Scope of Work: Tobacco Prevention & Control Advocacy with Youth (11-17) Focus: Point of Sale Strategies

Transcription

1 Funding Announcement for Community Advocacy Grants Scope of Work: Tobacco Prevention & Control Advocacy with Youth (11-17) Focus: Point of Sale Strategies Request for Applications (RFA) Release Date: February 7, 2014 Fiscal Year (FY) 2014/2015 July 1, 2014 June 15, 2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants Request for Applications The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Application Deadline: March 12, :00 p.m. CST

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Table of Contents 3 RFA Timeline 4 Introduction 4-5 Community Advocacy Grants 5 Background 6 Restrictions 7-12 Scope of Work : Tobacco Prevention & Control Advocacy with Youth (11-17) Focus: CounterPop (Point of Sale) 7-9 Required Activities 13 Defy Project Timeline and Key Dates 14 Reporting Requirements 14 Application Requirements 15 Budget Requirements 15 Requirements 15 Budget Preparation 15 Unallowable Costs Application Application Review Criteria and Process Application Instructions FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 2

3 TFL Community Advocacy Grants (CAGs) RFA Timeline February 7, 2014 February 13, :00 am February 25, :00 am March 12, :00 pm March 10-May 13, 2014 May 15, 2014 May 25, 2014 June 15, 2014 July 1, 2014 Important Dates Important Benchmarks RFA Release Date The RFA will be made available on the TFL website. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document will also be available on the TFL website. Technical Assistance Workshop Provide background and purpose of the Youth Point of Sale Strategies Facilitate the understanding of the RFA. The RFA info sessions will be held via teleconference. Q &A from participants Conference line: No registration required. Technical Assistance Call (Questions only). The RFA info sessions will be held via teleconference. Conference line: Submission Deadline Grant applications must be received, via online submission process by 3:00pm CST Mailed, faxed, and ed applications will NOT be considered. Review Process Technical, Primary and Secondary Reviews Award Notification Applicants will be notified of funding decisions via . Contracts Sent to Awarded Organizations Grants Agreement Signing Deadline Grant agreements must be signed and returned to the Louisiana Public Health Institute by this date. Grant Period Begins FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 3

4 INTRODUCTION The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) is a statewide, nonprofit, tobacco prevention control program funded by a state excise tax on tobacco passed in The program s mission is to implement and evaluate comprehensive tobacco control initiatives that prevent and reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. TFL envisions a healthier Louisiana through 100% tobacco-free living. TFL provides statewide coordination of existing tobacco control initiatives, funding for innovative community programming for tobacco control, a statewide media campaign, administration of a state hospital system cessation program, and monitoring and evaluation of program impacts and outcomes. All aspects of the statewide implementation and evaluation of the campaign are coordinated by the core staff at the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI), as provided for in a contract with the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium (LCRC). TFL Goals To eliminate non-smokers exposure to secondhand smoke To prevent initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults To promote quitting among adults and young people To identify and eliminate tobacco-related health disparities To promote statewide coordination of all Louisiana tobacco prevention and control programs COMMUNITY ADVOCACY GRANTS The purposes of our Community Advocacy Grants (CAGs) are to build and sustain strong communities, address and eliminate disparities in smoking and other tobacco use in Louisiana, and create opportunities for youth engagement. Our grants have been designed to reach communities while assisting in the implementation of effective and evidence-based practices in tobacco prevention and control. The CAGs, along with other TFL programmatic elements, play an important role in changing community norms around tobacco use and perceptions of the tobacco industry. We fund projects that: Aim to reduce youth exposure to tobacco product displays and other tobacco marketing Demonstrate a proven record of advocacy efforts and outreach in their community/region Demonstrate communities needs and organizational capacities of how their organization plan to implement the activities requested, and how these plans fit into their existing organizational structure We give priority to organizations who: Engage youth ages in current programming Promote youth advocacy, participation and engagement Have the ability to provide transportation to and from required activities FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 4

