| (a) Pursuant to Government Code §448.101(c) THC
may provide matching grants to assist in the implementation of the
THGAAC's goals and objectives.
(b) On an annual basis and with the advice of the THGAAC,
THC shall set a maximum amount that will be available for grants and
establish a funding cycle for such grants. Any project types that
will be given scoring priority in that grant round will also be identified.
All grants shall be awarded on a reimbursement basis, i.e. the grant
recipient must provide proof that funds have been expended in compliance
with the grant contract and request reimbursement from THC before
payment will be made from the grant.
(c) Grants may be awarded for any of the following
purposes:
(1) To combat antisemitism and to implement Holocaust
and genocide courses of study and awareness programs;
(2) To support volunteers who have agreed to share,
in classrooms, seminars, exhibits, or workshops, their verifiable
knowledge and experiences regarding the Holocaust or other genocides;
(3) To support events memorializing the Holocaust and
other genocides;
(4) To support events designed to enhance public awareness
of the fight against antisemitism and continuing significance of the
Holocaust and other genocides; and
(5) To support efforts to recognize International Holocaust
Remembrance Day.
(d) Grant funds and allowable match may only be used
to carry out the goals of the grant-funded project. Such funds may
be used to pay the costs associated with providing or acquiring equipment,
supplies, professional services, and associated travel expenses (within
authorized State of Texas travel rates). Matching funds can also be
used in limited instances to pay for an employee's salary as described
below.
(e) Grant funds and allowable match may not be used
for the following purposes:
(1) To acquire equipment that will have a useful life
beyond the term of the project if similar equipment can be rented
for less than the cost of acquisition;
(2) To administer the grant itself, such as costs associated
with preparing and submitting deliverables, maintaining communications
with program staff, or ensuring that work is carried out in accordance
with the project's scope of work and budget;
(3) For construction-related costs including building
renovation;
(4) For food, beverages, awards, honoraria, prizes
or gifts; or
(5) For costs associated with advertising or public
relations efforts except those specifically allowed by 2 CFR §200.421.
(f) Applications will be accepted only from nonprofit
entities headquartered in Texas and certified by the Internal Revenue
Service as tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c),
(d), (e), (f), or (k), or under Section 521(a), or providing instructional
services to individuals through a public or private educational institution.
(g) All projects require a 50-50 match contribution
toward the project's total cost. Match may take the form of cash or
the value of in-kind donations of goods, services, or labor. Match
must be used to pay for or provide materials or work eligible for
program funding. If match is claimed for part of an employee's salary,
it must represent duties that are not a part of the employee's permanent
job responsibilities.
(h) On the advice of the THGAAC, THC may waive the
match requirement if a grant applicant provides a persuasive argument
for doing so. The waiver request must be included with the grant application
and explain why the match cannot be provided and describe any efforts
made by the applicant to identify funds or other resources that could
serve as match.
(i) THGAAC will notify potential applicants of the
availability of grant funds on an annual basis through their website.
(j) A committee comprised of some combination of THGAAC
staff and other individuals with experience in the grant program's
project areas will score all applications using the following process:
(1) Applications will be distributed to reviewers together
with a copy of scoring criteria and a rating form.
(2) Each reviewer will independently evaluate the proposals
in relation to the specific requirements of the criteria and will
assign a numerical value, depending on the points assigned to each
criterion, and submit their rating forms to THGAAC staff. Reviewers
may consider recommending a conditional award for funding any application.
(3) Grant selection criteria will include, but not
be limited to, the following:
(A) Relevance of the proposed project to the THGAAC's
mission;
(B) Qualifications of the applicant organization and/or
any proposed contractors;
(C) The likely impact of the proposed project;
(D) The likelihood of project success;
(E) The applicant's past performance;
(F) Project costs and funds available;
(G) Urgency of the need for the grant;
(H) Public support for the request;
(I) Project timetable; and
(J) Geographic diversity within the state of Texas.
(4) Reviewers will not discuss application proposals
with anyone other than THGAAC staff during the review process.
(5) THGAAC staff will compile the reviewer's scores
and develop a report listing the applications in score order.
(6) THGAAC staff will schedule a meeting of the reviewers
to discuss their scores and to make any necessary adjustments.
(7) THGAAC staff will compile the adjusted scores and
provide a list of recommended grant awards to the THGAAC commissioners
for their consideration.
(8) The THGAAC will include grant application review
on their meeting agenda in accordance with the program timetable mentioned
above. The members will vote to recommend award and/or denial of all
grant applications, which recommendation will be submitted to the
THC for further action.
(9) THC will include grant application review on their
meeting agenda in accordance with the program timetable mentioned
above. The members will vote to accept or not to accept the recommendations
of the THGAAC.
(10) Applicants will be informed in writing of the
action taken on their applications. Unsuccessful applicants will be
counseled by THGAAC staff.
(k) A conflict of interest occurs when financial or
other personal considerations may compromise or bias professional
judgment and objectivity. Individuals with a conflict of interest
will not be permitted to review applications in any grant round where
their conflict applies. Any reviewer who feels unable to evaluate
a particular application fairly may withdraw from the review process
for that application. THGAAC or THC commissioners associated with
entities with grant applications being considered will recuse themselves
from voting on those applications.
(l) Deliverables for funded applications will include
a report from the grant recipient at completion of the project detailing
the results of the project including an evaluation of the project's
success. Final grant payment may be retained until receipt of an acceptable
completion report.
(m) Grant recipients are subject to audit by the State
of Texas and/or by an external auditor employed by the THGAAC or the
THC in compliance with state audit requirements.
(n) The THGAAC and/or the THC shall have the right
to use grant-funded resources in any educational or promotional materials.
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