Opportunity Information: Apply for D15AC00006
Apply for D15AC00006
- The Department of the Interior in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "YMCA Engaging the Next Generation Community Coordinator Position" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.154 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 9, 2015 and posted on Mar 9, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 19, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The "YMCA Engaging the Next Generation Community Coordinator Position" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number D15AC00006) is a Department of the Interior (DOI) cooperative agreement intended to support DOI's broader youth initiative aimed at reconnecting young people with the outdoors and building the next generation of conservation and outdoor leaders. The award is administered through the DOI Office of the Secretary (Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget), with the awarding office listed as the Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) Division IV in Denver, Colorado. It is tied to CFDA 15.154, the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC), and is funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (P.L. 113-76), with additional internal DOI authority referenced through the Departmental Manual (Federal Assistance Programs Series, Part 505, Chapter 2).
At its core, the project funds the YMCA of the USA (the National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States of America, or Y-USA) to recruit, hire, train, and manage 50 Student and Conservation Corps leaders over a three-year period. These leaders are meant to function as on-the-ground capacity for community coordination work that supports DOI's youth initiative pillars: Play (expanding outdoor recreation partnerships and opportunities), Learn (environmental and outdoor education for K-12 students), Serve (dramatically increasing volunteer engagement on public lands), and Work (expanding work and training opportunities that build a conservation workforce pipeline). The leaders will be placed to support nonprofit organizations, community groups, municipalities, and other partners that are working with local, state, and federal entities to deliver outdoor recreation, environmental education, service, and conservation programming. Each leader is paired with a YMCA senior staff person who has lead responsibilities for community coordination, with the "lead community coordinator" role in each city described as being privately funded, while DOI funding covers the 50 supporting leaders.
The scope of work for these Student and Conservation Corps leaders is centered on partnership-building and program delivery that connects youth, families, veterans, and whole communities to public lands, with an explicit emphasis on reaching young men of color. Major responsibilities include outreach to local community groups to boost participation and collaboration, facilitating engagement with public land management agencies (including DOI bureaus and other partners), developing and promoting programming that gets people outdoors to play, learn, serve, and work, and creating sustainable volunteer pathways that increase hands-on stewardship and service on public lands. The project also includes a workforce and career pathway component, where leaders are expected to help identify and cultivate partners that can employ young adults and Post-9/11 veterans in seasonal, temporary, or permanent roles connected to public lands and conservation-related work.
A notable operational feature is that the 50 leaders are also expected to serve as AmeriCorps members through a partnership with The Corps Network. As part of that structure, participants completing a year of full-time service can earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (linked to the maximum Pell Grant amount) to help pay for education or student loans. The Corps Network is described as assisting Y-USA with recruitment and placement of these members within YMCA settings, leveraging its national footprint and AmeriCorps-related systems.
The financial structure lists an estimated total project cost of $1,500,000 over three years, with $1,125,000 planned for obligation for Year 1 and Year 2 costs. The opportunity includes a mandatory 25% cost share requirement, which Y-USA proposes to meet through in-kind contributions such as supervision, office space, support services, and volunteer time. The text also states that Y-USA is not charging overhead/indirect costs and will contribute the time of two Co-Principal Investigators at no cost to DOI. Cost share treatment references 2 CFR 200.306(e), allowing third-party volunteer services to count as match if integral to the approved project and valued consistently with similar work.
This posting is essentially a public notice of a single-source (noncompetitive) assistance determination rather than an open competitive grant solicitation. DOI states it solicited a proposal from Y-USA in December 2014, evaluated it (including budget analysis), and recommended acceptance based on Y-USA's capacity and overall cost to DOI. The justification for the sole-source approach is grounded in DOI's Departmental Manual criteria for noncompetitive awards, specifically "unique qualifications." DOI argues Y-USA has the nationwide systems, staffing, experience with federal funds and reporting, ability to share costs, and an established partnership framework with DOI (including an April 2014 Memorandum of Understanding with DOI and the National League of Cities) that make it uniquely positioned to implement community coordinator placements at scale.
