Opportunity Information: Apply for CNCS GRANTS 10122010
Apply for CNCS GRANTS 10122010
- The Corporation for National and Community Service in the community development disaster prevention and relief education employment, labor and training environment food and nutrition health housing law, justice and legal services natural resources regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AmeriCorps State and National and Indian Tribes Planning Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 94.006 AmeriCorps.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 26, 2010 and posted on Oct 12, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 4, 2010 The Corporation requires that all applicants submit applications electronically via the Corporations web based application system, eGrants. Applications must arrive at the Corporation by November 4, 2010 at 5 p.m. ET in order to be considered. The Corporation reserves the right to extend the submission deadline. Any notice of such extended deadline will be posted in eGrants.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education State governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments Independent school districts Special district governments City or township governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
- National Planning Grants Public or private nonprofit organizations, including faith based and other community organizations institutions of higher education government entities within states or territories (e.g., cities, counties) Indian Tribes labor organizations 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. Single state planning applicants must not have previously received an AmeriCorps State grant. Multi state planning applicants must not have previously received a multi state AmeriCorps grant. Applicants may have received funding through Learn and Serve America, NCCC, Senior Corps, or VISTA
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Opportunity Summary:
The AmeriCorps State and National and Indian Tribes Planning Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number CNCS GRANTS 10122010, CFDA 94.006) is a discretionary grant program run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Its core purpose is straightforward: provide short-term planning support so organizations can design, strengthen, and fully develop an AmeriCorps program concept that is competitive for an AmeriCorps program grant in the next grant cycle. These awards are not intended to operate an AmeriCorps project yet, and the funding cannot be used to support AmeriCorps members. Instead, the grant is meant to help applicants do the foundational work that a strong future program requires, such as needs assessment, partnership building, program design, performance measurement planning, and preparing the full AmeriCorps application package for the following cycle.
CNCS frames this planning support within its broader mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and volunteering. The opportunity aligns with the priorities emphasized in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which directed national service resources toward areas where service can make a major impact. In this notice, CNCS highlights six focus areas that guide AmeriCorps State and National investments: improving education, energy conservation, the health of all Americans, economic opportunity for economically vulnerable individuals, increasing service by and for veterans, and providing disaster services. In practical terms, applicants proposing to plan an AmeriCorps program are expected to position their future program concept within these national impact areas and to reflect CNCS goals such as concentrating service on common challenges, expanding opportunities to serve, building lasting community capacity to use service effectively, and promoting innovative approaches that are proven or promising.
The total estimated funding for the competition is $500,000, with an anticipated 10 awards. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources toward the planning effort in line with CNCS requirements. While the notice does not specify award size in the provided text, the combination of a capped total funding amount and a defined number of expected awards suggests relatively modest, planning-level grants designed to cover limited-duration development activities rather than full program operations.
Eligibility is fairly broad, but it is also carefully defined around the purpose of building new AmeriCorps program capacity among organizations that have not previously received the relevant AmeriCorps State or multi-state grant type. For National Planning Grants, eligible applicants include public or private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and other community organizations), institutions of higher education, and government entities within states or territories such as cities and counties. Indian Tribes, labor organizations, and partnerships or consortia operating in more than one state may also apply. CNCS specifically encourages community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations and intermediary organizations operating in more than one state, to apply for planning support. For Indian Tribes Planning Grants, eligible applicants are Indian Tribes as defined by federal recognition standards, including federally recognized tribes, bands, nations, Alaska Native entities referenced in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and tribal organizations that are controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by those entities.
A key eligibility restriction is based on prior AmeriCorps funding history. Single-state planning applicants must not have previously received an AmeriCorps State grant, and multi-state planning applicants must not have previously received a multi-state AmeriCorps grant. However, prior participation in other CNCS streams does not automatically disqualify an applicant; the notice indicates applicants may have received funding through Learn and Serve America, NCCC, Senior Corps, or VISTA and still be eligible for these planning grants. The eligible applicant types listed in the source include state governments; city, township, county, and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and private institutions of higher education; 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (with the exception categories noted in the listing); and Native American tribal governments and organizations.
Applications had to be submitted electronically through CNCS eGrants, CNCS official web-based application system. The original and current closing date for this archived opportunity was November 4, 2010, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. CNCS noted it could extend the deadline, with any extension posted in eGrants. Applicants were advised to create an eGrants account and begin at least three weeks ahead of the deadline, draft narrative content offline, and copy and paste into eGrants no later than 10 days before submission to avoid last-minute technical issues. For technical problems, the eGrants Help Desk was available at 888-677-7849 during business hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday), and applicants were instructed to have their application ID ready when seeking assistance.
For applicants needing the full announcement or a printed copy, CNCS provided an additional information link (not included in the excerpt) and a phone contact at (202) 606-7508, along with a direct email for the competition (the specific email address is not shown in the provided text). Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a capacity-building on-ramp: CNCS is funding the planning work that helps organizations, including tribes and multi-state intermediaries, convert community needs and service ideas into a well-structured AmeriCorps program proposal that can compete successfully for full AmeriCorps program funding in the next cycle, without deploying members during the planning period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the AmeriCorps State and National and Indian Tribes Planning Grants opportunity?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) under Funding Opportunity Number CNCS GRANTS 10122010 (CFDA 94.006). The grants provide short-term support for planning and development work so an organization can design and fully develop an AmeriCorps program concept that will be competitive for an AmeriCorps program grant in the next grant cycle.
