Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient - Multiple Communities in AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI | HHS 2025 ACF OHS CH 0124

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2025 ACF OHS CH 0124

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS), is offering a large competitive grant opportunity for organizations that want to operate Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs in specific local service areas across multiple states and Puerto Rico. The funding opportunity is listed as "Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient - Multiple Communities in AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI" under Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2025 ACF OHS CH 0124. It is a discretionary grant program in the Income Security and Social Services category (CFDA/Assistance Listing 93.600). The notice states that it has been modified, specifically to update the estimated total funding amount, key timeline estimates (post date and application due date), and the list of states covered.

The core purpose of the opportunity is to select recipients to provide comprehensive early childhood services to eligible children and families through Head Start (generally preschool-aged children) and Early Head Start (infants, toddlers, and pregnant people, depending on the service model and program design). OHS indicates that total federal funding of about $726,103,148 is expected to be available, spread across roughly 81 separate competitive opportunities in 33 states. While the umbrella announcement covers many jurisdictions, applicants are expected to apply for specific service areas identified by OHS, rather than proposing services anywhere they choose. For the most precise details on which communities are available, the funding levels by community, and other service-area-specific expectations, OHS directs applicants to its funding page at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs/funding. Questions can also be routed to the OHS Operations Center via email at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com.

Eligibility depends on whether an applicant is applying to run Head Start only, Early Head Start only, or both. For applications that include Head Start (either Head Start alone or Head Start combined with Early Head Start), eligibility is limited to local public or private nonprofit organizations (including community-based and faith-based nonprofits) or for-profit organizations that can deliver the required services to children and families living in the specific service area(s) named in the announcement. For Early Head Start-only applications, eligibility similarly includes public or private nonprofits (including faith-based organizations) and for-profit organizations that can provide Early Head Start services in the designated service area. The notice also clarifies that existing Head Start operators are eligible to operate Early Head Start programs, which is important for organizations that may already have Head Start infrastructure and want to expand to serve younger children as well.

Several applicant types are explicitly included in the eligible applicant listing, reflecting how broad the competition can be depending on the specific service area: state, county, and city/township governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and certain other entities as permitted. At the same time, the NOFO draws clear boundaries: individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible, and applications from those parties will be disqualified from merit review and funding consideration.

The opportunity emphasizes that faith-based and community organizations are welcome to apply if they meet the standard eligibility requirements, and that they will be considered on the same basis as other applicants. It also notes federal protections and rules that apply in this context, referencing 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., and stating that ACF will not discriminate in recipient selection based on an organization`s religious character, affiliation, or exercise. This language is meant to clarify that faith-based groups can compete while also signaling that federal grant requirements and related protections still apply.

In terms of scale and award structure, the opportunity anticipates a large number of awards overall (the notice lists Expected Awards: 219), and it also provides an award ceiling figure of $80,166,137, which typically represents the maximum possible amount for a single award under certain service areas rather than what most applicants should expect. Because Head Start and Early Head Start awards are tied to defined communities and specific funded enrollment and service models, actual award amounts vary widely by service area. The original closing date shown in the source data is January 6, 2025, and the notice highlights that date-related elements have been updated in the modified version, so applicants should rely on the most current posting and the service-area listings on the OHS funding page to confirm the exact due date and any revised schedule.

Overall, this is a major Head Start/Early Head Start competition intended to identify capable local operators to deliver high-quality early childhood development, health, family support, and related comprehensive services to low-income and otherwise eligible children and families in defined communities. The practical next step for any interested organization is to locate the specific service area(s) it wants to compete for on the OHS website, review the service-area funding details and requirements, and then prepare an application aligned with whether it is proposing Head Start, Early Head Start, or a combined approach, while meeting all eligibility limits and federal grant compliance expectations.

• The Administration for Children and Families - OHS in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient - Multiple Communities in AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.600.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $80,166,137.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 219 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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