Details Posted About Stimulus Money for Nonprofit Management Help

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has posted information on its Web site about how to apply for $50-million that was allocated by the federal economic-stimulus law to help nonprofit groups strengthen their ability to aid victims of the economic downturn.

The money, dubbed the Strengthening Communities Fund, will pay for two programs:

• The Nonprofit Capacity-Building Program, which will provide two-year awards of up to $1-million to experienced nonprofit groups that provide training and management assistance to charities. The applicants must agree to provide 20 percent of the grant’s value in cash or in-kind contributions.

• The State, Local, and Tribal Government Capacity-Building Program, which provides grants of up to $250,000 to government agencies to help them offer free training and management assistance to charities.

Both programs, operated by the Administration for Children and Families, are designed to bolster charities that are providing services like helping low-income people get jobs, earn higher wages, and get better access to state and federal benefits and tax credits.

Deadline for applications is July 7.

President Obama proposed extending the Strengthening Communities Fund in his fiscal 2010 budget.