What is the main purpose of these planning grants?
The purpose is to fund planning activities that help applicants create or strengthen a future AmeriCorps program proposal. The intent is to support foundational program development work such as assessing community needs, building partnerships, designing the program model, planning performance measurement, and preparing the next-cycle AmeriCorps application package.
Are these grants meant to operate an AmeriCorps project right away?
No. These awards are not intended to operate an AmeriCorps project during the grant period. They are specifically for planning and program development, not for running a full AmeriCorps program.
Can planning grant funds be used to support AmeriCorps members?
No. The funding cannot be used to support AmeriCorps members. The planning grant is intended for development activities only, before members are deployed under a future program grant.
What kinds of activities can the planning grant support?
Based on the notice, the planning grant is meant to support activities such as needs assessment, partnership building, program design, performance measurement planning, and preparing the full AmeriCorps application package for submission in the following grant cycle.
How does CNCS describe the broader mission behind this opportunity?
CNCS frames the planning support within its mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and volunteering. The planning grant is positioned as an on-ramp to develop strong service programs that can later deliver community impact through AmeriCorps.
What national focus areas are emphasized for future AmeriCorps program concepts?
CNCS highlights six focus areas that guide AmeriCorps State and National investments: improving education; energy conservation; the health of all Americans; economic opportunity for economically vulnerable individuals; increasing service by and for veterans; and providing disaster services.
Do applicants need to align their planned AmeriCorps concept with CNCS priorities?
Yes. Applicants proposing to plan an AmeriCorps program are expected to position the future program concept within the national impact areas and reflect CNCS goals such as concentrating service on common challenges, expanding opportunities to serve, building lasting community capacity to use service effectively, and promoting innovative approaches that are proven or promising.
How much funding is available through this competition?
The total estimated funding for the competition is $500,000, with an anticipated 10 awards.
How many awards does CNCS expect to make?
CNCS anticipated making 10 awards under this competition.
Does the notice state the size of each individual award?
The provided information does not specify the award size per grantee. It notes the total estimated funding amount and the anticipated number of awards, which suggests these are modest, planning-level grants rather than full program operating awards.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources toward the planning effort in line with CNCS requirements.
Who is eligible to apply for National Planning Grants?
Eligible applicants for National Planning Grants include public or private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and other community organizations), institutions of higher education, and government entities within states or territories (such as cities and counties). Indian Tribes, labor organizations, and partnerships or consortia operating in more than one state may also apply.
Does CNCS encourage any specific types of organizations to apply?
Yes. CNCS specifically encourages community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations and intermediary organizations operating in more than one state, to apply for planning support.
Who is eligible to apply for Indian Tribes Planning Grants?
Eligible applicants are Indian Tribes as defined by federal recognition standards. This includes federally recognized tribes, bands, and nations; Alaska Native entities referenced in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; and tribal organizations controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by those entities.
Are there restrictions related to an applicant's prior AmeriCorps funding history?
Yes. Single-state planning applicants must not have previously received an AmeriCorps State grant, and multi-state planning applicants must not have previously received a multi-state AmeriCorps grant. The planning grants are designed to build new AmeriCorps program capacity among organizations that have not previously received the relevant AmeriCorps State or multi-state grant type.
If an organization received other CNCS funding in the past, can it still be eligible?
Yes. Prior participation in other CNCS streams does not automatically disqualify an applicant. The notice states applicants may have received funding through Learn and Serve America, NCCC, Senior Corps, or VISTA and still be eligible for these planning grants.
What categories of applicant types are listed as eligible in the source?
The eligible applicant types listed include state governments; city, township, county, and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and private institutions of higher education; 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (with exception categories noted in the listing); and Native American tribal governments and organizations.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through CNCS eGrants, CNCS official web-based application system.
What was the application deadline for this opportunity?
The original and current closing date shown for this archived opportunity was November 4, 2010. Applications were due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Could CNCS extend the deadline?
Yes. CNCS noted it could extend the deadline, and any extension would be posted in eGrants.
How far in advance did CNCS recommend applicants start the eGrants process?
Applicants were advised to create an eGrants account and begin at least three weeks ahead of the deadline.
Did CNCS provide submission tips to avoid last-minute issues?
Yes. Applicants were advised to draft narrative content offline and copy and paste into eGrants no later than 10 days before submission to avoid last-minute technical problems.
Where could applicants get technical help with eGrants?
For technical problems, applicants could contact the eGrants Help Desk at 888-677-7849 during business hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday). Applicants were instructed to have their application ID ready when seeking assistance.
How could someone request the full announcement or a printed copy?
CNCS provided an additional information link (not included in the excerpt) and a phone contact at (202) 606-7508, along with a direct email for the competition (the specific email address is not shown in the provided information).
What is the practical takeaway for organizations considering this grant?
This opportunity is best understood as capacity-building support. CNCS is funding planning work that helps organizations (including tribes and multi-state intermediaries) turn community needs and service ideas into a well-structured AmeriCorps program proposal for the next cycle, without deploying members during the planning period.
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