2008 NCVRW Community Awareness Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Public agencies, nonprofits, community-based victim service organizations, faith-based organizations, tribal organizations, and community coalitions with a commitment to advocating for the rights and services of crime victims are encouraged to apply. Organizations without 501(c)3 status that serve crime victims or are VOCA funded are also eligible to apply.
Projects should highlight strong community collaborative relationships. Applications from individuals will not be considered for funding. Individuals are encouraged to work in partnership with an organization or community coalition.
Yes. OVC has awarded a grant to the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) to manage NCVRW Community Awareness Project funding. NAVAA will, in turn, award subgrants to eligible organizations for individual community awareness projects. Subgrantees selected for funding will receive reimbursement only after they have submitted an acceptable after-action report to NAVAA. NAVAA will provide recipients with detailed information on this requirement when it notifies them about funding.
3. If I received reimbursement for my 2004, 2005, 2006 or 2007 Community Awareness Project, am I eligible to apply again?
Yes, all eligible organizations and coalitions may apply although jurisdictions that have never received financial support for NCVRW public awareness projects will be given priority over communities that have recently received support.
4. What costs are allowable or unallowable for reimbursement?
The purpose of this initiative is to increase public awareness about National Crime Victims' Rights Week, victims' rights and available services. Therefore, the following activities are considered eligible for reimbursement under this program:
The following will not be approved for reimbursement under this initiative:
- Cash prizes and gift cards.
- Costs associated with professional training and other events not open to the public.
Applicants are encouraged to review the OJP Financial Guide for a list of unallowable costs. For this project, salary or organizational overhead costs are unallowable.
5. When must the proposed event or activity take place?
Indicate the anticipated date(s) of the proposed activities in section 2a. of the application. The proposed event or activity must be planned in direct support of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 13–19, 2008. Proposals may be 1-day or longer events, activities and initiatives occuring during or in proximity to NCVRW.
6. What should be included in section 2b. of the application regarding a description of the "planned NCVRW activity, the intended use of grant funds and the anticipated general public impact?"
Descriptions of planned NCVRW activities on the application should be concise but sufficiently detailed to adquately explain the project. Clearly delineate activities and events for which funding is being requested, including a description of the types of activities, the geographical area(s) targeted, and the intended audience. Indicate whether this project will be part of additional NCVRW activities not funded under this project and how this project will fit in with those other activities.
7. What should be included in section 2d. of the application regarding project cosponsors and collaborative ogranizations.the financial and in-kind contributions of the collaborative partners?
NAVAA is interested in proposals where community support for the proposed project is evident. Indicate within the narrative what types of assistance or support other agencies or businesses in the community will contribute to ensure that public awareness efforts impact victims of all types of crimes within a community. If businesses or agencies in your community have sponsored similar events for you in the past and/or have been requested to do so for this project, please indicate this.
8. What is the best way to present the budget section?
The budget should include an itemized list of all NCVRW CAP funded expenses associated with the event or initiative totaling no more than $5,000 ($10,000 for statewide projects) and a brief narrative for clarification. Describe any non-federal financial or in-kind contributions under "community collaboration and project support" in section 2 of the application.
9. After an application has been submitted and selected for funding, can the proposed event/activity be changed and, if so, should the agency provide a written submission regarding the change?
OVC and NAVAA anticipate that as collaborative relationships develop during continued planning for NCVRW, enhancements and refinements will be made to NCVRW Community Awareness Projects. These refinements may be acceptable as long as the requested amount does not increase and the project scope and basic strategy remain consistent.
These changes are acceptable only if the revised request for reimbursement still contains allowable costs. Changes to the project must be submitted in writing for approval prior to April 1, 2008. Revisions should be faxed to NAVAA at 815-550-1141 or emailed to cap@navaa.org.
10. Are organizations required to match funds for the NCVRW Community Awareness Project?
No. However, there should be some evidence of collaboration and cosponsorship; financial commitments from other sources is one form of collaboration that should be considered and described in section 2 of the application.
11. Will I receive notification that my application was received by the deadline?
Yes. NAVAA will attempt to notify all applicants of the receipt of their application. Most communications will be by e-mail; therefore it is important that you provide an accurate, valid e-mail address on your application. If you do not receive an acknowledgment within 5 working days of submission, please contact cap@navaa.org.
12. When will applicants be notified of funding decisions?
NAVAA hopes to notify all applicants, of their status in January 2008. If you do not receive an notification by this date, please contact cap@navaa.org. Applicants selected for funding will be asked to confirm receipt of their award letter.
13. After submitting the final report of project activities, when will recipients be reimbursed?
After National Crime Victims' Rights Week, all selected organizations will be required to submit to NAVAA an NCVRW After-Action Report detailing their NCVRW activities and requesting final reimbursement for approved expenses. NAVAA will reimburse the organization within 30 days of approval of the After-Action Report.
14. Do applicants have to use the NCVRW Resource Guide to receive funding?
Use of the NCVRW Resource Guide, which is designed to provide free resources and assistance to organizations and communities attempting to highlight victims' needs, rights, and services, is not required to receive funding. However, in order to encourage a national effort to promote National Crime Victims' Rights Week, applications will be judged on the extent to which they integrate the use of NCVRW colors and theme. All NCVRW CAP applicants will automatically receive a copy of the 2008 Resource Guide which should be available in January 2008. Additional copies can be downloaded from the OVC Web site. If you would like to order a copy of the 2008 NCVRW Resource Guide and the 2008 NCVRW Poster, go to the Publications/ Products page of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Web site.
15. If my NCVRW Community Awareness Project is selected to receive reimbursement, will I be required to use the OVC or NAVAA logos on my NCVRW materials?
No. Use of the OVC or NAVAA logo is not required on NCVRW materials; in fact, their use is restricted to project materials that have received prior approval from OVC.
16. Is there any non-financial support or technical assistance available to help implement my NCVRW Community Awareness Project?
Yes. As in 2007, the 2008 NCVRW Community Awareness Project have available several forms of technical assistance. NAVAA will provide professional consultation to selected projects, including an online Webex presentation, a special listserv for NCVRW Community Awareness Projects and the availability of individual consultation and advice. Information on these services will be provided with the award notification. A copy of the CAP Tips provided last year's recipients is available by clicking here.
17. What are the colors for the 2008 NCVRW?
The official colors for the 2008 National Crime Victims Rights Week are Blue/Violet, PMS 273C and Deep Green, PMS 575.