About the Program
This program was created to address mental health needs in rural communities and the agriculture industry through the use of mental health workshops and new or expanding trainings that support emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The overarching goal of the Mini Grants Program is to facilitate and support outreach activities by providing a range of services, including trainings, workshops, and support services that will directly improve agriculture-related stress and agricultural suicide prevention for Montana.
Approved Mini-Grants will reimburse community organizations in Montana for the expense of trainings, workshops, and support services that will directly improve agriculture-related stress and agricultural suicide prevention. The maximum award amount is $10,000. The minimum award amount is $1,000.
Authority and Total funding available
This funding is approved under the USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program (FRSAN). The Department expects to award $150,000 in funds for this project. Applications will be accepted until funds are expended.
Critical Dates
Date
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Time
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Event
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September 1, 2021
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5:00 PM
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Post Notice of Funding
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September 7, 2021
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Review of applications begins
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September 10, 2021
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First day activities may begin
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|
|
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August 15, 2022
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5:00 PM
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Last day to submit a proposal
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August 31, 2022
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5:00 PM
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Last day to complete project activities
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September 30, 2022
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5:00 PM
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Last day to submit request for reimbursement
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Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be Montana based.
- Registered with SAM.gov
- Registered and in good standing with Montana Secretary of State
- May not be debarred or suspended from receiving federal or state funding
- Activity must be relevant to farmers and ranchers in Montana and address causes and solutions for agriculture stress in Montana.
- Only one award per organization. County Subsidiaries of an organization will count as a different entity
- Each award must benefit more than one company / or individual.
- The Montana Department of Agriculture will make the final decision as to a company’s eligibility for this program.
- The activity must take place between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022.
Eligible Expenses
- Speaker Fees
- Travel costs for speaker (airfare or mileage, hotel, per diem)
- Room Rental Fees
- Educational materials
- Materials to promote awareness of trainings and events
- Meals if necessary for ensuring the continuity of the meeting
Ineligible Expenses
Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Expenditures directly related to the operation of the business (staff salaries, printing of generic business brochures and handouts, general advertising not related to the activity).
- Expenses related to influencing legislation or decision makers
- Meal expenses that do not relate to meeting continuity
- Alcohol
- Expenses not directly related to this request for proposals
Application & Review Process
Potential participants must complete and return the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Mini-Grant Program application with required attachments at least 10 business days prior to when the activity will take place. A review panel, consisting of Department of Agriculture staff will review applications. To be eligible for reimbursement, written or electronic approval from the Montana Department of Agriculture MUST BE received before activity takes place. No applications will be considered after an event has occurred.
Award Limitations
An organization may receive 1 award per Federal fiscal year (September 1- August 31). The total individual award amount is limited to eligible expenditures not to exceed $10,000 per organization. The minimum amount is $1000. All awards are dependent on funds available.
The recipient shall function independently in performing the activity and shall assume sole responsibility of any debts or liabilities that may be incurred in regard to the activity. The award cannot be reassigned.
Reimbursement Requirements
Approved applicants must submit a completed W9 and EFT form at the time of contracting to be eligible for reimbursement
To receive reimbursement, visit your account in Amplifund. Reimbursement forms must be completed in entirety and submitted to the Department of Agriculture within 45 days of the activity.
Confidential Information
After grant awards have been made, all Grant Proposal packets and the associated evaluations will be available to the public. PRIOR TO SUBMITTING a proposal to the Department you must send a written description of the information you believe is subject to confidentiality (including trade secrets, as defined by Mont. Code Ann. 30-14-402). Department legal staff will review the description to determine if the information is such that there is an individual privacy interest worthy of constitutional protection. If the privacy interest clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure, the Department will furnish the applicant with a confidentially agreement to be signed and submitted with the constitutionally protected information. Information received pursuant to an approved confidentiality agreement will be available for review only by evaluation committee members, the Department of Agriculture Director and Department legal counsel. Applicants shall pay all legal costs associated with defending a claim for confidentiality should another person or entity submit a “right to know” (open records) request.
Screening Criteria
- Are all required materials included in the application?
- Are all sections of the proposal complete?
- Is the applicant’s organization eligible to apply?
- Are the applicant and listed contractors eligible to receive federal funds (not suspended or debarred)?
- Is the application in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and in alignment with this notice?
- If a previous grantee, has the organization successfully completed past projects?
- Does the applicant have the background and ability to successfully manage and complete the proposed project?
- Will the project be completed in the grant period?
- Is the applicant in good standing with the Department of Agriculture?
- Is the applicant registered with Montana Secretary of State and SAM.gov
Application Review
Applications will be scored in the following areas
- Activities and Achievements – 10 possible points
- Timeframe – 5 possible points
- Budget – 5 possible points
Scoring Matrix
Points Possible
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Unacceptable
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Acceptable
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Good
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Excellent
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10
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<6
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6-7
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8-9
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10
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5
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1-2
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3
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4
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5
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Applications must score at least 12 points in reviewer average to be considered for funding.
Grant Agreement
Approved applicants will receive a contract formalizing the relationship under which the project will be conducted. Grantees must sign and return the contract to MDA before funds can be drawn on the project. In signing the contract, the grantee agrees to complete the project as described in the final proposal accepted by MDA, this will include any agreed upon revisions between the grantee and MD |