Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF)

Nonprofit Capacity Building Program

Application Overview and Instructions

NYCON’s Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) Program is comprised of two components.

 Component #1: Training and Education. NYCON will provide access to and scholarships for
free training, access to an online learning community, and consulting support to 80 community
and faith-based organizations. These organizations will be known as “Program Participants.”
NYCON is collaborating with three Nonprofit Training Partners including the Women’s Center for
Education and Career Advancement, the Support Center for Nonprofit Management and the
Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York. The SCF program will offer an extraordinarily
comprehensive range of free training opportunities to meet the needs, interests, and goals of
eligible secular and faith-based organizations who participate in this program.
 Component #2: Funding and Technical Assistance. Program Participants will be able to
compete to receive a grant ranging from $10,000 to $24,000 and receive 50 hours of free
technical assistance. Both the funding awards and technical assistance are designed to build
organizational capacity. Approximately 30 community and faith-based organizations will be
awarded financial and technical assistance and these organizations will be known as “Project
Partners.”

Applications will be accepted during two competitive funding rounds that will take place in the
Spring and late Winter of 2010. A total of $600,000 in Financial Assistance will be available.

What NYCON will expect from you:

Participating in this program will require you to dedicate staff and board time and resources to attend
trainings, participate in an online learning community, meet with NYCON SCF Program staff, and fully
integrate and report on the lessons learned from these experiences. The SCF Program’s success
depends on your organization’s active participation and effective implementation of capacity building
lessons. Our shared success will enable New York’s residents to obtain job skills, secure employment
opportunities, and access needed benefits.
Organizations that receive funding will be expected to comply will all federal reporting laws and
regulations. NYCON will work provide training and support to help you meet requirements.

SCF Program Participant Eligibility:

• NYCON’s SCF program will work to build the capacity of eligible community and faith-based
organizations that provide job training, job readiness, and benefits assistance in NYC, specifically
to community and faith-based organizations located in and/or serving the Bronx, Brooklyn, and
Manhattan. These three boroughs have been hard hit by the recession and the poverty and

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 unemployment rates demonstrate the need for strong and effective nonprofits to assist residents
with obtaining jobs, job skills, increased wages, and access to state and federal benefits and tax
credits.
• Priority will be given to community and faith-based organizations that propose to work with or
have experience working with agencies providing TANF services and organizations whose annual
budgets do not exceed $500,000.
• The financial sub-award application process will be completely open without any recipients being
pre-selected or otherwise given a competitive advantage.
• Organizations are not required to have a 501c3 designation or have a fiscal sponsor with a 501c3
designation, but they must be able to demonstrate a history of providing social services.
Program Restrictions
• Organizations with budgets over $1,000,000 are not eligible.
• For-profit businesses, individuals, and faith-based organizations that do not have at least one
secular community social service program are not eligible. Faith-based organizations are not
asked to disclose, nor will award decisions be based on their religious character or affiliation.
Federally prohibited use of funds includes use to support inherently religious activities such as
religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Faith-based organizations receiving SCF
program resources must separate the time or place of program and service activities that are
inherently religious in nature from those program and service activities that are seeking
improvement through the SCF program.
• Organizations funded in Round 1 cannot receive a second funding award. Training Partners
(technical assistance providers/ cost-sharing partners) are not eligible to receive financial
assistance through the SCF program.

Application Procedures
If your organization is eligible to participate in this program and you are interested in applying to become
a Program Participant please complete the application and submit along with the required attachments.
All organizations must complete Component #1 of the application and agree to actively
participate in trainings, the online learning community, and receive capacity building consulting
support.
In addition, you may also apply for funding and technical assistance by filling out Component #2 of the
application. Remember, not all organizations will receive financial and intensive technical assistance. If
you are not selected in this funding round, you will be eligible to compete in the next round.
If you have questions about the application, please feel free to contact the Project Director, Jennifer
Lockwood at jlockwood@nycon.org , 1-800-515-5012 x. 152 or 917-522-8304.

