Opportunity Information: Apply for FCC ACOGP 23 002
The Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - Pilot Program Grants (Funding Opportunity Number FCC ACOGP 23 002) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to support outreach efforts tied to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a national affordability benefit intended to help eligible households pay for broadband service, and this grant program focuses specifically on boosting awareness and enrollment among households that are most likely to face barriers to affordable internet access. The FCC frames these grants as part of the broader set of digital equity and broadband access measures authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, with the overall goal of narrowing the digital divide by making sure eligible families know the benefit exists and can successfully sign up.
This particular Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) covers Pilot Program Outreach Grants for participants in two pilot tracks referenced as YHYI and NPP. The FCC notes that a separate NOFO exists for other outreach tracks (NCOP and TCOP), so applicants should be careful to match their proposed work to the correct announcement. In practical terms, this NOFO is designed to channel new federal funding to on-the-ground messengers and organizations that can reach eligible households, explain ACP benefits in plain language, help people navigate eligibility questions, and reduce friction in the enrollment process. The emphasis is outreach: community education, engagement campaigns, trusted-partner coordination, and hands-on assistance that increases actual participation, not just general awareness.
Eligible applicants are broad and intentionally include both government and non-government entities that are positioned to reach underserved communities. Governmental eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments. Tribal eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations. Housing-focused public entities are also eligible, including public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, reflecting the reality that ACP-eligible households are often concentrated in subsidized or income-restricted housing communities. On the non-government side, eligible applicants include nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. This mix signals the FCCs intent to fund a variety of outreach models, from community-based nonprofit enrollment drives to coordinated campaigns run by local governments or specialized service providers.
The grant instrument is a standard grant (not a contract), and the funding activity category is listed as Community Development under CFDA number 32.011. The FCC anticipated making about 40 awards under this opportunity, with an award ceiling of up to $1,000,000 per award. While the ceiling indicates the maximum, actual award sizes can vary depending on the scope of work, target geography or population, demonstrated need, and the strength of the outreach plan. The opportunity was created on November 21, 2022, with an original application closing date of January 9, 2023.
At a high level, the FCCs purpose with these Pilot Program Outreach Grants is to put resources into the hands of entities that can reach ACP-eligible households who may not be enrolled due to lack of information, language barriers, limited digital skills, distrust of unfamiliar programs, difficulty gathering documentation, or simple confusion about how to sign up. By funding practical outreach and enrollment support, the FCC aims to increase ACP participation and ensure that affordability assistance translates into real broadband adoption for people who need it most. For a full explanation of what activities are expected and how the FCC defines the pilot tracks, the NOFO directs applicants to consult Section IV - Program Description, which contains the detailed program requirements and expectations.Apply for FCC ACOGP 23 002
- The Federal Communications Commission in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - Pilot Program Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 32.011.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 21, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 09, 2023 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - Pilot Program Grants (FCC ACOGP 23 002) FAQs
What is the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - Pilot Program Grants opportunity?
It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fund outreach efforts connected to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The focus is on boosting awareness and enrollment for eligible households, especially those most likely to face barriers to affordable internet access.
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that these grants support?
The ACP is a national affordability benefit intended to help eligible households pay for broadband service. This grant opportunity funds outreach and enrollment support so eligible households know the benefit exists and can successfully sign up.
What is the main goal of these Pilot Program Outreach Grants?
The main goal is to narrow the digital divide by increasing ACP awareness and enrollment among eligible households that are not participating due to common barriers such as lack of information, language barriers, limited digital skills, distrust of unfamiliar programs, documentation challenges, or confusion about enrollment steps.
Who administers this grant program?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) administers this grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this NOFO?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FCC ACOGP 23 002.
Is this funding a grant or a contract?
This opportunity uses a standard grant instrument (not a contract).
What types of activities are these grants intended to fund?
These grants are intended to fund outreach and enrollment-related work that increases actual ACP participation, not just general awareness. Examples of the kinds of efforts described include community education, engagement campaigns, coordination with trusted partners, and hands-on assistance that helps households navigate eligibility questions and reduces friction in the enrollment process.
What does the FCC emphasize most in this opportunity: awareness or enrollment?
The emphasis is outreach that drives real participation. The NOFO describes efforts that help people understand the benefit in plain language and successfully enroll, rather than outreach that only generates general awareness.
Which pilot tracks does this NOFO cover?
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) covers Pilot Program Outreach Grants for participants in two pilot tracks referenced as YHYI and NPP.
Are there other outreach tracks under separate announcements?
Yes. The FCC notes that a separate NOFO exists for other outreach tracks (NCOP and TCOP). Applicants are expected to match their proposed work to the correct announcement.
Who is eligible to apply (in general terms)?
Eligibility is broad and includes both government and non-government entities that are positioned to reach underserved communities and ACP-eligible households.
Which government entities are eligible applicants?
Eligible governmental applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments.
Are Tribal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible Tribal applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations.
Are public housing organizations eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are specifically listed as eligible, reflecting that ACP-eligible households are often concentrated in subsidized or income-restricted housing communities.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status and also nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education).
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible as long as they are not small businesses (the NOFO describes eligibility as "for-profit organizations other than small businesses").
Are institutions of higher education eligible under the nonprofit category?
The NOFO specifies that nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status can be eligible so long as they are not institutions of higher education. No additional eligibility details for higher education are provided in the summary information given.
How many awards did the FCC anticipate making?
The FCC anticipated making about 40 awards under this opportunity.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is up to $1,000,000 per award.
Will every award be $1,000,000?
Not necessarily. The $1,000,000 figure is described as a ceiling (maximum). Actual award sizes can vary based on factors described in the opportunity summary, such as scope of work, target geography or population, demonstrated need, and the strength of the outreach plan.
What factors can influence the size of an award?
Based on the information provided, award sizes can vary depending on the scope of work, the target geography or population, demonstrated need, and the strength of the outreach plan.
What is the CFDA number and category for this funding?
The CFDA number is 32.011, and the funding activity category is listed as Community Development.
When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on November 21, 2022, and the original application closing date was January 9, 2023.
What kinds of barriers is the FCC trying to address with these grants?
The FCC describes barriers such as lack of information, language barriers, limited digital skills, distrust of unfamiliar programs, difficulty gathering documentation, and confusion about how to sign up. The grants are intended to support outreach and assistance that reduces these barriers and increases ACP participation.
Where does the NOFO point applicants for the detailed requirements and expectations?
The NOFO directs applicants to consult Section IV - Program Description for a full explanation of expected activities and how the FCC defines the pilot tracks.
How does this grant opportunity relate to broader federal broadband and digital equity efforts?
The FCC frames these grants as part of a broader set of digital equity and broadband access measures authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, with the overall goal of narrowing the digital divide by helping eligible families learn about and enroll in the ACP benefit.
What is the practical purpose of funding "on-the-ground messengers" and community organizations?
The opportunity is designed to channel federal funding to organizations that can reach ACP-eligible households directly, explain benefits in plain language, help people navigate eligibility questions, and provide hands-on support that makes enrollment easier and more successful.
Does this NOFO fund general broadband infrastructure buildout?
No such infrastructure buildout purpose is described in the information provided. The stated focus is outreach tied to ACP awareness and enrollment, including education, engagement campaigns, partner coordination, and hands-on enrollment assistance.
What should applicants pay close attention to before applying?
Applicants should ensure they are using the correct NOFO for their outreach track. This NOFO covers YHYI and NPP, while a separate NOFO exists for NCOP and TCOP.
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