Welcome! At NCAI Fund, we are committed to providing victim centered and tribal informed technical assistance to eligible applicants who are interested in applying for the 2021 NCAI Fund Victim Services Micro-grant Program. To help accomplish this, the NCAI Fund has partnered with the Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI) to provide capacity building and technical assistance to Applicants. We are here to assist you as you develop your application and with any questions concerning the 2021 NCAI Fund Victim Services Micro-grant Program.

We can assist you with:

  • Questions about what is allowable or unallowable.
  • Planning for budget items such as personnel, equipment, or funding for domestic violence, sexual assault, and crime victim service planning.
  • Questions about how to use the funding to provide culturally appropriate services.
  • Questions about Strategic Planning or Community Needs Assessment for victim services.
  • Technical difficulties.

Any other questions? Please contact Lonna Hunter at Lonna@tlpi.org.

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Frequently Asked Questions

About the Micro-grant Program

How much funding is available?

The NCAI Fund has approximately $2.5 million available for this program. We anticipate that most awards will be between $25,000-$150,000. In no case will a micro-grant award exceed $350,000.

What is the project period?

The anticipated performance period is July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022.

My tribe is applying for the OVC FY 2021 Tribal Victim Services Formula Funding. How is this funding different?

The NCAI Fund Micro-grant funding can be used for the same range of activities as the OVC FY 2021 Tribal Victim Services Formula funding. The NCAI Fund’s funding is one-time funding that you can use to supplement any FY 2021 Tribal Victim Services Formula Funding that your tribal nation may receive. If an applicant receives funding from both programs, the activities must be complementary rather than duplicative.

Program Eligibility

Who is eligible for funding?

Federally recognized tribal nations outside of Alaska who did not receive victim services funding from NCAI Fund in 2020. Tribal nations may apply as a part of a consortium of eligible tribal nations or may designate an organization to apply on the tribal nation’s behalf.

If your tribal nation is in Alaska, the DOJ has a cooperative agreement with the Denali Commission to ensure funding is available to eligible Alaska tribes. For additional information on the funding offered through the Denali Commission, please visit www.denali.gov/grants.

My nonprofit organization provides victim services for a tribe who is eligible for funding. Can I apply on their behalf?

An eligible tribal nation may authorize an organization to apply on its behalf. The organization will need to submit documentation that they have been designated to apply on behalf of the tribal nation.

My tribal nation would like to apply jointly with three other tribal nations in my area. Can we do this?

Eligible tribal nations may choose to apply together as a consortium. All members of the consortium must be individually eligible for funding. An award for a consortium of tribal nations cannot exceed $350,000.

Application Process

Our tribe has not applied for federal funding and does not have a DUNS number. What is that and where do we get one?

Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, one-time activity. Call Dun and Bradstreet at 866–705–5711 to obtain a DUNS number or apply online at https://www.dnb.com. A DUNS number is usually received within 2 business days. If you need help, please contact Lonna@tlpi.org for assistance.

What is required for the application?

The Application is available at www.TribalVictimServices.org/request-funding. Applicants will be asked to provide a project proposal and summary budget. Please contact lonna@tlpi.org if you have difficulties accessing the form.

When is the application due?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning April 1, 2021, until funds are expended.

What is the application review process?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning April 1, 2021 until funds are expended. All applicants will be vetted for eligibility, against the Federal Excluded Parties List, and for duplication of federal funding.

Applications will be reviewed by a combination of internal and external subject matter experts. Selection of awardees will be based on viability of the proposal, geographic distribution, risk of non-compliance with federal statutes, previous access to DOJ Office for Victims of Crime Funding1, and date application was submitted, if submitted after April 1. The NCAI Fund will make the final determination on all awards.

1 In the event of similarly rated applicants under the selection process, priority will be given to applicants that have not received OVC funds. Under the terms of our agreement with DOJ, priority will be given to tribal nations outside Alaska who did not receive funding from one of the following grant programs in 2018 or 2019: OVC FY 2019 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program; DOJ FY 2019 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (Purpose Area 7 Tribal Victim Services); and OVC FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program.

