1. We are a faith based organization and provide services to pregnant and parenting youth. Do we have to council youth about all options? There are no mandates about content of program service, only that you must agree that you will not use the funds for specific religious purposes. We will confirm this information with Administration of Children and Families.

2. How much will quantity of youth served by a program affect its priority rating? Potential partners will be rated by multiple factors, including willingness/readiness to build capacity and develop a capacity building plan.

3. Do you have to reapply to be a partner each year? No. However, first year grantees would have to reapply for a different capacity building project in each subsequent year.

4. Is there a “writeable” electronic version of the application? Yes, go to UMDI-Solutions.com and click on “Compassion Massachusetts - Berkshire Initiative and you may download a writable word version of the application.

5. If our capacity building goal is to recruit mentors who will provide direct services, would that be an eligible activity? Yes.

6. Is purchasing equipment an eligible capacity building activity? Yes, providing you document the way it will expand your capacity to improve or increase service capacity.

7. Can these funds be used to explore a new best practices model or developing evaluation or outcome measures? Yes.

8. Could we use funding for critical repairs to a building? Maybe, providing you document the way it will expand your service capacity.

9. If an organization already has staff and space, but has training needs can this fund training for staff? Yes, providing you document the way it will expand your service capacity or quality.

10. How do you separate faith-based activities from programming funded through a capacity building grant? You can use a bible study room for your program (that improves the life of a child “regardless” of faith). You can’t say in the grant-funded program “let us pray”, or that the Bible tells us that you must make X choice or decision. No religious activity can be part of the capacity building activity provided by the federal government. For example, your program can do games from 8-9 p.m., but if there is to be a prayer activity, you must end the game portion, take a break and totally separate the two activities. Let the youth know that it is optional if they stay for a prayer activity and you will reconvene at “X” time in “Y” space. “There must be a clear separation from the religious and “grant-funded” secular activity. Please seek technical assistance from the project manager if you have more questions. We are here to help.

11. Since the federal leadership will be changing in January, are you assured that funding for this program will continue for the full three years? We have been assured that the first and second years are confirmed; year 3 may be in question.

12. We’re interested in collaborating with another youth services organization, do we both need to apply to become partners? Yes, both organizations would need to be partners to be eligible for grant funding. A core concept of the capacity building grants is fostering collaboration and that collaboration would be eligible as long as it is tied to your capacity building needs assessment.

13. The Youth Commission is funded through the Mayor’s office and staffed by an AmeriCorps Worker, which is a federally funded position, however the organization is not. Would the Commission be eligible for a capacity building grant? You would need to complete all the information in the Partnership application before that could be determined. Some projects may fall into a “grey area” and require a decision by the federal grants manager and/or the Funding Advisory Board.

14. If our mission statement is too long to fit into the application space, what do you we do? Please keep answers brief and stay within the space limitations of the application. If we need further clarification we will contact you. Please keep to the 3 page limit for the application with 2 requested attachments.

15. If we want to bring in our own consultant for our capacity building project, can we do so? Yes, providing it fits with your capacity building assessment and workplan.

16. What does f.t.e. mean? It means “full time equivalent” of employees. For example, if your organization has two staff who each work 20 hours/week. each would be a .50 f.t.e.; combined they would make one (1.0) full time equivalent staff persons.

17. What if our youth program is part of a larger organization, would we still be eligible? These situations will be determined on a case by case basis, based on the information provided in your partnership application. If we have any questions, we will contact you? Examples of when you might be eligible include: being part of a part of a larger organization, because you are “incubating”; or if there is distinct separation between your program and the larger organization, which only provides “back room” services.

18. If we are creating a new space and have volunteers providing the labor, could a grant be used to purchase the materials? Yes, providing it is tied to your capacity building needs assessment.

19. Our organization will be housing a collaborative youth resource center, could this grant be used to purchase software programs and shared by the other collaborators? Yes.

20. Is the budget maximum for the youth program or for the whole organization? It is for the whole organization, unless the youth is a separate part of the organization.

21. Please explain capacity building more fully. Capacity building refers to activities that will increase the amount of services or number of youth served; the quality of services, or enhance the stability of the organization. The rule of thumb is: once the funding goes away, the impact of that funding continues. Examples of capacity building activities include:

1. Strategic planning
2. Financial management systems development
3. Staff/volunteer development and training
4. Board assessment and development
5. Improvements to information collection and tracking
6. Fund development, e.g. creating of a fund development plan, consulting time
7. Structuring strategic partnerships and collaborations
8. Community needs assessments
9. Purchase/upgrade of computer equipment, software, and other technology.
10. Hiring a consultant for further technical assistance, including providing guidance, training and grant-writing.
11. Hiring full/part time staff to fill administrative positions, if awardee can demonstrate sustainability beyond the sub-award
12. Upgrade of the organization’s current facility (although not construction).
13. Training and travel expenses for staff and board members, including stipends.
14. Communication/outreach strategies marketing.
15. Materials, supplies, printing, etc. associated with capacity building.

22. What do you mean by At-Risk Youth and by At – Risk Youth Programs? How will we determine eligibility within this criteria? Many communities use Youth Behavior Risk Surveys or Prevention Needs Assessments to determine the risk factors for youth that increase the likelihood of five problem behaviors: Drug Use, Delinquency, School Dropout, Teen Pregnancy and Violent Behavior. Berkshire County youth in grades 8, 10 and 12 participated in two surveys (2006, and 2007). The results of these surveys including protective factors in the community that reduce risky behavior may be found at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Website, www.nbccoalition.org, click on Prevention Needs Assessment Survey Results. This will give you an overview of conditions among youth in Berkshire County, including the types of programs that are effective in reducing risky behaviors among youth.

23. How many hours are involved in the Partnership Program? Partners would be required to participate in monthly meetings for nine months; complete a Capacity Building Self-Assessment, receive 5 hours of 1:1 technical assistance, during which they will receive help with developing a Capacity Development Plan. Additionally, partners would be strongly encouraged to attend/or send staff, volunteers, or youth to five capacity building trainings that will be held in the Spring and in the Fall, based on interest/needs indicated by community feedback. Partners will be eligible to participate in a 30 hour training pro-social skills training for youth workers conducted by the New England Network for Family and Youth Services (NEN). Two partners will be selected to enroll in youth focused “Improve” Evaluation and Outcome tool.

24. Can you discuss the criteria for capacity building grant eligibility? Partner and grant criteria are listed on the following website: www.umdi-solutions.com, click on Compassion Massachusetts Berkshire Initiative - Partnership Eligibility. Grant eligibility is listed in that section. You must become a Partner to be eligible to apply for a grant, and have completed a Capacity Building Needs Assessment and developed a Capacity Building Plan that demonstrates your specific capacity building need. (Technical assistance will be available to help you write your plan).

25. If we are planning a future collaboration with another organization should we apply separately or together? You should apply separately to become partners. After the Organizational Assessment and 5 hours of TA, you can determine whether you should collaborate for a grant application.

26. In Question #5 of the Partner Application, do you want the total number of staff, or the number of staff that provide services to youth? The number who provide services to youth.

27. In #23 of the Partnership Application do you want us to discuss what we hope to gain from the TA portion or from participation in the program as a whole? Please describe what you hope to gain from participation in the program as a whole.

28. We are a separate youth program with a budget under $100,000, but part of a larger organization, that exceeds the $500,000 limit, are we still eligible? You may apply to become a partner, but please attach both budgets, and describe the organization relationship of the youth program to the larger organization. The Funding Advisory Committee and Compassion Massachusetts staff will review the material to determine grant eligibility.

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