Urban Institute Survey of Prior EDA Grant Applicants

Survey of Indigenous EDA Grant Applicants

Survey Flow and Metadata

Embedded Data

• applicant_entity_ceds_status: Value will be set from URL

• applicant_entity_name: Value will be set from URL

• applied_indigenous_communities: Value will be set from URL

• funding_program_name: Value will be set from URL

Background (2 Questions)

• IF: Do you consent to participate in this survey? I do not consent Is Selected

  • End of Survey - No consent / Not eligible

Relevant Respondent (2 Questions)

• IF: This survey is about the economic development needs, planning, funding sources, and priorities of... No, I am not familiar with the economic development activities of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} Is Selected

  • End of Survey - No consent / Not eligible

Community Name and Respondent Role (3 Questions)

• IF: What is the name of the Indigenous community with which ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} works... Text Response Is Empty

  • Set embedded data: community_name = ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

• IF: What is the name of the Indigenous community with which ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} works... Text Response Is Not Empty

  • Set embedded data: community_name = ${q://QID14/ChoiceTextEntryValue}

Community Characteristics (4 Questions)

Economic Development Characteristics, Priorities, and Challenges (3 Questions)

Economic Development Funding (5 Questions)

Indigenous Communities Program (4 Questions)

• IF: applied_indigenous_communities Is Equal to 0

  • Show block: Other Grant Programs (3 Questions)

Any Last Thoughts (1 Question)

Incentives (1 Question)

End of Survey - Complete

Start of Block: Background

Background
The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) is a federal government agency that works directly with communities and regions to help them build the capacity for economic development based on local business conditions and needs. As part of EDA’s work to support Indigenous communities, EDA has funded the Urban Institute (Urban), an independent, nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC, to conduct this survey.

Purpose of this research
The purpose of this survey is to collect information about the economic development needs, planning, funding sources, and priorities of Indigenous communities, and by extension, of organizations that do economic develop in and with Indigenous communities. Findings from the survey will inform EDA’s work with Indigenous communities and will support other agencies, organizations, and communities in better planning, funding, and implementing economic development activities.

How the data will be used and shared
Urban will publish on its website a factsheet(s) and report(s) describing findings from the survey. Urban will also provide the dataset containing survey responses—including your name and affiliation—to EDA’s division of Performance, Research and National Technical Assistance so that EDA can continue analyzing this data to support and inform its work with Indigenous communities.

Your responses will be identifiable to EDA, but neither the Urban Institute nor EDA will cite or report results in any way that would identify you, your organization, or your project. Your responses will be combined with information we receive from all other respondents completing this survey.

Results will be presented only in aggregate form and only for research purposes. Likewise, all requests for information from the public (through the Freedom of Information Act [FOIA] or otherwise) will be examined by EDA on a case-by-case basis to ensure that, where possible, personally identified information is protected from release.

Consent to participate
Your participation in this survey is voluntary. You may opt out of responding entirely. You may also stop taking the survey at any point—simply close out of the survey to do so.

While there is no direct personal benefit to participating, this survey provides an opportunity for Indigenous communities to communicate to EDA and other agencies and organizations working with Indigenous communities about their achievements, capacities, needs, and goals. We believe the risks associated with completing this survey are minimal. Survey questions focus on your professional experiences with and perceptions of economic development in Indigenous communities. The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

At the end of the survey, you will be invited to enter your name and email address to receive a $25 gift card as compensation for your time. All eligible respondents who complete the survey will receive a gift card.

If you have any questions about this study, please reach out to the research team and we will be happy to answer any questions: indigenous_economies@urban.org.

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT

A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with an information collection subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the information collection has a currently valid OMB Control Number. The approved OMB Control Number for this information collection is ####-####. Without this approval, we could not conduct this survey/information collection. Public reporting for this information collection is estimated to be approximately 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the information collection. All responses to this information collection are voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the EDA at: 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230, ATTN: Mark Garcia.

OMB Control Number: ####-####
Expiration Date:

Do you consent to participate in this survey?

• I consent

• I do not consent

Start of Block: Relevant Respondent

Q1 This survey is about the economic development needs, planning, funding sources, and priorities of Indigenous communities, and by extension, of organizations that do economic develop in and with Indigenous communities.

