AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions | Apply Online

AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions: FAQs

1) What is the AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions opportunity?

It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund organizations that use AmeriCorps members to deliver community services and strengthen local capacity. The central goal is to maximize the impact of service and volunteering nationwide by concentrating resources on defined problems where national service can make a measurable difference, consistent with the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

2) What does CNCS fund through this competition?

CNCS funds AmeriCorps programs that place AmeriCorps members in approved national service positions to carry out community service activities and, where appropriate, capacity building work that helps organizations deliver more effective and lasting direct services. Programs are expected to demonstrate community impact using an evidence-based approach.

3) What is meant by an "evidence-based approach" in this competition?

Programs are expected to show community impact through evidence such as performance data, research, or a clear theory of change. The competition places emphasis on performance measurement and demonstrating results at scale.

4) Who are AmeriCorps members in the context of this grant?

AmeriCorps members are individuals placed in approved national service positions supported by AmeriCorps programs. During service, they may receive a living allowance and other benefits, and they earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing their term.

5) What are the six CNCS Focus Areas targeted for funding?

CNCS targets funding across six official Focus Areas:

• Disaster Services
• Economic Opportunity
• Education
• Environmental Stewardship
• Healthy Futures
• Veterans and Military Families

6) What types of activities fall under the Disaster Services Focus Area?

Disaster Services programs build community resiliency by helping people and communities prepare for disasters, improve readiness to respond, support recovery, and mitigate future risks.

7) What types of activities fall under the Economic Opportunity Focus Area?

Economic Opportunity programs improve the financial stability of economically disadvantaged individuals by expanding access to services and benefits (including financial literacy supports), helping people obtain or keep safe and affordable housing, and improving employability and job outcomes.

8) What types of activities fall under the Education Focus Area?

Education programs aim to raise educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged children and students. CNCS noted particular interest in youth engagement and service-learning approaches. Activities may include improving early school readiness, supporting academic and behavioral outcomes in low-performing schools, and helping disadvantaged students prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education.

9) What types of activities fall under the Environmental Stewardship Focus Area?

Environmental Stewardship programs provide direct services that increase energy and water efficiency, expand renewable energy use, and improve at-risk ecosystems. They also promote behavior change and green training opportunities, especially in economically disadvantaged households and communities.

10) What types of activities fall under the Healthy Futures Focus Area?

Healthy Futures programs address community health needs, including helping seniors age in place with stable or improved quality of life, reducing childhood obesity through increased physical activity and improved nutrition, and expanding access to primary and preventive health care.

11) What types of activities fall under the Veterans and Military Families Focus Area?

Veterans and Military Families programs are designed to improve veterans quality of life and strengthen military families by increasing both the number of veterans and military families served and the number of veterans and military family members engaged in service roles.

12) Does CNCS support capacity building, or only direct service?

CNCS supports capacity building activities carried out by AmeriCorps participants in addition to direct service work within the six Focus Areas. Capacity building is generally defined as indirect service that helps organizations deliver more, better, and longer-lasting direct services.

13) What is considered capacity building under this opportunity?

Examples of capacity building listed in the opportunity include recruiting and managing community volunteers, implementing stronger volunteer management practices, conducting community assessments that set goals and recommendations, and developing or improving systems and processes such as technology tools, performance management, and training.

14) Are there limits on what counts as capacity building?

Yes. Capacity building cannot be limited to routine administration or internal operations. It must be indirect service that strengthens an organizations ability to deliver direct services more effectively and sustainably.

15) What is CNCS emphasis on performance measurement?

A major feature of the competition is CNCS emphasis on performance measurement and demonstrating results at scale. For 2012, CNCS continued its National Performance Measures Pilot (year three), refining and aligning measures with its strategic plan and adding measures to address data gaps.

16) What are the National Performance Measures, and are applicants required to use them?

The National Performance Measures referenced for 2012 include Priority Measures and Pilot Measures. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use these measures, and CNCS gives funding priority to applications that use the National Performance Measures.

17) What is the "Encore" service emphasis mentioned in the opportunity?

CNCS highlighted an Encore service emphasis tied to a congressional goal that 10 percent of AmeriCorps funding support programs that engage a significant number of participants age 55 or older. CNCS encourages such encore programs to apply as part of meeting that target.

18) Who is eligible to apply for these grants?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and community organizations), institutions of higher education, state and local government entities (such as cities and counties), Indian Tribes, labor organizations, and partnerships or consortia of these entities. Intermediaries are specifically encouraged to apply.

19) How do I know whether to apply through a state service commission or directly to CNCS?

The application path depends on program footprint. Organizations operating in a single state typically apply through their state service commission. Organizations operating in more than one state may apply for a national grant directly to CNCS. Indian Tribes may apply either through a state commission or directly to CNCS.

20) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 94.006 (AmeriCorps).

21) Is there a matching or cost-sharing requirement?

Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement.

22) How were applications submitted for this competition?

Applications had to be submitted through CNCS online systems as directed in the notice, using the nationalservice.gov funding page and the eGrants process.

23) What was the application deadline for the referenced cycle?

The referenced deadline for the 2012 cycle was 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 18, 2012.

24) Who do applicants contact if they cannot access the full announcement or have access issues?

For access issues with the full announcement, CNCS provided a contact phone number: (202) 606-7508, with direct email and voicemail support for the competition.