Opportunity Information: Apply for CNCS GRANTS 100108 001
Apply for CNCS GRANTS 100108 001
- The Corporation for National and Community Service in the agriculture arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) 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 Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 94.007 Program Development and Innovation Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 1, 2008 and posted on Oct 1, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 13, 2009 11/15/2008 National Planning and Indian Tribes Planning 1/13/2009 All Other Competitions To submit your application, access eGrants (www.americorps.gov/egrants), the Corporations integrated, secure, web based system for applications. See the 2009 Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity for more information, found here http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/080531nofaac.pdf. Application instructions are available at http://www.americorps.gov/fororganizations/funding/nofa.asp. The deadline for eGrants submissions is 500 p.m. Eastern Time on January 13, 2009.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Special district governments County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education City or township governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments Independent school districts Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
- Public or private nonprofit organizations, including labor organizations faith based and other community organizations institutions of higher education government entities within states or territories (e.g., cities, counties) Indian Tribes or a partnership or consortia consisting of the aforementioned are eligible to apply. Intermediaries are encouraged to apply.
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Opportunity Summary:
The AmeriCorps State and National Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund organizations that recruit, train, and manage AmeriCorps members who provide direct service and community support in areas like education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, disaster preparedness and recovery, health, housing, food and nutrition, and related community needs. The basic idea is that grant funds help an eligible applicant operate an AmeriCorps program, place members into approved service positions, and support the systems needed to supervise members and document results. Members typically receive a living allowance during service and, after successfully completing their term, earn an education award from the National Service Trust. The opportunity referenced anticipated about $21,288,000 available (subject to appropriations) to support new and recompeting grants, and it is tied to CFDA 94.007 (Program Development and Innovation Grants). Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants generally need to bring non-federal resources to the table rather than relying on the federal share alone.
Funding is offered through two main tracks: AmeriCorps State and AmeriCorps National. AmeriCorps State includes State Competitive, Territories Competitive, States without Commissions, and the State Education Award Program (EAP). AmeriCorps National includes National EAP, National Direct, National Professional Corps, National Planning, and Indian Tribes competitions. In practice, a large portion of AmeriCorps funding is routed through governor-appointed state service commissions, which then make subgrants to local nonprofits and other eligible entities to run AmeriCorps programs within that state. CNCS also funds a smaller but significant share of programs directly at the national level, generally for organizations that operate in multiple states or have a national footprint. Planning grants exist to help organizations develop program designs and build readiness to operate a full AmeriCorps program later.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and other community organizations), labor organizations, institutions of higher education (public or private), and government entities within states or territories such as cities and counties. Indian Tribes and tribal organizations are eligible, and partnerships or consortia of eligible entities can also apply. The announcement also notes that intermediaries are encouraged to apply, which matters for organizations that want to regrant, provide backbone support, or structure a network model where multiple local sites operate under a unified program design and compliance framework.
Where you apply depends mostly on geography and program structure. If your organization operates in only one state, the application typically goes to that state service commission (the commission list is provided via the nationalservice.org state commission contact page). If your organization operates in more than one state, you may be eligible to apply for an AmeriCorps National grant and would apply directly to CNCS rather than through a single state commission. Indian Tribes have flexibility and may apply either through a state commission or directly to CNCS. Applications are submitted through eGrants, CNCS's web-based application system (www.americorps.gov/egrants), and applicants are directed to review the full Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity and the detailed application instructions posted on the AmeriCorps funding pages.
The competition also lays out policy priorities that can influence selection. For the FY 2009 competition referenced in the notice, CNCS planned to give special consideration to programs that align with one or more strategic initiatives: mobilizing more volunteers; ensuring a brighter future for Americas youth; engaging students in communities; harnessing Baby Boomer experience; and helping communities recover from and prepare for disasters. Additional emphasis was also planned for programs designed to engage veterans as service recipients or as service providers. The notice makes clear that CNCS may refocus program dollars if disasters or other compelling needs arise, and it points applicants to AmeriCorps regulations (including 45 CFR 2522.450) for other program models that may receive special consideration. The practical takeaway is that a competitive application should not only describe service activities, but also connect them to these national priorities when they genuinely fit the organizations mission and the communitys needs.
The process included an optional Notice of Intent to Apply, requested about 60 days before the application deadline, to help CNCS plan its review workload. National applicants were asked to email americorpsnational@cns.gov and specify which national competition they planned to enter, while state commissions were asked to email americorpsapplications@cns.gov with an estimate of how many programs they expected to submit to the state competitive competition. While not mandatory, this step was presented as helpful for planning and review logistics.
Key administrative details in the posting include: Funding Opportunity Number CNCS-GRANTS-100108-001; posted October 1, 2008; and a main application deadline of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 13, 2009 for most competitions, with an earlier deadline of November 15, 2008 for National Planning and Indian Tribes Planning. For assistance, applicants were directed to contact their state commission for state grants, or call (202) 606-7508 for national grant inquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): AmeriCorps State and National Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity
1. What is this funding opportunity?
This is the AmeriCorps State and National Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity, a discretionary federal grant competition run by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund organizations that recruit, train, and manage AmeriCorps members who provide direct service and community support.
2. What does the grant funding support?
Grant funds are intended to help an eligible applicant operate an AmeriCorps program, place members into approved service positions, and support the systems needed to supervise members and document results.
