"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Accepting Community Grant Applications

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation is currently accepting grant applications from Cherokee community-based and faith-based organizations through the tribe’s Compassion Capital Program, which provides training and technical assistance to organizations in order to help them become more effective in receiving and administering federal grants.

“Cherokee Nation is community-focused and community-driven. With programs like the Compassion Capital Program, Cherokee communities have taken the lead in determining what kinds of services are important to their environment. Compassion Capital works with such organizations and individuals on how to make their vision a reality,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

The purpose of the funding is to strengthen an organization’s capacity to serve their members and their communities. The funds cannot be used by the recipient organizations to provide services, but must work toward ongoing training.

Currently, up to 40 sub-awards will be available through a competitive process. The amount of funding can range from $5,000 to $25,000, and preference will be given to projects that target federal priorities, such as alcohol and drug abuse and marriage and family education. Organizations providing a variety of services to Cherokee citizens are encouraged to apply.

“When communities identify needs, we will work together with them to meet those needs. I encourage all Cherokees organizations that can help their communities to take part in this program,” Smith said.

Qualified applicants must have basic management and book keeping procedures in operation and be willing to participate in ongoing training offered by the Compassion Capital Program. In addition, groups must have an annual operating budget of less than $100,000, a minimum of a two-year history of providing social services to its targeted community and be governed and operated in the majority by Cherokee citizens.

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at 2 p.m. No late applications will be accepted. For more information on the program, contact Rick Gassaway, phone: 918-431-4173 or by email: rgassaway@cherokee.org.