Resources and Technical Assistance

What are victim services?

Examples include:

•  Victim advocate or victim assistance program

•  domestic violence shelter

•   rape crisis center

•   child advocacy center

•   elder abuse program

•   mental health counseling

•   substance abuse treatment

 •  legal services

•  forensic exams

•  emergency shelter

•  transitional housing

•  traditional, cultural, or alternative therapy

•  transportation, meals, lodging, child care for court or counseling

•  restorative justice

 

How can funds be used?

Examples include:

•  Salary

•  Fringe benefits

•  Travel

•  Equipment

•  Vehicles

•  Security system at victim service facility

•  Remote access equipment in court

•  Facility costs – rent, utilities, maintenance renovation

 

 •  Supplies

•  Computers, printers, scanners

•  Cell phone

•  Office supplies, furnishings

•  Therapeutic supplies

•  Emergency or short term needs of victims

•  Program operating costs

•  Subcontracts

•  Indirect costs
This is not a complete list. A more detailed list of allowable and unallowable costs can be found here.

I need help understanding whether something is an allowable expense under the micro-grant program.

TLPI can help answer any specific questions about your project. If you need assistance in categorizing an item in your budget, you can request Technical Assistance from the Tribal Law and Policy Institute by contacting Lonna Hunter, lonna@tlpi.org. Examples of unallowable costs include:
•  Law enforcement/prosecution

•  Crime prevention

•  Services for offenders

 •  Construction or purchase of real estate

•  Lobbying

•  Fundraising
A detailed list of allowable and unallowable costs can be found here.

We missed a webinar, is there a recording available?

Yes. All webinars are recorded and posted below. Following the webinar, all PowerPoints and other webinar handouts will be posted here as well.

If a community would like to develop a community needs assessment to assess currently available data on violence and victimization within the community to develop a strategic plan to address the identified needs, is that an allowable expense?

Yes, this is an allowable expense under the 2021 NCAI Fund Victim Services Micro-grant Program funds, you can request funding for both a community needs assessment, and to develop a strategic plan for your tribal justice system.

I need some help filling out the Application, who can I contact?

The Tribal Law and Policy Institute is available to offer application technical assistance. You can contact Lonna Hunter at lonna@tlpi.org to request assistance.
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Additional Resources

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Interested in learning more? Please review our upcoming webinar opportunities: 

Introduction to NCAI Fund Victim Services Micro-grant Program

Victim Services Program Planning

This webinar will provide an overview of the 2021 NCAI Fund Victim Services Micro-grant Program, a funding opportunity to support victim service activities across a range of tribal departments. This webinar will also discuss important considerations for interested applicants.

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Victim Service Program Development

This webinar will provide an overview of ideas, tools, and resources to develop a crime victims’ services project to be supported by the 2021 NCAI Fund Victim Services Micro-grant Program, including opportunities to coordinate criminal justice systems.

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Budget Development

This webinar will provide step-by-step instructions for submitting a project budget into the online reporting site. This webinar will also discuss allowable program costs and considerations for staffing requirements, procurement thresholds and Indian Preference, and potential other expenses.

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Program Implementation

This webinar will provide an overview of considerations for crime victim services program implementation including: procurement policies and contracting, the budget approval process, grant reporting period(s), and victim safety.

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Financial Online Reporting

This webinar provides step-by-step instructions for submitting a reimbursement request through the online reporting site, including required documentation, schedule for submission of requests, and helpful tips for submitting a successful reimbursement request.

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Confidential and Internal Data Collection

This webinar provides an overview of key program considerations, definitions, and requirements to ensure safety and accountability for working with victims of crime.

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Performance Measurement Reporting

This webinar explains the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Performance Measurement Reporting requirements and provides guidance on how to maintain victim safety.

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Contract Services Procurement

This webinar describes the requirements for grantees utilizing contract services with NCAI Fund Micro-grant Program funds, including required steps and documentation.

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Vehicle Procurement

This webinar describes the required steps and documentation for grantees who will purchase a vehicle using NCAI Fund Micro-grant Program funds.

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