Innovative Ideas Grant

The Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) has announced the FY2025-02 Innovative Ideas Request for Proposal (RFP), seeking applications for new, impactful projects that address key priorities within its 2022–2026 Five-Year State Plan. The ACDD was established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (Public Law 106-402) and Executive Order by the Governor of Alabama. The Council promotes independence, productivity, and inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities through funding and support of systemic change, advocacy, and capacity-building activities. This RFP invites proposals that support one goal and one objective from the State Plan. The four overarching priority areas are: Education and Early Intervention, Employment, Formal and Informal Community Supports, and Health. Applicants must design projects that fit within these priorities and demonstrate measurable outcomes such as increased access to education, improved employment opportunities, greater use of community supports, or enhanced health outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. At least one required activity and one expected outcome must be clearly addressed in the proposed project design. ACDD intends to fund innovative projects that provide a high community impact, demonstrate sustainability, and do not duplicate or replace existing services. Proposals must be for new initiatives with creative strategies and must show how the project will build capacity or contribute to systemic change. Funding of up to $50,000 per project is available for a 12-month non-renewable grant period beginning October 1, 2025, and ending September 30, 2026. Grantees are required to provide a 25% local match, which may include in-kind or cash contributions. The federal portion of the funding originates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and hospitals. All applicants must be eligible to do business in Alabama and comply with vendor requirements including registration with the Alabama Secretary of State, enrollment in E-Verify, and registration with the STAARS Vendor Self Service system. Applications must be well-organized, demonstrate a clear project direction, include stakeholder collaboration, and be based on a realistic and justifiable budget. Proposals must follow specific formatting requirements, including submission of the Project Profile Form, Assurances, a detailed Narrative with seven sections, a Project Management Plan, Evaluation Plan, Budget Form, and Letters of Support. Applicants may submit multiple proposals, but each proposal may address only one goal and one objective. Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted. ACDD reserves the right to reject proposals that do not meet the RFP's intent or that fail to deliver maximum impact. The RFP was released on July 3, 2025. Questions must be submitted via email to melissa.sylvester@mh.alabama.gov by July 14, 2025, at 12:01 PM Central Time. Responses to submitted questions will be posted by July 21, 2025. Final proposals are due on August 5, 2025, by 12:01 PM CT. Applicants must submit one original and five hard copies along with an electronic copy on a USB flash drive. Notification of selection is expected by August 22, 2025. The application should be mailed or delivered to the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities at 100 North Union Street, Suite 682, Montgomery, AL 36130.

Be concise, avoid jargon, show capacity building or systemic impact, and follow formatting exactly.