Application Due Date:

The first round of applications Program Participant and/or Project Partner applications are due to
NYCON by March 15, 2010. You may submit your application via email, postal mail, or using the online
application form located at
Please note: there will be a second open competitive application process for eligible community
and faith-based organizations in the Winter of 2010. First round awardees are not eligible to apply
for subsequent funding rounds.

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 Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF)
Nonprofit Capacity Building Program
Application Process

Format: Single space, 12 point font

Component 1: Page Limit 10 pages
Component 2: Page Limit 12 Pages
Application Questions: Unlike typical funding applications where you market your
organization’s strengths and make no mention of its weaknesses or the challenges it faces, this
application is designed to give you the opportunity to present a more balanced perspective. Of
course, we want to know why you are great, but we also want to know how you could be even
better. We are asking you to take an honest look at your organization’s systems and
procedures, at your Staff’s and Board’s training needs, and we are asking you to make the
commitment to take time out of the daily grind to position your organization to meet current, new
and unforeseen challenges.
Scoring: Each question is allocated a certain number of points, as specified. Members of the
independent SCF Application Review Team will evaluate your proposal based on your
responses and how well you are able to describe your needs, proposed solutions, and interest
in and commitment to the program. We will ask you to do some preliminary research and
thinking about the program’s resources, the training topics you might be interested in, and how
participating in these might strengthen your organization, and most importantly- how you will
integrate lessons learned into the work you do programmatically, administratively, and in your
governance practices.
Component 1: Training Resources and Topics:
Question 6 asks you to identify trainings you might be interested in. The description of the
trainings Program Participants will have access to is attached. Trainings include NYCON’s
Board Development and Build a Better Nonprofit series, the Support Center for Nonprofit
Management’s Training and Professional Development Series, the Women Center for Education
and Career Advancement’s training on the Self-Sufficiency Calculator and benefits eligibility;
and the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York’s Basic Fundraising for Small Nonprofits
intensive Skills Builders program. If you do not see what you are looking for, let us know... we
will try to provide customized training as well.
Component 2: Financial and Technical Assistance Resources and Topics:
This federally funded program requires that NYCON provide capacity building services in five
critical areas; potential Project Partners are required to identify three or more areas where
capacity building assistance is needed. Examples of eligible activities are given below, but
you are not limited to choosing from the examples.

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The Five Critical Areas of Capacity Building:
1. Organizational Development – board governance; developing management and human
resources systems; bylaws; personnel policies; developing communications strategies;
budgeting and financial reporting; developing and implementing fiscal controls and other
policies and procedures; strategic planning; resource development planning and skills
building.
2. Program Development – curriculum development; creating information systems; making
program improvements; training job/benefits counselors.
3. Collaboration and Community Engagement – identification and strategy development
for forging collaborations; disseminating benefits information; developing referral
systems.
4. Leadership Development – board composition and functioning; executive leadership;
staff development; volunteer development; succession planning.
5. Evaluation of Effectiveness – training on evaluation and outcome measurement;
identification of program measures; establishment of evaluation systems and procedures;
establishment of Quality Assurance plan; replicating effective program models.

Financial Assistance Request

Your request should be proportional to your capacity building goals and your current
organizational capacity, budget, etc. For instance, if you have never had a grant larger than
$10,000, it would not be realistic to ask for $24,000. You will be evaluated on the rational that
you use to explain how your financial assistance request relates to your capacity building goals
and your Technical Assistance request. We expect that there will be a correlation between one
or more of the three areas of capacity building that an organization has and its financial request.
The acquisition of new financial software for instance, will require training on its use,
modification of financial accounts, and/or training on how to read the reports it produces.

Eligible use of financial assistance will focus on capacity building and will not support direct
services, medical services, direct fundraising activities, religious activities, construction
activities, or the purchase of real property.

