AmeriCorps 2011 Grant Availability

Organizations interested in using national service to address critical community needs are invited to apply for a 2011AmeriCorps grant. Applications are being accepted now.

Learn more about AmeriCorps online resources by going to http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/national.asp.

Once in this website, scroll down to Additional Application Information and then to Technical Assistance Calls.

There are four types of calls:

1) Introductory Calls:
Introductory Calls are for anyone interested in learning more about the AmeriCorps National grant programs. The call will provide participants with an understanding of the purpose and benefits of AmeriCorps grants, the structure of AmeriCorps National programs and assist participants in determining if AmeriCorps is right for their organizations.

2) Next Steps Calls:
Next Steps calls are for those ready to begin their AmeriCorps grant application. The call will cover the materials needed to apply for an AmeriCorps grant, discuss the requirements and responsibilities of a grantee, review the application content and selection criteria and provide participants with the submission and selection timeline.

3) Budget Calls:
Budget calls will provide participants with information to assist in the development of the budget for their AmeriCorps grant application. Call topics will include basic guidelines, match requirements, member stipends and other member costs, and additional budget-related information.

4) Recompete Calls: FOR CURRENT GRANTEES ONLY.

Pilot for Volunteer Management ROI Measurement System. OMB Number: None

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The Corporation is seeking approval of a pilot version of a tool designed to measure the return on investment for recruiting and managing community volunteers. The Corporation has entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to adapt its SMART (Strategic Metrics and Results Tracking) system for use by Corporation grantees and subgrantees. The goal is to develop and pilot a system that all Corporation projects can use to calculate the return on investment for the time and resources they devote to recruiting and managing volunteers.

Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the information collection activity, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: Ms. Sharon Mar, OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service, by any of the following two methods within 30 days from the date of publication in this Federal Register:
(1) By fax to: (202) 395-6974, Attention: Ms. Sharon Mar, OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service; and
(2) Electronically by e-mail to: smar@omb.eop.gov.

National Planning Grants and Indian Tribes Planning Grants

National Planning Grants Public or private nonprofit organizations, including labor organizations; faith-based and other community organizations; institutions of higher education; government entities within states or territories (e.g., cities, counties); Indian Tribes; or partnerships or consortia operating in more than one state are eligible. Community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations and intermediary organizations operating in more than one state are encouraged to apply for planning grants. Indian Tribes Planning Grants Indian Tribes are eligible to apply. Indian Tribe is defined as a federally recognized Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Native village, Regional Corporation, or Village Corporation, as defined under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1602), that the United States Government determines is eligible for special programs and services provided under federal law to Indians because of their status as Indians. Indian Tribes also include tribal organizations controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by one of the entities described above.

The purpose of planning grants is to support the development of AmeriCorps programs so applicants are better prepared to compete for a multi-state AmeriCorps grant in the following grant cycle. These grants are awarded for 12 months. They may not be used to support AmeriCorps members. National Planning Grant applicants must not have previously received a multi-state AmeriCorps grant and must be interested in applying for AmeriCorps funding for a program that will operate in two or more states. Indian Tribes Planning Grant applicants must not have received an AmeriCorps grant in the past and must be an Indian Tribe.

Link to Full Announcement

Eligibility
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
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
Individuals

Additional Information on Eligibility:

National Planning Grants Public or private nonprofit organizations, including labor organizations; faith-based and other community organizations; institutions of higher education; government entities within states or territories (e.g., cities, counties); Indian Tribes; or partnerships or consortia operating in more than one state are eligible. Community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations and intermediary organizations operating in more than one state are encouraged to apply for planning grants. Indian Tribes Planning Grants Indian Tribes are eligible to apply. Indian Tribe is defined as a federally recognized Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Native village, Regional Corporation, or Village Corporation, as defined under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1602), that the United States Government determines is eligible for special programs and services provided under federal law to Indians because of their status as Indians. Indian Tribes also include tribal organizations controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by one of the entities described above.

