Opportunity Information: Apply for CNCS GRANTS 012910 001
Apply for CNCS GRANTS 012910 001
- The Corporation for National and Community Service in the community development education energy environment health housing income security and social services law, justice and legal services other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Senior Corps RSVP Grants Competition" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 94.002 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 29, 2010 and posted on Jan 29, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 6, 2010 To submit your application, access eGrants (www.seniorcorps.gov/egrants), the Corporations integrated, secure, web based system for applications. See the 2010 Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity for more information, found here http://www.seniorcorps.gov/fororganizations/funding/nofa.asp Application instructions are available at http://www.seniorcorps.gov/fororganizations/funding/apply.asp Required Concept Paper is due on February 22, 2010. To submit your Concept Paper, access eGrants (www.seniorcorps.gov/egrants), the Corporations integrated, secure, web based system for applications. See the 2010 Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity for more information, found here http://www.seniorcorps.gov/fororganizations/funding/nofa.asp. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education City or township governments Special district governments County governments Independent school districts Private institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities State governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
- A. Who is eligible for this funding To be eligible to apply for these funds, an applicant must be a public agency (including state and local agencies and other units of government), a non profit organization (including community based organizations, both faith based and secular), an institution of higher education, or an Indian Tribe. Indian Tribe is defined as a federally recognized Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Native village, Regional Corporation, or Village Corporation, as defined under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602), that the United States Government determines is eligible for special programs and services provided under federal law to Indians because of their status as Indians. Indian Tribes also include tribal organizations controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by one of the entities described above. This competition is open to all organizations that meet these eligibility requirements. Existing RSVP grantees are eligible to apply, but must be currently complying with all programmatic and fiscal requirements of their grant, including on time submission of required reports, as determined by Corporation. (If you are a current RSVP grantee, see Section V.I.9, below, for additional information.) An existing RSVP grantee may apply for either (a) an augmentation of its current grant for expansion of an existing project within its currently approved geographic service area or into a new unserved geographic area, or (b) a new grant to establish a new RSVP project in an unserved area, or (c) both (a) and (b). In the case of augmentation proposals, expansion into unserved geographic areas is a Corporation priority. All other organizations may propose only to establish a new RSVP project in a geographic area unserved by a current RSVP grantee. A list of current grantees, with their respective geographic service areas, will be posted at http://www.seniorcorps.gov/fororganizations/funding/nofa.asp. An organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)) that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to apply, serve as a host site for volunteers, or act in any type of supervisory role in the program.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Senior Corps RSVP Grants Competition (Funding Opportunity Number CNCS-GRANTS-012910-001; CFDA 94.002) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). RSVP connects adults age 55 and older with flexible volunteer assignments that address local community needs while also providing a meaningful, high-quality service experience for the volunteers. Volunteers can choose assignments based on their interests and availability, with commitments ranging from a few hours per week up to full-time service levels.
This competition has two main goals. First, it funds the creation of new RSVP projects in geographic areas that are not currently served by an existing Corporation-funded RSVP project. Second, it supports expansion within existing RSVP projects by increasing the number of RSVP volunteers who will participate in new programmatic activities, including expansion into new unserved geographic areas, which is highlighted as a priority. The total estimated funding listed for this competition is $2.7 million.
To be competitive and compliant, applicants must meet several program requirements tied to how volunteers are recruited, placed, and managed. RSVP projects must engage volunteers who are at least 55 years old in assignments that respond to critical community needs and are structured to be enriching and well-supported. A key requirement is that at least 20 percent of RSVP volunteers supported by the grant must be placed in assignments focused on recruiting other community volunteers, which is intended to expand the capacity of local nonprofit organizations and other service partners. In addition, all RSVP volunteer assignments must address at least one of the 16 community-need categories recognized in the Domestic Volunteer Service Act as national problems of local concern, also referred to in the notice as Programs of National Significance (PNS) categories.
Within those allowable categories, the Corporation signals particular interest in three types of activities. One priority area is in-home, non-medical independent living support for people who need extra help, including frail seniors, veterans of recent conflicts, and caregivers. Another priority is helping children and youth succeed academically through activities like mentoring, tutoring, and support that helps students remain in school. A third priority is improving residential energy efficiency, including activities such as weatherization, conducting energy audits, or connecting residents to related information and resources. Applicants are expected to align volunteer roles with these or other eligible PNS/community-need categories and show how the volunteer service will produce measurable results.
The application also must be built around performance measurement. Applicants are required to propose at least three performance measures, including at minimum one output/accomplishment measure, one intermediate outcome/impact measure, and one end outcome/impact measure. Staffing is also specifically addressed: the budget must include funding for a full-time RSVP Project Director, unless the applicant makes a strong case in the project management narrative for less than full-time coverage; even then, that rationale would be considered during award negotiations rather than automatically accepted.
Cost sharing is mandatory. For applicants establishing a new RSVP project, the non-federal match must be 10 percent of the total project budget in Year 1, 20 percent in Year 2, and 30 percent in Year 3 and beyond if the grant continues. Existing RSVP grantees seeking an augmentation must demonstrate that the combined budget (their current grant plus the requested augmentation) will still meet the applicable non-federal share requirement for their grant. The notice also includes an important eligibility restriction: organizations described under IRS section 501(c)(4) that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to apply, serve as a host site, or supervise volunteers in the program.
Eligible applicants include public agencies (state or local government and other governmental units), nonprofit organizations (including community-based organizations, faith-based or secular), institutions of higher education (public or private), and federally recognized Indian Tribes and qualifying tribal entities (including Alaska Native entities described under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as referenced in the notice). Existing RSVP grantees may apply if they are in compliance with programmatic and fiscal requirements and current on required reporting. Depending on their situation, existing grantees may apply for an augmentation to expand an existing project (including into new unserved areas), may apply to establish a separate new project in an unserved area, or may submit both types of requests if allowed and appropriate. Organizations that are not current RSVP grantees are limited to proposing a new RSVP project in an unserved geographic area, and the Corporation indicates it will provide a list of existing grantees and service areas to help applicants identify eligible unserved locations.