5 Who can apply? Community youth groups or youth organizations with 501(c)3 status o Organizations must provide a copy of the IRS letter stating your non-profit status Any private or public Louisiana school serving students years of age o Schools must provide a copy of the most recent IRS 990 report (nonprofit tax return). If a 990 tax return has not previously been filed, explain why in your Application. BACKGROUND Since 2007, TFL s youth grantees have engaged in a variety of tobacco control and advocacy activities. For the FY grant cycle, TFL introduced the Point of Sale (POS) project, which engages youth in collecting information about the tobacco retail environment in their community and communicating this information to community leaders. Why Point of Sale? Research indicates that youth exposure to tobacco marketing in the retail environment is correlated to youth tobacco use. Because the industry is focused on point-of-sale advertising, tobacco control educators and policy makers need to focus their attention there as well. According to the Surgeon General, evidence consistently and coherently points to the intentional marketing of tobacco products to youth as being a cause of young people s tobacco use. 1 This means that scientific evidence establishes that tobacco industry marketing causes youth tobacco use. The report also demonstrates that the vast majority of the tobacco industry s marketing is focused on the retail establishments where tobacco is sold the point of sale. Adolescents are vulnerable targets of POS advertising, as the tobacco companies perceive them as the next generation of smokers. The National Cancer Institute summarizes significant research very clearly: a causal relationship exists between exposure to tobacco advertisements and youth smoking uptake. 2 This effect is not a surprise: more than two-thirds of U.S. teenagers shop at convenience stores at least once a week, where POS materials are most prevalent. 3 And, stores where teenagers frequently shop have about three times as many tobacco advertisements as stores which serve mostly adults. 4 In short, youth who see more advertisements are more likely to start smoking, and the stores where young people shop are also the ones where most tobacco advertisements and promotions are found. Exposure to tobacco advertising distorts adolescent s perceptions about the availability, use and popularity of cigarettes, thereby promoting smoking. 5 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, National Cancer Institute. The Role of the Media in Promoting and Reducing Tobacco Use. Tobacco Control Monograph No. 19. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. NIH Pub. No , June Henriksen, L, et al., Association of retail tobacco marketing with adolescent smoking, American Journal of Public Health 94(12):2081-3, Henriksen, L, et al., Reaching youth at the point of sale: Cigarette marketing is more prevalent in stores where adolescents shop frequently, Tobacco Control 13: , Payntner, J & Edwards, P, The impact of tobacco promotion at the point of sale: A systematic review, Nicotine & Tobacco Research 11(1), FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 5

6 RESTRICTIONS TFL will not fund political parties, candidates or partisan political organizations, or fundraising events. Applicants must NOT accept funds from any tobacco company during the grant cycle. Grantees must sign a statement acknowledging this restriction. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 6

7 Scope of Work: Tobacco Prevention and Control Advocacy Youth (11-17) CounterPop (Point of Sale Strategies) Up to $18,000 for Required Activities The TFL CAG youth initiative will be executed through the development of a local Defy group. Defy is a Louisiana youth-driven advocacy movement that seeks to reduce the influence of the tobacco industry and promote tobacco-free lifestyles. The Defy teams will participate in CounterPop a branded campaign which uses data collected from Point of Sale store assessments to influence policy change. Please visit and defy.com for more information about Defy and CounterPop. A monthly timeline listing training dates, completion of required activities and reporting deadlines is provided on page 12. Required Activity 1: Manage a Defy Team and Ambassadors Defy teams consist of at least eight civic-minded youth aged who are interested in learning advocacy and policy skills. A critical component of Defy is youth empowerment and youth ownership. Defy teams are managed by adult Defy coordinators. If an existing youth group (city, school, faith-based, after school program, etc.) hasn t already been identified, coordinators will be responsible for recruiting youth to participate. The adult Defy coordinator will report to the TFL Regional Manager. Defy grantees are involved in the broader statewide tobacco prevention and control movement by regularly participating in their regional Healthy Communities Coalition efforts and communicating with their respective Regional Manager. Adult responsibilities include: Recruit and maintain a Defy team comprised of youth in your community o Conduct a Defy team orientation and parent meeting o Hold at least one monthly Defy team meeting o Make sure all activities are completed and sent to TFL on time o Develop a criteria for awarding Defy team member stipends (up to $500 per youth) Attend required meetings and calls o Attend monthly regional CAG meetings o Participate in monthly Defy conference calls o Attend monthly Healthy Communities Coalition meetings o Participate in Healthy Communities Coalition events o Regular communication with Regional Manager o Engage in twice monthly calls with the program evaluator Submit quarterly reports detailing Defy project and budget activities Youth responsibilities include: Attend monthly Defy team meetings Participate in special events and activities FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 7

