Opportunity Information: Apply for CNCS111612
Apply for CNCS111612
- The Corporation for National and Community Service in the agriculture arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) business and commerce community development disaster prevention and relief education employment, labor and training energy environment food and nutrition health housing law, justice and legal services natural resources other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions" 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 Nov 19, 2012 and posted on Nov 16, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 6, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments State governments County governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Independent school districts Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- 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 a partnership or consortia consisting of the aforementioned are eligible to apply. Intermediaries are encouraged to apply. If your organization works in just one state, please contact your State Commission, which can be found here http://www.americorps.gov/about/contact/statecommission.asp You will need to apply to them and not directly to CNCS. 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 CNCS.
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Opportunity Summary:
The AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions (Funding Opportunity Number CNCS111612, CFDA 94.006) is a discretionary grant program run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund organizations that use AmeriCorps members in structured national service roles to address community problems. The core idea is that grantees deploy AmeriCorps members to deliver services that strengthen communities while also creating meaningful pathways for people who serve, since members can receive a living allowance and benefits during service and earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing their term. CNCS frames this as a cost-effective public-private model that leverages local partners and outside resources to produce benefits for service recipients, members, local communities, and the nation as a whole. A major expectation throughout the opportunity is that proposed programs be evidence-based or evidence-informed, meaning applicants should be able to point to research, performance data, or a clear theory of change that explains how their activities will produce measurable outcomes.
CNCS targets funding toward six Serve America Act focus areas and expects applicants to align their program design and performance measurement accordingly. Disaster Services programs focus on preparedness, readiness to respond, recovery, and mitigation. Economic Opportunity programs are meant to improve the financial well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people, including expanding access to benefits and services, improving financial literacy, supporting transitions into safe and affordable housing, and strengthening employability and job success. Education programs emphasize improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly children, and CNCS signals special interest in youth engagement and service-learning strategies to boost school readiness, student academic and behavioral outcomes in low-performing schools, and postsecondary access and success. Environmental Stewardship programs support direct service and behavior change that increase energy and water efficiency, expand renewable energy use, and improve at-risk ecosystems, with an added emphasis on disadvantaged households and communities; the notice also references exploration of conservation-service models similar to a modern civilian service corps tied to public and tribal lands. Healthy Futures programs address community health needs such as access to primary and preventive care, helping seniors age in place, and reducing childhood obesity through better nutrition and increased physical activity. Veterans and Military Families programs aim to improve quality of life for veterans and strengthen military families, both by serving them and by engaging them in service. In addition to these six areas, CNCS allows Capacity Building as a supported approach when it is clearly tied to expanding or sustaining direct services in the focus areas; examples include recruiting/managing volunteers, conducting community assessments, and improving organizational systems like technology, training, or performance management, but not activities that are purely internal administration.
A few cross-cutting priorities shape how applications are reviewed. CNCS emphasizes reaching communities historically underrepresented in national service, including rural communities, veterans and military families, Native Americans, and Opportunity Youth (young people ages 16 to 24 disconnected from school and work). The competition also encourages "encore" models that engage a significant number of participants age 55 and older, reflecting a congressional goal that 10 percent of AmeriCorps funding support encore service. Another major requirement is strong performance measurement: CNCS uses National Performance Measures (Priority Measures and Complementary Program Measures) so it can aggregate impact across programs, and applicants are expected to select and use the appropriate measures when their program fits them.
For fiscal year 2013 specifically, CNCS indicates funding priority for economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, disaster services, and a special Governor and Mayor Initiative. Priority consideration is organized into tiers. Tier 1 is the highest priority and includes programs using specified measures in economic opportunity (with a caveat that certain measures like O12, O14, O15, and O17 must be paired with an additional measure that captures community impact), education programs serving certain high-need schools connected to federal School Improvement Grants (SIG) or state-identified Priority Schools under ESEA flexibility, veterans and military families, disaster services, and the Governor and Mayor Initiative. Tier 2 includes education programs not in the SIG/Priority School category, plus environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and capacity building. Tier 3 covers programs using Complementary Program Measures. Tier 4 includes programs within the focus areas that use self-nominated measures, and Tier 5 includes programs outside the focus areas using self-nominated measures. CNCS notes that priority consideration does not guarantee funding and that it intends to build a balanced portfolio across focus areas, with programs needing clear focus, solid design, and demonstrated impact to be competitive.
