Domestic Violence Shelter Fund RFA FY 2026-2027

Mississippi Department of Health is a State agency granted the authority pursuant to state law, MS Code Title 93, Section 93-21-117, to administer the Victims of Domestic Violence Shelter Fund, established as direct support for funding domestic violence shelters in the State of Mississippi under the provisions of Sections 93-21-101 through 93-21-113. Monies in the fund derives from various sources: standard state monetary assessments for certain violations, misdemeanors and felonies pursuant to MS. Code Section 99-19-73; bond fees as provided by MS. Code Section 83-39-31; additional fees charged and collected for marriage licenses under the provisions of MS. Code Section 25-7-13; and other sources such as donations and federal funding. 

The purpose of the Domestic Violence Shelter program is to provide safe, secure, accessible, nondiscriminatory shelter for all victims/survivors of domestic violence regardless of race, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin or ancestry, gender identity or sexual orientation, in compliance with Mississippi state law, and any regulations or rules adopted by the Office Against Interpersonal Violence within MSDH.

Background

The Office Against Interpersonal Violence (OAIV) of the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is pleased to provide this Request for Applications (RFA) for state funding to support victims of domestic violence.  All awards will be issued on a competitive basis.  OAIV is seeking applications for the following funding source:

• Certified State of Mississippi Domestic Violence Shelter Fund

Applicants must submit one proposal for each eligible organization.  Funds will be allocated in accordance with state requirements and the intended use of the grant program for a one-year period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The RFA includes instructions for grant submission, grant specific guidelines and budget requirements, as well as the evaluation criteria for applications. This is a competitive review process. Please read all sections of the RFA and all accompanying documents carefully. There have been some changes.  All mandatory templates noted in the RFA are considered part of the RFA. The full application, mandatory templates and other information can be found in the Attachment Section of OpenGov.

RFA Timeline Dates

Award Period:

Projects selected for funding must begin on or after 07.01.2026 and end on or before 06.30.2027. Projects may not exceed a 12-month project period. As a pre-award requirement, the budget and work plan are mandatory for the one-year funding period. For this 2026-2027 RFA, submit a one -year budget and a one -year work plan on the attached mandatory template.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 2027-RFA-107
• Department: Office of Interpersonal Violence
• Department Head: Cerissa Edwards (-)

Evaluation Criteria

• Evaluation Criteria (5 pts) —

  This review will evaluate whether, and to what extent, the project will assist the state in meeting the minimum funding requirements and overall state plans for the delivery of services. The applicant must meet a minimum score of 70 to be funded.

   

  Applicants will receive high scores if they have a defined and clear organizational structure; organizational experience in federal grants; qualified and capable personnel with experience in federal grants or equivalent credentials or experience; or can otherwise demonstrate that they will be a reliable subgrantee who will use all awarded funds in a manner consistent with law and the requirements of this RFA.

   

  As part of its overall grant management duties, OAIV reserves the right to determine the best use of funding. The final review will also determine, if an award is to be made, whether requested funding will be reduced, or any additional requirements (e.g. special conditions for the subgrant award) will be placed upon the applicant. There is no guarantee that a project will be continued, nor is there a guarantee that current amounts of funding will be awarded.

   

  The official scoring weight is in the table under the title Evaluation Criteria. If there are weights in the narrative of the Evaluation section that differ from the weight in the table, the table remains the official scoring weight.

• Organizational Information (5 pts) —

  All new applicants will be required to complete the basic information about their organization. All continuation applicants will be required to provide any information that has changed since their last DV Application, April 2024.

   

  The RFA and its instructions can be found in the Attachment Section of OpenGov.

   

• Problem Need (10 pts) —

  All applicants will be required to complete the project narrative section.  The project narrative is the description of the proposed project.  It sets out what services will be provided with the requested grant funds, who will be impacted/served, who will provide the services, why services are being provided, and what will happen as a result of service provision.

• Performance Outcomes (10 pts) —
  1. 1. 1. Subgrantees Seeking Renewal - Applicants will receive higher scores if their agency met the performance requirements outlined in the previous subgrant agreement. If any of those applicants did not meet the required performance metrics during the previous program year, applicants will receive higher scores if a clear and reasonable justification for not meeting the performance requirements is provided.
        2. New Applicants - Applicants that have not previously received this funding will receive higher scores if a strong description of experience and quality outcomes relevant to this project is provided.
• Quality of Application (10 pts) —

  Applications will receive higher scores if the information presented is accurate, complete, well-presented, and free of spelling, grammatical, and mathematical mistakes. Additionally, all acronyms must be spelled out at their first mention, indicating their abbreviation in parenthesis.