8 Defy Ambassadors Each Defy Team must select two (2) Defy Ambassadors (one Senior Ambassador and one Junior Ambassador) that will represent the team as a whole and serve as advisors to TFL on special events and activities. Defy Ambassador responsibilities include: Manage Defy social media accounts (Facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc.) Assist with the selection of activities for Kick Butts Day Assist with planning for spring Town Hall Meeting, including what activities and data to present to stakeholders. Assist with Defy team recruitment of new members Assist in the development of events and activities for Defy team Participate in Youth Advisory Council meetings hosted by TFL TFL will provide: Guidance and support for participation in regional Healthy Communities Coalition and CAG activities Technical support for reporting requirements Assistance with planning and implementing communication activities, including media materials and promotion of events Youth Leadership Manual for Defy Ambassadors Required Activity 2: Point of Sale Strategies (POS) CounterPop is the branded campaign for Point of Sale Strategies (POS). POS are store assessments, measuring the presence of tobacco advertising and products in retail environments in their community, city and/or parish. Defy youth will engage in a six-month data collection effort; with the aid of TFL staff, this data will be used to formulate a message about tobacco marketing where they live. Defy youth will use this data to engage community leaders to encourage them to take action to protect youth from tobacco. Adult coordinators will provide strategic guidance to youth throughout the project and track the progress of Defy team members while motivating them to succeed. Prior to beginning the POS project, all Defy team members (youth and adult) will be required to participate in online and in-person trainings in July and August Adult responsibilities include: Attend required trainings o Online CounterPop project training sessions o An in-person CounterPop Youth Advocacy Symposium Provide strategic guidance during CounterPop projects Assist Defy team members with store assessments and reporting Provide transportation to Defy team FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 8

9 Youth responsibilities include: Attend required trainings o Online CounterPop project training sessions o An in-person CounterPop Youth Advocacy Symposium Conduct approximately 10 store assessments per month from September through February Participate in 4 CounterPop advocacy activities beginning September A more detailed list of these activities will be distributed during the August training. Possible activities include: o Create a CounterPop Factsheet o Film a YouTube video o Create a CounterPop poster collage o Audit the # of tobacco retailers and advertisement along your route to school TFL will provide: Store assessment tool and instructions List of stores to be visited in your city/parish, assessment schedule and driving directions Feedback on data collection Analysis of the collected store assessment data Advocacy tool kit and talking points Assistance with planning and implementing communication activities, including media materials and promotion of events Required Activity 3: Identify and Engage Community Stakeholders As an advocacy project focused around changing policies at the local level, Defy grantees are expected to identify and engage stakeholders in their area. Stakeholders are defined as those with interest in the outcome of the project and/or POS related policy. Examples of stakeholders include policymakers, councilpersons, store owners, members of the media, and leaders in the local communities. Adult coordinators, in conjunction with the Regional Managers, will be responsible for identifying key stakeholders in their local area and will be tasked with keeping an updated list of potential and confirmed stakeholders. Stakeholders will be engaged throughout the grant period through strategic bimonthly activities. Adult and youth responsibilities include: Identify and maintain a list of stakeholders to invite to the Town Hall meeting throughout the grant period Communicate the dangers of tobacco use and tobacco industry marketing tactics towards youth to the community o Meet with at least two community leaders or stakeholders o Participate in a town hall meeting FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 9

