VITA Grant FAQs Category: Matching Funds

 

1. What can be used as matching funds?

Most organizations use cash, computer hardware, software, office supplies, salaries, space, and volunteer services for matching funds. Organizations must show proof of matching funds with a signed commitment letter. Costs or expenses associated with refund anticipation loans cannot be used as matching funds. Generally federal funds cannot be used as a match for another federal grant; however, there are some exceptions. You must confirm with the grantor of the funds and the Grant Program Office before using these as matching funds. Please refer to Publication 4671PDF for more information.

2. Can the time spent preparing tax returns by student volunteers be used as matching funds?

Yes, the time spent by student volunteers can be used as matching funds for activities specific to the VITA Program.

3. Can academic programs use the value of space and computers as matching funds?

Yes. The fair market value of space and computers can be used as matching funds, as long as they are not included in your indirect cost rate computation or furnished through other federal programs.

4. What is the federal rate for volunteers that should be used to calculate the value of volunteer services for matching funds?

There is no federal rate for volunteer services. Organizations that already have employees performing these activities may use their own rate of pay. If you do not have employees in a similar position you may use the amount that would be paid for the activity in your location. Assistance in determining the value of volunteer services and other salaries is available using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Please refer to IRS Publication 4671 for more information.

5. What information should be included in the application to show the projected value of volunteer services?

The budget should include the number of volunteers, number of volunteer hours, the projected (dollar) value of the services expected and the source of the valuation.

6. Can my organization claim the subsistence amount we pay for a VISTA or AmeriCorps volunteer and their time as matching funds?

No. The subsistence amount is your organization’s part of the cost share or matching the Corporation for National and Community Service is requiring in order for your organization to obtain their resource – the VISTA volunteer. Monies used as match on another federal grant may not be included as a cost or used to meet matching requirements of any other federally financed program in the current or prior period (See 2 CFR Part 230, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations, Appendix A.2.F). This applies to their time as well.

7. My organization uses the 2-1-1 service for setting appointments and providing information on site locations. Can this be counted as matching funds?

Yes. If your organization uses 2-1-1 services for all its programs, only the portion of the fees attributable to the VITA Program can be used as matching for the VITA grant.

8. My organization uses a telephonic interpreter service. Can this language service be used as match?

Yes. If your organization uses the service for all its programs, only the portion of the fees attributable to the VITA Program can be used as matching for the VITA grant.

9. How do you document the cost for mobile sites, specifically the space received as an in-kind contribution?

IRS Publication 4671 offers an example of how to calculate space when a location is not used exclusively by the VITA Program. For donated space there are different methods for calculating the value of space. Here are a few examples:

  • If using a space where the donating organization has established a “per use” fee, the fee should be used to value the space. Many buildings that allow for public use, such as libraries, community centers, and senior centers have a set fee for this purpose. This is especially relevant when the location is used only one or two days during the season.
  • The organization donating the space can also furnish a value for the space; however, as the recipient organization, you would need to ensure the computation is defensible should a question arise later.
  • The fair market value of the office space can be used. Fair market value is the price that property would be rented for on the open market. The calculation should consider such things as the frequency, square footage used, and reasonableness of the use of the property if space will be used for more than one purpose. This would not be the best method to use to calculate the cost of donated space for a single four-hour session during the filing season. 

A full explanation of how the value was determined is required for all of these examples.

10. When completing the budget, should I only show matching funds up to the amount I am requesting?

No. If you have more matching funds than required, show the actual. This will allow a cushion in case some expenses or in- kind contributions are disallowed during subsequent review.

11. Can we use contributions to our program by IRS SPEC representatives as matching funds for the VITA Grant?

IRS SPEC contributions (in-kind support) to the VITA Program are considered federal funds and may not be used as matching on this grant.

12. Can a percentage of indirect rate charges be used as matching funds?

No. Matching funds cannot be used to pay indirect expenses.

13. What happens if expected matching funds are not received?

The assigned analyst will not be able to recommend funding for the Payment Management System account until all of the matching funds documentation is received and confirmed.

14. Can the matching funds source be changed?

Yes. If the source of matching funds is changed, you should notify your assigned analyst by email with the documentation.

15. What documentation is required for matching funds for salaries?

The salaries and wages of employees used as matching funds must be supported by personnel activity reports (timesheets) that reflect the activity performed by the employee and the time spent on each activity along with pay records.

16. Is there a standard form to use for commitment letters?

There is no standard form for documentation. It must include:

  • A description of the contribution,
  • A dollar value and an explanation as to how the contribution was calculated, if applicable,
  • A current date,
  • A signature of an authorized individual who can make the commitment, and
  • The organization's name on company letterhead with contact information.

17. Does each line item of the Budget have to match dollar for dollar?

No. Each line item does not require a dollar-for-dollar match. The total non-federal funds must equal or exceed the total federal funds. Please refer to IRS Publication 4671 for additional information.

18. Can the hours volunteers use to train be included in the value of the volunteer services and counted as matching funds?

No. Time spent receiving training is not part of the volunteer services calculation. However, if volunteers provide training to others, their time can be included in the calculation of volunteer services.

19. I operate frequently with in-kind contributions. What is required to document the in-kind contributions for matching fund purposes?

There are many different types of in-kind contributions; but in general, documentation should include a commitment for the contribution, a description of the contribution and how the value of the contribution was determined. For instance, if a local office supply donated printer cartridges and paper, it might be as simple as a signed letter from them stating: “XXX Office Supply donated 5 boxes of paper sold at $25 per box (5,000 sheets each) and 4 HP LaserJet printer cartridges sold at $55 each for a total contribution of $345.”

20. In order to have a binding contract, would you recommend a memorandum of understanding from partners regarding matching funds?

If members of the coalition are contributing the funds, a binding commitment letter is required. Partners may refer to these as a Memorandum of Understanding.

21. I understand that federal funds cannot be counted as matching funds. Are there any exceptions to this?

Yes, there are exceptions. You are correct that federal funds generally cannot be used as matching funds for other federal grants. However, the statute that authorizes a grant may allow for its use as matching funds for other federal grants. If unsure whether a federal grant you receive is authorized for use as a matching fund, please check with the federal grant- awarding agency.

22. Is there an exception to allow Community Services Block Grant funds awarded to Community Action Agencies be used as matching funds for the VITA Grant?

No. CSBG is funded by the Department of Health & Human Services through the Administration for Children and Families. CSBG funds received by state governments for Community Action Agencies are considered federal funds. Specifically, §200.306(b)(5) provides that no contributions paid by the federal government under another award can be used as matching funds unless authorized by federal statute. There are no exceptions in federal statutes for the CSBG program authorizing CSBG funds to be used as matching funds.

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