Social Current Submits Statement for May 2 Hearing: Improving Access to Federal Grants for Underserved Communities

Social Current submitted a statement to the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee from President and CEO Jody Levison-Johnson and Senior Director of Government Affairs Blair Abelle-Kiser on the challenges faced by the nonprofit social sector in responding to federal grants. Among the challenges highlighted were federal contracts that don’t cover the actual cost of service delivery, the complexity of the contracting process, and a lack of funding flexibility that hampers the ability of nonprofits to innovate and address root causes. The testimony highlighted a number of solutions, including simplifying the application process, offering more consistency and transparency regarding grant application procedures and criteria, and allowing greater flexibility in the use of grant funds. It comes on the heels of an article by Jody Levison-Johnson that was published on March 30 entitled “An Urgent Response is Needed to the Dire Staff Shortages Facing NonProfit Government Contractors.”

The Senate hearing “Improving Access to Federal Grants for Underserved Communities,” took place on Tuesday, May 2, at 10 a.m. ET. For those of you who couldn’t make it, read the key takeaways Social Current put together from the hearing.