10 Participate in 4 stakeholder engagement activities beginning September A more detailed list of these activities will be distributed during the August training. Possible activities include: o Conduct store assessments with a local policymaker or councilperson o Interview a store owner about tobacco POS advertising o Meet with a local policymaker to discuss possible policy solutions to restrict tobacco POS targeting youth TFL will provide: Assistance with identifying and networking stakeholders Interview training for the youth, including an interview guide Assistance with planning and implementing interviews and meetings with policymakers Required Activity 4: Kick Butts Day Event Defy grantees are involved in the broader statewide tobacco prevention and control movement by planning and participating in Kick Butts Day, March All grantees are required to follow the National Theme for Kick Butts Day developed by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, yet center this theme around POS. There is an extensive list of suggested activities laid out at please visit the site for detailed information on activities as well as additional information about Kick Butts Day. All activities MUST take place within the designated week of Kick Butts Day in order for Media & Communications to effectively promote all events and work with local/statewide media. Coordinator responsibilities include: Oversee and assist youth participants in Kick Butts Day event planning and implementation in collaboration with TFL Regional Manager Coordination with other regional CAG grantees Keep in mind you can co-host an event with other Fresh Campus and Defy grantees in your region, pool your resources Youth responsibilities include: Develop materials to hand out at your Kick Butts Day event based on POS TFL will provide: Assistance with planning and implementing event, including media materials and promotion of event Printed material templates (logo, invite, flyer) in the forms of a JPEG, PDF, and EPS so all grantees can have a cohesive, identifiable brand throughout the state. Media promotion of Kick Butts Day activities - statewide press release, local media alerts. Activities should be planned at least two months in advance for adequate organization, planning and promotion time. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 10

11 Required Activity 5: Support Regional Managers in Policy Efforts Defy grantees will share the results of their CounterPop store assessments and stakeholder engagement activities with their Regional Manager. This information will help the Regional Manager to determine the policy solution that would best suit their city. Grantees are expected to present this information in a format of their choosing (e.g. short report, PowerPoint presentation) to the Regional Manager in the month of March. Possible policy solutions the data can support include: Licensing and Zoning: Licensing and zoning are two of the most lasting strategies to impact the density of tobacco retailers, the types of retailers that can sell tobacco, and the location of tobacco retailers. In general, licensing laws require that businesses obtain a license to operate a certain type of business, whereas zoning regulates how land can be used. Both strategies can be used to restrict the density, type and location of tobacco retailers. (University of North Carolina, ) Restricting Tobacco Advertising and Promotions: Restrictions on tobacco industry advertising and promotions at the point-of-sale are effective strategies for counteracting the tobacco industry s efforts to attract new, current, and recently quit smokers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2011 alone, the tobacco industry spent $8.366 billion on advertising and promotional expenditures, spending more at the pointof-sale than anywhere else. (University of North Carolina, ) Restricting Product Availability, Placement and Packaging: Retail availability, product packaging and strategic placement of tobacco products are integral components to the tobacco industry s marketing scheme. According to industry documents, the tobacco industry even considers the display of the cigarette pack itself part of its advertising strategy, particularly when part of power walls. The Federal Trade Commission reported that in 2011, the tobacco industry spent $257 million on promotional allowances to tobacco retailers to control the strategic shelving and placement of tobacco products. (University of North Carolina, ) Raising Tobacco Prices Through Non-Tax Approaches: According to the Surgeon General, raising the price of tobacco products is one of the most effective strategies for reducing initiation, decreasing consumption, and increasing cessation. While raising excise taxes is the gold standard for raising the price of tobacco products, other non-tax opportunities exist for states and communities facing political barriers to excise tax increases. These strategies include: 1) Implementing or strengthening cigarette minimum price laws; 2) Banning price discounting/multipack offers; 3) Increasing tobacco retail licensing fees; 4) instituting mitigation fees; and 5) implementing disclosure or sunshine laws for payments or FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 11

12 discounts to retailers. The first two of these strategies also have the benefit of counteracting industry attempts to subvert tax increases through price discounts paid to retailers or wholesalers, which, according to the Federal Trade Commission, accounted for 83.6% of the industry s advertising and promotional expenditures in (University of North Carolina, ) POS Health Warnings: Just as the tobacco industry uses the point of sale as its primary advertising, marketing and promotional channel, tobacco control partners can implement health warnings in the retail environment to counter industry tactics. Health warnings can communicate important health messages as well as promote cessation services. (University of North Carolina, ) Adult Responsibilities: Assist youth in planning for Regional Manager meeting and include information on proposed policy solutions Assist youth in presenting data Youth Responsibilities: Determine what information should be presented to the Regional Manager Present information to Regional Manager TFL will provide: Dissemination of Research Results 101 Training for youth and adults ongoing support and advocacy regarding policy development. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 12