AmeriCorps National Planning and Tribal Planning Grants

What are AmeriCorps State and National grants?
Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2009, the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation) announces the anticipated availability of approximately $21,288,000 to award new and re-competing AmeriCorps State and National grants.

The grants in AmeriCorps State are: State Competitive, Territories Competitive, States without Commissions, and State Education Award Program (EAP).

The grants in AmeriCorps National are: National EAP, National Direct, National Professional Corps, National Planning, and Indian Tribes.

Is my organization eligible and to whom do we apply?

If your organization works in just one state, please contact your state commission, which can be found here: http://www.nationalservice.org/about/contact/statecommission.asp.
You will apply to them.

If your organization works in more than one state, you are eligible to apply for a national grant. You will apply directly to the Corporation. If your organization is an Indian Tribe you may apply through your state commission, or directly to the Corporation. See the 2009 Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity for more information, found here: http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa_detail.asp?tbl_nofa_id=66

If you are submitting a request for continuation in 2009, please see the Application Instructions, which include information for continuation applications, found here: http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp.

Notice of Intent to Apply:
In order to help us gauge the number of applications we are likely to receive, please send an e-mail prior to the deadline to americorpsnational@cns.gov , for National applicants. National applicants should state the competition for which you will be applying. Although submission of the notice of intent to apply is not mandatory, your e-mail will help the Corporation to plan more efficiently for review.

More Information on AmeriCorps State and National
For more than a decade, the Corporation for National and Community Service—through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve programs—has mobilized a new generation of engaged citizens. This year, more than 1.8 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will serve through these programs. They will help thousands of national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas.

Roughly three quarters of all AmeriCorps grant funding goes to Governor-appointed state service commissions, which award subgrants to nonprofit organizations in their states. These organizations recruit AmeriCorps members to respond to local needs.

The Corporation distributes most of the remainder of the grant funding directly to organizations operating in more than one state.

The Corporation’s mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

In the FY 2009 competition, the Corporation will give special consideration to projects that address one or a combination of five strategic initiatives, listed below, that meet critical needs of our nation, achieve national service goals, and address community problems.
1. Mobilizing more volunteers.
2. Ensuring a brighter future for all of America’s youth.
3. Engaging students in communities.
4. Harnessing Baby Boomers’ experience.
5. Helping communities recover from and prepare for disasters.

In 2009, the Corporation will also give special consideration to programs designed to engage veterans as service recipients or providers. The Corporation reserves the right to re-focus program dollars in the event of disaster or other compelling need. Additional programs and program models that may receive special consideration in the selection process are described in the AmeriCorps regulations Section 2522.450. You can find the regulations here: http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/manage/index.asp . You are encouraged to integrate the priorities and initiatives into your program design, where they logically align with your organizational mission and objectives.

For more information contact your state commission, which you can find here http://www.nationalservice.org/about/contact/statecommission.asp  if you are interested in the State grant program. Contact (202) 606-7508 if you are interested in the National grant program.

AmeriCorps State and National grants

Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2008, the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation) announces the anticipated availability of approximately $21,288,000 to award new and re-competing AmeriCorps State and National grants. In the FY 2009 competition, the Corporation will give special consideration to projects that address one or a combination of five strategic initiatives, listed below, that meet critical needs of our nation, achieve national service goals, and address community problems. 1. Mobilizing more volunteers. 2. Ensuring a brighter future for all of America’s youth. 3. Engaging students in communities. 4. Harnessing Baby Boomers’ experience. 5. Helping communities recover from and prepare for disasters. In 2009, the Corporation will also give special consideration to programs designed to engage veterans as service recipients or providers.

