(a) Grant cycle. The TFEE fund may have one competitive
grant cycle every two years.
(1) Funding determination. The grant funding determination
is made by December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
(2) Programming cycle. A new TFEE grant programming
cycle may open on January 1 of every even-numbered year. An applicant
may choose to apply for a one-year grant programming cycle, or a two-year
grant programming cycle. The grant programming cycle for a one-year
grantee begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 of the even-numbered
year for the applicable cycle. The grant programming cycle for a two-year
grantee begins on January 1 of the even-numbered year and ends on
December 31 of the following odd-numbered year for the applicable
cycle.
(b) Eligible grant applicants. Nonprofit organizations,
schools, and for-profit entities are eligible to apply for TFEE grant
funding. TFEE grant funding is not available to financial service
providers and entities regulated by the finance commission.
(c) Grant application. To be considered for the TFEE
grant program, an applicant must complete and submit the grant application
by the deadline and in accordance with the instructions for the applicable
grant cycle. Late or incomplete grant applications will not be accepted.
Meeting the eligibility criteria and submission of a grant application
does not guarantee award of a grant in any amount.
(d) Finance commission approval. The finance commission
will approve the items listed in this subsection during a meeting
open to the public.
(1) Award amounts. Before the start of the competitive
grant process for each grant cycle, the finance commission will determine
the total TFEE fund amount to be awarded for the applicable grant
cycle.
(2) Grantees. The audit committee, upon receipt of
advice from the GAC and grant coordinator, will present recommendations
to the finance commission of parties selected to receive TFEE awards
for the applicable grant cycle. The finance commission has complete
discretion to approve or deny, all or in part, the recommendations
presented by the audit committee. Only grantees approved by the finance
commission will be awarded TFEE funds upon fulfillment of grant requirements.
(e) Grant agreement. To participate in the TFEE grant
program, a grantee approved by the finance commission must execute
the grant agreement for the applicable grant cycle.
(f) Grantee compliance. A grantee must comply with
applicable financial, administrative, and programmatic terms and conditions,
and exercise proper stewardship over awarded TFEE funds. A grantee
must use awarded TFEE funds in compliance with the following in effect
for the applicable grant cycle:
(1) all applicable state laws and regulations;
(2) all applicable federal laws and regulations;
(3) the TFEE Grant Administration and Advisory Policy
Manual;
(4) the grant application, including all application
guidelines and instructions at the time of application;
(5) the grant agreement signed by the commissioner
or commissioner's designee and the grantee;
(6) all reporting and monitoring requirements, as outlined
in the grant agreement and subsection (g) of this section; and
(7) any other guidance documents posted on the TFEE
website for the applicable grant cycle.
(g) Reporting and monitoring.
(1) General reporting requirements. To receive reimbursement
of TFEE grant expenses, a grantee must:
(A) submit grant reports in a timely manner;
(B) maintain satisfactory compliance with the grant
agreement and proposed grant activities;
(C) report performance measures; and
(D) track and report participant demographic information.
(2) Semi-annual reports. A grantee must submit semi-annual
reports that demonstrate performance outcomes and financial information
over the term of the grant in accordance with and by the deadlines
set forth in the grant agreement.
(3) Six-month longitudinal report. A grantee must submit
a six-month longitudinal report after program completion to demonstrate
program objectives.
(4) Monitoring. The grant coordinator or GAC may use
the following methods to monitor a grantee's performance and expenditures:
(A) Desk review. The grant coordinator or GAC may conduct
a desk review of a grantee to review and compare individual source
documentation and materials to summary data provided during the reporting
process.
(B) Site visits and inspection reviews. The grant coordinator
or GAC may conduct a scheduled site visit to a grantee's place of
business to review compliance and performance issues. Site visits
may be comprehensive or limited in scope.
(h) Reimbursement.
(1) Eligibility. To be eligible for reimbursement,
a grantee must comply with all terms of the grant agreement, as well
as all other items provided in subsection (f) of this section. Grant
funds will be awarded on a cost reimbursement basis for all actual,
allowable, and allocable costs incurred by a grantee pursuant to the
grant agreement. Expenses that were incurred before the beginning
or after the termination of the grant agreement are not eligible for
reimbursement.
(2) Procedure. To request reimbursement for work performed
on TFEE grant activities, a grantee must submit a grant reimbursement
report in accordance with and by the deadlines set forth in the grant
agreement. A grantee must submit a detailed expense report with supporting
documentation to justify the reimbursement request. The OCCC will
review and approve requests for reimbursement that satisfy the requirements
and promptly disburse funds in response to approved requests.
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