September 12, 2025

Dear:

In moments when the world feels uncertain, hope is not just a sentiment; it’s a resource that fuels us to become innovative, to believe, and to preserve. Last month, during August recess, I spent much of my time highlighting the importance of public service through the altruistic actions of nonprofit organizations. Organizations that have created a sanctuary where our most vulnerable brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children can find respite, generosity, and a sense of community. Here's a recap of the time I shared with my beloved constituents.

Week of H.O.P.E. 
(Helping Other People Elevate)

4-Series Grants Workshop (August 11th-14th)

This workshop aimed to provide a better understanding of how to write grant proposals, locate resources beyond federal funding, and learn more about Community Project Funding. 

1. Grant Writing 101: Finding Funding & Drafting the Narrative 
2. Grant Writing 102: Budgeting, Evaluation, & How to Become Competitive
3. Finding Alternative Resources (Resilient & Innovative Funding)
4. Understanding the Community Project Funding Process 

For recordings and educational materials: Click Here

A Day in My Shoes

On August 15th, my staff & I volunteered alongside the First African Community Development Corporation at one of their food pantry distribution sites, the New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Food pantries serve as a safety net for individuals and families who struggle with limited income due to job loss, the rising cost of living, or, like many of our senior citizens, who are on a fixed income like Social Security. I am truly humbled to have served in this capacity with so many wonderful people.

Ceremony of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Elevate)

To close out the amazing Week of H.O.P.E., I honored organizations that are making meaningful contributions to bettering Georgia's 4th District. I am proud to stand beside our nonprofits as we work together to fight for the underdog, level the playing field, and lay a foundation where every voice is heard, every dream has room to grow, and no one is left behind.

A special congratulations to our 2025 H.O.P.E. Honorees:

• The First African Community Development Corporation
• First Senior Center of Georgia
• Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network
• How Big Is Your Dream Foundation
• Spectrum Autism Support Group, Inc.
• Mosaic Health Center

Grant Opportunities

Agency
Department of Agriculture

Program
Farm to School Grant Program

Opportunity Number
USDA-FNS-2026-F2S

Eligibility
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Independent school districts
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Description
The program objective is to improve access to local foods in eligible CNP sites through comprehensive farm-to-CNP programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts. Examples of project activities that could be supported by FY 2026 Farm to School grants and support the required objective include, but are not limited to:

• Launching a pilot program that creates opportunities for eligible entities to create farm-to-CNP initiatives
• Incorporating more unprocessed and value-added, minimally processed, locally or regionally sourced meal components into the CNP meals
• Readying producers to participate in the CNP food marketplace by providing training on procurement regulations, Good Agricultural Practices, and other food safety-related topics
• Improving infrastructure to accommodate new local ingredients or local menu items in CNP meals
• Solving distribution bottlenecks that limit the feasibility of sourcing more locally or regionally produced items by working closely with intermediaries (e.g., distributors, food hubs)
• Integrating agricultural education with career and technical preparation programs to encourage the next generation of agricultural producers
• Expanding experiential learning opportunities at CNP sites, such as creating school gardens, developing school-based farmers markets, providing support to agriculture/food clubs, and/or increasing exposure to local farms and on-farm activities
• Encouraging increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in CNP sites through promotional activities, taste tests, and other activities featuring local products
• Developing and implementing an integrated curriculum to reinforce food and nutrition-based learning throughout the school environment or on a local farm(s).

Funding

Award Ceiling: $500,000

Award Floor: $100,000

Deadline
December 5, 2025

Agency
Department of Justice

Program
BJA FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)- Competitive Grants Program
 
Opportunity Number
O-BJA-2025-172441
 
Eligibility
City or township governments
State governments
County governments
Special district governments
 
Description
This funding opportunity seeks to support states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to solve crimes and protect public safety by maximizing the effective utilization of DNA technology to process DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). This program is for Competitive funding only. See FY 2025 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) – Formula Grants Program for formula funding. Eligible agencies may apply for both Competitive and Formula CEBR Funding.

Funding
Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
Award Floor: $0

Deadline
October 22, 2025

Agency 
Department of Justice

Program 
BJA FY25 Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program
 
Opportunity Number
O-BJA-2025-172448

Eligibility
County governments
Special district governments
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
State governments
City or township governments

Description
This program addresses capacity challenges within the Medical Examiner/Coroner (ME/C) system brought on by strict industry caps on the number of autopsies that certified pathologists can perform in a calendar year. This perennial challenge has been exacerbated by extraordinary spikes in opioid-related fatalities and the COVID pandemic. This funding will strengthen the ME/C system by increasing the number of certified forensic pathologists and enhancing the quality of medicolegal death investigations nationwide. 
 
Funding 
Award Ceiling: $300,000
Award Floor: $0

Deadline
October 6, 2025

 
Agency 
Department of Justice

Program 
BJA FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)- Formula Grants Program
 
Opportunity Number
O-BJA-2025-172460
 
Eligibility
Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
State governments

Description
This funding opportunity seeks to support states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to process, and/or to increase the capacity to process, more DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The objective is to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis and/or to prevent a backlog of forensic and database DNA samples.
 
Funding 
Award Ceiling: $3,500,000
Award Floor: $0

Deadline
October 22, 2025

Agency
Department of Labor

Program
Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), and the Homeless Women Veterans' and Homeless Veterans' with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC) (referred to collectively as HVRP) Program

Opportunity Number
FOA-VETS-26-01

Eligibility
Private institutions of higher education
City or township governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Small businesses
Special district governments
State governments
Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Description
The program aims to support veterans in achieving their full employment potential and securing high-quality career outcomes for veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
 
Funding
Award Ceiling: $500,000
Award Floor: $150,000

Estimated Post Date
January 12, 2026

Deadline
March 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Agency
Department of Justice

Program
OJJDP FY25 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force National Training Program
 
Opportunity Number
O-OJJDP-2025-172449
 
Eligibility
Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Description
This funding opportunity seeks to support organizations to design and deliver training to support the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force network, which includes law enforcement, prosecutors, digital forensic specialists, and other related agencies/organizations that address child sexual abuse material and online child exploitation.
 
Funding
Award Ceiling: $1,500,000
Award Floor: $0

Deadline
October 21, 2025

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kandice Williams, Grants Coordinator at kandice.williams@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Hank Johnson
Member of Congress