A major procedural point is that applications cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. All concept papers and full applications must be submitted through the Corporation’s eGrants system (https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp / www.seniorcorps.gov/egrants). For the cycle described in the notice, a concept paper is required and was due February 22, 2010, and the application closing date was April 6, 2010 (with an archive date of April 7, 2010). The announcement also points applicants to the Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity and application instructions on the Senior Corps website, and provides a contact for access issues (Linda Esah, 202-606-3225, with an email box for the competition).
Senior Corps RSVP Grants Competition (CNCS-GRANTS-012910-001) - FAQs
What is the Senior Corps RSVP Grants Competition?
This is a discretionary federal grant competition from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to support the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number CNCS-GRANTS-012910-001 and CFDA 94.002.
What is RSVP?
RSVP connects adults age 55 and older with flexible volunteer assignments that address local community needs while providing a meaningful, high-quality service experience for the volunteers.
Who can participate as an RSVP volunteer?
RSVP volunteers must be at least 55 years old.
How flexible are RSVP volunteer assignments?
Volunteer commitments can range from a few hours per week up to full-time service levels. Volunteers can choose assignments based on their interests and availability.
What are the two main goals of this grant competition?
The competition funds (1) the creation of new RSVP projects in geographic areas not currently served by an existing Corporation-funded RSVP project, and (2) expansion within existing RSVP projects by increasing the number of RSVP volunteers participating in new programmatic activities, including expansion into new unserved geographic areas (highlighted as a priority).
How much total funding is estimated for this competition?
The total estimated funding listed for this competition is $2.7 million.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public agencies (state or local government and other governmental units), nonprofit organizations (including community-based organizations, faith-based or secular), institutions of higher education (public or private), and federally recognized Indian Tribes and qualifying tribal entities (including Alaska Native entities described under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as referenced in the notice).
Are current RSVP grantees allowed to apply?
Yes. Existing RSVP grantees may apply if they are in compliance with programmatic and fiscal requirements and current on required reporting.
What can an existing RSVP grantee apply for under this competition?
Depending on their situation, an existing grantee may apply for an augmentation to expand an existing project (including expansion into new unserved areas), may apply to establish a separate new project in an unserved area, or may submit both types of requests if allowed and appropriate.
What can a non-RSVP grantee apply for?
Organizations that are not current RSVP grantees are limited to proposing a new RSVP project in an unserved geographic area.
How do applicants know whether an area is unserved?
The Corporation indicates it will provide a list of existing grantees and service areas to help applicants identify eligible unserved locations.
Are there any organizations that are specifically not eligible?
Yes. Organizations described under IRS section 501(c)(4) that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to apply, serve as a host site, or supervise volunteers in the program.
What kinds of community needs must RSVP volunteer assignments address?
All RSVP volunteer assignments must address at least one of the 16 community-need categories recognized in the Domestic Volunteer Service Act as national problems of local concern, referred to in the notice as Programs of National Significance (PNS) categories.
Does the opportunity identify any priority activities within the eligible categories?
Yes. The notice signals particular interest in (1) in-home, non-medical independent living support for people needing extra help (including frail seniors, veterans of recent conflicts, and caregivers), (2) helping children and youth succeed academically (such as mentoring, tutoring, and related supports), and (3) improving residential energy efficiency (such as weatherization, energy audits, or connecting residents to relevant information and resources).
Is there a requirement related to volunteer recruitment roles?
Yes. At least 20 percent of RSVP volunteers supported by the grant must be placed in assignments focused on recruiting other community volunteers to expand the capacity of local nonprofit organizations and other service partners.
Do projects have to show measurable results?
Yes. Applicants are expected to align volunteer roles with eligible PNS/community-need categories and show how the volunteer service will produce measurable results.
What performance measurement is required in the application?
Applicants must propose at least three performance measures, including at minimum (1) one output/accomplishment measure, (2) one intermediate outcome/impact measure, and (3) one end outcome/impact measure.
Is a full-time Project Director required?
The budget must include funding for a full-time RSVP Project Director unless the applicant makes a strong case in the project management narrative for less than full-time coverage. Even with a rationale provided, that issue would be considered during award negotiations rather than automatically accepted.
Is cost sharing (match) required?
Yes. Cost sharing is mandatory.
What is the required match for new RSVP projects?
For applicants establishing a new RSVP project, the non-federal match must be 10 percent of the total project budget in Year 1, 20 percent in Year 2, and 30 percent in Year 3 and beyond if the grant continues.
How does match work for existing RSVP grantees applying for an augmentation?
Existing RSVP grantees seeking an augmentation must demonstrate that the combined budget (their current grant plus the requested augmentation) will still meet the applicable non-federal share requirement for their grant.
Where must applications be submitted?
Applications cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. All concept papers and full applications must be submitted through the Corporation's eGrants system (https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp / www.seniorcorps.gov/egrants).
Is a concept paper required?
Yes. For the cycle described in the notice, a concept paper was required.
What were the key deadlines listed in the notice?
For the cycle described: the concept paper due date was February 22, 2010, the application closing date was April 6, 2010, and the archive date was April 7, 2010.
Where can applicants find the official notice and application instructions?
The announcement points applicants to the Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity and application instructions on the Senior Corps website.
Who should applicants contact if they have eGrants access issues?
The notice provides a contact for access issues: Linda Esah at 202-606-3225, along with an email box for the competition.
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