Opportunity Information: Apply for CNCS GRANTS 08302011 001
Apply for CNCS GRANTS 08302011 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 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 Planning 2012 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): 94.006 AmeriCorps.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 31, 2011 and posted on Sep 1, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 18, 2012 The deadline for eGrants submissions is 500 p.m. Eastern Time on January 18, 2012.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Independent school districts Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) City or township governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities County governments.
- 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 apply to them. 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The AmeriCorps State and National Planning 2012 Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) intended to help organizations design and strengthen future AmeriCorps programs before they launch. The central idea is capacity-building: CNCS uses these planning grants to support the development of program models that are grounded in evidence-based interventions and are aimed at solving clearly defined community problems. A key expectation is that recipients will use the planning period to become substantially more competitive for an AmeriCorps program (implementation) grant in the next grant cycle, with a clear program design, measurable outcomes, and a credible approach to demonstrating community impact.
A major constraint of this opportunity is that planning grant funds cannot be used to support AmeriCorps members. In other words, this funding is not for enrolling participants into AmeriCorps service positions or paying member-related costs such as living allowances or member benefits. CNCS includes this distinction to keep planning grants focused on program development work (for example, building partnerships, refining an intervention model, creating performance measurement systems, developing staffing and operational plans, and establishing the evidence base and theory of change). The notice also clarifies what AmeriCorps membership entails in general: AmeriCorps members serve in approved national service positions, may receive a living allowance and other benefits during service, and can earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion. That context is provided to avoid confusion between planning support and program operations.
The funding is closely tied to CNCSs broader mission and to the policy direction set by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which emphasized concentrating national service resources where they can make measurable, high-impact differences. While CNCS as an agency works across several major areas (including education, energy conservation, health, economic opportunity, disaster services, and veteran-related service), this particular planning grant competition targets one focus area: Veterans and Military Families. The goal in this focus area is straightforward but ambitious: improve the quality of life for veterans and strengthen military families by increasing both (1) the number of veterans, service members, and their families served through CNCS-supported programs and (2) the number of veterans and military family members engaged in delivering service through those programs. Applicants are therefore expected to center their program concept on veteran and military family needs and to show how their design will produce concrete outcomes.
CNCS also highlights several guiding aims that shape how it evaluates this competition and its other grantmaking activities. These include directing national service toward a shared set of national challenges, expanding access to service opportunities for Americans broadly, building long-term capacity in communities and organizations to solve problems through volunteering and service, and embracing innovative approaches that can demonstrate results. In practice, that means applicants need more than a general idea; they need a thoughtful plan that connects a real community problem to an intervention that has evidence behind it, along with a workable strategy for implementation and measurement once the organization transitions to a full program grant.
Within the Veterans and Military Families focus area, CNCS establishes explicit priority tiers that determine which applications receive preference, while still noting that priority status does not guarantee an award. The top tier (Tier 1) is for applicants proposing to address outcomes aligned with the Veterans and Military Families Priority Measures. Tier 2 is for applicants designing a program around outcomes in the Pilot Measures, which are typically used to test and refine emerging approaches. Tier 3 covers other outcomes that still fall within the Veterans and Military Families focus area but are not captured in the priority or pilot categories. The notice points applicants to a specific section of the full announcement for the detailed list of these measures. CNCS also signals that it intends to build a balanced portfolio across priorities and other considerations, meaning it is not only picking the highest-ranked single type of project but aiming for a mix that collectively advances the focus area.
Another point the notice emphasizes is that veterans and military families must be the clear, primary program focus to receive priority consideration. It is not enough to include veterans or military families as one component among many unrelated service goals. Applicants can offer additional services, but the design, activities, and intended impact need to be strongly centered on veterans and/or military families. This is essentially a warning against overly broad proposals that dilute the focus area, and it suggests that reviewers will be looking for a concentrated target population, clearly aligned services, and outcomes that directly match veteran and military family priorities.