Examples of eligible uses of financial assistance include:

• The purchase of technology or related consulting services such as computer hardware
and software, phone systems, networking an office, office equipment; and website
development;
• Activities that increase accessibility for clients such as printing, translation, or
development of resource materials or marketing materials;
• Client research such as focus groups or surveys to determine market interest and need in
new programs and models;
• Professional development training programs for staff;
• Moving and relocation costs when tied to broader organizational development strategies
such as being located to client base, being wheel chair accessible, etc.;
• Offset the costs of staff time dedicated to capacity building efforts such as training,
research, program and curriculum development;
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Additional technical assistance beyond that provided by NYCON
For quality control purposes, it is expected that Project Partners will be expected to try to meet
any additional training and capacity building needs through our Training Partners. If the Project
Partner has needs for expertise beyond those provided by our Training Partners, the SCF
Project Director would work with organization to ensure that proper oversight measures are in
place.

NOTE: There is no requirement for financial assistance applicants to provide matching funds
nor will applicants be given a preference in the selection process if they offer matching funds in
their applications.

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 NYCON Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF)
Application Cover Page

Application Submission Date:

Organization Name:
Executive Director or Contact Person
and Title:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Phone Number:
Fax Number:
Email Address:
Website:
Current Fiscal Year Budget:
Funding Sources and Amounts: _______ Individual Contributions
_______Foundations
_______Corporate Grants
_______United Way or Other Federated Org.
_______Events
_______ State Government (specific agency)
_______Federal Government
_______City Government
_______Fee or Earned Revenue
_______Other (please specify)
Boroughs Served by eligible programs
(check all that apply): □ ___Brooklyn □ ___Br □ ___Manhatt
onx an
Do you provide TANF related services?
□ ____ Yes ____No: If yes: Please describe:

Capacity Building Needs Identified

(check all that apply, minimum required □ Organization □ Leadership Development
is 3) al
Development
□ Program □ Evaluation of Effectiveness
Development
□ Collaboration and Community Engagement
Financial Assistance Request (if $
applicable)

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My Organization is ___ SkillsBuilder: Fundraising for Small Nonprofits (NPCC)
interested in: ___ Self-Sufficiency Calculator Training (WCECA)
___ Other Staff Training (NYCON and Support Center)
___ Other Board of Directors Training (NYCON and Support Center)

Checklist of Required Attachments:

□ Signed Memorandum of Understanding
□ Board List
□ Certificate of Incorporation (& Amendments)
□ Marketing Materials (relevant Agency/program promotional brochures)
□ Note the year the most recent IRS Form 990 filed (if applicable; if not, please
explain):________________________________________________________________
□ Other __________________________________________________________________
Please submit completed application to:

Jennifer Lockwood, SCF Project Director

New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
305 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
jlockwood@nycon.org
1-800-515-5012 x. 152
917-522-8304

Application Deadline: March 15, 2010

Component 1: Program Participant Application Questions:

All applicants must complete this section.

1. Describe the programs and services you offer. (10 points)

a. Indicate how your organization is contributing to broad economic recovery efforts
and/or increasing access to benefits and tax credits.

2. Whom do you serve? (10 points)

a. What are the primary needs and challenges of your client/consumer population?
b. How many people participate in each program?

3. Describe your current organizational strengths and challenges as related to program

delivery, administration, personnel, and governance. (15 points)

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 4. What steps would you like to take to address some of the challenges you describe
above? (10 points)
a. What have been the barriers to addressing them thus far?
b. What are the implications of not addressing them?

5. How will participation in our program help you achieve your goals? (10 points)
a. Is there specific support that we could provide to help you?

6. Identify 5-10 specific trainings that you would like staff and/or board members to attend.
(15 points) (Please visit the links or view the attached brochures.)
a. Who will attend each and why?
b. How will the new information get integrated into the overall organization to
strengthen it?
c. Please describe any training you may be interested in that are not currently offered
by NYCON, Support Center, NPCC, or the Women’s Center.

7. How do you anticipate being part of an online community of Program Participants? (10
points)
a. What resources would you want to find there?
b. What do you feel you could offer other Program Participants?

