Align the Process Across Agencies

Goodwill Industries International
Thursday, 1 May 2003

Goodwill Industries International Calls for Federal Grant Reform

Common definitions, standardized RFP procedures and categorization by service populations would improve the complex process of identifying and securing federal grant funds for nonprofits such as Goodwill Industries.

In testimony before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census on April 29, Director of Workforce Development Kathy Crosby detailed the significant challenges nonprofits face. "Difficulties exist throughout the life cycle of the federal grant management system," says Crosby, "from locating and identifying funding, to closing out the grant."

In her testimony Crosby offered three specific recommendations to improve the federal grants management process:

• Use common definitions in grant proposals across all federal department and agencies and avoid differences and departmental vernaculars;


• Implement common standards for RFPs in timelines, formats and scoring; and


• Categorize grant opportunities by common services or service populations rather than by agency.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 207 community-based, independent member organizations in the United States, Canada, and 22 other countries. Each organization serves people with disabilities and other needs by providing job training and employment services, as well as job placement opportunities and post-employment support. Through its services, the network helps people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities. In 2002, more than 580,000 people benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill Industries International reported $2.06 (b) in revenues, and channels 85% of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

For more information, or to contact Goodwill Industries International, see their website at: www.goodwill.org