The competition also encourages "Encore" program planning. Congress set a goal that 10 percent of AmeriCorps funding should support encore service programs, generally meaning service models that engage a significant number of participants age 55 or older. CNCS indicates it is trying to meet that target within this competition and invites applicants to propose program concepts that intentionally include older adults in meaningful service roles. For organizations with strong ties to older volunteers, retirees, or second-career professionals, this encouragement could be a strategic advantage if it fits the veteran and military family focus.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number CNCS GRANTS 08302011 001, with CFDA number 94.006 (AmeriCorps), and it includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement. The grant was posted on September 1, 2011, and applications were due through eGrants by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 18, 2012 (with the archive date shown as January 19, 2012). The funding activity categories associated with the opportunity are broad and span many sectors (such as education, health, disaster prevention and relief, employment and training, housing, environment, and community development), which reflects how veteran and military family needs can intersect multiple service systems.
Eligibility is also broad and includes public and private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and other community organizations), institutions of higher education, government entities within states or territories (such as cities and counties), Indian Tribes, labor organizations, and partnerships or consortia made up of eligible entities. Intermediaries are specifically encouraged to apply, which typically means organizations that can support multiple local sites or subgrantees and help scale effective models. The notice also distinguishes between single-state and multi-state applicants: organizations operating in one state are directed to apply through their state service commission, while organizations operating in more than one state may be eligible to apply for a national grant directly to CNCS.
Finally, the notice is explicit about where and how to apply: applicants must access the full announcement and application instructions on the CNCS website at http://www.nationalservice.gov/fororganizations/funding/nofadetail.asptblnofaid92. For access issues, the notice provides a contact phone number, (202) 606-7508, and notes that direct email and voicemail support were available for the competition. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as pre-implementation funding designed to help organizations build a strong, evidence-informed AmeriCorps program concept focused on veterans and military families, with a clear path toward competing successfully for a full AmeriCorps program grant in the next cycle.
AmeriCorps State and National Planning 2012 Grant (CNCS) - FAQs
What is the AmeriCorps State and National Planning 2012 funding opportunity?
It is a discretionary planning grant opportunity offered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to help organizations design and strengthen future AmeriCorps programs before launching them. The grant is intended for pre-implementation work that improves an applicant's readiness and competitiveness for a later AmeriCorps program (implementation) grant.
What is the main purpose of these planning grants?
The purpose is capacity-building: helping organizations develop a strong program model grounded in evidence-based interventions that addresses a clearly defined community problem. The planning period is expected to produce a clear program design, measurable outcomes, and a credible approach to demonstrating community impact.
Is this grant meant to fund an active AmeriCorps program?
No. This opportunity is focused on planning and program development rather than program operations. It is meant to prepare an organization to apply for an AmeriCorps implementation grant in the next grant cycle.
Can planning grant funds be used to support AmeriCorps members?
No. A major restriction is that planning grant funds cannot be used to support AmeriCorps members. The funds are not for enrolling participants into AmeriCorps service positions or paying member-related costs.
What types of "member-related" costs are not allowed under this planning grant?
The notice specifically indicates planning funds are not for costs associated with AmeriCorps members, such as living allowances or member benefits. The intent is to keep planning grants focused on program development work rather than supporting service positions.
Why does the notice talk about what AmeriCorps membership entails if members cannot be funded?
The notice provides context to avoid confusion between planning support and program operations. It explains that AmeriCorps members serve in approved national service positions, may receive a living allowance and other benefits, and may earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service.
What focus area does this planning grant competition target?
This particular planning grant competition targets a single focus area: Veterans and Military Families.
What is the goal of the Veterans and Military Families focus area?
The goal is to improve the quality of life for veterans and strengthen military families by increasing both (1) the number of veterans, service members, and their families served through CNCS-supported programs and (2) the number of veterans and military family members engaged in delivering service through those programs.
Do veterans and military families need to be the primary focus of the proposed program?
Yes. To receive priority consideration, veterans and military families must be the clear, primary program focus. Including veterans or military families as a minor component among unrelated goals is not sufficient for priority consideration.
Can a proposed program include additional services beyond veterans and military families?