8. What challenges or barriers might you expect in participating in our program and how will
you address these? (10 points)

9. How will your organization be different one year from now if you participate in this
program? (10 points)
a. How will you measure and evaluate this?

5 point Bonus: Budget Size Under $500k - 5 point Bonus: TANF Collaboration

Component 2: Financial and Technical Assistance Application Questions

For those organizations seeking financial and technical assistance:

1. Describe your Technical Assistance needs, goals and strategy in at least three of the
five critical capacity building areas: Organizational Development; Program Development;
Collaboration and Community Engagement: Leadership Development; Evaluation of
Effectiveness (20 points)
a. Describe the allocation of Staff and Board time to the capacity building process and
explain how the organization will ensure their ability and commitment to meet technical
assistance needs and goals. (5 points)
b. Describe how you see the role of the consultant/technical assistance provider. (5 points)
c. Describe any obstacles you anticipate and how will you overcome these obstacles. (5
points)
d. 10 Bonus Points: Active and engaged board participation and leadership in capacity
building initiative.

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2. Describe your Financial Assistance needs, goals, and strategy. (20 points)
a. Describe how financial assistance needs are related to overall capacity building needs
and strategy. (5 points)
b. What is the anticipated impact of financial assistance? (5 points)
c. Develop a Budget for use of financial assistance - justify any expenses request based on
“real” numbers such as cost proposals or budget projections. (10 points)
d. Describe how you will monitor and report on the use of funds. (5 points)

3. Describe how your organization will be different one year from now if your Financial
and Technical Assistance request is granted. (5 points)
a. What and how will you measure and evaluate this? (5 points)
b. Describe how this assistance will help you better serve your target population. (5
points)

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NYCON & Consulting Partner Training Descriptions

NYCON Offered Trainings:

State Board Training Consortium (SBTC) Training Topics:

Board’s Role in Working with Staff Leadership (Developing an exceptional board-staff

partnership)
This session will help Board Members and Staff develops an appropriate balance of governance
and management roles. This session will provide the opportunity for participants to think
through some challenging scenarios using case studies and group discussion.
• Building a dynamic leadership team
• Supporting and evaluating the Executive Director
• Compensation policies and succession planning

Developing a Fiscally Accountable Nonprofit Board (Getting right with the numbers, the
business of your mission)
This session will emphasize how a board can efficiently organize itself to make sound fiscal
decisions and be accountable to donors, funding courses, constituencies and regulating bodies.
• Board fiduciary responsibilities
• Board, committee and staff roles in financial oversight
• Key elements of a financial report
• Budget development, methods and tips
• Investment policy and management

Doing the Right Thing: Board Members as Ethical Leaders and Decision Makers
Through presentations and case examples, this session will explore the ethical considerations of
board service and help participants address some of the challenges organizations may face.
• The importance of developing a shared understanding of ethical behavior
• How to codify ethical behavior in policies and bylaws
• Managing difficult or unethical conduct on the board

Duties and Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards

This session provides a critical orientation to Board Members with an overview of the
governance responsibilities, knowledge and skill areas needed to be an effective board
member.
• Overview of legal and fiduciary responsibilities
• Policy and monitoring functions of the Board
• Accountability and using a committee structure effectively

Resource Development Strategies for Nonprofit Boards

This session introduces the diverse strategies nonprofits can use to generate revenue for their
organizations with an emphasis on planning, sustainability and the role of Board Members in
fundraising efforts.
• Building a Board-Staff partnership for fund development

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 • Considering new, different, and entrepreneurial approaches
• Overcoming your fear of “the ask”

Human Resource Issues for Nonprofit Boards

This session is presented by an attorney and will address the importance of understanding the
role of the Board of Directors as an employer.
• Personnel policy development
• Contract and at-will employees
• ED/CEO and key employee compensation

Nonprofit Accounting Basics for Board Members

This session is designed to demystify nonprofit accounting by providing an overview of key
accounting terms, basic accounting practices, financial statements and reporting requirements.
• Cash vs. Accrual accounting
• Financial reporting to the board
• Internal controls and fraud prevention
• The IRS Form 990, CHAR 500 & CFR