Are you able to answer questions about these topics as they relate to ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}?

• No, I am not familiar with the economic development activities of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

• Yes, I am familiar with the economic development activities of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Display This Question:

If This survey is about the economic development needs, planning, funding sources, and priorities of... = No, I am not familiar with the economic development activities of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Q2 Could you point us to a better contact person who can speak to the economic development activities of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}?

We will only contact them about research activities that are part of this project.

If you do not know a better contact or do not wish to share their contact information, you may leave this section blank.

• First Name __________________________________________________

• Last Name __________________________________________________

• Email Address __________________________________________________

Start of Block: Community Name and Respondent Role

Q4 Some EDA grant applicants are Indigenous communities; other applicants are Indigenous-owned businesses or other entities that do economic development work with or in an Indigenous community.

Is ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} an Indigenous community?

• Yes

• No, ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} is another type of Indigenous entity or is a non-Indigenous organization that does economic development work with or in an Indigenous community.

Display This Question:

If Some EDA grant applicants are Indigenous communities; other applicants are Indigenous-owned busin... = No, ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} is another type of Indigenous entity

Q5 What is the name of the Indigenous community with which ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} works most closely?

Please enter the name of a single Indigenous community.

________________________________________________________________

Q3 In what professional role(s) do you work on economic development with ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}?

Select all that apply.

Display This Choice:

If Some EDA grant applicants are Indigenous communities; other applicants are Indigenous-owned busin... = Yes

• I am a tribal/Indigenous leader of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Display This Choice:

If Some EDA grant applicants are Indigenous communities; other applicants are Indigenous-owned busin... = Yes

• I am an employee of a public agency of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Display This Choice:

If Some EDA grant applicants are Indigenous communities; other applicants are Indigenous-owned busin... = Yes

• I am an employee of a business entity of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} (e.g., a tribal or Alaska Native corporation)

Display This Choice:

If Some EDA grant applicants are Indigenous communities; other applicants are Indigenous-owned busin... = No, ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} is another type of Indigenous entity

• I am an employee of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

• I am an independent contractor (e.g., a grant writer or consultant) and do economic development work for ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

• Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Start of Block: Community Characteristics

Q1 How many people live in ${e://Field/community_name}?

Your best estimate is fine.

________________________________________________________________

Q2 Does ${e://Field/community_name} have a department or agency for any of the following?

Please select all that apply.

• Planning

• Economic development

• Housing (including Tribally-Designated Housing Entity [TDHE])

• Public works

Display This Question:

If In what professional role(s) do you work on economic development with ... = I am a tribal/Indigenous leader of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Or In what professional role(s) do you work on economic development with ... = I am an employee of a public agency of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Or In what professional role(s) do you work on economic development with ... = I am an employee of a business entity of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} (e.g., a tribal or Alaska Native corporation)

Q3 Over the past five years, on how many projects has ${e://Field/community_name} hired or contracted with an individual or company from outside the community to assist with each of the following activities?

	No projects	A few projects	Many projects	Most projects	All projects
Writing grant applications for economic development activities?
Designing economic development plans?
Implementing economic development initiatives that do not involve construction?
Implementing economic development initiatives that do involve construction?

Display This Question:

If If Does ${e://Field/community_name} have a department or agency for any of the following? Please sel... q://QID16/SelectedChoicesCount Is Greater Than 0

And In what professional role(s) do you work on economic development with ... = I am a tribal/Indigenous leader of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Or If

If Does ${e://Field/community_name} have a department or agency for any of the following? Please sel... q://QID16/SelectedChoicesCount Is Greater Than 0

And In what professional role(s) do you work on economic development with ... = I am an employee of a public agency of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}

Or If

If Does ${e://Field/community_name} have a department or agency for any of the following? Please sel... q://QID16/SelectedChoicesCount Is Greater Than 0

And In what professional role(s) do you work on economic development with ... = I am an employee of a business entity of ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} (e.g., a tribal or Alaska Native corporation)

Carry Forward Selected Choices from "Does ${e://Field/community_name} have a department or agency for any of the following? Please select all that apply."

Q4 How many full-time-equivalent (FTE) staff are employed in the agencies listed below?