The Governor and Mayor Initiative is a pilot that receives Tier 1 priority, with CNCS aiming to direct about 10 percent of available funds to it. It is structured as a single application per state and must be submitted by a Governor, a Mayor partner, or their designated government office (applications from other entities are considered nonresponsive). The application must address a pressing state challenge, include at least two nonprofit partners (often described as a consortium approach), and show how the Governor and Mayor will convene multiple organizations to deploy AmeriCorps members for collective impact. The notice asks applicants to spell out how the partnership will be organized, how AmeriCorps resources will be allocated, and the theory of change and program model (or a credible plan to finalize it and begin implementation within 90 days of award). It also requires a Governor-and-Mayor co-signed endorsement letter and nonprofit commitment letters emailed to americorpsgrants@cns.gov with a specific subject line, along with checking the relevant box in the performance measure section of the application system.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private nonprofits (including faith-based and community organizations), institutions of higher education, state and local government entities, Indian Tribes, labor organizations, and partnerships/consortia of eligible entities; intermediaries are encouraged. A practical rule in the notice is that single-state applicants generally apply through their State Service Commission, while organizations operating in more than one state may apply directly to CNCS for a national grant (with tribes allowed to choose either route). The opportunity also states that cost sharing or matching is required. For this specific notice, the posting date was November 16, 2012, and the application deadline was extended to February 6, 2013 (originally January 23, 2013).
Finally, the notice highlights CNCS commitments to transparency in grantmaking. After awards are made, CNCS plans to publish materials such as a blank external review template, a list of compliant submissions, applicant-prepared executive summaries, selected application components for successful applicants (like the SF-424 and program narrative), and summaries of reviewer comments for successful applications. Overall, the competition is designed for organizations that can clearly define a community problem, deploy AmeriCorps members in a structured way to address it, and back up the approach with evidence and credible performance measurement tied to CNCS focus areas and national measures.
AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions (CNCS111612) - FAQs
What is the AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions funding opportunity?
It is a discretionary grant competition run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) (Funding Opportunity Number CNCS111612, CFDA 94.006) that funds organizations to deploy AmeriCorps members in structured national service roles to address community problems.
What is the core purpose of these grants?
The grants support programs that strengthen communities through direct service delivered by AmeriCorps members, while also creating meaningful service pathways for members. Members may receive a living allowance and benefits during service and can earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing their term.
How does CNCS describe the model behind AmeriCorps State and National grants?
CNCS frames it as a cost-effective public-private approach that leverages local partners and outside resources to produce benefits for service recipients, members, local communities, and the nation.
What kinds of program approaches are expected to be competitive?
Proposed programs are expected to be evidence-based or evidence-informed. Applicants should be able to point to research, performance data, or a clear theory of change explaining how activities will produce measurable outcomes.
What are the CNCS focus areas applicants are expected to align with?
CNCS targets funding toward six Serve America Act focus areas: Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and Veterans and Military Families.
What is included under the Disaster Services focus area?
Disaster Services programs focus on preparedness, readiness to respond, recovery, and mitigation.
What is included under the Economic Opportunity focus area?
Economic Opportunity programs aim to improve the financial well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people. Examples described include expanding access to benefits and services, improving financial literacy, supporting transitions into safe and affordable housing, and strengthening employability and job success.
What is included under the Education focus area?
Education programs emphasize improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly children. CNCS signals special interest in youth engagement and service-learning strategies to boost school readiness, academic and behavioral outcomes in low-performing schools, and postsecondary access and success.
What is included under the Environmental Stewardship focus area?
Environmental Stewardship programs support direct service and behavior change that increase energy and water efficiency, expand renewable energy use, and improve at-risk ecosystems, with added emphasis on disadvantaged households and communities. The notice also references exploring conservation-service models similar to a modern civilian service corps connected to public and tribal lands.
What is included under the Healthy Futures focus area?
Healthy Futures programs address community health needs such as access to primary and preventive care, helping seniors age in place, and reducing childhood obesity through improved nutrition and increased physical activity.
What is included under the Veterans and Military Families focus area?
Veterans and Military Families programs aim to improve quality of life for veterans and strengthen military families, both by serving them and by engaging them in service.
Is capacity building allowed, and what does CNCS mean by it?
Yes, Capacity Building is an allowed approach when it is clearly tied to expanding or sustaining direct services within the focus areas. Examples described include recruiting and managing volunteers, conducting community assessments, and improving organizational systems such as technology, training, or performance management. Activities that are purely internal administration are not described as supported capacity building.
What cross-cutting priorities does CNCS highlight for applicants?
The notice emphasizes reaching communities historically underrepresented in national service, including rural communities, veterans and military families, Native Americans, and Opportunity Youth (ages 16 to 24 disconnected from school and work). It also encourages "encore" models engaging significant numbers of participants age 55 and older, reflecting a congressional goal that 10 percent of AmeriCorps funding support encore service.
Who are Opportunity Youth in this notice?
Opportunity Youth are defined as young people ages 16 to 24 who are disconnected from school and work.
What does CNCS mean by "encore" service models?
Encore models are described as models that engage a significant number of participants age 55 and older. The notice ties this to a congressional goal that 10 percent of AmeriCorps funding support encore service.
