Directors and Managers

Explore the budgeting sources, safety guidelines, and regulations grantees should consider when they want to purchase, construct, or renovate a facility.

Cost allocation was created to ensure that federal funds are used solely for programs and that no other federal funds may be used for any other purpose. Grantees who have more than one funding source will find this information useful for making sure that each program bears its appropriate share of the costs.

A bond is a financial guarantee by a surety company that work will be completed as described in a contract. This resource can be used by program directors and their facilities planning teams to understand the relevant requirements for bonding. Most construction contractors are familiar with the process of obtaining surety bonds.

Prior to fiscal year (FY) 2016, all Head Start grantees were required to submit financial reports made for its federal award(s) using standard form (SF) Federal Financial Report 425 (lines 10a, b, and c), detailing the cash transactions in the Payment Management System (PMS), and separate reports to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) detailing the expenditures (lines 10d-o) made for the same award(s).

The Office of Management and Budget provides instructions for completing the SF-425A Financial Reporting Form. The SF-425A Financial Reporting Form is a consolidation of financial reporting forms SF-269, SF-269A, SF-272, and SGF-272A. Grantees will find these instructions useful when completing their financial reporting forms.

The Hatch Act restricts political activity of federal, state, and local government employees. The Act also restricts the political activity of employees whose employment is financed in whole or in part by a grant award. Grantees and delegates should be mindful of this policy and avoid any violations of the law with regard to their staff members’ political activities.

Following is a list of non-profit financial and Technical Assistance (TA) intermediaries involved in planning, developing, and financing facilities for low-income child care and Head Start programs. Grantees looking for new funding resources to support their goals and objectives will find this information useful.

Nonprofits often get by with versatile staff members willing to tackle new challenges and a lot of help from reliable volunteers. But sometimes you need a level of expertise or experience only a consultant can offer. This is especially true when dealing with technology and data systems. 

Overdue reports within the time allowed may result in suspension or termination of an active grant, withholding a non-competing continuation award, or other enforcement actions, including withholding of payments or converting to the reimbursement method of payment. Grantees will find this information useful to avoid penalties associated with overdue reports.