• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Non-profit organizations representing American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible applicants under this announcement.

A full listing of eligible entities under this announcement will be published in the funding opportunity announcement.

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) supports economic development in Native American communities through the provision of discretionary grants to tribal governments and native-serving nonprofit organizations.  The current economic climate has increased ANA’s focus on developing employment opportunities and business creation in native communities, resulting in this special funding initiative to promote Sustainable Employment & Economic Development Strategies (SEEDS).  In an effort to reduce unemployment and stimulate local economies, ANA, within the Administration for Children and Families, announces the availability of $5,000,000 of SEEDS funding for Fiscal Year 2013 for new, community-based projects that will foster economic development through the creation of small businesses and sustainable job growth.

One of ANA’s primary goals is to promote economic self-sufficiency for American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including American Samoa Natives.  In pursuit of this goal, four priorities that ANA will promote through the SEEDS initiative are: 1) creation of sustainable employment opportunities; 2) professional training and skill development that increases participants’ employability and earning potential; 3) creation and development of small businesses and entrepreneurial activities, and; 4) a demonstrated strategy and commitment to keeping the jobs and revenues generated by project activities within the native communities being served.  Improving access to employment opportunities and supporting small businesses will enhance local economies, enable more tribal members to acquire and maintain gainful employment, and improve the long term financial health of tribal members and their families.

For additional information on this proposed FOA, please refer to the concept paper located at the following link: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana/resource/proposed-seeds-foa-concept-paper.