Your best estimate is fine. If you are unsure, please leave blank.

If some staff are part-time, please convert their hours to FTE—1 FTE is equivalent to 40 hours per week. For example, a part-time employee who works 20 hours per week is equivalent to .5 FTE.

• Planning __________________________________________________

• Economic development __________________________________________________

• Housing (including Tribally-Designated Housing Entity [TDHE]) __________________________________

• Public works __________________________________________________

Start of Block: Economic Development Characteristics, Priorities, and Challenges

Display This Question:

If Some EDA grant applicants are Indigenous communities; other applicants are Indigenous-owned busin... = Yes

Q5 Is ${e://Field/community_name} currently working on developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or updating an existing CEDS?

• Yes

• No

• Do not know

Q49 What are ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}’s current economic development plans and activities?

Please rank the top three plans and activities that have the highest priority by entering "1", "2", or "3" next to the relevant options.

______ Natural resources extraction (e.g., natural gas, mining, lumber)

______ Natural resources conservation and restoration

______ Environmental / nature tourism

______ Climate resilience preparedness

______ Broadband and telecommunications development

______ Energy production facilities development

______ Roadway development

______ Water/wastewater development

______ Healthcare facilities development

______ Housing development

______ Educational facilities development

______ Supporting healthcare systems

______ Supporting education systems and workforce development

______ Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses (Indigenous entrepreneurship)

______ Supporting Indigenous/tribally-owned enterprises, including casinos

______ Other (please describe):

Q7 What are the challenges to achieving ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}’s current economic development plans and activities?

Please select all that apply.

• Limited access to sources of affordable financing

• Limited grant writing expertise

• Insufficient high-quality data to inform and justify economic development projects

• Limited technical expertise for project design/implementation

• Challenges coordinating project implementation with other governments (e.g., state or local governments)

• Challenges coordinating project implementation with non-governmental partners

• Challenges hiring or retaining qualified staff

• Limited land available for development

• Remote location

• Other (please describe) __________________________________________________

Start of Block: Economic Development Funding

Q8a Which funding sources has ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} applied to and received funding from in the past five years (from 2019 – 2023)?

	Applied to	Received funding from
Indian Business Incubators Program
Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program
National Tribal Broadband Grant
Native American Business Development Institute Grant
Tribal Tourism Grant Program
Other programs from BIA
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) Projects through the Minority Business Development Agency
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Business and Industry Loan Guarantees
Community Facilities Grants
Community Facilities Guaranteed and Direct Loans
Intermediary Relending Program
ReConnect
Rural Business Development Grants
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
Section 502 Direct Loan Program
Other programs from USDA
Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) Grants
Indian Health Service Grants
Other programs from HHS
Indian Community Development Block Grant
Indian Housing Block Grant
Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program
Other programs from HUD
CDFI Bond Guarantee Program
Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA)
New Markets Tax Credit Program
Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Tribal Economic Development Bonds
Other programs from Treasury
SBA 7(a) Loan Guarantee Program
SBA 504 Loan Program
Other programs from SBA
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Other federal funding programs (please specify):
Philanthropy (all sources)
State funding programs (all sources)
Other funding opportunities (all sources not listed)

The following question(s) ask about “match funding” requirements.

Match funding, which is sometimes also called a “local match,” is money that a funder requires an applicant to contribute to a project. For example, a funder or funding opportunity might have a match funding requirement of 25 percent; for a $100,000 project, the funder would provide $75,000, and the applicant would be required to “match” this funding with $25,000 of the applicant’s resources. Depending on the details, match funding can be cash or can be “in-kind,” e.g., where the applicant covers $25,000 of staff time on the project.

Q9 Has ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} applied to a funding opportunity at any time from 2019-2023 where they were required to provide match funding?

• Yes

• No

• Do not know

Skip To: End of Block If Has ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} applied to a funding opportunity at any time from 2019-202... != Yes

Q10 What are the types of resources that ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} has used or proposed to use to fulfill matching requirements from 2019-2023?

Please select all that apply.

• Cash

• Anticipated future revenues

• In-kind: staff costs

• In-kind: facilities (e.g., rent on office space)

• In-kind: computing and other technology resources

• In-kind: other overhead costs that otherwise would have been billed to the project

• Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Q11 Please rate how much each of the following factors is a challenge when considering applying for a grant with a match requirement.

