1. TRIBAL BROADBAND: COMMUNITY CONNECT BROADBAND GRANTS AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
Program Application Deadline: February 20, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)
Federally-recognized Tribes are eligible for United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Connect Grants. These grants provide financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service for eligible applicants which include federally-recognize Tribes. The Funds can be used for the following:
- The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for:
- All residential and business customers located within the Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA)
- All participating critical community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, and public libraries)
- The cost of providing broadband service free of charge to the critical community facilities for 2 years.
- Less than 10% of the grant amount or up to $150,000 may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public.
For questions about the Community Connect Grant Program, please email Community Connect or call the Loan Origination and Approval Division at (202) 720-0800.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
2. ACCOUNTING: GASB ISSUES GUIDANCE REQUIRING GOVERNMENTS TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN RISKS
| The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) released GASB Statement No. 102 titled Certain Risk Disclosures. Statement No. 102 establishes new reporting requirements for state, local, and tribal governments to disclose information about risks related to certain concentrations or constraints. The summary states that if the criteria for a concentration or constraint has been met, it needs to “disclose information in notes to financial statements in sufficient detail to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature of the circumstances disclosed and the government’s vulnerability to the risk of a substantial impact” The requirements of the statement will take into effect for fiscal years starting after June 15, 2024, and all reporting period thereafter. |
Source: GASB Statement No. 102, Certain Risk Disclosures
3. FOR TRIBES: TRIBAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CENTER IS PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO TRIBAL GRANTEES
The Tribal Financial Management Center, within the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice, is providing training and technical assistance for tribes to successfully manage the financial aspects of their federal awards. The TFMC will provide the following services to tribal grantees at no cost:
- Support the financial management and reporting requirements of their award
- Individualized financial training and technical assistance
- Financial needs assessments
- Dissemination of best practices and peer sharing through regional training sessions and interactive webinars
- Clearinghouse of current, relevant, and effective tools plus promising new practices in financial and grants management
- Assistance preparing applications for grants
Financial specialists are available to contact for technical assistance and general questions through the Virtual Support Center at tfmc@ovctfmc.org or by phone at 703.462.6900
| Source: U.S. Department of Justice |
4. NAFOA COMMUNITY: INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION: ALICIA FULTON’S STORY WITH THE LEADING PEOPLE AND INVESTING TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
| Alicia Fulton (Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe) is the youngest nominated to the board of directors for Noo-Kayet Investments (NKI). NKI is a section 17 corporate charter for tribally owned enterprises and oversees most economic development for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. This past summer, Fulton attended the Leading People And Investing To Build Sustainable Communities Program (LPIBSC) which was developed in collaboration with the Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education, NAFOA, and AFOA Canada. The program is designed to support Native finance professionals and leaders and equip them with tools to lead high-performing, innovative communities and organizations. Located on the Harvard Business School campus, the program runs four days where attendees are immersed in a collaborative learning environment. |
5. JOBS:
SAN MANUEL IS SEEKING INVESTMENT STRATEGIES DIRECTOR
| Under the general supervision of the Division Controller, the Senior Grant Accountant will work closely with the Grant Writers and Finance Team to gain a comprehensive understanding of grant initiatives, budget preparation, and analysis. The Grant Accountant will work as a business partner to various programs and departments as assigned by providing key information and analysis. |
Have something to share with the NAFOA community? Share an entry in the “5 Things” Newsletter
Get NAFOA’s 5 Things You Need to Know This Week in your inbox at the start of each week: Subscribe.
