fringe benefits typically include Worker’s Compensation, Retirement, State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Health and Life Insurance. List each benefit as a separate item. Holidays, leave, and other similar vacation benefits are not included in the fringe benefit rates but are absorbed into the personnel expenses (salary) budget line item. 2a. Training Sessions in Orlando: Not applicable.2b. Transportation to Training Session in Orlando Match Funds: Provide a calculation to include itemized costs for airfare, transportation, lodging, per diem, and other travel-related expenses multiplied by the number of trips per staff. Applicants must adhere to the State of Florida mileage per diem and meal rates. State mileage reimbursement rate is $0.445 per mile. These transportation costs to and from the training will be the responsibility of the sub-grantee. These costs may be reimbursed through grant funds, or may be included as match.

All costs must be itemized. [EXAMPLE: Two staff members will attend the Mandatory Training Meeting. Rental Car, Gas, and tolls: $150 per meeting; Hotel: $175 per staff/per meeting; Meals $72 (per diem rate) per staff/per meeting = $644 per staff. Grand Total is $1,288 for Travel to Volunteer Florida Sponsored Meetings.]

3. Equipment Match Funds: Equipment is defined as tangible, non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one year AND an acquisition cost of $1,000 or

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more per unit (including accessories, attachments, and modifications). Any items that do not meet this definition should be entered in supplies below. Purchases of equipment are limited to 10% of the total federal funds requested. If applicable, show the unit cost and number of units you are requesting. Provide a brief justification for the purchase of the equipment under Item/Purpose. Equipment purchases require prior approval by Volunteer Florida. 4. Supplies Match Funds: Include expenses for supplies, equipment (less than $1,000) and materials needed to operate the program. Single items over $100 should be listed individually in the budget narrative. Please be very detailed in this section and describe who the supplies are purchased for and what the supplies are and their intended use. 5. Other Operating Costs Match Funds: Expenses included in this section should be listed and justified in the budget narrative. Allowable costs in this budget category should include when applicable: National background checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State

Repository background checks, and checks through the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) are required for ALL grant-funded staff. This includes any individual who receives a salary or hourly payment from the grant.

Office space rental for projects operating without an approved indirect cost rate agreement that covers office space. For national office space, rental may be unallowable; check relevant OMB Circulars. If space is budgeted and it is shared with other projects or activities, the costs must be equitably pro-rated and allocated between the activities or projects.

Utilities, telephone, Internet and similar expenses that are specifically used for BEST, and are not part of the organizations indirect cost/admin cost allocation pool.

6. Total Match Funds: Total for match funds should equal at minimum $7,500. Please check your numbers for accuracy, reasonableness and ensure all requested items are allowable under state and federal guidelines.

General Match Guidance: Match Funds can include expenses paid by the Grantee or a partner agency.

Documentation for cash expenditures includes invoices, cancelled checks and actual receipts (not credit card statements). Cash match may NOT be from any other Federal sources. In-kind match includes expenses other than cash provided by Grantee or a partner organization. In-kind match commonly includes training, office space and donated items with a verifiable value.

Total each expense type. For each row: Grant Funds + Match Funds = Total For each Column for Grant Funds, Match Funds and Total. The organization’s total should equal $22,500.

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SUBMISSION DEADLINEProposals must be submitted electronically, in one pdf file, by 5:00 PM EDT,

Friday, January 3, 2014 to: BESTVolunteers@volunteerflorida.org

Proposals received after 5:00PM EST may not be considered.

CONTACT INFORMATION All correspondence, questions and other communications regarding these proposal instructions or the review of proposals should be directed to: Mary Register, Program Manager BESTvolunteers@volunteerflorida.org850-414-7400 ext. 118

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Volunteer Florida’s

BEST Skills-Based Volunteer ProgramVolunteer Generation Fund #13VG153400

COVER SHEET & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Proposal No (office use): WEBSITE: ORGANIZATION: FEID NO:REGION # DIRECTOR AND/OR PRESIDENT (Name and Title): Applicant CONTACT PERSON (Name and Title): Applicant CONTACT EMAIL: PHONE:( ) - FAX:( ) - ADDRESS: CITY, COUNTY, & ZIP:

Project Name:FL City & County to be served:Match Amount: $Total Project Budget: $Name of Authorized Respresentative:Title:Signature:Phone Number:( ) -E-mail:To the best of my knowledge and belief, all data in this proposal is true and correct. The governing body of this organization has duly authorized this proposal and we will comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and hold the Corporation for National & Community Service and Volunteer Florida harmless against all claims of whatever nature arising out of our performance of work under this proposal to the extent allowed and required by law.

Executive Summary (100 words maximum) Provide an overview of your proposal and summarize the key points of what your proposal will accomplish.

BUDGET WORKSHEET & NARRATIVE

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GRANT FUNDS

MATCH FUNDS

TOTAL

1a. Personnel (if applicable)

1b. Fringe Benefits (if applicable)

2a. Training Sessions in Orlando (4 sessions for 2 personnel – lodging, meals during training, training and supplies)

$5,000

2b. Transportation to Training Sessions in Orlando (airfare, car rental, mileage, tolls, meals enroute)3. Equipment (office equipment, machinery required for project(s))4. Supplies (brooms, shovels, office supplies, etc. required for project(s))5. Other Operating Costs (as described in budget narrative)

6. Total

BUDGET NARRATIVE (Narrative may continue to page 2, if needed)

Volunteer Florida’s14

BEST Skills-Based Volunteer ProgramVolunteer Generation Fund #13VG153400

PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

This checklist is for your convenience. You are encouraged to read all of the instructions carefully. The checklist is provided for your convenience. It should NOT be included as part of your proposal. (9 Pages Maximum in pdf file) ____ Cover Sheet & Executive Summary (100 word maximum, 1 page, Use the Template Provided) ____ Organizational Capacity (1 page) ____ Proposal Narrative (1-3 pages) ____ Required Letters of Support (2 pages) ____ Budget Worksheet and Narrative (Up to 2 pages, Use the Template Provided) For more information, visit www.volunteerflorida.org/BESTvolunteers

Submission Details Single-spaced, 1” margins and 12-point font

10 Pages Maximum in PDF file Proposals must be submitted electronically, in one PDF file, Monday, December 2, 2013 by 12:00 (noon) PM EST to:

BESTVolunteers@volunteerflorida.org

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