22VAC40-41-20. Purpose; procedure for becoming an approved organization; eligibility criteria; termination of approved organization; appeal procedure.

A. The purpose of the Neighborhood Assistance Program is to encourage business firms and individuals to make donations to neighborhood organizations for the benefit of low-income persons.

B. Neighborhood organizations that do not provide education services and that wish to become an approved organization must submit an application to the commissioner. Neighborhood organizations that provide education services must submit an application to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The application submitted to the Superintendent of Public Instruction must comply with regulations or guidelines adopted by the Board of Education. The application submitted to the commissioner must contain the following information:

1. A description of eligibility as a neighborhood organization, the programs being conducted, the low-income persons assisted, the estimated amount that will be donated to the programs, and plans for implementing the programs.

2. Proof of the neighborhood organization's current exemption from income taxation under the provisions of § 501(c)(3) or § 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the organization's eligibility as a community action agency as defined in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 USC § 2701 et seq.) or housing authority as defined in § 36-3 of the Code of Virginia.

3. For neighborhood organizations with total revenues (including the value of all donations) (i) in excess of $100,000 for the organization's most recent year ended, an audit or review for such year performed by an independent certified public accountant or (ii) of $100,000 or less for the organization's most recent year ended, a compilation for such year performed by an independent certified public accountant; a copy of the organization's current federal form 990; a current brochure describing the organization's programs; and a copy of the annual report filed with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Consumer Protection.

4. A statement of objective and measurable outcomes that are expected to occur and the method the organization will use to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

C. To be eligible for participation in the Neighborhood Assistance Program, the applicant and any of its affiliates must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicants must have been in operation as a viable entity, providing neighborhood assistance for low-income people, for at least 12 months.

2. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that at least 40% 50% of the total people served and at least 50% of the total expenditures were for low-income persons or eligible students with disabilities.

3. Applicant's audit must not contain any significant findings or areas of concern for the ongoing operation of the neighborhood organization.

4. Applicants must demonstrate that at least 75% of total revenue received is expended to support their ongoing programs each year.

D. The application period will start no later than March 15 of each year. All applications must be received by the Department of Social Services no later than the first business day of May. An application filed without the required audit, review, or compilation will be considered timely filed provided that the audit, review, or compilation is filed within 30 days immediately following the deadline.

E. Those applicants submitting all required information and reports and meeting the eligibility criteria described in this section will be determined an approved organization. The program year will run from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.

F. The commissioner may terminate an approved organization's eligibility based on a finding of program abuse involving illegal activities or fraudulent reporting on contributions.

G. Any neighborhood organization that disagrees with the disposition of its application, or its termination as an approved organization, may appeal to the commissioner in writing for a reconsideration. Such requests must be made within 30 days of the denial or termination. The commissioner will act on the request and render a final decision within 30 days of the request for reconsideration.