Please select all that apply.

	Not at all	Somewhat	A lot
Unable to meet the match requirement because the total match amount is too large.
Unable to meet the match requirement because it must be a cash match (not a match with in-kind resources).
Administrative work required to provide match funding is prohibitive.
Other (please specify):

Start of Block: Indigenous Communities Program

The Economic Development Administration invested $100 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into Indigenous economic development projects via its Indigenous Communities program (IC). This was a new funding program and EDA is interested in learning more about eligible applicants’ experiences with the program to inform its grantmaking efforts with Indigenous communities in the future. 

Display This Question:

If applied_indigenous_communities = 1

Q12 What were ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name}'s motivations for applying to the IC program?

Select all that apply.

• We thought we would be competitive applicants and were likely to be awarded.

• We had a specific economic development project in mind and it was eligible for funding under the IC program.

• The IC program was easy to apply to.

• Other motivations (please describe): __________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If applied_indigenous_communities = 1

Q13 Please rate your agreement with each of the following statements:

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} learned about the IC program shortly after it was announced.
The timeline for the IC program gave ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} plenty of time to put together an application.
The information about the IC program was clear and comprehensive.
EDA answered any questions ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} had about details of applying.
If EDA created a funding opportunity similar to the IC program in the future, ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} would apply.

Display This Question:

If applied_indigenous_communities = 0

Q14 Why did ${e://Field/applicant_entity_name} not apply for a grant through the Indigenous Communities program?

Please select all that apply.

• We were not aware of the program.

• We did not think we were eligible for the program.

• We did not have the capacity at the time to apply for a grant through the program.

• We did not believe we were likely to be awarded a grant through the program.

• The program did not align with our community’s economic development plans and priorities at the time.

• We did not have the capacity at the time to implement a project if we received a grant through the program.

• Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Start of Block: Other Grant Programs

EDA is interested in learning more about Indigenous grant applicants’ experiences applying for funding from ${e://Field/funding_program_name} to inform its grantmaking efforts with Indigenous communities in the future.

Q15 What were the motivations for applying to the ${e://Field/funding_program_name} program?

• We thought we would be competitive applicants and were likely to be awarded.

• We had a specific economic development project in mind and we thought it would be eligible for funding under the ${e://Field/funding_program_name} program.

• The ${e://Field/funding_program_name} program was easy to apply to.

• Other motivations (please describe): __________________________________________________

Q16 Please rate your agreement with each of the following statements:

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
The timeline for the ${e://Field/funding_program_name} program gave my community plenty of time to put together an application.
The information about the ${e://Field/funding_program_name} program was clear and comprehensive.
EDA answered any questions my community had about details of applying.
My community plans to apply for ${e://Field/funding_program_name} funding in the future, if/when such funding is made available.
The administrative work required to apply for the ${e://Field/funding_program_name} was manageable.

Start of Block: Any Last Thoughts

Q51 Do you have any additional information to share that could support this project's goal to improve planning, funding, and implementing economic development activities in Indigenous communities?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Start of Block: Incentives

Q17 To receive a $25 gift card as a thank you for completing this survey, please enter your contact information below. We will email you the gift card after the survey closes.

If you do not wish to receive a gift card, please move to the next page.

• First Name: __________________________________________________

• Last Name: __________________________________________________

• Email address: __________________________________________________

End of Survey - Complete

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey on economic development in Indigenous communities. If you provided your email address, we will send you a gift card after the survey closes. If you have any questions, please reach out to the research team at indigenous_economies@urban.org.

If you are interested in learning more about this project, including reading research reports and factsheets, please visit the project page. If you are interested in participating in a community of practice for Indigenous economic development practitioners, you can learn more and sign up to participate here. 

End of Survey – No consent / Not eligible

Thank you for your interest in this survey on economic development in Indigenous communities.

If you would like to learn more about this project, including reading research reports and factsheets produced as part of the project, please visit the project page. If you are interested in participating in a community of practice for Indigenous economic development practitioners, you can learn more and sign up to participate here. If you have any questions, please reach out to the research team at indigenous_economies@urban.org.

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