"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Announces Community Funding Opportunity

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - The Cherokee Nation is accepting applications for a competitive funding opportunity designed to allow Cherokee community and faith-based organizations to become more self-sufficient.

Cherokee Nation’s Community Organization Training and Technical Assistance (COTTA) program will fund select projects through a competitive process, with sub-awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Successful recipients must have a strong service history, with basic management and bookkeeping procedures in place. Qualifying groups must be willing to participate in ongoing training offered by COTTA. In addition, the organizations must be governed and operated at least 51 percent by Cherokee Nation citizens and be located within the 14-county tribal jurisdiction service area of the Cherokee Nation.

To complete eligibility requirements, all applicants must attend a workshop on February 23, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Indian Capital Technology Center, located at 240 Vo-Tech Road in Tahlequah.

COTTA is a program designed to assist community and faith-based organizations by increasing their effectiveness, organizational capacity and ability to meet community needs, while diversifying their funding resources and creating partnerships to better serve Cherokee communities. Organizations at all stages of development are encouraged to apply. Sub-award funds cannot be used for direct services, construction, lobbying or research.

The deadline for applications for the sub-funding awards is March 8, 2008. Applications post-marked after that time will not be considered. To request an application or further information, contact Rick Gassaway, phone: 918-431-4173 or by e-mail.