13 Defy Project Timeline and Key Dates Date July 1, 2014 July-August 2014 August 2014 September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 Activity Grant period begins Recruit Defy team Defy team orientation POS online trainings CounterPop Youth Advocacy Symposium Store Assessment Stakeholder Activity 1 Store Assessment Quarter 1 Report CounterPop Activity 1 Store Assessment Stakeholder Activity 2 Store Assessment CounterPop Activity 2 Begin planning for Kick Butts Day Store Assessment Quarter 2 Report Stakeholder Activity 3 Continue planning for Kick Butts Day Store Assessment CounterPop Activity 3 Policy Selected Begin planning Town Hall Meeting Quarter 3 Report Present policy selecting to Regional Manager Kick Butts Day Activity Continue planning for Town Hall Meeting Quarter 3 Report CounterPop Activity 4 Town Hall Meeting Quarter 4 Report Grant period ends FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 13

14 Reporting Requirements: Quarterly Report Quarter 1 (July 1-September 30, 2014) Quarter 2 (October 1-December 31, 2014) Quarter 3 (January 1-March 31, 2015) Quarter 4 (April 1-June 30, 2015) Due October 15, 2014 January 15, 2015 April 15, 2014 June 15, 2015 Application Requirements: Defy adult coordinators must have current background checks on file with their organization and TFL prior to beginning any work with your Defy Team. Defy adult coordinators must provide a valid driver s license and state required automobile insurance coverage. Fiscal agent must provide proof of organizations liability insurance. Failure to meet the application requirements or activity responsibilities will result in forfeiture or delay of grant funding. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 14

15 TFL Community Advocacy Grant BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS Grantees can apply for up to the maximum allowed for this Scope of Work. BUDGET PREPARATION Organizations should prepare a proposed budget using the online Budget Worksheet. The budget is to be developed to cover the grant period of July 1, 2014 through June 15, Budgets should be based on the best available estimates of time and expense, and expenses itemized should include all estimated expenses for the year. A budget narrative must clearly describe all planned expenditures and indicate the role each line item will play in carrying out the required activities. Applicants who partner with other community organizations and who seek out in-kind or other sources of support to accomplish their project will receive special consideration for funding. UNALLOWABLE COSTS The following are unallowable costs specifically prohibited by the terms of this RFA. Unallowable costs include, but are not limited to: The use of cash by Grantees as an incentive for their programmatic events is prohibited. Gift cards/certificates should be used as an alternative. Costs related to political activity. Lobbying is strictly prohibited. Fundraising activities Dues to organizations or federations Rent/lease or building purchases Interest costs, fines, penalties, lawsuits or legal fees Contributions and donations Salaries and fringe benefits (stipends are allowable.) Workers compensation Disability administrative costs Indirect costs Alcohol Gifts for staff Furniture Equipment The purchase of cessation products PAYMENTS Please keep in mind that this is a reimbursement-type grant process. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 15

16 TFL Community Advocacy Grant APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA AND PROCESS All applications will be reviewed by a panel selected by TFL. Reviewers will sign a conflict of interest statement and will recuse themselves from reviewing those submissions from applicants with whom they have a working relationship. Reviewers will be prepared in an orientation sponsored by TFL and review applications via online with a standardized scoring sheet to reduce the potential for reviewer bias. Scores will be determined according to the categories described below: APPLICANT CAPACITY (possible 30 points) TFL is searching for grantees that have a demonstrated ability and experience in community organizing, community planning, health education and promotion, coalition building, advocacy, policy, training, and/or tobacco prevention and control. Priority will be given to applicants who engage youth aged in current programming, promote youth advocacy, participation and engagement, and have the ability to provide transportation to and from required activities. Describe your organization s: Mission and purpose. Staffing and administrative capacity. Experience in community organizing, health education and promotion, coalition building, advocacy, policy, training, and/or tobacco prevention and control. Experience with youth aged and with youth advocacy, participation and engagement. Experience with community event planning. Capacity and plan for providing transportation to approximately 8 youth to and from required activities. REQUIRED ACTIVITIES (possible 50 points) TFL is searching for grantees that demonstrate organizational readiness and ability to carry out the required activities. Describe: Your motivations for pursuing this grant opportunity, including community or regional need Your plans to recruit youth Defy team members and/or engage existing school, faith-based, or other community groups for this project. Your organization s connections with community leaders, stakeholders or other resources that will assist youth in carrying out the required activities. Your organization s current relationship with the Healthy Communities Coalition or, if none, what your organization can contribute to the Healthy Communities Coalition Who in your organization will manage the components of the required activities, including recruiting youth, scheduling and/or attending Defy team and other required meetings, scheduling and/or attending community events and engagement activities, completing reporting and monitoring activities, manage the budget, etc. What your organization would like to gain from this project at the end of the grant period. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 16

