Opportunity Information: Apply for CNCS 08 31 15
Apply for CNCS 08 31 15
- The Corporation for National and Community Service in the agriculture arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) community development consumer protection disaster prevention and relief education employment, labor and training energy environment food and nutrition health housing income security and social services law, justice and legal services natural resources regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AmeriCorps State and National Grants FY 2016" 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 Aug 31, 2015 and posted on Aug 31, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 27, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education City or township governments County governments Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Special district governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The AmeriCorps State and National Grants FY 2016 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number CNCS-08-31-15) was a discretionary grant competition run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) under CFDA 94.006 (AmeriCorps). The program’s main purpose was to fund eligible organizations that would place AmeriCorps members into structured national service positions to deliver evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions that strengthen communities. In practice, this meant applicants needed to propose service activities with a clear rationale and credible support showing the approach was proven effective or strongly supported by research or prior results.
A central feature of this opportunity was its focus on AmeriCorps members as the core “engine” of the project. An AmeriCorps member is an individual serving in an approved national service role, typically supporting direct service and community-based solutions. During their term, members may receive a living allowance and other benefits tied to the position. After successfully completing service, members earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award through the National Service Trust, which can be used for qualified higher education expenses or applied toward eligible student loans. This member benefit structure is an important part of the program model because it helps recruit and retain people to serve while also linking service to education and workforce advancement.
The grant awards themselves were structured in two main components: (1) operating funds and (2) AmeriCorps member positions. Operating funds help cover the costs of running the program, such as staff supervision, training, program management, and other allowable operating expenses. Member positions represent the approved slots (and associated support) for the AmeriCorps participants who will carry out the service activities. Award amounts were not fixed; they varied depending on the proposed program design, the number and type of member positions requested, and the level of operating support needed. Another key condition was that cost sharing or matching was required, meaning grantees were expected to contribute non-federal resources to support the project in addition to CNCS funds.
Project timing was generally framed as a multi-year effort, usually covering a three-year project period unless the announcement specified otherwise. Even when a multi-year period was approved, CNCS typically made an initial award only for the first year of operation. Applicants usually submitted a one-year budget with the application, and any additional years of funding were contingent on future decisions and performance; continuation funding was explicitly not guaranteed. This structure matters for planning because organizations needed to be prepared to re-justify their work, meet performance expectations, and manage the risk that later-year funding might not be awarded.
Eligibility for this competition was broad and included many types of public, nonprofit, and educational entities. Eligible applicants included state governments; city or township governments; county governments; special district governments; public and Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and other Native American tribal organizations. Nonprofit organizations were also eligible, including those with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (again, other than higher education institutions). This range reflects the program’s goal of supporting service initiatives across many sectors and community settings.
The opportunity was posted on August 31, 2015, and the application deadline was January 27, 2016 (with the archive date listed as January 29, 2016). The funding activity categories were expansive, indicating CNCS was open to proposals addressing numerous community needs, including education, health, disaster prevention and relief, housing, employment and training, community development, environment, food and nutrition, public safety and legal services, energy, natural resources, income security and social services, and related areas.
For applicant support and questions, CNCS provided a general contact point through the AmeriCorps State and National Program Officers mailbox. The specific contact information listed for this opportunity was americorpsgrants@cns.gov and 202-606-7508, and applicants who had difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically were directed to contact the program officers’ general mailbox.
AmeriCorps State and National Grants FY 2016 (CNCS-08-31-15) FAQs
What is the AmeriCorps State and National Grants FY 2016 opportunity?
It was a discretionary grant competition run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) under CFDA 94.006 (AmeriCorps). The opportunity funded eligible organizations to place AmeriCorps members into structured national service positions that deliver evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions designed to strengthen communities.
What was the main purpose of this grant program?
The program’s purpose was to support organizations that use AmeriCorps members to deliver community-focused service activities backed by credible evidence. Applicants were expected to propose interventions with a clear rationale and support showing the approach was proven effective or strongly supported by research or prior results.
