RFP COAEEAP27007 for TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE for NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) GRANT PROPOSAL
🏛 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Can you apply?
This grant is for Iowa nonprofits and government agencies providing TANF services. Applicants must support economic mobility for families at or below 200% of federal poverty level. Programs must align with one of four TANF purposes: assistance, reducing dependency, preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies, or encouraging two-parent families. Projects should focus on employment barriers, income growth, benefit reduction, education gains, or community-based economic mobility programming.
Eligible recipients include local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations operating in Iowa. Applications must demonstrate capacity to serve TANF-eligible populations statewide or locally. Priority given to projects showing measurable progress in employment, income, and benefit reduction outcomes.
This grant is for Iowa nonprofits and government agencies providing TANF services. Applicants must support economic mobility for families at or below 200% of federal poverty level. Programs must align with one of four TANF purposes: assistance, reducing dependency, preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies, or encouraging two-parent families. Projects should focus on employment barriers, income growth, benefit reduction, education gains, or community-based economic mobility programming.
Eligible recipients include local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations operating in Iowa. Applications must demonstrate capacity to serve TANF-eligible populations statewide or locally. Priority given to projects showing measurable progress in employment, income, and benefit reduction outcomes.
Program description
Purpose The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) # COAEEAP26007 is to solicit applications that will enable the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (referred to as Agency) to select the most qualified applicants to provide state-wide and local programming that supports economic mobility for Iowa families. Funds are made available through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and must achieve one of the four purposes of TANF: Provide assistance to needy families End dependence on benefits Prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies Encourage two-parent families Priority Projects will demonstrate that they can make measurable progress in the following areas: · Reducing barriers to consistent and stable employment for the TANF-eligible (≤ 200% FPL) population · Enhancing opportunities for TANF-eligible Iowans who are employed to increase their income · Reducing dependence on government-provided benefits or assistance · Improving overall education and work-readiness gains for the TANF-eligible population · Enhancing community-based and local programming focused on economic mobility for the TANF-eligible population Schedule of Important Dates (All times and dates listed are local Iowa time.) The following dates are set forth for informational purposes. The Agency reserves the right to modify these dates at its discretion. EVENT DATE RFP Issued May 14, 2026 Written Questions and Responses 1 st Round Questions Due: 1 st Round Responses Posted By: Final Questions Due: Final Responses Posted By: May 21, 2026 May 28, 2026 June 4, 2026 June 11, 2026 Applications Due June 18, 2026, by 4:00 PM Local Iowa Time Post Notice of Intent to Award On or around July 8, 2026
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for Iowa nonprofits and government agencies providing TANF services. Applicants must support economic mobility for families at or below 200% of federal poverty level. Programs must align with one of four TANF purposes: assistance, reducing dependency, preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies, or encouraging two-parent families. Projects should focus on employment barriers, income growth, benefit reduction, education gains, or community-based economic mobility programming.
Eligible recipients include local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations operating in Iowa. Applications must demonstrate capacity to serve TANF-eligible populations statewide or locally. Priority given to projects showing measurable progress in employment, income, and benefit reduction outcomes.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity and Staffing Plan
- Evaluation/Outcome Measurement Plan
- Letters of Support or Partnership Agreements
- Proof of 501(c)(3) Status (if nonprofit)
- Conflict of Interest Disclosures
Program contact
- 👤 John McMullen
- 📧 john.mcmullen@hhs.iowa.gov
- 📞 (515) 416-8565
FAQ
Who can apply for this TANF grant?
Iowa nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations. You must demonstrate capacity to serve TANF-eligible families (at or below 200% FPL).
What are the four purposes of TANF funding?
Provide assistance to needy families. End dependence on benefits. Prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Encourage two-parent families.
What happens after the June 18 deadline?
The Agency posts notice of intent to award around July 8, 2026. Applications are evaluated for measurable progress in employment, income, and benefit reduction.
What makes an application competitive?
Clear demonstration of reducing employment barriers, increasing income for employed TANF clients, reducing benefit dependency, and improving education/work-readiness outcomes.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No cost-sharing is required for this RFP. However, confirm with the Agency if budget details change.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project directly to one of the four TANF purposes. Vague proposals linking to multiple purposes weaken competitiveness.
- Include specific, measurable outcomes for employment barriers, income growth, or benefit reduction. Generic outcome statements will not stand out.
- Tailor your proposal to Iowa's TANF-eligible population (≤200% FPL). Show local or statewide reach and community partnerships.
- Address how your program reduces dependence on government assistance, not just provides short-term help. Sustainability matters.
- Submit questions early (by June 4 deadline). Agency responses posted June 11 give you one week to revise before the June 18 deadline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail to clearly map activities to one of the four TANF statutory purposes. Vague measurable outcomes or lack of specific targets for employment and benefit reduction are common rejections. Insufficient evidence of capacity to serve 200% FPL population or weak community partnerships undermine proposals.
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