Each cohort of the CSP follows a cohort of approximately ten community-based organizations for a period of 16 months. The program provides selected organizations with funding up to $100,000 throughout the cohort and delivers customized Technical Assistance to meet the unique needs of the participating organizations. Cohort members build and implement a customized organizational capacity-building plan and participate in monthly training, workshops, and peer learning opportunities to increase organizational capacity for all cohort members.

Capacity Strengthening is equitable access to resources and supports, such as Technical Assistance and subject matter experts, staffing and personnel, executive coaching, board and leadership development, technology, fundraising, and advocacy tools. Capacity Strengthening opportunities ensure that organizations are sustainable and can provide efficient, effective, and equitable services.

Technical Assistance is individualized training and support to develop staff skills, strengthen programs and operations, and implement capacity development plans.

Organizations that are:

• based in Harris County and conduct their work in Harris County
• 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored
• currently addressing social determinants of health and advance health equity through their programs and services

HCPH will prioritize applications from organizations with less than 25 paid employees and limited organizational infrastructure.

Participating organizations will be eligible to receive up to $100,000. The first $25,000 will be awarded at the beginning of the program as part of the Needs assessment & Planning stage. After completing and submitting a Capacity Strengthening Plan, the organization will be eligible to receive up to $75,000 to support implementation efforts.

CEOs, Executive leaders, and the Board of Directors are encouraged to participate.

Each Harris County Capacity Strengthening Program cohort lasts approximately 16 months.

You may direct questions to [email protected].

The application window is currently closed. Details regarding future cohorts and application periods will be announced as they become available.

All applications will first be reviewed for completeness, timeliness, and eligibility. Applications that fail the initial review will receive no further consideration. Applications that pass the initial review will be evaluated and scored by a panel of reviewers with knowledge of public health, policy, systems, environmental change, health equity, and social determinants of health. Reviewers will independently evaluate and score applications, and then all scored applications will be compared, ensuring inclusivity, diversity, and equity in the selection process. HCPH will make awards to applicants who demonstrate the ability to perform successfully under the terms and conditions of this RFA.

Participating organizations should expect 6-10 hours per month to engage in Capacity Strengthening and Technical Assistance-related activities.

Question: Our organization is interested in applying for this opportunity. However, we are not a 501(c)(4). Would we be eligible if we have a 501(c)(3) organization that has agreed to be our fiscal sponsor?

Answer: Yes, the organization must be a non-profit with a 501(c)(3) status or fiscally sponsored to apply. Indicate the appropriate category in the proposal. To establish and prove that an organization is fiscally sponsored, you will need to provide the items listed below:

1. IRS Determination Letter: The sponsoring organization should have a valid IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter proving its tax-exempt status. The IRS determination letter is essential to demonstrate the legitimacy of the fiscal sponsorship arrangement.
2. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement or Sponsorship Letter: In addition to the IRS Determination Letter, the organization must provide either:
   1. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement: A formal written agreement between the sponsoring organization and the sponsored organization is typically the foundation of the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This document outlines the terms, responsibilities, and conditions of the sponsorship.
   2. Sponsorship Letter: The sponsoring organization may provide a letter confirming the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This letter should detail the start and end dates of the sponsorship, the purpose of the sponsorship, and any other relevant information.

Please refer to the eligibility criteria in the CSP RFA or visit the CSP Webpage for additional details.

Question: Does the business have to be a non-profit to apply? Are for-profits with a social impact to health equity and programs eligible?

Answer: Yes, the organization must be a non-profit with a 501(c)(3) status or fiscally sponsored in order to apply. For-profit organizations are not eligible for this opportunity at this time. Please refer to the eligibility criteria in the CSP RFA or visit the CSP Webpage for additional details.

Question: Can something be given for salary for a small percentage of funding?

Answer: Yes, funding can be for salary and fringe benefits purposes. Please refer to Page 8 of the CSP RFA or visit the CSP web page for additional details on how the funding can be used.

Question: If we already receive Harris County funding currently, are we eligible to apply for this?

Answer: Awardees of past or current Harris County contracts are eligible for this opportunity. HCPH will prioritize applications from organizations with 25 or fewer paid employees and limited organizational infrastructure. Please refer to the eligibility criteria in the CSP RFA or visit the CSP Webpage for additional details.

Question: What are considered key staff?

Answer: As a part of the application package, the applicant organization will provide profiles of the key staff of the organization who will participate in the CSP cohort. Key staff might include executives, department heads, and other personnel who play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations and decision-making of the organization.