• Implementation (15 pts) —

  In this component of the application, fully explain the following:

   

  1. 1. Services to be provided (the project scope of work).   

   

  2. 2. Staffing required to perform the scope of service. 

   

  3. 3. Model for the project delivery.
• Sustainability Plan (5 pts) —

  In this section, the applicant should clearly explain their present sustainability plan for continuation of the project should OAIV state funds be decreased and/or terminated. A statement that the program will not continue without the funding or will “start” researching for other funding streams is not a sustainability plan and will be disallowed. Describe the plan that has been implemented to ensure continuity of your organization, in the event continued funding is not available for any reason.

   

  • This plan should clearly set forth the commitment of the applicant organization (or its community) to continue the services without state or federal funding.
  • Applicants shall have an existing plan in place to sustain project activities if federal funding or state funding through OAIV is no longer available. This may be through raising local support, creation of program income, etc. (these potential sources must be named in the application).

   

• Work Plan (30 pts) —

  The work plan should provide specific details that align with the implementation and the budget. To complete your GOAs, you are provided a mandatory work plan template located in the Budget Narrative/Work Plan template, If you are able to accomplish your entire project without using each space in the work plan, please do so.  You will be held accountable for all priority areas/goals/objectives/activities in your project. The GOAs should only be for the proposed project.

   

  Applicants will receive higher scores if the budget is tailored to the work plan and utilizes allowable direct and indirect costs. Total request for funding itself will not determine score; rather, Applicants will be scored based on whether budget accurately reflects allowable costs of completing the work set forth in the work plan.

• Budget and Budget Justification (30 pts) —
  1. 1. Budget (A mandatory combined template (Budget/Budget Narrative/Work Plan Template) for the budget can be found on the MSDH website with the DV RFP.)

  The project budget identifies the funding being requested to carry out the specific application project. The budget must directly relate to the proposed project activities and grant program requirements. All budgeted line items must:

  • • be allowable under the grant guidelines
    • be reasonable, necessary, and allocated directly to the project
    • be aligned with sub-grant activities
    • be prorated per the organization’s proration plan (if the applicant expects to receive multiple funding streams from OAIV)

   

  2. Budget Narrative (A mandatory combined template for the budget narrative can be found on the MSDH website with the DV RFP.) Must explain and justify how the applicant plans to use the funds requested by cost category and line item in the budget. The narrative should clearly state:
  • the description of the cost
  • how the amount was calculated
  • how the expense is necessary for the achievement of the project’s priority area, goals, objectives and activities and
  • • any additional information to support the budget request (i.e., indirect cost plan).

   

Submission Requirements

• Applicant Organization Information
• Applicant Organization Name (required) —

  Please provide the full legal name of the Applicant Organization that should be listed on an agreement or contract. Be sure to include any other "doing business as" names, or any previous names the organization used.

  NOTE: Name must match the UEI Number

• Applicant Organization UEI Number (required) —

  Please enter the full EUI Number of the Applicant Organization here.

• UEI Number Upload (required) —

  Please upload a copy or printout of your registration from SAM.gov.

• Applicant Organization Address (required) —

  What is the full physical/mailing address of the Application Organization?

  Please be sure to include the full street name and address (including floor or room number if applicable), City, State, and Zip Code.

• Applicant Contact Information - Name (required) —

  Please provide the full name of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Applicant Contact Information - Title (required) —

  Please provide the full title of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Applicant Contact Information - Telephone Number (required) —

  Please provide the full telephone number (including area code) of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Applicant Contact Information - Email Address (required) —

  Please provide the full email address of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Eligible Entity (required) —

  Party submitting this application certifies that Applicant Organization is an eligible entity as defined by this RFA.

• Debarment or Suspension Confirmation (required) —

  Party submitting this application certifies that Applicant Organization is not presently debarred or suspended.

• W9 (required) —

  Upload a copy of your current W9 here.

• Applicant's Organizational Overview —

  The Applicant’s Organization Overview section shall contain the following information about the Applicant. If the Application is a cooperative or joint venture between two or more entities, all information required in this section shall be provided for all entities, even if a new legal entity has been created or is planned to be created for the purposes of the Subgrant.