17 TIMELINE (possible 10 points) TFL is seeking applicants that provide a clear and feasible timeline that considers the logistics and scheduling required to complete the required activities as described in the RFA. BUDGET (possible 10 points) TFL is seeking applicants that submitted a clear, detailed, and cost-effective budget and a budget narrative that reflects appropriate and realistic expenses to accomplish the required activities. APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS Community Advocacy Grant applications are systematically reviewed and awarded through a four step process: 1. Technical Review by a TFL Staff Grant applications are reviewed for compliance with application guidelines; those applications which pass review are sent to Primary Review. 2. Primary Review by a Committee Comprised of Non-TFL/LPHI Staff and Community Experts Applications that passed initial technical review are evaluated by the Primary Review Committee using an objective scoring mechanism. This Committee also makes recommendations for funding status and needed modifications. 3. Secondary Review by TFL Leadership Team Applications and reviewer scores and comments are reviewed by TFL Leadership; TFL final funding recommendations and needed revisions are outlined. This also includes TFL s experiences with the applicant. 4. Revised Applications are submitted to TFL for Award (as needed). Based on the number of grants previously awarded and the number that will be awarded for this funding cycle, it is anticipated that no more than 50 proposals will be submitted in response to this RFA. Scores from the primary and secondary panels will be added together and an average score computed. That average score will then be compared across all applicants. The findings from the application review panel and when requested, oral presentation, along with past experience with the agency will guide TFL resource allocation decisions. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 17

18 TFL Community Advocacy Grant APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Completed applications with all supporting documentation must be submitted online at the following link: NOTE: All returning Grantees also need to register. Please complete a full application for each Scope of Work option for which you are applying. o Missing sections may automatically disqualify your application. Please be thorough in completing each section. TFL has set up a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for this RFA on their website. Please visit to view this page. Additional Online Submission Information Please note that you should save your work frequently. Also, the submission process does not have to be completed in one session. You can save your work and come back to it. (Remember that your completed grant must be submitted by Monday, March 12th at 3:00 p.m. CST. Please do not forget to hit the submit button before 3:00 p.m. CST. It is highly recommended that you type your application in Microsoft Word using double-spaced 12-point font and then copy and paste your application into their appropriate sections in the online application form. o Please note that each section on the online application form will have its own page length requirements. Lastly, applications that do not adhere to the following may automatically be disqualified for consideration: Applications must be received by Monday, March 12th, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. CST. Applicants should follow the instructions of the online registration and application. Applicants must submit an IRS letter showing tax exempt status for your organization or proof of tribal status. Applicants must submit the organization s most recent financial report. Applicants must provide proof of organization s liability insurance. Applicants must submit at least two (2) letters of support. All application components must be submitted in the order specified. All supporting documents need to be uploaded as a PDF in the online application. The following is required only if selected: Applicants will need to submit background checks for all adults working with youth. Applicants will need to submit a valid Louisiana driver s license and proof of state required automobile coverage. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 18

19 RIGHT TO REJECT APPLICATIONS TFL has the right to: 1) reject, in whole or in part, any or all applications, 2) advertise for new applications, 3) abandon the need for such services, and 4) cancel this RFA if it is in the best interest of TFL. In the initial Technical Review Process, any proposal will be rejected outright and not evaluated for any of the following reasons: The applicant fails to submit the application by Monday, March 12 th,, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. CST. The applicant fails to include required information, or fails to include sufficient information to determine whether an RFA requirement has been satisfied. The applicant fails to follow the application format instructions or presents information requested by this RFA in a format inconsistent with the instructions of the RFA. The applicant provides misleading or inaccurate information. The applicant states that a mandatory requirement cannot be satisfied. The applicant s response materially changes a mandatory requirement. The applicant fails to respond to TFL s request for information or documents. The applicant fails to include any signature, certification, authorization or stipulation requested in this RFA. FY 2014/2015 TFL Community Advocacy Grants RFA - 19