Additional Grant Details and Resources
TANF Grants are Reimbursement Grants
Grant contracts with the Department are reimbursement grants, typically written for a maximum dollar amount based upon an approved budget. A reimbursement grant provides funding to grant recipients after expenses have been incurred. Therefore, it is expected that interested collaboratives have the capabilities to fund these activities upfront. Grantees must follow state and federal guidance on allowable expenses and certain procedures to obtain the reimbursement for project expenses. Reimbursements are provided after the collaborative has submitted sufficient documents, as requested by the State, to verify expenses. Start-up or upfront funding are not allowable expenses.
There are restrictions by which the use of TANF funds are not allowed. Such restrictions include, but are not limited to, the construction, rehabilitation, and purchase of buildings; the purchase of trailer or modular buildings; and medical services and expenses. This prohibition applies to grantees and sub -recipients, including county sub-grantees, nonprofit agencies and contractors. TANF funds may not be used to satisfy the cost-sharing or matching requirements of another federal program unless specifically authorized by Federal law.
I. Performance Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
Planning Grantees will be required to submit Monthly Progress Reports and an Implementation Grant (Opportunity Pilot) Proposal. Reporting requirements for the Opportunity Pilots will be determined prior to the planning period.
II. State of Tennessee Grant Requirements
Every collaborative contracting with the state of Tennessee must comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including vendor registration. Applicants should review the State’s Central Procurement Office’s website located at https://www.tn.gov/generalservices/procurement.html to obtain a vendor registration application. The vendor registration application may be completed and submitted online. Other forms and instructions may be obtained in person from:
Central Procurement Office
3rd Floor William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
312 Rosa L Parks Ave. Nashville, TN 37243 -1102
To learn about the benefits of becoming a certified diversity business and to apply for certification by the Governor ’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise, applicants may also wish to review the information located at: https://tn.diversitysoftware.com/
Applicants must also register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue at: https://tntap.tn.gov/eservices/_/
III. The System for Award Management (SAM) Registration
Register to do business with the U.S. government. The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U. S. government. There is no cost to use SAM. Update or renew your entity registration. https://sam.gov/content/home.
IV. DUNS Number
You need a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) to register your entity in SAM. DUNS numbers are unique for each physical location you are registering. If you do not have one, request a DUNS number for free to do business with the U.S. Federal government by visiting Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
Additional Resources
The following links provide additional guidance and information about the Tennessee Opportunity Act:
TANF Opportunity Act:
https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/tanf-opportunity-act.html
EMPath Economic Mobility Pathways:
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Information Memorandum No. TANF-ACF-IM-2016-03:
Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative Planning Grant Application Page:
https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2gen_2021_toa_planning_grant_application
TANF Opportunity Act Planning Grant Application Guide:
Families First Community Advisory Board:
https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/tanf-opportunity-act/advisory-board.html
Collaboratives that are interested in pursuing this opportunity are encouraged to review the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative Planning Grant Application Guide in detail and follow instructions to submit an application.
Click here to access the Application Guide.