• Federal Grants Experience (required) —

  Upload a description of Applicant’s previous experience with receiving federal funds. This shall include, but not be limited to, experience receiving federal funds as a direct recipient or a subgrantee. Applicant should describe and demonstrate knowledge of the Uniform Grant Guidance / HHS Grants Guidance (as applicable), as well as any specific experience with the particular federal program and funding source that funds this RFA.

• Programmatic Experience (required) —

  Upload a description of Applicant’s experience with the type of programming or work contained in the Project Description, or other relevant work.

• Program Management and Organizational Experience (required) —

  Please provide a description of Applicant’s experience with the type of programming or work contained in the Project Description, or other relevant work.

• Agreements Terminated or Costs Disallowed (required) —

  Applicant must provide a summary of any agreements executed within the last five (5) years with federal awarding agencies or pass-through entities (either as grant agreements, cooperative agreements, subawards, or contracts) that:

  • Were terminated for cause; or
  • Where Specific Conditions were placed on Applicant (see 2 CFR § 200.208 or 45 CFR § 75.207).
• Applicant's Work Plan
• Work Plan (required) —

  The Applicant’s Work Plan must respond in detail to the Project Description. It must contain a description of the work activities the Applicant is proposing to complete under the RFA. It should contain an understanding of the requirements for the project under the applicable federal or state funding sources (or both), and, as applicable, descriptions of timelines, outcome/process measures, reporting requirements, and program evaluation activities.

• Applicant's Budget
• Budget Information (required) —

  The Applicant Budget should contain only allowable direct costs and indirect costs under the applicable federal statutes, regulations, terms and conditions of this RFA. The Applicant must include an accurate and detailed budget and budget justification that correlates to the work plan, noting line-item expenses with specific detail for understanding per-item costs. The direct costs in the Applicant’s budget must be broken down into the required direct cost categories.

  1. 1. Personnel. The Personnel budget category includes costs of compensation for officers and employees of the Applicant and is based on the percentage of time dedicated to the subgrant. The Personnel budget category must contain the following information a line-item or listing of each position authorized and the salary amount to be paid to each full-time employee and/or the hourly rate authorized, and number of hours authorized for each part-time employee charged to the subgrant.
     2. Fringe Benefits. The Fringe Benefits budget category consists of the subgrantee’s share of applicable fringe benefits, such as social security (F.I.C.A. and Medicare), employee health/life/disability insurance premiums, worker’s compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and pension plan costs. The types and percentages of fringe benefits claimed must be documented in the budget.
     3. Travel. The Travel budget category includes costs for transportation, lodging, and related costs to employees, officers, and volunteers who are in travel status on official business. Mileage and per diem rates should not be greater than the rates approved by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration on the date travel was performed.
     4. Commodities. The Commodities budget category includes costs of materials and supplies consumed by the Applicant for the program. Items required on the inventory of fixed assets must not be included in the Commodities budget category.
     5. Contractual. The Contractual budget category includes costs of services rendered by persons other than employees of the Applicant under contractual agreements.
     6. Equipment. The Equipment budget category includes costs for the purchase of equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures, and any items which are required to be reported on the fixed asset inventory regardless of cost.
     7. Subsidies, Loans, and Grants. The Subsidies, Loans, and Grants budget category includes costs associated with direct assistance to clients or participants and/or lower-tier subgrantees.
     8. Other. The Other budget category includes other direct costs that do not fit into the above classifications.

  The indirect cost rate must be specified in the budget. MSDH allows a de minimis, or flat rate, of 15 percent for indirect costs if the subgrantee does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate. The negotiated indirect cost rate cannot be used if it is prohibited by the prime funder.

  Applicants will not be allowed to change their budgets once submitted to MSDH, unless the POC specifically requests, in writing, budget changes. Budgets may be modified as required by MSDH or in agreement between MSDH and the Applicant after the Intent to Subaward is announced.

  Applicants should not rely on budget changes or modifications in submitting their proposed budget, but should be able to perform the program activities consistent with their budget.

• Conflicts of Interest
• Other Current MSDH Contracts (required) —

  List all other current agreements/contracts with MSDH, including the dollar amount associated with the agreement/contract and the beginning and ending dates. If no other funds are received, please mark N/A.

  Please provide each entry in the following format:

  MSDH Program or Agreement/Contract Name #1

  • Dollar Amount
  • Contract Beginning Date
  • Contract Ending Date
• Organization Governing Body (required) —

  Please list the name of each member of your organization’s Board of Directors or other governing body (i.e., trustee, alderman, partner, owner).

