# Presentation: 526315

## EZEC Grant Extension Process Webinar

- How to finish the program and continue the work...

- Suzette Agans, Sharon Colbert and John Wells
- USDA Rural Development, Rural Empowerment Program
- July 1, 2008 2:00 to 3:05pm

**Notes:**
John Wells

## Agenda

- Intro and Background 2-2:05p
- Extension Process 2:05 – 2:20
- Overview of the process
- Common concerns/questions
- Questions from the audience
- Sustainability (2:20-2:45)
- What is it
- Ways to get there
- Lessons from Round 1
- Plans for the future – general discussion
- Differences between 501 © 3, 4, 5 and CDCs (2:45-3:05)
- What are the characteristics
- Steps required to incorporate
- Are there IRS Requirements?

**Notes:**
John Wells

## 1. Background: EZEC Designations

- 3 Rounds of EZs – all designations expire on 12/31/09.
- 2 Rounds of ECs – Round 2 designations expire on 12/24/2008

**Notes:**
Suzette

## EZEC Grant Period

- Round 2 EZEC grant period expires on 12/24/2008
- Round 3 grant period expires on 12/31/2009

**Notes:**
suzette

## 2. Grant Extension Process

- The program sunsets on 12/31/2009 barring any new legislation.
- Applications to extend the grant period is due by Friday, July 11, 2008.

**Notes:**
Sharon

## Application should include

- Cover sheet with the following information:
- Names, signatures, titles and mailing addresses of the Board President and Executive Director
- Names, mailing address and phone number of the contact persons at the EZEC or local lead entity who USDA may contact for further information

**Notes:**
Sharon	

## Applications should include cont’d

- 2. A statement specifying the proposed grant project period end-date, which cannot exceed DECEMBER 31, 2009.
- 3. A completed SF-424, available on RD’s website.
- 4. Create a new benchmark in the BMS, similar to Test and Training, next page

**Notes:**
Sharon

## Benchmark 

**Main Menu**
**Community:** Test and Training EC - 424
**Problem:** Benchmark projects are incomplete
**Goal/Objective:** To finish projects by 12/31/09 - BM# 25, 26, 34, 47 and 104
**Benchmark Description:** Finish projects by 12/31/09 including a housing project and several business projects that use USDA-RD funds. Estimate of $246,765 will be used during this period.
**Category:** Capacity Building **Activity:** Close-Out Projects **Unit of Measurement:** # of Benchmarks **Source of Data:** EC Office **Baseline:** 0 **Output To Date:** 0 **Target:** 10 **Percent Complete:** 0%**Last Updated:** 05/30/2008 **Updated By:** agans, suzette **Status:** Awaiting Review
**This benchmark is active. **

- No tasks or other measures

**Notes:**
Suzette

## Where to send Application

- Paper copies to here:
- 	U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development/Cooperative Programs
- 	ATTN: John H. Wells
- 	EZ/EC Grant Extension
- 	1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop 3254 Washington, DC 20250-3254 OR
- Electronic copies to your Desk Officer and your CD Liaison

**Notes:**
Suzette

## Decision Process

- The desk officers will review application for completion.
- Desk officer will consult with CD Liaison and/or RD State Director
- If everything is in order.  A formal letter extending the grant will be sent to the contact person.

**Notes:**
John well

## FAQs

- If we only need 3 months to finish, is it better to go 3 months or take the whole 12 months?
- SF 424-line 18 – which amount on the estimated funding?  The est. amount available to spend during the extension.
- Should we send hard copies and electronic copies?  Either
- FY09 EZEC Earmarks - congress
- 293 EC; 292 EZ; CFDA 10.772

**Notes:**
Suzette and Sharon

## Your Questions

## 3. Sustainability: What is it?

- Role of strategic planning
- Importance of re-evaluation
- Measuring Community Success
- How do You view a sustainable community?
-  Ongoing mechanism to fulfill community needs
- Keep going forward
- Keep moving on the benchmarks
- 3 legged stool – community philanthropy, grants and social enterprise
- Endowments

**Information added to this slide from the webinar**

**Notes:**
Suzette

## Ways to get there...

- Importance of Partnerships
- Analyses of Board
- Strategies for Leveraging Funds

**Notes:**
Sharon

## Lessons from Round 1

- Leadership Development
- Accountability
- Community Participation
- Preparation
- Change in Board structures and numbers

**Notes:**
Sharon

## Question received:

- What role will RD staff have in the EZECs when they end?
- The communities responded by saying they would like the following:
- The stream of information specific to CD and their situation is very useful
- RD provides a window to the federal government
- The technical assistance has been very helpful
- Continued participation at board meetings
- The joint training held between board members and RD staff was very useful for all and helped establish relationships

**This slide from the live webinar and added afterwards**

## Question received cont’d

- RD Staff responded to the question by saying:
- It is important to stay involved
- It becomes more like a champion community relationship
- Communities feel good when a RD staff person is involved

**This slide from the live webinar and added afterwards**

## 4. 501(c) 3, 4, 5 or ?...

**CDC** - **Community Development Corporation** is a broad term referring to not-for-profit organizations incorporated to provide programs, offer services and engage in other activities that promote and support a community. CDCs usually serve a geographic location such as a neighborhood or a town.
- How to start a 501(c)3 – exempt purposes include: charitable, educational, religious, scientific, literary, fostering national or international sports competition, preventing cruelty to children or animals, and testing for public safety.  _[http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4220.pdf](http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4220.pdf)_
- 501(c)4 - To be tax-exempt as a social welfare organization described in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(4), an organization must not be organized for profit and must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare.

**Notes:**
Sharon and Suzette

## 501(c)3, 4, 5 ?  Cont’d

- What are the advantages?
- Strategies for utilizing
- Advancing Strategies.... input from participants

## Resources on the Internet

- Graduation Webpage: _[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/ezec/graduation/graduation.html](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/ezec/graduation/graduation.html)_
- CDP Webpages: _[Http://ocdweb.sc.egov.usda.gov](http://ocdweb.sc.egov.usda.gov/)_

**Notes:**
Suzette, Sharon.  Open up webpage and showcase resources and those on ocdweb.sc.usda.gov

## Questions?

- Thank you!