Yes, additional services may be offered, but the design, activities, and intended impact must be strongly centered on veterans and/or military families in order to align with the focus area and receive priority consideration.
What kinds of planning activities does CNCS expect grantees to carry out?
The notice emphasizes program development work such as building partnerships, refining an intervention model, creating performance measurement systems, developing staffing and operational plans, and establishing an evidence base and theory of change.
How does CNCS define what it is looking for in a strong planning concept?
CNCS expects more than a general idea. Applicants should connect a real community problem to an intervention with evidence behind it, and outline a workable strategy for implementation and measurement once transitioning to a full program grant.
What federal policy direction is associated with this opportunity?
The notice ties the opportunity to CNCS's mission and the policy direction set by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which emphasized concentrating national service resources where they can make measurable, high-impact differences.
How does CNCS prioritize applications within the Veterans and Military Families focus area?
CNCS establishes three priority tiers. Tier 1 aligns with the Veterans and Military Families Priority Measures. Tier 2 aligns with the Pilot Measures. Tier 3 includes other outcomes within the focus area that are not in the priority or pilot categories.
Does priority tier status guarantee funding?
No. The notice states that priority status does not guarantee an award.
Where are the detailed Priority Measures and Pilot Measures listed?
The notice points applicants to a specific section of the full announcement for the detailed list of measures.
What does CNCS mean by building a "balanced portfolio"?
CNCS indicates it intends to build a balanced set of awards across priorities and other considerations, meaning it is aiming for a mix of projects that collectively advances the focus area rather than selecting only one type of project.
What is "Encore" program planning and how does it relate to this competition?
"Encore" program planning refers to service models that engage a significant number of participants age 55 or older. CNCS notes that Congress set a goal that 10 percent of AmeriCorps funding should support encore service programs, and CNCS encourages applicants to propose planning concepts that intentionally include older adults in meaningful service roles.
Is there a matching or cost-sharing requirement?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is CNCS GRANTS 08302011 001.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 94.006 (AmeriCorps).
When was the funding opportunity posted and when were applications due?
The grant was posted on September 1, 2011. Applications were due through eGrants by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 18, 2012 (with an archive date shown as January 19, 2012).
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted through eGrants.
What kinds of organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes public and private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based and other community organizations), institutions of higher education, government entities within states or territories (such as cities and counties), Indian Tribes, labor organizations, and partnerships or consortia made up of eligible entities.
Are intermediaries encouraged to apply?
Yes. Intermediaries are specifically encouraged to apply. In this context, intermediaries typically support multiple local sites or subgrantees and help scale effective models.
How does CNCS distinguish between single-state and multi-state applicants?
Organizations operating in one state are directed to apply through their state service commission, while organizations operating in more than one state may be eligible to apply for a national grant directly to CNCS.
What funding activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The notice lists broad activity categories spanning many sectors (including education, health, disaster prevention and relief, employment and training, housing, environment, and community development), reflecting how veteran and military family needs can intersect multiple service systems.
Where can applicants find the full announcement and application instructions?
The notice directs applicants to the CNCS website at http://www.nationalservice.gov/fororganizations/funding/nofadetail.asptblnofaid92 to access the full announcement and application instructions.
Who should applicants contact if they have trouble accessing the announcement?
The notice provides a contact phone number for access issues: (202) 606-7508. It also notes that direct email and voicemail support were available for the competition.
What is the expected outcome of receiving a planning grant?
A key expectation is that recipients use the planning period to become substantially more competitive for an AmeriCorps implementation grant in the next grant cycle, with a clear program design, measurable outcomes, and a credible approach to demonstrating impact.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Corporation for National and Community Service
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| Funding Opportunity |
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| AmeriCorps State and National Indian Tribes Planning Grant Competitions Apply for CNCS GRANTS 08312011 Funding Number: CNCS GRANTS 08312011 Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service Category: 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 Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| AmeriCorps State and National Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity Apply for CNCS GRANTS 100108 001 Funding Number: CNCS GRANTS 100108 001 Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service Category: 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 Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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