• Governing Body or Project Staff Affiliations (required) —

  Are any members of the governing body or project staff also MSDH employees, MSDH Board Members, or spouses, parents, or children of MSDH employees?

• Governing Body or Staff Affiliations - Explanation (required) —

  You have indicated that one or more members of your governing body or project staff are also MSDH employees, MSDH Board Members, or spouses, parents, or children of MSDH employees.

  Please provide the following for all such individuals:

  • Name of Individual
  • Indicate if individual is an MSDH Employee, MSDH Board Member, or relative type of MSDH employee.
  • Applicable position held with MSDH
• Income From Business (required) —

  Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative receive more than $2,500.00 per year in income from the business?

• Ownership Status - Percentage (required) —

  Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative own ten (10%) percent or more of the fair market value in the business, either directly or indirectly through another business?

• Ownership Status - Amount —

  Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative have ownership interest in the business, in which the fair market value exceeds $5,000.00?

• Position Within Business (required) —

  Is the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative a director, officer, or employee of the business?

• Conflict of Interest Certification (required) —

  I hereby certify that the information set forth above is true and complete to the best of my knowledge and that no MSDH employee, spouse, parent, or child of an MSDH employee, serves as a member of the governing body, project staff, or has an ownership or pecuniary interest in the agreement/contract or organization. I agree to notify MSDH within thirty (30) days if any of these conditions change during the agreement/contract.

• Other
• Debarment, Suspension, and Eligibility (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for award of federal or state contracts.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Charges From A Government Agency (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Conviction or Acknowledgment of Fault (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last five (5) years, been the subject of a federal or state criminal proceeding resulting in a conviction or other acknowledgment of fault, been the subject of a federal or state civil or administrative proceeding resulting in a finding of fault with a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, and/or damages greater than $5,000 or other acknowledgment of fault;  convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (federal, state or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or State antitrust statues relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements or receiving stolen property.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Contract Termination By Default (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last three (3) years preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any federal agency.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Felony Criminal Violations (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last twenty-four (24) months, been convicted of a felony criminal violation under federal or state law.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Financial Records (required) —

  Does the applicant have a financial management system that provides records that can identify the source and award-supported activities and provides control and accountability of project funds, property, and other assets?

• Audit Status / Fiscal Responsibility (required) —

  Does the applicant receive an annual audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133)?

• Most Recent Audit (required) —

  What is the most recent fiscal year for which this audit was completed?

• Report Findings (required) —

  Were there any audit findings in the most recent report?

  If "Yes", please be sure to provide an explanation in the applicable upcoming question. Failure to provide an explanation may cause your submittal to be deemed non-responsive.

• Recent Audit Report —

  Please upload a copy of your most recent Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133) Audit Report.

• Explanation or Other Information (required) —

  Please provide any additional information around your Audit Status that you feel is necessary here. This includes an explanation regarding any audit findings in your most recent audit.

  If you have nothing to add here, please state that you have no additional information to provide.

• No Annual Audit (required) —

  You have stated that the applicant does not receive an annual audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133).

  Please select the option which best fits the reason why.

• No Annual Audit - Other (required) —

  If you selected "Other" in the previous question regarding why you do not receive an annual audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133) please specify here.

  If your answer to the previous question was not "Other", please respond here with "N/A".

• Supplemental Information —

  Applicant will provide any required supplemental information as outlined in this Request to be submitted with the Application. 

• Competition/Joint Efforts Verbiage (required) —

  Should the language for Competition/Joint Efforts be used in this RFA?

• Statement of Need (required) —

  Is there a Statement of Need required with submittals for this RFA?

• Estimated Dollar Amount (required) —

  What is the estimated dollar amount budgeted for this request?

• Funding Information —

  Be sure that the following three financial info pieces add up to 100% or this will not be approved.

• Internal Order (required) —

  Please specify the internal order information. Be sure to include the % of each internal order. If there are multiple internal orders, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.

  EXAMPLE 1
  30000035771  100%

• Functional Area (required) —

  Please specify the functional area information. Be sure to include the % of each functional area. If there are multiple functional areas, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.

  EXAMPLE 1
  13010101000000DV  100%

• Cost Center (required) —

  Please specify the cost center information. Be sure to include the % of each cost center. If there are multiple cost centers, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.

  EXAMPLE 1
  1301010707  100%