Question: Does the organization offering services have to have an office located in Harris County or just serve clients in that geographic area?

Answer: Yes, to be eligible for the opportunity, the applicant must be based in Harris County and conduct their proposed work in Harris County. Please refer to the eligibility criteria in the CSP RFA or visit the CSP Webpage for additional details.

Question: Can we use a fiscal sponsorship for this Capacity Strengthening Program grant?

Answer: Yes, fiscally sponsored organizations are eligible to apply. To establish and prove that an organization is fiscally sponsored, you will need to provide the items listed below:

1. IRS Determination Letter: The sponsoring organization should have a valid IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter proving its tax-exempt status. The IRS determination letter is essential to demonstrate the legitimacy of the fiscal sponsorship arrangement.
2. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement or Sponsorship Letter: In addition to the IRS Determination Letter, the organization must provide either:
   1. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement: A formal written agreement between the sponsoring organization and the sponsored organization is typically the foundation of the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This document outlines the terms, responsibilities, and conditions of the sponsorship.
   2. Sponsorship Letter: The sponsoring organization may provide a letter confirming the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This letter should detail the start and end dates of the sponsorship, the purpose of the sponsorship, and any other relevant information.

Please refer to the eligibility criteria in the CSP RFA or visit the CSP Webpage for additional details.

Question: We have electronically filed form 990-N for 2022.  Do you just need an electronic receipt that our report was filed, or can we submit a screenshot of this form using the IRS website?

Answer: You may provide a copy of the filed 990 or 990-N form. We will also accept a screenshot of the submitted form.

Question: Questions written in the RFA take around 1 page of space in the document. Are the questions part of the five-page limitation for the Project Proposal?

Answer: No, we will accept six pages within the project proposal section to account for the space required for the questions.

Question: Where should we write the Budget Justification?

Answer: The CSP RFA package contains a fillable budget template. It is essential to focus on the budget for the pre-implementation phase only, where you will need to provide a budget summary on how the initial $25,000 will be used during the pre-implementation phase of the program. The budget for the implementation phase will be directed by the finalized capacity-strengthening plan.

Question: Should we write the name of the organization or the name of an official?

Answer: Please include the name of the organization applying for the CSP grant.

Question: Are meetings online or in person?

Answer: It will be a mixture of both. We will host a variety of trainings and workshops in person as well as online. Meeting cadence and type with the Technical Assistant (TA) will be determined once the organization has onboarded and started working with the TA Provider.

Question: Can two members of our organization (together or alternating) attend education sessions, workshops, networking events, and training?

Answer: Initially, the emphasis is on leadership/board members or those actively involved in organizational policies, procedures, and activities. However, participation is not restricted to a single person or a fixed group. If other individuals or groups are better suited for specific training during the program, we encourage their attendance.

Question: Can we create our cover page for the application, or do we use the one added in the application packet? 

Answer: Please utilize the application package's fillable sections to provide the requested information.

**If you encounter issues with the fillable PDF, you may submit the proposal in a separate document on your organization's letterhead. Please ensure that your responses follow the order specified in the RFA, adhering to the application submission instructions. It is important to provide comprehensive and accurate answers in each section for your application to be considered.

Question: Are you willing to fund organizations that are new and, are using a fiscal sponsor, and don't have a 990 or audited financial statements? 

Answer: Yes, we will consider applications from organizations that meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the CSP RFA.To establish and prove that an organization is fiscally sponsored, you will need to provide the items listed below:

1. IRS Determination Letter: The sponsoring organization should have a valid IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter proving its tax-exempt status. The IRS determination letter is essential to demonstrate the legitimacy of the fiscal sponsorship arrangement.
2. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement or Sponsorship Letter: In addition to the IRS Determination Letter, the organization must provide either:
   1. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement: A formal written agreement between the sponsoring organization and the sponsored organization is typically the foundation of the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This document outlines the terms, responsibilities, and conditions of the sponsorship.
   2. Sponsorship Letter: The sponsoring organization may provide a letter confirming the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This letter should detail the start and end dates of the sponsorship, the purpose of the sponsorship, and any other relevant information.

Question: Our organization is not a 501(c)(3), though we are fiscally sponsored. As such, in Part I of the application, do I say that "yes, we are considered a 501(c)(3)" and include our fiscal sponsor's 990? Or do I say "No" yet still include fiscal sponsor info?

Answer: Yes, you would indicate on the form that you are considered a 501(c)(3) and include the required documentation to prove fiscal sponsorship in your application. Please indicate the details of the fiscal sponsorship in your proposal.