Nonprofit Board Member Responsibilities for Governance of Medicaid-Supported

Programs
This session will provide critical information that board members need to have to provide
appropriate fiscal oversight of Medicaid-supported programs, understand the roles of
government funders and the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General in promoting compliance
and quality of care.
• Respective roles in governing and administering Medicaid supported programs
• Elements of a Medicaid Compliance Plan
• Mission and scope of authority of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General
• Key governance issues related to Medicaid-supported services
• Board liability with regards to Medicaid fraud

Recruiting, Developing & Retaining a Motivated Board of Directors

This session is designed to help the organization assess, develop, and implement a Board
composition and structure that supports excellence in governance.
• Elements of and approaches to board assessment
• The importance of ongoing board development
• Recruiting, nominating and retention strategies

Strategic Planning: Setting the Course for a Successful Future

This session provides participants with an overview of the strategic planning process and the
importance of implementation and monitoring for success.
• Designing a planning process to meet your needs and goals
• Roles of board & committee members, staff, consumers, etc.
• Strategic goals and their relation to board, committee and staffing structure

The New Form 990: A Focus on Board Governance

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has revised the tax reporting form that nonprofit
organizations must file. The new IRS Form 990 requires nonprofit organizations to report on
numerous elements related to board oversight, governance, and relationships with nonprofit
organizations. This training will provide critical information that board members need to have in
order to prepare for and be compliant with the new IRS reporting requirements.
• Recall the relevance of the IRS Form 990 in reporting to stakeholders, constituencies,
regulators & the donating public
• The core form and relevant schedules that relate to board governance, oversight, and
relationships with nonprofits
• Policies in accordance with best practices for managing conflicts of interest

Understanding Your Legal Obligations as a Nonprofit Board Member

This session provides a fundamental and practical understanding of the laws that govern
actions as board members and suggests best practices for managing liability and risk.
• Governance duties, applicable laws & advocacy & lobbying
• Practicing proactive risk management
• Securing insurance and legal counsel
• The importance of a strong set of bylaws and the certificate of incorporation

Sample of NYCON Build a Better Nonprofit Series Workshops:

Social Media & Web 2.0: Is It For You?

There is a lot of buzz out there about Web 2.0 right now. This simple catch phrase is being used
to describe the phenomenon of increased interaction (with donors, clients, board members, and
the general public) online. What impact can (or should) Web 2.0 have on your nonprofit
organization. How do you avoid “drinking the Web 2.0 Kool-Aid?” If someone at your
organization has ever said, “Hey, we need a blog!” this may help you sort through the pros and
cons of doing just that (along with deciding whether you should be on Facebook, Flickr or
YouTube.) First, we will discuss the purpose of Web 2.0 and how these tools can change the
culture of nonprofit organizations. We will discuss specific examples of how they can change the
nature of things like special events, online giving and internal office efficiencies. Second, we will
talk about the basic functionality of different tools like Blogs, RSS Feeds, Video Story-telling,
Social Networking, Social Bookmarking, and others. If time allows we can demonstrate some of
the Web 2.0 tools that allow us to take donations, update websites, share photos, connect to
RSS feeds, post videos online and more.

Introduction to Grantwriting Fundamentals

Participants will learn how to organize, design, and write effective proposals. The session will
address the typical components of a grant proposal and provide you with tips and tools to make
the grant writing process easier. Participants will also gain an understanding of the relationship
of program development to the grant writing process.

Consider Consumer Driven Health Care Plans for Nonprofits

This presentation covers High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP’s), Health Savings Accounts
(HSA’s), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA’s) and IRS Sections 125 Plans, including
Cafeteria Plans and Flexible Spending Accounts. Participants will be given a basic
understanding of these terms and will gain a better understanding so they can determine if any
of these plans are right for them or their organization.
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Personnel Policies for Nonprofits: What You Need To Know
A good set of personnel policies not only contributes to a positive working environment but also
can serve as an excellent risk management tool. In this session, you will discover the essential
elements of a strong set of personnel policies for a nonprofit corporation as they relate to New
York State law and federal statutes, including the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the employee-at-will doctrine. Other topics to be
covered include critical issues associated with sexual harassment, probation periods, and
progressive discipline.

