Voluntary Agencies Matching Grant Program

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The Voluntary Agencies Matching Grant Program is an alternative to public cash assistance designed to enable refugees, asylees, and other ORR eligible populations to become self-sufficient through employment within 120 to 180 days from date of arrival into the United States (U.S.) and/or date of eligibility for ORR services; however, clients must be enrolled within 31 days of becoming eligible to ensure adequate services are provided and self-sufficiency is achieved and maintained within the period of eligibility. Services provided under this cooperative agreement include, but are not limited to, comprehensive case management, employment services, maintenance assistance, cash allowance, and administration. As the Voluntary Agencies Matching Grant Program is designed to work in consort with the Refugee and Cuban & Haitian Entrant Reception and Placement (R & P) programs, service provider competition for funding under this program is limited. Only those voluntary agencies that already provide R & P services through a cooperative agreement with the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security may apply to provide Matching Grant services. Participating agencies agree to match the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) grant with cash and in-kind contributions of goods and services from the community. Currently, ORR awards $2 for every $1 raised by the agency up to a maximum of $2,200 in federal funds per client. At least 20 percent of the non-federal share (the grantee's match) must be met with cash or cash equivalent; the balance may be cash, in-kind services, or donated goods. Note that while federal and match funds are calculated and awarded on a per capita or client basis, the actual spending of such funds is not per capita based.

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