Any organization that meets the requirements set forth in the Request for Applications (RFA) may apply. Types of organizations could include:
The organization that applies for a grant must administer the grant and receive, disburse, and account for grant funds.
Individuals may not apply for a grant.
One organization may have up to three grants at any one time. This does not include stipends. Grantees having three current grants with at least one ending within six months after the deadline to respond to the RFA may still apply.
All applications must:
The required forms consist of multiple sections:
All forms requiring signatures must be signed by an authorized official before being submitted.
Deadline to Submit Applications
Applications must be received by TCDD no later than the submission deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
Delivery of Application
The online application must be completed and submitted electronically through the TCDD site. Applications submitted by any other method (mail, email, facsimile, or telephone) will NOT be considered.
The application must include all required signatures.
Applications received after the deadline will NOT be considered.
All applications become the property of TCDD after the submission deadline and will not be returned to the applicant.
Alterations, Modifications, and Withdrawals
Prior to the deadline to submit applications, an applicant may:
TCDD staff review applications upon submission for compliance with the requirements of the RFA and to ensure that all sections are complete. Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the requirements of the RFA will not be considered.
An Independent Review Panel consisting of three to five people with expertise related to the RFA reviews the applications. The panel’s review focuses on the quality of the proposed plan, the feasibility of completing the plan, and how well the proposed project may move TCDD closer to meeting the TCDD State Plan Goals and Objectives. The panel will only consider the contents of the application. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:
Preference will be given to proposals that:
The TCDD Executive Committee reviews information related to the steps above and makes the final funding decisions. If you have received a grant in the last five years, TCDD staff will inform the Executive Committee about your performance on the past project.
Note: TCDD may give priority to proposals that address the needs of people who are unserved or underserved. This may include, but is not limited to:
TCDD will notify each Successful Applicant of its selection to receive an award. The dollar amount awarded to each Apparent Awardee depends on the:
Any award resulting from this RFA will be funded on a cost reimbursement basis, and only to the extent the grantee commits, uses, and reports approved project funds and required match funds within each expenditure and match reporting period.
Under the cost-reimbursement method, the grantee must initially pay for project activities using its own funds. TCDD then issues reimbursement payments to the grantee on a monthly basis for reported actual cash disbursements supported by adequate documentation.
All costs funded by the grant must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Grant applications must be supported by a detailed and realistic budget.
Before finalizing any agreements, TCDD may enter negotiations with each successful applicant to determine:
Reimbursement is made only for allowable and reported expenses the grantee incurs within the grant term.
The negotiation phase involves direct contact between the apparent awardee and TCDD representatives and may be conducted via phone, email, or in person.
Apparent awardees may expect in-depth discussions of the application and proposed project, and requests for clarification or additional detail regarding the application and proposed project.
Final funding amounts and award terms are determined at the sole discretion of TCDD.
TCDD reserves the right to cancel, make a partial award, or decline to award a grant under this RFA at any time at its sole discretion.
Grantees must provide a matching contribution each year. This may include funding from non-federal sources, volunteer hours, and other “in- kind” donations, such as office space and utilities.
Other federal funds may not be used as match. Items or funds that are used for match for another federally funded project may not be used as match. TCDD prefers that the amount of match increase each year of the project.
The percentage of match expected for non-poverty counties and for poverty counties is provided below. View the match calculator (zip file, 11 KB).
Poverty counties are counties in which at least 20% of the people in the county live in poverty. View the list of poverty counties (PDF, 61 KB).
Organizations that are awarded funding must apply for continuation funding each year. Continuation funding will not exceed the maximum per-year funding amount stated in the RFA. Continuation funding is based on the availability of TCDD funds and a review of:
Continuation funding is not automatic, and TCDD may choose not to award continuation grants. Continuation proposals are generally due approximately three months before the end of the grant year.
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Part 75 (external link)
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, pdf file, 364 kb
Poverty Counties in Texas, pdf file, 727 kb
RFA Application Preview, pdf file, 16 kb
RFA Budget Example, zip file, 153 kb
RFA Budget Instructions, zip file, 63 kb
TCDD Grants Manual, pdf file, 483 kb
TCDD Match Calculator, zip file, 11 kb
All requests, questions, or other communication regarding an RFA shall be emailed to TCDD at ap***@tc**.gov. TCDD does not respond to questions related to ideas, scope, or content of specific projects. TCDD will post all questions and responses related to the RFA on the website by the designated date.
TCDD welcomes innovative ideas and suggestions of activities to implement the Goals and Objectives in the TCDD State Plan.
Email tc**@tc**.gov or complete the online feedback form to submit your ideas.
6201 E. Oltorf St., Suite 600
Austin, TX 78741-7509
Phone: 512-437-5432
Toll Free: 1-800-262-0334
Email: tc**@tc**.gov
TCDD is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for everyone. We continually work on compliance, applying best practices and web standards. To learn more, read our accessibility statement.
6201 E. Oltorf St., Ste. 600
Austin, TX 78741-7509
Phone: 512-437-5432
Toll-Free: 1-800-262-0334
Email: tc**@tc**.gov
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