NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
American Rescue Plan Funds for the
Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN) Program
Local First Arizona Foundation, in its role as the system lead entity for the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network, will be issuing a Request for Applications by 11:59 p.m. (AZ time) on or before December 2, 2024. Grant applications will be due before 5 p.m. (AZ time) on January 17, 2025.
Local First Arizona Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to build equitable systems for Arizona’s local businesses and communities that create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable Arizona economy by strengthening, supporting and celebrating entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action and food access.
The Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network is a four-year initiative to ready individuals for in-demand jobs, increase wage growth and secure and retain quality jobs in five rural Arizona counties.
Announcement Type: Competitive
The Request for Applications will be announced through:
NAGJN Members’ Networks
Community Email Lists
Local First Arizona website: https://localfirstaz.com/workforce-development
Local First Arizona and/or Arizona Rural Development Council Social Media
Summary of Services/Capabilities Sought by This Request for Applications
This forthcoming solicitation is for the portion of the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network (NAGJN) grant that will be invested in wraparound service delivery. These services will support vulnerable populations in accessing and completing training-to- employment programs now in design for implementation in 2025 and 2026. These programs will be offered in Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties and also available to tribal members in this territory.
Wraparound services must be available to all trainees from this region and complement:
Services funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) available through ARIZONA@WORK in this five-county region, including the Nineteen Tribal Nations Local Workforce Development Area (Click for more information).
Student support services offered by the four community colleges that are members of the network: Coconino Community College, Mohave Community College, Northland Pioneer College and Yavapai College.
Services for trainees could include, but are not limited to: rental/housing assistance, transportation, child care, food security, career/workforce development preparation services and other services that will support those enrolled in the training programs in accessing and completing the training.
Total Funding:
Total funding for designing and administering the NAGJN wraparound service model over 16 months, estimated March 1, 2025-June 30, 2026,) is $175,000. This includes tracking services delivered and cost of those services per trainee.Funding for direct services to trainees, estimated June 1, 2025-May 31, 2026, is $525,000, with an option to release additional funds in 2026 based on trainees’ needs and budget burndown rates at calendar year end 2025.
Eligible Applicants:
Non-profit organizations, community-based organizations and governmental agencies that support low-income and at-risk populations in the five-county region and tribal lands within that territory.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicant Agency is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or a local/regional governmental agency in the NAGJN region.
Applicant Agency is required to serve residents of Apache, Coconino Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai counties and of the tribal areas within this territory.
To prepare for the Request for Applications:
Applications for this program will only be accepted online through Local First Arizona’s application submission portal, which will be accessed from the Local First Arizona website.
Local First Arizona provides funding for NAGJN wraparound service administration and delivery through American Rescue Plan Act funds distributed via the Office of the Governor of Arizona. The funds awarded are federal funds.
Obtain a Unique Entity ID Number for your organization via the federal System for Award Management if you do not already have one. For more information: https://sam.gov/content/home
Secure an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, if your organization does not already have one. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, including applying online. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service.
Please submit questions regarding this funding opportunity to workforce@localfirstaz.com or visit the Local First Arizona Workforce Development page to learn more and view the blueprint created during Phase 1 of the NAGJN.
Contact Information:
The points of contact for this solicitation are:
Jenna Rowell, Director of Rural Development
Andrew Witzel, Rural Program Manager
Address: 407 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Email: workforce@localfirstaz.com