Facility Fee Assistance Program (FFAP)

Nonprofit organizations (501(C)3 (or local informal charitable community groups generally considered to be nonprofit by the IRS) with a program or service whose primary goal is to serve vulnerable youth or low income individuals are invited to apply. Examples of successful applicants are organizations that are offering free or reduced cost services to the target population in an economically distressed area. Programs and activities not specially directed to benefit vulnerable youth or low income individuals, but include several participants who would be considered a vulnerable youth or a low-income individual would not be eligible.

The FFAP award must be used by the organization for a program that provides direct services or benefits to vulnerable youth or low income individuals in spaces scheduled by CUPF. Examples of programs helped in the past have included food and toy distribution, language classes, educational programs, youth development programs and job seeking skills.

FFAP may not be used for fundraising, organizational administrative meetings (ex. internal staff training or business meetings), or programs/events that only benefit the organization or its membership (ex. church service or a lecture to club members).

Rooms in County Public Schools with a high number of low-income individuals (ex. designated as Title 1 or high number of FARMS eligible youth), or meeting rooms in Public Libraries, County Office Buildings (Exec. and Council), Clarksburg Cottage, Regional Service Center, and District 3 Police Station during times available for community use.

Gyms and auditoriums are specialized facilities. The groups must be able to demonstrate that the activity cannot be conducted in a nonspecialized room. The reservations and auditoriums cannot be confirmed until 29 days prior to the requested use date. Auditorium use is also dependent upon availability of the required MCPS staff.

The amount awarded is contingent on available funding and is subject to change. The maximum award to an organization will be $3000 in FY24. Organizations are required to pay a portion of the facility charges. An unused portion of a subsidy cannot be transferred to another program not covered in the initial award. Organizations receiving the award are responsible for covering the costs not covered by the subsidy.

1. Review the subsidy criteria to determine if your activity qualifies
2. Complete the online Request Form
3. Submit the completed application online or to the address below:

Subsidies are valid only for the fiscal year for which they are awarded. Applications can be submitted at any time, but allow a minimum of 30 days for processing. Awards will be made until the funds run out. An organization can submit multiple applications each year until they reach the current fiscal year’s maximum annual award.

Follow the regular application steps in ActiveMONTGOMERY. After your room use permit is approved, contact us on [email protected] or call 240-777-2718. All groups must agree to the conditions of use and payment terms for the building they are using.

No, the selected organization is required to report back to CUPF after the program is completed to tell us how many individuals were served or benefited from your program.

The following criteria will be taken into consideration when reviewing applications.

Applicants are required to meet these criteria:

• The program or activity is sponsored by a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization or would be considered a nonprofit organization by the IRS
• The primary mission of the organization or primary purpose of the proposed program is to serve vulnerable youth * or low-income individuals in Montgomery County **
• The program or activity will provide direct services or benefit to vulnerable youth or low-income individuals in Montgomery County. The majority of participants or beneficiaries would be considered as in these target groups.

These additional preferred criteria will be taken into consideration. The program is:

• Providing direct service to vulnerable youth and/or low income persons in a Title I/High FARMS participation County school or economically disadvantaged area
• Organization is based in Montgomery County
• Free/reduced cost to participants (minimal material costs only)
• Program is led by volunteers
• Location requested is best match for activity
• First-time applicant

Additionally, returning applicants must have submitted the required report on the outcome of a prior program, followed community use guidelines and have no outstanding balances on their accounts.

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

* Vulnerable/disadvantaged youth are those who, through a combination of circumstances, stage of development or other factors, may be at risk for a competent transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency.
** Low income persons qualified by the organization providing services. Generally, individuals receiving financial assistance.

Applications will be reviewed for completeness and confirmation that the proposed room(s) can accommodate the request. As needed, staff will recommend alternate locations or request missing information. The applications will then be forwarded to a review committee. A majority of criteria items, in addition to being a nonprofit organization serving the target population must be met to receive an award. Recommendations for the award will be made to the Director, Community Use of Public Facilities, who will make the final determination. Decisions of the director are final.

The program is funded through a combination of CUPF and County funds. CUPF receives no public funding and its revenue comes from community use fees. Most of CUPF’s budget is reimbursed to the schools to cover the costs of opening schools for public use such as electricity, water, sewage, custodial supplies, maintenance and MCPS staff.

Give us a call on 240-777-2725 or email [email protected].

Please note that applications are subject to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) (Md. Code Ann., State Gov't., §10-611 through -628 (MPIA) and the County must comply with the disclosure requirements of the MPIA when a request for documents is received.