3. What service areas can an AmeriCorps program focus on under this opportunity?
The notice describes service and community support in areas such as education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, disaster preparedness and recovery, health, housing, food and nutrition, and related community needs.
4. What do AmeriCorps members receive through programs funded under this opportunity?
Members typically receive a living allowance during service and, after successfully completing their term, earn an education award from the National Service Trust.
5. How much funding was anticipated to be available?
The opportunity referenced anticipated about $21,288,000 available (subject to appropriations) to support new and recompeting grants.
6. Is this funding amount guaranteed?
No. The notice indicates funding is subject to appropriations, meaning final availability depends on federal budget decisions.
7. What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA 94.007 (Program Development and Innovation Grants).
8. Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants generally need to bring non-federal resources rather than relying on the federal share alone.
9. What are the two main funding tracks described in the notice?
Funding is offered through two main tracks: AmeriCorps State and AmeriCorps National.
10. What competition types are included under AmeriCorps State?
AmeriCorps State includes State Competitive, Territories Competitive, States without Commissions, and the State Education Award Program (EAP).
11. What competition types are included under AmeriCorps National?
AmeriCorps National includes National EAP, National Direct, National Professional Corps, National Planning, and Indian Tribes competitions.
12. How does funding typically flow for AmeriCorps State grants?
A large portion of AmeriCorps funding is routed through governor-appointed state service commissions, which then make subgrants to local nonprofits and other eligible entities to operate AmeriCorps programs within that state.
13. What is the difference between applying through a state commission and applying directly to CNCS?
State commission funding generally supports programs operating within a single state and is routed through that state commission. CNCS also funds programs directly at the national level, generally for organizations operating in multiple states or with a national footprint.
14. What are planning grants and what are they for?
Planning grants exist to help organizations develop program designs and build readiness to operate a full AmeriCorps program later.
15. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes public and private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and other community organizations), labor organizations, institutions of higher education (public or private), and government entities within states or territories (such as cities and counties). Indian Tribes and tribal organizations are eligible, and partnerships or consortia of eligible entities can also apply.
16. Are faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The notice explicitly includes faith-based and other community organizations among eligible nonprofit applicants.
17. Are local government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Government entities within states or territories, including cities and counties, are included as eligible applicants.
18. Can a partnership or consortium submit an application?
Yes. Partnerships or consortia of eligible entities can apply.
19. What does it mean that "intermediaries are encouraged to apply"?
The notice indicates intermediaries are encouraged to apply, which is relevant for organizations that want to regrant, provide backbone support, or structure a network model where multiple local sites operate under a unified program design and compliance framework.
20. Where should an organization apply if it operates in only one state?
If an organization operates in only one state, the application typically goes to that state service commission (with contacts provided via the nationalservice.org state commission contact page).
21. Where should an organization apply if it operates in more than one state?
If an organization operates in more than one state, it may be eligible to apply for an AmeriCorps National grant and would apply directly to CNCS rather than through a single state commission.
22. Do Indian Tribes have to apply through the state commission?
No. Indian Tribes have flexibility and may apply either through a state commission or directly to CNCS.
23. How are applications submitted?
Applications are submitted through eGrants, CNCS's web-based application system (www.americorps.gov/egrants).
24. What materials should applicants review before applying?
Applicants are directed to review the full Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity and the detailed application instructions posted on the AmeriCorps funding pages.
25. What selection priorities were highlighted for the FY 2009 competition referenced in the notice?
CNCS planned to give special consideration to programs aligning with one or more strategic initiatives: mobilizing more volunteers; ensuring a brighter future for America's youth; engaging students in communities; harnessing Baby Boomer experience; and helping communities recover from and prepare for disasters.
26. Was there any additional emphasis beyond the listed strategic initiatives?
Yes. Additional emphasis was planned for programs designed to engage veterans as service recipients or as service providers.
27. Can CNCS shift funds based on emerging events like disasters?
Yes. The notice states CNCS may refocus program dollars if disasters or other compelling needs arise.
28. Are there regulations mentioned that relate to special consideration for certain program models?
Yes. The notice points applicants to AmeriCorps regulations, including 45 CFR 2522.450, for other program models that may receive special consideration.
29. Was a Notice of Intent to Apply required?
No. The Notice of Intent to Apply was optional, requested about 60 days before the application deadline to help CNCS plan its review workload.
30. How did CNCS ask national applicants to submit the optional Notice of Intent to Apply?
National applicants were asked to email americorpsnational@cns.gov and specify which national competition they planned to enter.
31. How did CNCS ask state commissions to handle the optional Notice of Intent to Apply?
State commissions were asked to email americorpsapplications@cns.gov with an estimate of how many programs they expected to submit to the state competitive competition.
32. What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is CNCS-GRANTS-100108-001.
33. When was the opportunity posted?
The notice was posted October 1, 2008.
34. What was the main application deadline for most competitions?
The main application deadline for most competitions was 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 13, 2009.
35. Were any competitions listed with an earlier deadline?
Yes. An earlier deadline of November 15, 2008 was listed for National Planning and Indian Tribes Planning.
36. Who should applicants contact for help with state grants?
Applicants were directed to contact their state commission for assistance with state grants.
37. Who should applicants contact for help with national grant inquiries?
For national grant inquiries, applicants were directed to call (202) 606-7508.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Corporation for National and Community Service
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