Question: If our fiscal sponsor is not located in Harris Co, but our program is, does that impact the application? 

Answer: No, it does not. As long as your organization is based in Harris County, serves residents of Harris County, and meets the eligibility requirements stated in the RFA, you are eligible to submit your application.

Question: Will the application be formatted in a Word document to be completed online?

Answer: Yes, we have a PDF currently on the site. The application will be made to be fillable so that applicants can download and complete the application before submitting the completed application to the email address. 

Question: Is the technical assistance person mentioned on the budget something that the organization has to procure, or is it something that you all will have?

Answer: This program is designed to offer technical assistance in addition to the funding offered. Organizations may realize, through developing their capacity-strengthening plan, the need to obtain their own technical assistance.

Question: When reviewing the 990 forms, are there any specifics on the revenue base?

Answer: We do not have a revenue cap for this program. We are prioritizing smaller organizations to help build their capacity by looking at the number of paid employees (less than 25) and limited organizational infrastructure.

Question: What is the level of involvement with the social determinants of health (SDoH) in the programming?

Answer: We do not have a threshold for the percentage that the specific program or services-related efforts should focus on the SDoH. Within the proposal, organizations can identify the particular SDoH that part of the program or services help to address are appropriate to include. We will prioritize organizations that have high alignment and a high number of SDOH services. You may refer to the evaluation criteria and scoring rubric mentioned in the CSP RFA for additional details.

Question: Can you share additional details regarding the Certification of Compliance with Federal Standards and Requirements?

Answer: The Certification of Compliance with Federal Standards and Requirements, as well as the Certification of Compliance are both forms found within the RFA application package. The Certification of Compliance with Federal Standards and Requirements attests to the organization's good standing and adherence to all federal standards and requirements. The Certification form serves as authorization, confirming the accuracy and truthfulness of all provided information provided in the application proposal by the organization.

Question: Regarding the Certification of Compliance with Federal Standards and Requirements, if your organization is more outreach-based and doesn't conduct direct medical services, are any other certifications needed to qualify?

Answer: There is no preference for taking outreach vs direct service provision; it's not a priority that we currently have in the evaluation criteria. Compliance with Federal Standards and Requirements looks at the agency rather than the type of services that go into it.

Question: Is the application budget just for the initial $25,000?

Answer: Yes, the budget is only for the initial $25,000. The capacity-strengthening plan will drive the second phase of the work and what it will take for the organization to implement the activities identified in the plan.

Question: Will it be required to have all the forms in one PDF during the application submission?

Answer: No, there is no preference on how the forms are submitted as long as the complete application is submitted to [email protected] by December 1.

Question: Are we applying for phase one and phase two simultaneously?

Answer: Applicants who apply are applying to participate in the cohort. Applications that are selected will be a part of phase one. During that time, we anticipate capacity-strengthening to occur as a result of the orientation, kick-off, development of the initial assessment, and implementation plan development. Once organizations have developed their capacity-strengthening plan, they can access the additional funds to implement the plan (phase 2).

Question: Can you explain the document package's financial sustainability and resource management component?

Answer: In the CSP RFA, there is a section that will ask a few targeted questions regarding the agency's current status regarding financial sustainability and resource management (i.e., number of paid employees, last operation budget, are you dependent on other external funds from other organization to provide your services.) This section consists of 3-4 questions.

Question: On the budget, is there a percentage that we can spend on administrative and operational costs?

Answer: You can spend a 10% maximum on administrative costs.

Question: Is there a place to find examples of what capacity building could look like for each organization, along with plans for operation?

Answer: No, we  do not have any examples to share at this moment. Much of this will be captured at the beginning of the cohort (i.e., organization assessment, organizational rating, technical assistance for improvement).

Question: How large will the cohort be?

Answer: The cohort will be approximately ten organizations at a time.

Question: How will the sessions and trainings be structured with the organizations?

Answer: We anticipate monthly sessions with the cohort working together. The one-on-one sessions will be with the assigned technical assistance support staff that will be assigned to each organization. The time allocation can be from 4 – 6 hours per month, working with the technical assistance provider to access resources, brainstorm ideas, and support with strategies to implement their plan.

Question: Does the cohort have the flexibility to accommodate organizations that may have an emergency that may prevent them from attending classes regularly (i.e., natural disasters or something that may require their immediate attention)?

Answer: We are aware of public health emergencies and the unknown of when a public health emergency will occur. We do not have a working contingency plan at the moment but will be working closely with the organizations should that be the case.