AmeriCorps National Service Program - Final Rule

SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (``the Corporation'') is issuing several amendments to existing provisions relating to the AmeriCorps national service program and adding rules to clarify the Corporation's prohibition on making false or misleading statements and requirements for participant evaluations, living allowance disbursements, multiple applications for the same project, use of national service insignia, and other requirements. List of Topics I. Background II. Public Comments III. Specifics of Final Rule and Analysis of Comments A. Definition of Participant B. Prohibited Activities: Voter Registration C. Participant Evaluations and Eligibility To Serve a Second Term of Service D. Living Allowance Disbursements E. Waiver of Living Allowance by a Participant F. Applications for the Same Project G. Performance Measures H. Civil Rights I. Use of National Service Insignia J. Disqualification and Forfeiture Based on False or Misleading Statements K. Inspector General Access to Grantee Records L. State Commission Composition Requirements M. State Plans IV. Summary of Redesignations V. Effective Dates VI. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices DATES: This final rule is effective November 17, 2008.

VISTA Evaluation Study

The Corporation is developing a systematic approach for assessing how well local organizations with full-time AmeriCorps*VISTA members are able to sustain projects over the long-term. This study will evaluate the contributions of VISTA in strengthening local organizations serving low-income communities and develop a tool that can serve as a foundation for additional studies in the future. Information will be collected over time on the relevant characteristics of 250 closed VISTA projects. Closed projects are defined as projects that no longer have active VISTAs, although they still may be continuing without VISTA support. The original goals and objectives of the projects will be identified, as well as how the goals may have evolved over time. The study will evaluate the extent to which closed projects have been able to achieve their goals and will develop a model that identifies the likelihood that ongoing projects will be sustained beyond their third year of programming, after the VISTA members are no longer present. The study will include telephone interviews of the 250 projects and site visits to 40 projects.

Voting and Civic Engagement Supplements to the Current Population Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau requests authorization from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct the November 2008 Voting and Civic Engagement Supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS). Supplement (Voting and Registration supplement in previous years) continues the biennial collection of data concerning voting and registration that has been requested periodically since 1964. The data yield statistics on voter (and nonvoter) characteristics and current voter trends. The data will also enable policymakers to keep issues up to date, such as changes in participation in the election process by demographic characteristics such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, and educational attainment. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has entered into an interagency agreement with the Census Bureau to conduct the Civic Engagement supplement, which will appear for the first time in conjunction with the CPS. The civic engagement supplement will provide information on the extent to which American communities are places where individuals are civically active. It will also provide information on the number of Americans who are active in their communities, communicating with one another on issues of public concern, and interacting with public institutions and private enterprises. The information will also provide the number of Americans who engage in activities that promote positive relationships with those of equal and differing socio-economic or professional levels. This survey will be the only source of nationally representative data on such information as: level of participation in organized groups, extent of political action and knowledge, extent of connections with other community members, and how often individuals get news and information from various media sources. When combined with demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, education, occupation, income), the data can provide information on the relationship between these characteristics and the level of civic engagement in the United States. Government agency analysts and private, state and local leaders will use this data to compare levels in their area of interest to the national level of civic engagement, and to formulate policies that foster healthy communities. This clearance will also cover the collection in November 2010, the Voting supplement, which will consist of the voting and registration questions only.

H.R. 6407: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exclusion from gross income for AmeriCorps educational awards

Sponsor: Rep. John Lewis [D-GA] Bill Text: The text of this legislation is not yet available on GovTrack. It may not have been made available by the Government Printing Office yet. Status: Introduced - Jun 26, 2008

AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Progress Report

The Progress Report (PPR) was designed to assure that AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors address and fulfill legislated program purposes, meet agency program management and grant requirements, and assess progress toward project plan goals agreed upon in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement. The Corporation seeks to revise the previously used Project Application to: (a) Better align the information requested on the Concept Paper and the Application; and (b) simplify the project plan while continuing to provide a robust tool for evaluating project performance. The Corporation seeks to revise the previously used PPR to: (a) Reduce respondent burden; (b) enhance data elements collected via this information collection tool; (c) establish reporting periods consistent with the Corporation's integrated grants management and reporting policies.