AmeriCorps State and NationalFY2011

Agenda

Speaker IntroductionsWhat is AmeriCorps?2011 AmeriCorps Funding PrioritiesHow to Apply for an AmeriCorps GrantNext Steps for YouAdditional Resources

What is AmeriCorps?

Maximizes the power of service and volunteering to improve lives in communities across the country

Provides grants to organizations to operate AmeriCorps programs that engage individuals in service as AmeriCorps members.

Funds high-quality programs that are developed by an applicant who designs a set of activities that demonstrate an evidence-based approach to creating community impact and solving community problems.

AmeriCorps Members

Individuals enrolled for an intensive term of service (300-1700 hours per year) in an AmeriCorps program

U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States

At least 17 years of age (no upper age limit)

Not a volunteer or a staff person

Receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for successful completion of a term of service

Some AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance and are eligible for health and childcare benefits

AmeriCorps State and National Grant Funds

Provide partial funding to support AmeriCorps programs

Require recipients to contribute match funding

Include an allotment of AmeriCorps member positions

Are directly tied to a specific number of member positions

Are solely for program-related expenses

AmeriCorps State and National Grant Funds are NOT

Used to duplicate or supplant pre-existing activities, staff, or volunteers.

For general organizational expenses.

Enough to support all program-related expenses.

Benefits of an AmeriCorps Grant

Expands the capacity of organizations to meet critical community needs

Provides funds to support program administration, access to training and technical assistance resources, and entrance into a national network of organizations

Allows organizations to recruit individuals from the community to serve as AmeriCorps members

Community members who serve as AmeriCorps members gain skills, experience, and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to be used to further their education or repay student loans

Eligible Grant Applicants

Non-profit organizations

Institutions of higher education

Government entities within states or territories

Indian tribes

Non-profit or higher education partnerships or consortia

Intermediaries that provide support to organizations with limited organizational capacity are encouraged to apply

EDUCATIONEnvironmental StewardshipHealthy FuturesEconomic OpportunityDisaster ServicesVeterans & Military Families

2011 Funding Priorities

Education Focus Area

The Corporation seeks to fund research- and evidence-based programs that improve academic outcomes for young children, youth, and young adults by helping them:

Prepare for school

Perform at grade level

Graduate from high school ready for college, work and life

Succeed in college and university

Emphasis on the lowest-performing schools

General Education Outcomes, including mentoring and

tutoring

Improved academic performance

Improved school attendance

Decreased disciplinary referrals and suspensions

Decreased substance abuse, arrest, or gang involvement

Increased graduation rates and GED acquisition

Entrance into post-secondary institutions

Attainment of a post-secondary degree

Teaching Outcomes

Improved academic performance

Individuals continuing to teach after their term of service

Individuals remaining in the education field in a non-teaching role

Impact on student learning

Certification to teach after term of service

Early Childhood Outcomes

Demonstrated gains in school readiness in terms of:

Social and emotional development

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

Education Program Activities might include

Providing counseling or programming that improves social and emotional development for young children

Teaching or assisting teachers in the lowest-performing schools

Tutoring, mentoring, or counseling students to improve academic achievement or classroom engagement.

Increasing participation in post secondary enrollment options, early-college high school, and other alternative credit-accumulation strategies.

Assisting economically disadvantaged students in navigating the college admissions process.

AmeriCorps State (single-state) Formula CompetitiveAmeriCorps National (multi-state)Indian Tribes

Applying for an AmeriCorps Grant

How to Apply for an AmeriCorps Grant

Organizations proposing to operate within one state only must apply through their State Service Commission. Commissions have two ways of awarding AmeriCorps funds:

Formula

Competitive

State Service Commissions have earlier deadlines and may have additional requirements for applicants.

Organizations proposing to operate in more than one state apply directly to the Corporation.

Indian tribes may apply through their State Service Commission or directly to the Corporation. The Corporation sets aside 1% of competitive funding specifically for Indian Tribes.

Application Materials

AmeriCorps Regulations: 45 Code of Federal Regulations Sections 2520-2550 (www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr) are the rules governing AmeriCorps programs and includes important topics such as matching requirements and program management requirements.

2011 Notice of Funding Opportunity (http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/10_0831_ac_nofo.pdf) Outlines the available grant opportunities, maximum allowable program costs, funding priorities and other information pertinent to the year’s competitions.

Application Instructions: Each section contains a description of the information that is to be addressed in that section of the application narrative.

eGrants account: Applications are submitted via eGrants and applicants must create an account.

Next Steps for You

Participate in the AmeriCorps State and National Outreach Call Series:

Introductory call: Provides specific information about the various types of AmeriCorps grants and the roles and responsibilities of an AmeriCorps grantee

Next Steps call: Reviews the materials needed to apply for a grant and discusses the application content selection criteria

Budget Calls: Reviews the components of an AmeriCorps budget and fiscal responsibility of an AmeriCorps grantee

Go to eventbrite.com and search for AmeriCorps to register for an upcoming call or visit: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/10_1005_nofa_ac_tta.pdf

Review this online presentation in lieu of the Intro Call:

AmeriCorps Grants 101 slide presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/AmeriCorpsOutreach2009/americorps-grants-101-presentation

Important Dates for 2011 Applicants

Fall 2010 – State Service Commission deadlines vary, if you are a single-state program, contact your State Service Commission now!

January 25, 2011 – Multi-State and Indian tribes applications due to CNCS

June 2011 – Award Announcements

Resources to Assist Programs with the Application Process

www.americorps.gov Click on: How to Apply / Eligibility

http://americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/index.asp

Which takes you to: Link to State Competition information:http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/state.asp

Link to National Competition information:

http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/national .asp

Link to eGrantshttp://www.nationalservice.gov/egrants/

Additional Resource

www.americorps.gov/fitfinder

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