Question: What must we provide that the organization is fiscally sponsored?
Answer: Fiscally sponsored means that the organization operates under the legal and financial umbrella of a sponsoring organization, typically a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, for the purpose of receiving tax-deductible donations and accessing certain non-profit benefits without having to go through the process of becoming a standalone non-profit entity. To establish and prove that an organization is fiscally sponsored, you will need to provide the items listed below:

1. IRS Determination Letter: The sponsoring organization should have a valid IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter proving its tax-exempt status. The IRS determination letter is essential to demonstrate the legitimacy of the fiscal sponsorship arrangement.
2. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement or Sponsorship Letter: In addition to the IRS Determination Letter, the organization must provide either:
   1. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement: A formal written agreement between the sponsoring organization and the sponsored organization is typically the foundation of the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This document outlines the terms, responsibilities, and conditions of the sponsorship. 
   2. Sponsorship Letter: The sponsoring organization may provide a letter confirming the fiscal sponsorship relationship. This letter should detail the start and end dates of the sponsorship, the purpose of the sponsorship, and any other relevant information.

Question: Will the cohort organization be brought together to learn from each other's challenges?

Answer: Yes, that will be part of the monthly opportunities, such as workshops, peer learning, and networking opportunities.

Question: For the organization chart, are you all looking for as it is right now or at the end of the 16 months?

Answer: The organization chart should be current.

Question: Who from the organization will participate in the monthly collaboration meetings or work directly with the technical assistance support staff? Is it for executive leadership or board of directors?

Answer: The program is structured for participation by executive leadership or someone from the board of directors. However, we leave the decision up to the organization if there is an individual that the organization's leadership would like to participate and grow in their role.

Question: What if you need to add something to the application after submitting it?

Answer: We need a complete application at the time of submission, but after review, if there are any additional documents we may need, a team member will reach out to you.

Question: If we're a new grassroots organization and have not had taxes filed yet, how do we go about that process?

Answer: We will accept new organizations that have not filed their taxes but hold a valid "Certificate of Good Standing" issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and are officially registered as businesses within the state. Certificate Of Account Status

Question: What all goes into the capacity strengthening plan? Are there specific capacities the plan is focused on, and if so, what are those?

Answer: The details of the capacity strengthening plan will be determined and tailored to each organization and its activities during the pre-implementation phase. For a comprehensive overview of the key areas we will concentrate on for capacity building, please review the CSP – Learning Opportunities slide or page 6 of the CSP RFA.

Question: If not 501(c)(3), could we apply for status now and still apply for the program?

Answer: At this time, we are exclusively considering applications from organizations that already possess a 501(c)(3) status or are fiscally sponsored.

Question: What project would be proposed if you are developing a plan within the grant?

Answer: The development of the plan/project to build capacity will be determined in the first three months after kick-off and working with a Technical Assistant. Please refer to the CSP program timeline on Page 7 of the RFA.

Question: For the staff profiles, do you want a full resume or just a short narrative summary for key staff?

Answer: While more detail is appreciated, there is no strict requirement. If you have resumes available, please include them. If not, a concise narrative summary is also acceptable.

Question: Is this project only for unincorporated Harris County?

Answer: No, this project is open to all organizations residing and conducting their work within Harris County.

Question: What types of expenses are allowable to be included in the CSP?

Answer: The CSP RFA package contains a fillable budget template that includes different categories for allowable expenses. It is essential to focus on the budget for the pre-implementation phase only, where you will need to provide a budget summary on how the initial $25,000 will be used during the pre-implementation phase of the program. The budget for the implementation phase will be directed by the finalized capacity-strengthening plan.

Page 8 of the RFA also contains additional details on allowable vs unallowable expenses.

Question: Can you review the staff member participant requirements?

Answer: Staff member requirements involve attending the cohort kick-off, working 1:1 with the TA Provider at a rate of 4-6 hours per month, dedicating 1-2 hours per month to activities, and actively engaging in capacity-building activities.

Question: Will each organization have autonomy regarding the specific capacity-strengthening activities they engage in, or does Harris County select what each org needs?

Answer: HCPH and the TA Provider will collaborate with each organization to establish a framework for the Capacity Strengthening Plan. We acknowledge that each organization better understands its needs and constituents, and we value their input in this collaborative process.

Question: Regarding the non-profit status, our organization is in the process of becoming one. Are we allowed to participate? We also are a small business organization.

Answer: At this time, our eligibility requirement specifies that organizations must either be a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored to participate.