Beyond Collaboration: Re-Engineering for Success

Are your nonprofit resources getting tighter while expenses are increasing? Concerned about
more regulations and accountability demands being placed on you? Are you looking for
solutions other than more belt-tightening, service cut backs, and ramping up fundraising
efforts? Are you missing out on lost opportunities? Have you considered merging, shared
services or developing an alternative legal arrangement with another nonprofit? "Re-
engineering" is a serious solution to the serious issues facing today's nonprofits. Come learn
about the options, the benefits, risks and processes of re-engineering.

Strategic Management in Tough Times

Are you finding that some of those assumptions you had just a year ago along with key
elements of your strategic plan are basically out the window in this downhill and uncertain
economic environment? Are you finding that your strategic direction is quickly becoming one of
crisis rather than growth and development? Tough times call for tough, but informed choices
and the will to execute them. This lively session will explore the factors influencing and options
available for nonprofits to stay afloat, navigate and perhaps change directions in these
challenging waters. Although retrenchment and managing risks are the buzz words for survival
these days, these strategies should not be done in isolation of what the future may bring. Board
members and management leaders alike are encouraged to attend.

Program Implementation & Development

This workshop will explore Program Implementation and Development. In this age of increased
emphasis and accountability it is more important than ever to make sure your program is strong
and is meeting all program goals and objectives. Participants to this workshop will discuss how
to use appropriate strategies to achieve goals and objectives; to increase knowledge of the
program and strengthen participation; and promote sustainability of the program.

Your Nonprofit Bylaws: Understanding Your Governing Documents

Amendment, Construction, Indemnification, Dissolution, Committee Structure. To many non-
profits, such terms appear daunting barriers to good governance. Nevertheless, these along
with other important elements are essential for a complete and legally compliant set of corporate
bylaws. Additionally, given the IRS’s increased emphasis on good governance through their
promulgation of the new Form 990, complete bylaws are a definite must. In this session, you
will be exposed to the essential elements for nonprofit corporate bylaws. All of the above
clauses plus more will be discussed in the context of insulating your nonprofit from outside risks
to Directors and Officers while maximizing your ability to administer to the business and mission
of your organization in the most efficient way possible.

Social Media Sounds Great, But How Do We Integrate It?

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Tips and examples of how to integrate blogging, E-News, Facebook, Twitter, Flckr, Youtube,
GoogleAds, and viral marketing into the existing marketing of nonprofits. This seminar is not a
how to use these tools but the purpose is how to learn to integrate these easy to use social
media tools into an organization existing marketing in order to more overall exposure.

Current Legal Issues for NYS Nonprofits

The goal of this session is to enable participants to identify and proactively remedy potentially
troublesome legal concerns commonly encountered by non-profits, before they expand beyond
control. Those in attendance will gain enhanced awareness of the following: statutes and
regulations of the State of New York impacting non-profits, including the Not-for-Profit
Corporation Law and registration and reporting requirements of the Attorney General; Internal
Revenue Services regulations pertaining to tax-exempt organizations; duties and responsibilities
of non-profit directors, officers and staff; proper relations between a non-profit’s board of
directors and its executive director; updates on federal and state employment laws; essential
components of a well-insulating set of a by-laws; and, ways to proactively manage risks,
including advise on obtaining appropriate insurance and securing appropriate professional
assistance.

