Pinellas County FY25 Social Action Funding Questions & Answers
1. Does obtaining a fiscal agent eliminate other required criteria?
Obtaining a fiscal agent does not absolve the agency applying for funding to meet the minimum qualifications.
2. We expect our audit to be completed at the beginning of April. In the event it is delayed, can I submit last year’s audit and forward the new audit as soon as it is available?
Please provide the most recent you have available at the time of submission.
3. Is an audit required to be eligible for application?
Please submit the most recent financial or single audit (required if available) or IRS Form 990 (only if the audit unavailable).
4. Is preserving rental units solely for homeless citizens, via long-term investment purchases, such as new roofs or air conditioning eligible for grant funding or the construction of a new home on land the organization owns in unincorporated Pinellas County?
Improvements to real properties that increase the value or useful life of an asset are not eligible nor are Capital Expenses (acquire or upgrade a fixed or not consumable asset and/or any $5,000 single item threshold).
5. Could we purchase equipment like a fridge?
Capital Expenses (acquire or upgrade a fixed or not consumable asset and/or any $5,000 single item threshold) are not allowable.
6. Is retrofitting a van for refrigeration to transport food to a food pantry eligible for consideration under the grant? If so, any restrictions or special requirements for consideration?
Capital Expenses (acquire or upgrade a fixed or not consumable asset and/or any $5,000 single item threshold) are not allowable.
7. Are County staff available to go over applications that were previously submitted?
No. Following final recommendations scores may be requested.
8. If an agency was funded for a position or program last year, can we submit a new application this year for the same position or program?
Yes.
9. If an organization was previously funded for a particular program last grant cycle, would it be advantageous to reapply for continuation funding? or to apply for a new program/focus area?
Each year the applications are reviewed independently taking into consideration the current application pool and community needs.
10. If the agency has multiple programs, which should be submitted for funding based upon needs in the community?
The agency assesses and determines which organizational need most closely aligns with this funding opportunity.
11. If the agency has not received funding from Pinellas Social Action Funding in the past or recently, should agencies seek the smaller budget area?
The agency should submit the application based on the budget needs of your proposed program.
12. I noticed that Pinellas County requests a cost reimbursement model. If an organization uses a unit cost reimbursement model for state and federal funding, would Pinellas County Social Action Funding accept a unit cost reimbursement response, or does it need to be cost reimbursement?
A cost reimbursement budget should be submitted but a state or federal unit cost can be proposed if it is already established with the State of Florida or the Federal Government. Supporting documentation of this approved rate should be submitted.
13. To confirm, my understanding is that the reimbursement grant means that whatever expenses we incur will be reimbursed to us. This includes any funds spent on approved items or activities related to the grant's purpose and the process for reimbursement.
When submitting the application, the applicant must submit a budget. All requests for reimbursement must align with the budget and will detail the expenses you are requesting. If awarded, the applicants have the option of requesting reimbursement either monthly or quarterly. Within thirty days after the end of the month or quarter, you will send in copies of all receipts for which you are requesting reimbursement. Also, sales tax is not an allowable expense.
Furthermore, expenses for which reimbursement is sought, must be for approved items within the agreement term. All requests for reimbursement must be allowable and reasonable under the terms of the agreement, the organization has properly documented or certified completion of the work for which they are invoicing, the organization is compliant with reporting and deliverable requirements, and that basic contract terms and conditions have been met.
14. Is there a cap or percentage breakdown of specific cost areas? For example, we would like to purchase food for the pantry on-site and hot meal service, so is there a maximum amount we can allocate to that area or others?
There is no limit. Please specify on the budget form what will be purchased.
15. If the agency serves multiple counties, would the local budget be specific to Pinellas?
All funding must serve Pinellas County and its residents. Total Agency Budget is the total operational budget for the whole of the agency (can be the Florida or local branch if you are a national organization).
16. Will this webinar be recorded?
No.
17. When will slides be available?
The presentation materials can be requested from Amanda Craft at acraft@pinells.gov
18. Does the Certificate of Insurance (COI) need to list Pinellas County as additional insured?
Not at this time. However, if awarded it will need to list the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.
19. Will applicants who plan to collaborate potentially score higher?
See scoring rubric for how points are distributed.
20. Are organizations scored higher for having letters of collaboration?
Not based on that factor alone. See scoring rubric for how points are distributed.
21. Are there specific criteria or program areas for the small vs. large award amounts?
The same scoring will be used. See scoring rubric for how points are distributed.
22. Can you provide any information on how each section of the proposal is weighted in terms of evaluation/scoring?
Each question is worth a maximum of five (5) points, with a total of twenty (20) questions. The scoring metric is provided in the application instructions.
23. Does the organizational chart have to include the new position if one is requested?
The organizational chart should be an accurate reflection of the organization at the time of the application. If the agency is requesting a new position, it could be noted where it would fit within the organization.
24. Is this considered federal funding?
Social Action Grant Funding is not considered federal funding.
25. Does the number we report or list in our goals need to be duplicated or unduplicated?
This depends on the program, be clear when answering the questions if the numbers are duplicated or unduplicated.
26. Will applicants be notified if their application is denied?
Upon approval from the Board of County Commissioners, an email notification will be sent to all applicants outlining final awards.
27. What is meant by "Accreditation"?
An accreditation is a certification or acknowledgement of an organization’s qualifications and standards. Accreditations vary based on organization and program service delivery.
28. What address do you use if your program takes place in multiple locations?
The legal address that is listed on your W-9, physical program address(es) may be the one you use most often or has been established the longest. Details can be provided in D.4.
29. If the agency applied in the past, do we need to provide new e verify, data questionnaire etc.
Each year the applications are reviewed independently, and all documentation must be uploaded into this year’s application.
30. What address do you use if the program is virtual?
The address listed for the corporation.
31. Two applications have been started under two different names. One under the legal name and one under the dba. Does the agency need to ask TA from the county to remove one or can we do so on our own?
The agency does not need to remove an application. Only submit the application you want to be considered. The legal name should be listed in A.1, as well as the DBA in A.2.
32. If a question does not specify a character count limit, what is the limit?
If a character count is not specified, there is no limit.
33. If an agency has more than one collaborative letter, can they be attached in one pdf?
Yes.
34. Is there a character or page limit for the annual budget narrative within the form?
No.
35. Will the State of Florida incorporation certificate serve to meet the requirement of proof of incorporation G. Documentation?
Yes.
36. Is the reference to the Annual Budget in item C. of the guidelines the same as the item D. 7. Required documents (also in the guidelines)?
Yes.
The deadline for questions was March 25th at 1 p.m.