How important is performance measurement in this competition?
Strong performance measurement is a major expectation. CNCS uses National Performance Measures (Priority Measures and Complementary Program Measures) to aggregate impact across programs, and applicants are expected to select and use appropriate measures when their program fits them.
What are National Performance Measures in this context?
National Performance Measures include Priority Measures and Complementary Program Measures. The intent is to allow CNCS to aggregate impact across AmeriCorps programs, and applicants are expected to align measurement to these measures when applicable.
What were CNCS funding priorities for fiscal year 2013 in this notice?
For fiscal year 2013, CNCS indicated funding priority for economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, disaster services, and a special Governor and Mayor Initiative.
How does the tiered priority consideration work?
Priority consideration is organized into tiers (Tier 1 through Tier 5). Tier 1 is the highest priority and includes specified categories (including the Governor and Mayor Initiative). Lower tiers include other focus-area programs depending on the measures used and whether programs use Priority Measures, Complementary Program Measures, or self-nominated measures, including programs outside the focus areas.
What kinds of programs fall under Tier 1 priority?
Tier 1 includes: certain economic opportunity programs using specified measures (with a caveat described in the notice about pairing certain measures with an additional measure capturing community impact), certain education programs serving high-need schools linked to School Improvement Grants (SIG) or state-identified Priority Schools under ESEA flexibility, veterans and military families, disaster services, and the Governor and Mayor Initiative.
What is the caveat mentioned for some economic opportunity measures in Tier 1?
The notice states that certain measures (O12, O14, O15, and O17) must be paired with an additional measure that captures community impact.
What kinds of programs fall under Tier 2 priority?
Tier 2 includes education programs not in the SIG/Priority School category, plus environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and capacity building.
What kinds of programs fall under Tier 3, Tier 4, and Tier 5 priority?
Tier 3 covers programs using Complementary Program Measures. Tier 4 includes programs within the focus areas that use self-nominated measures. Tier 5 includes programs outside the focus areas using self-nominated measures.
Does priority consideration guarantee funding?
No. The notice explicitly states that priority consideration does not guarantee funding. CNCS also indicates it intends to build a balanced portfolio across focus areas, and that competitive programs need clear focus, solid design, and demonstrated impact.
What is the Governor and Mayor Initiative?
The Governor and Mayor Initiative is described as a pilot that receives Tier 1 priority. CNCS aimed to direct about 10 percent of available funds to it.
Who is allowed to submit an application for the Governor and Mayor Initiative?
It must be a single application per state and must be submitted by a Governor, a Mayor partner, or their designated government office. The notice states that applications from other entities are considered nonresponsive.
What are the partnership requirements for the Governor and Mayor Initiative?
The application must address a pressing state challenge, include at least two nonprofit partners (often described as a consortium approach), and show how the Governor and Mayor will convene multiple organizations to deploy AmeriCorps members for collective impact.
What must a Governor and Mayor Initiative application explain about implementation?
The notice asks applicants to describe how the partnership will be organized, how AmeriCorps resources will be allocated, and the theory of change and program model (or a credible plan to finalize it and begin implementation within 90 days of award).
What letters or endorsements are required for the Governor and Mayor Initiative?
The notice requires a Governor-and-Mayor co-signed endorsement letter and nonprofit commitment letters.
Where are the Governor and Mayor Initiative letters sent?
The endorsement and nonprofit commitment letters are emailed to americorpsgrants@cns.gov with a specific subject line, and the applicant must also check the relevant box in the performance measure section of the application system.
Who is eligible to apply for AmeriCorps State and National grants under this notice?
Eligibility includes public and private nonprofits (including faith-based and community organizations), institutions of higher education, state and local government entities, Indian Tribes, labor organizations, and partnerships or consortia of eligible entities. Intermediaries are also encouraged.
Should a single-state applicant apply through the state or directly to CNCS?
The notice states that single-state applicants generally apply through their State Service Commission, while organizations operating in more than one state may apply directly to CNCS for a national grant. Indian Tribes may choose either route.
Are matching funds or cost sharing required?
Yes. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is required.
What are the posting date and the application deadline in this notice?
The posting date was November 16, 2012. The application deadline was extended to February 6, 2013 (from an original deadline of January 23, 2013).
What transparency steps does CNCS say it will take after awards are made?
The notice says CNCS plans to publish materials such as a blank external review template, a list of compliant submissions, applicant-prepared executive summaries, selected application components for successful applicants (including the SF-424 and program narrative), and summaries of reviewer comments for successful applications.
What is the main takeaway for organizations considering applying under this competition?
The competition is designed for organizations that can clearly define a community problem, deploy AmeriCorps members in a structured way to address it, and support the approach with evidence and credible performance measurement aligned to CNCS focus areas and National Performance Measures.
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