Being a Successful Executive Director Retreat

This two day retreat is a highly interactive, dynamic, and intensive training experience for
nonprofit Executive Directors with less than 5 years experience in that role. Participants will be
introduced, through practical application, to the many and varied skills necessary for a
successful Executive Director to master. Led by a multi-disciplinary instructor team, emphasis is
placed on the “real world” elements of nonprofit executive leadership, management, and
problem-solving. Participants will discuss a variety of topics, such as the Executive Director's
Role, The Board-ED Relationship, Nonprofit Accounting, Marketing, Grant Writing & Legal
Accountability.

Consulting Partners Offered Trainings:

Nonprofit Coordinating Committee (NPCC) Skills Builders provide intensive training,

coaching, and support. Half of these sessions are training and the other half is technical
assistance. Sessions are designed to involve the Executive Director and a Board member and
offer 25 hours of training and technical assistance per person, or 50 hours per group. NYCON
will provide the opportunity for 40 organizations to participate in a Basic Fundraising for Small
Nonprofits Skills Builders session with a focus on individual giving and event planning. Visit
http://www.npccny.org/info/SkillsBuilders.htm for details.

Support Center for Nonprofit Management offers a wide range of public trainings for the staff
and Board of non-profits. The half-day and full day sessions will be available to Program
Participants as part of a training and technical assistance plan to build organizational capacity.
The Support Center provides Board training and development and on-site training in topics such
as financial management and supervisory skills. See attached catalogue or visit
www.supportcenteronline for details.

The Women’s Center for Employment and Career Advancement will offer half-day training
sessions for up to 25 counselors and caseworkers from among our Program Participants to
learn how to utilize the Women Center’s Self Sufficiency Calculator. The Calculator helps
nonprofits build capacity by enhancing performance and accuracy, as well as building
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efficiencies so staff can focus on their core missions and programming. Counselors and
employers use the Calculator to help people access un-tapped work supports, test the real
value of a given wage against actual expenses and household circumstances, and improve job
retention. Visit http://www.wceca.org/sufficiency.html for details.

NYCON NYC Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF)

SCF Program Participant & Project Partner Memorandum of Understanding

Date: ____________________________
Organization Name:
_________________________________________________________________

Participating in this program will require your organization to dedicate significant staff and Board
time and resources to attend trainings, participate in an online learning community, meet with
program staff, and fully integrate and report on the lessons learned from these experiences. You
will also be required to demonstrate and report on outcomes relative to increased organizational
capacity to address issues relating to economic recovery and the provision of services that
assist low-income individuals secure and retain employment, earn higher wages, obtain better
quality jobs, and gain greater access to state and federal benefits and tax credits.

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to ensure that NYCON’s Strengthening

Communities Fund Program and our Program Participants and Project Partners meet Federal
regulations and successfully achieve the goals of the program. The Project’s success depends
on your organization’s active participation and effective implementation of capacity building
lessons. Our shared success will enable New York’s residents to obtain job skills, secure
employment opportunities, and access needed benefits.

Project Partners are required to submit monthly financial and quarterly outcome reports to
NYCON’s SCF Project Director. The Project Director is responsible for the oversight of the
various SCF projects, programs and activities supported by the award and will ensure Program
Participants and Project Partners are fully compliant with all Department of Health & Human
Services – Administration for Children & Families- Strengthening Communities Fund- Nonprofit
Capacity Building program regulations and comply with national evaluation efforts. Project
Partners receiving competitive financial assistance funds may not use those funds to support
inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Faith-
based Project Partners must make steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently
religious activities from Federally-funded activities. NYCON will release the first half of the
financial assistance to approved awardees and will release the remaining balance of the award
upon successful submission of all required Federal reports and verification of program
compliance as related to acceptable use of funds. Non-compliant awardees will be required to
remit SCF award funds and will be ineligible to receive any additional SCF funds.

I, _____________________________, Executive Director of

____________________________________
hereby agree to commit to the SCF Project obligations stated above.
Signature: ___________________________________________________

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I, ___________________________, President of the Board of Directors of
________________________
hereby agree to commit to the SCF Project obligations stated above.
Signature: ___________________________________________________

*Please submit this fully executed Memorandum of Understanding on you agency

letterhead, along with the complete application and required attachments.

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