The document summarizes a presentation delivered by David Kennedy at the October 2013 COGR (Council on Governmental Relations) Meeting in Washington, D.C., addressing the status of federal grants reform efforts and the perspectives of various stakeholders within the grants management community. The session included an update on the ongoing work by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Council on Financial Assistance Reform (COFAR), with projected timelines for policy rollout between late 2013 and early 2014, while agency-specific implementation dates remained undetermined. The presentation emphasized the importance of coalition-building among states, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and universities to represent unified interests, reduce administrative burdens, and foster consistent understanding and application of new regulations.
Key contributors from state government, nonprofit research, academic administration, and nonprofit policy advocacy highlighted distinct challenges and priorities from their sectors, with discussions focusing on issues such as effort reporting, oversight, effective training, and the impact of reforms on subrecipients. The coalition approach was presented as essential for effective communication with regulatory bodies and for ensuring that the voices and concerns of grant recipients are heard in shaping the next phase of grants policy. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session aimed at addressing stakeholder concerns in greater detail.
