AmeriCorps State and National Grants FY 2010 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - AmeriCorps State and National Grants for FY 2010 (CFDA 94.006)

1) What is the AmeriCorps State and National Grants for FY 2010 opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) under CFDA 94.006 (AmeriCorps). It supports organizations that recruit, train, and supervise AmeriCorps members to meet pressing local needs through structured service programs.

2) What is the overall purpose of these grants?

The purpose is to strengthen communities and improve lives by funding organizations that use AmeriCorps members to deliver direct service and capacity-building activities tied to documented unmet needs.

3) How much funding was CNCS expecting to make available for this cycle?

CNCS anticipated roughly $363 million in available funding for this cycle, contingent on FY 2010 appropriations.

4) What types of awards did CNCS plan to fund with these dollars?

CNCS planned to use these funds to support new awards, recompeting (renewal) awards, and continuation awards for existing grantees.

5) What law or policy context was tied to this funding cycle?

The opportunity was issued in the context of implementing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, signed April 21, 2009, which reauthorized and expanded national service programs and set the stage for broader growth in service initiatives.

6) What do AmeriCorps members do under programs supported by these grants?

Members carry out a structured service strategy designed to address documented unmet needs. Activities can include direct service and capacity-building work, depending on the program design and community needs described in the application.

7) Are AmeriCorps members paid, and do they receive benefits?

Programs supported under this opportunity typically provide members with a living allowance and allowable benefits during service, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements.

8) Can members earn an education award?

Yes. Members who successfully complete their term can earn an education award from the National Service Trust.

9) How is CNCS funding distributed (state vs. national)?

Funding is distributed either through Governor-appointed State Service Commissions (which then make subgrants within the state) or directly to multi-state organizations as national grantees operating in more than one state.

10) What were the FY 2010 national service priority areas CNCS emphasized?

CNCS emphasized five priority areas for FY 2010: Education, Healthy Futures, Clean Energy/Environment, Veterans, and Opportunity.

11) What kinds of activities fit under the Education priority?

Education focused on unmet educational needs, particularly efforts that help children and youth succeed academically and reduce dropout risk prior to high school graduation.

12) What kinds of activities fit under the Healthy Futures priority?

Healthy Futures targeted unmet community health needs such as access to care, disease prevention, health promotion, and health literacy.

13) What kinds of activities fit under the Clean Energy/Environment priority?

Clean Energy/Environment covered unmet needs related to energy efficiency and environmental improvement at the community level.

14) What kinds of activities fit under the Veterans priority?

Veterans prioritized addressing the needs of veterans, active duty service members, and families of deployed personnel, while also encouraging veteran engagement in service.

15) What kinds of activities fit under the Opportunity priority?

Opportunity addressed unmet needs tied to economic opportunity for economically disadvantaged individuals, including financial literacy, housing assistance, job training, and nutritional assistance.

16) Do applicants need to align to a priority area?

Yes. Applicants were expected to align proposed activities with one or more of the priority areas and describe the unmet need and the service strategy that AmeriCorps members would carry out to address it.

17) What grant categories or pathways were mentioned for this opportunity?

The notice described several categories and pathways, including State Commission grants and National Competitive grants, and specific formats such as Professional Corps and Fixed Amount Grants. It also referenced routes for State and National EAP, for states and territories without commissions, and for Indian Tribes.

18) Where should an organization apply if it operates in only one state?

Organizations operating in only one state were directed to apply through their Governor-appointed State Service Commission (using the commission contact list provided by CNCS).

19) Where should an organization apply if it operates in more than one state?

Organizations operating in more than one state were eligible to pursue a national grant and would apply directly to CNCS.

20) How can Indian Tribes apply?

Indian Tribes could apply either through a state commission or directly to CNCS, depending on what best fit their circumstances.

21) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility included public and private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and community organizations), institutions of higher education, government entities (such as cities, counties, and other local units), labor organizations, Indian Tribes, and partnerships or consortia of eligible entities.

22) Were intermediaries encouraged to apply?

Yes. Intermediaries were specifically encouraged to apply, reflecting CNCS interest in applicants that could manage multiple sites or subgrants and extend service capacity across communities.

23) Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching, meaning grantees needed to contribute non-federal resources toward program costs consistent with AmeriCorps requirements.

24) How were applications submitted?

Applications were submitted electronically through CNCS eGrants at www.americorps.gov/egrants.

25) When was the opportunity posted?

The posted date for the opportunity was October 8, 2009.

26) What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 26, 2010.

27) What was the archive date listed for the opportunity?

The archive date was listed as January 27, 2010.

28) Was a Notice of Intent to Apply required?

No. CNCS requested (but did not require) a Notice of Intent to Apply to help forecast review workload.

29) When was the Notice of Intent to Apply expected to be sent?

The Notice of Intent to Apply was to be sent about 60 days before the application deadline.

30) Where did national applicants send the Notice of Intent to Apply?

National applicants were asked to email their Notice of Intent to Apply to americorpsnational@cns.gov and include which competition they intended to enter.

31) Where did state commissions send the Notice of Intent to Apply?

State commissions were asked to email americorpsapplications@cns.gov and include an estimate of how many programs the commission expected to submit for the state competitive process.

32) Who should applicants contact for help with state-based applications?

Applicants pursuing state-based applications were encouraged to contact their state commission for questions and assistance.

33) Who should applicants contact for help with national applications?

Applicants pursuing national applications were encouraged to contact CNCS for questions and assistance.

34) What phone number was provided for national contacts?

The notice provided a national contact phone number: (202) 606-7508.

35) Where should applicants look for official requirements and detailed instructions?

Applicants were directed to consult the full Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity and the detailed application instructions for authoritative details, including requirements, continuation guidance, competition-specific rules, program design, budgeting, member service terms, performance measures, and compliance expectations.