Question: Does an org need to have employees to qualify?

Answer: This is not a specific requirement; however, we will prioritize those organizations with less than 25 paid employees.

Question: What type of contracts would organizations need to qualify for? For example, we are a childcare center and elementary school. Are there contracts for these types of orgs?

Answer: While we don't have specific contracts to illustrate, we strive to maintain fairness and equity in all Harris County procurements. The program is designed to enhance competitiveness for a broader range of services.

Question: Do we identify which employees will participate in the application? Do the same group of employees (or one employee) participate in all activities, or is participation determined by the focus of specific workshops/activities?

Answer: Initially, the emphasis is on leadership/board members or those actively involved in organizational policies, procedures, and activities. However, participation is not restricted to a single person or a fixed group. If other individuals or groups are better suited for specific training during the program, we encourage their attendance.

Question: Is this for health organizations only because we provide education to people on political issues and dealing with the stresses of mental health and political rights?

Answer: While we encourage alignment with social determinants of health to some extent, eligibility for this opportunity is open to organizations that offer services or programs addressing social determinants of health in any capacity.

Question: My question is regarding the social determinants of health requirements. How strictly will this capacity-building initiative uphold the listed "related objectives"? found here.

Answer: Our evaluation committee will assess your organization's alignment with the social determinants of health using the scoring criteria outlined in the CSP RFA. Specifically, one criterion in the rubric evaluates the organization's focus on the social determinants of health. For more information, please consult the CSP RFA for detailed insights into the evaluation criteria and scoring rubric.

Question: Can we use funds for salaries to include fringe benefits?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Can an organization apply for the capacity building of a specific program that we operate rather than the agency as a whole?

Answer: While our focus is on the organization, if there's a compelling case for a specific program addressing social determinants of health, we still encourage you to submit an application. The organization must still meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the RFA.

Question: My organization is based in Harris County. Most of the participants we serve are within Harris County; however, we also occasionally work in counties that touch Harris County (ex: Montgomery County). Would we still be eligible to apply?

Answer: Yes, you are still eligible to apply.

Question: If the 501(c)(3) is a fairly new start-up and does not have an office space and all services are delivered either remotely or on-site at partner organizations located across the Greater Houston Area, would the organization qualify? Funding is needed to build capacity.

Answer: Yes, the organization will still qualify as long as the organization is based in Harris County and provides services that address social determinants of health within Harris County.

Question: Just curious about who will be serving as a TA's? What are the backgrounds of those participating?

Answer: HCPH is in the process of collecting proposals for TA's to participate in this program. One criterion we seek in our TA is a background in working with socially vulnerable communities and building capacity in these communities.

Question: If one is a community-based arts organization serving communities of color, could they qualify? Arts has a general effect on overall education and mental health outcomes, as well as civic participation. What would one need to provide to show effect on SDOH?

Answer: Absolutely. The organization is eligible to apply if it can demonstrate how it effectively addresses SDoH and provides a detailed explanation of how the development of arts contributes to aspects such as the built environment in the communities it serves. Providing insights into the ways in which arts programming influences these communities' living conditions and overall well-being would be valuable in showcasing the impact on SDOH.

Question: Our organization also provides services and has staff outside Harris Co; are we eligible?

Answer: It is acceptable for the organization to have staff and provide services outside of Harris County as long as the organization is based within Harris County and provides services that address social determinants of health within Harris County.

Question: How do we submit the application?

Answer: The complete application package should be emailed to [email protected]no later than 5:00 PM CST on Friday, December 1, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

Question: We are a one-year-old 501(c)(3), We do not have audit docs. Would you accept a letter of explanation in its place?

Answer: Yes, we will accept.

Question: How many organizations will be accepted in the 16-month cohort?

Answer: We are planning to accept ten organizations at a time. We anticipate having two cohorts after this, for a total of 3 cohorts.  

Question: Can funding be used for payroll? Can funding be used to expand and open new locations? Can you repeat the allowable spending list?

Answer: Yes, salaries are considered an allowable expense. Please remember that the initial $25,000 is free to use per any allowable expense. However, the $75,000 post-implementation phase funding will be used to implement the specific capacity strengthening plan developed during the pre-implementation phase.

Question: Do we have to have a minimum of 20 employees?

Answer: No, you do not. HCPH will prioritize those with less than 25 employees and do not have a minimum number of employees.

Question: Is the non-profit's general operating budget part of the eligibility criteria?

Answer: No.

Question: What can and can't you use the funding for?

Answer: Funding use and restrictions can be found in the Request for Application packet.

