Frequently Asked Questions

• Pass-Through Funding (Sub-Awards)

  In response to stakeholder feedback and to alleviate the administrative burden on small, capacity-strained applicants, to expedite funding to communities in greatest need, and to increase opportunities to award high volumes of grants in condensed time-frames, applications from eligible entities with demonstrated ability to competitively pass-through (sub-award) funding to community-based organizations and other partners serving disadvantaged communities are encouraged.   A minimum of 80% of all funding to a pass-through entity must be competitively sub-awarded to community-based organizations, or other partners serving disadvantaged communities. Funding to Pass-Through Entities will be executed through a grant or cooperative agreement with substantial Forest Service involvement, at the discretion of the Forest Service.

  For this funding opportunity, a “Community Based Organization” is defined as a public or nonprofit organization that supports and/or represents a community and/or certain populations within a community through engagement, education, and other related services provided to individual community residents and community stakeholders.    A “community” can be characterized by a particular geographic area and/or by the relationships among members with similar interests and can be characterized as part of a broader national or regional community where organizations can be focused on the needs of urban, rural and/or tribal areas, and other similar groups.

  Responsibilities of each pass-through entity include the following:

  1. Design an equal opportunity competitive project application submission and evaluation process that alleviates burden, including but not limited to technical and administrative burden, on small, capacity-constrained applicants.
  2. Develop outreach efforts and plans to reach all underserved or disadvantaged communities, especially urban communities, tribal governments and indigenous communities, youth, and public minority land grant institutions, for awareness of the availability of sub-award funding.
  3. Develop a sub-award process that ensures efficient and effective fund dispersal and completion of sub-awardee projects within a 1year period.  All sub-awardee projects must be completed within the five-year, Pass-Through Entity grant performance period.
  4. Create an efficient progress and financial tracking and accomplishment reporting system for Urban and Community Forestry IRA sub-award projects.
  5. Manage the application in-take processes, evaluations, sub-awards process, project risk through ongoing monitoring, and project tracking and reporting for communities.  Sub-awards to communities will not be individually approved by the Forest Service.   Submit timely financial and progress reports and  success stories (brief project description and outcomes, with project photographs and recipient testimonials where feasible) with the USDA Forest Service.
  6. Assist sub-awardee with development and distribution of communications and promotional materials that support the funded program of work and reflect IRA as the source of funding.

  Questions and Answers

  (Q) What is the definition of a pass-through entity?

  (A) According to the Code of Federal Regulations, found in Title 2, Subtitle A ,Chapter II , Part 200  Section § 200.1, the definition of a Pass-through entity is a non-federal entity that sub-awards funding to a sub-recipient to carry out part of a Federal Program.  For example:  a State or non- profit receives Federal funding who in-turn sub-awards to a local government, non-profit, university or Tribal organization.

  (Q) Can applicants be both pass-through and engage in direct programming?

  (A) Yes.