What does “evidence-based” or “evidence-informed” mean in this opportunity?
Based on the opportunity description, proposals needed credible support that the proposed approach was effective or strongly supported by research or prior results. In other words, applicants had to demonstrate their service activities were not purely experimental or untested, but grounded in evidence or strong indications of effectiveness.
What role do AmeriCorps members play in the funded projects?
AmeriCorps members were the central feature and core “engine” of the project. The funded organization would place members into approved national service roles, typically focused on direct service and community-based solutions aligned with the proposed interventions.
Who is considered an AmeriCorps member under this opportunity?
An AmeriCorps member is an individual serving in an approved national service position. Members typically support direct service and community-based solutions during their service term.
What benefits may AmeriCorps members receive during their term?
During their service term, members may receive a living allowance and other benefits tied to the position, as described in the opportunity summary.
What is the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and how is it earned?
After successfully completing service, members earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award through the National Service Trust. The award can be used for qualified higher education expenses or applied toward eligible student loans.
Why is the member benefit structure important to the program model?
The opportunity description highlights that member benefits help recruit and retain people to serve, while also linking service to education and workforce advancement.
How were grant awards structured in this opportunity?
Awards had two main components: (1) operating funds and (2) AmeriCorps member positions. Operating funds supported program operations, and member positions represented the approved slots and associated support for AmeriCorps participants conducting the service activities.
What could operating funds be used for?
Operating funds helped cover the costs of running the program, including staff supervision, training, program management, and other allowable operating expenses (as generally referenced in the opportunity description).
What are “member positions” in the context of this grant?
Member positions are the approved AmeriCorps slots within the program. These positions represent the roles and capacity for AmeriCorps participants who carry out the proposed service activities.
Were award amounts fixed or variable?
Award amounts were not fixed. They varied based on the proposed program design, the number and type of member positions requested, and the operating support needed.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching, meaning grantees were expected to contribute non-federal resources to support the project in addition to CNCS funds.
What was the typical project period for this opportunity?
Projects were generally framed as multi-year efforts, usually covering a three-year project period unless the announcement specified otherwise.
Did CNCS provide funding for all years upfront?
No. Even when a multi-year period was approved, CNCS typically made an initial award only for the first year of operation.
What type of budget did applicants usually submit?
Applicants usually submitted a one-year budget with the application, even when the overall project period was multi-year.
Is continuation funding guaranteed for years two and three?
No. Additional years of funding were contingent on future decisions and performance, and continuation funding was explicitly not guaranteed.
Why does the one-year initial award structure matter for planning?
Organizations needed to plan for performance expectations, the need to re-justify their work, and the risk that later-year funding might not be awarded, even if a multi-year project period was contemplated.
Who was eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility was broad and included many public, nonprofit, and educational entities. Eligible applicants included state governments; city or township governments; county governments; special district governments; public and Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, in both cases other than higher education institutions).
Were nonprofit organizations eligible even if they did not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The eligibility list included nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions).
Were institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education were listed as eligible applicants.
Were tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations were listed as eligible applicants.
What was the Funding Opportunity Number for this competition?
The Funding Opportunity Number was CNCS-08-31-15.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was associated with CFDA 94.006 (AmeriCorps).
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on August 31, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was January 27, 2016.
What was the archive date listed for the opportunity?
The archive date was listed as January 29, 2016.
What service or funding activity areas were included?
The funding activity categories were broad and included education, health, disaster prevention and relief, housing, employment and training, community development, environment, food and nutrition, public safety and legal services, energy, natural resources, income security and social services, and related areas.
Where could applicants direct questions or request help?
CNCS provided a general contact point through the AmeriCorps State and National Program Officers mailbox. The contact information listed was americorpsgrants@cns.gov and 202-606-7508.
What if an applicant had difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically?
Applicants who had difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically were directed to contact the program officers’ general mailbox, using the contact information provided for the opportunity.
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