Question: What if your only employees are your board members?

Answer: That's acceptable. Please make sure to disclose this information in your proposal.

Question: How do you obtain a certificate of compliance? What is the certification form?

Answer: Both can be found within the Request for Application Package.

Question: Are 501(c)(3) intermediary orgs eligible to apply?

Answer: If you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned in the CSP RFA, we encourage you to apply.

Question: Do applications for the other cohorts have to be resubmitted, or will they be in the overflow?

Answer: Organizations not initially selected will still be invited to participate in workshops, peer networking events, and other trainings hosted by HCPH to help them stay engaged.

Question: If we're not able to submit an application for the 1st cohort, how would one apply for subsequent cohorts?

Answer: The information about opening applications for the 2nd and 3rd cohorts will be communicated through our key partnerships and social media channels. Please stay connected with our outreach channels for timely announcements regarding the availability of applications for future cohorts.

Question: How will you determine the amount granted per applicant?

Answer: In phase 1, a set of $25,000 will be awarded to a participant. Phase 2, up to $75,000, will be awarded for implementing the organization's capacity strengthening plan created during Phase 1.

Question: If we have slightly over 25 employees, how will this impact our application?

Answer: We welcome applications from all small and emerging organizations that meet the eligibility criteria mentioned in the CSP RFA. However, we will prioritize organizations with fewer than 25 paid employees and limited organizational infrastructure.

Question: Do we submit budget for the pre and implementation phases? Is there a template for the budget?

Answer: Yes, a fillable template is provided in the CSP RFA for submitting the budget. It is essential to focus on the budget for the pre-implementation phase only, as the budget for the implementation phase will be directed by the finalized capacity strengthening plan.

Question: Can the company be an LLC?

Answer: No, it must be a 501(c)(3) organization or fiscally sponsored to be eligible to apply.

Question: I can't see a line for training in the budget at the RFA. Can we pay for training?

Answer: Yes, there is a budget line for contractual costs or other. You can place the training line item there.

Question: Can you elaborate on the pre-implementation budget?

Answer: Please review the CSP RFA budget section, where you will need to provide a budget summary on how the initial $25,000 will be used during the pre-implementation phase of the program.

Question: Can we utilize the funding for Data collection on health needs and implementation?

Answer: Yes, if this will help the organization build capacity.

Question: When do you anticipate enrollment or accepting applications for 2nd and 3rd cohort?

Answer: While the timeline is tentative and contingent on the initial start time of the first cohort, we anticipate that the 2nd cohort will commence in the Summer of 2025, and applications will be accepted starting in early 2025. Please stay connected with our outreach channels for timely announcements regarding the availability of applications for future cohorts.

Question: What is the expected timeline for getting back to us (we had a question about the non-profit application and good faith act)

Answer: We ask that all questions be submitted to [email protected] by November 17, and we have set a deadline to respond to all questions no later than November 20. We will be uploading new sets of questions and answers on a rotating basis (1 set will go up the week of the 13th, and a 2nd set will be uploaded by the 20th).

Question: Will an organization still qualify for this grant if there are no paid staff?

Answer: We will be reviewing applications on a case-by-case basis. If your organization meets the eligibility criteria listed in the CSP RFA, we encourage you to apply even if there are no paid staff.

Question: Do we need matching funds?

Answer: No, there is no required match.

Question: My question about the organization structure, would that be the same as the business plan, and how we are structured?

Answer: The organizational chart specifically illustrates the organization's current structure, from leadership/board to staff members. The organizational chart focuses on the visual representation of the internal structure and reporting relationships within the organization.

Question: How many organizations will be allowed to get training and not get funding?

Answer: We do not have a limit specified. In the first three months, trainings will be specific to the cohort itself. After this point, we will open these same opportunities to a wider net of organizations across Harris County.

Question: If organizations are awarded in the first cohort, can they reapply in 2nd or 3rd?

Answer: If an organization has already participated in the first CSP cohort, it is not currently eligible to submit a new application for subsequent cohorts.

Question: Does hiring a development person constitute capacity building?

Answer: It is up to the organization to decide how best to develop your capacity with the pre-implementation phase funding. That may be an example of an opportunity seen or recognized during the pre-implementation phase, or that can be part of the initial proposal.

Question: What will happen to the organizations in the first cohort? Will there be additional funding after the initial period?

Answer: There is not expected to be additional funding coming from HCPH after the initial period; however, during the post-implementation phase, we will assist with sustainability planning with the cohort to increase their ability to fundraise for the future.