Because this is a cooperative agreement (rather than a standard grant), DOI explicitly anticipates substantial federal involvement throughout implementation. DOI's role includes program assistance and consultation, outlining and guiding coordinator work through the Office of the Secretary, helping build and maintain partnerships with other national or regional organizations, promoting the collaboration across DOI bureaus, expanding access to DOI-managed lands for YMCA programming, supporting joint philanthropic fundraising, connecting YMCA sites with educational and career development resources, encouraging DOI bureau relationships with local Ys, creating pathways to DOI volunteer and education programs, supporting internship and youth employment opportunities, and sharing publicity and marketing. The intent is a hands-on federal partnership model rather than a fully recipient-driven project.
Administrative details from the Grants.gov listing include an expected single award (Expected Awards: 1), with the award ceiling and floor both listed as $1,500,000, and eligibility generally described as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The posting dates indicate it was posted March 9, 2015, with an original and current closing date of March 19, 2015, and an archive date of April 18, 2015. A contact is provided for access issues: Anthony Jasper, Agreements Officer, 303-969-5750, anthonyjasper@ibc.doi.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the "YMCA Engaging the Next Generation Community Coordinator Position" opportunity?
It is a Department of the Interior (DOI) cooperative agreement intended to support DOI's broader youth initiative focused on reconnecting young people with the outdoors and helping build the next generation of conservation and outdoor leaders.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this posting?
The Funding Opportunity Number is D15AC00006.
3) What type of federal award is this: a grant or something else?
This is a cooperative agreement. DOI expects substantial federal involvement during implementation, meaning DOI will provide ongoing assistance, consultation, and partnership support rather than leaving the project entirely to the recipient.
4) Which federal agency and offices are associated with administering this award?
The award is administered through the Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Secretary (Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget). The awarding office is listed as the Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) Division IV in Denver, Colorado.
5) What program is this tied to (CFDA number)?
This opportunity is tied to CFDA 15.154, the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC).
6) What is the overall purpose of the funded project?
The project funds the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) to recruit, hire, train, and manage 50 Student and Conservation Corps leaders over a three-year period. These leaders provide on-the-ground capacity for community coordination work that supports DOI's youth initiative.
7) How many leaders are being supported, and for how long?
The project supports 50 Student and Conservation Corps leaders over a three-year period.
8) What are the DOI youth initiative "pillars" this project supports?
The leaders support four pillars: Play (expanding outdoor recreation partnerships and opportunities), Learn (environmental and outdoor education for K-12 students), Serve (increasing volunteer engagement on public lands), and Work (expanding work and training opportunities that build a conservation workforce pipeline).
9) Where will the leaders be placed and who will they support?
The leaders will be placed to support nonprofit organizations, community groups, municipalities, and other partners working with local, state, and federal entities to deliver outdoor recreation, environmental education, service, and conservation programming.
10) How are the leader positions supervised within the YMCA structure?
Each leader is paired with a YMCA senior staff person who has lead responsibilities for community coordination. The "lead community coordinator" role in each city is described as privately funded, while DOI funding covers the 50 supporting leaders.
11) What kinds of activities are the leaders expected to carry out?
The leaders focus on partnership-building and program delivery that connects youth, families, veterans, and whole communities to public lands. Responsibilities include outreach to local community groups, facilitating engagement with public land management agencies (including DOI bureaus and other partners), developing and promoting programming aligned with Play/Learn/Serve/Work, and creating sustainable volunteer pathways that increase hands-on stewardship and service on public lands.
12) Are there specific communities the project emphasizes reaching?
Yes. The scope includes an explicit emphasis on reaching young men of color.
13) Does the project include a workforce or career pathway component?
Yes. Leaders are expected to help identify and cultivate partners that can employ young adults and Post-9/11 veterans in seasonal, temporary, or permanent roles connected to public lands and conservation-related work.
14) Are these leaders connected to AmeriCorps?
Yes. A notable feature is that the 50 leaders are expected to serve as AmeriCorps members through a partnership with The Corps Network.
15) What education benefit is mentioned for participants serving through AmeriCorps?
Participants completing a year of full-time service can earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (linked to the maximum Pell Grant amount) to help pay for education or student loans.
16) What role does The Corps Network play in this project?
The Corps Network is described as assisting Y-USA with recruitment and placement of these AmeriCorps members within YMCA settings, leveraging its national footprint and AmeriCorps-related systems.
17) What is the total estimated project cost and time period?
The estimated total project cost is $1,500,000 over three years.
18) How much funding is planned for obligation in the early years?
The posting states that $1,125,000 is planned for obligation for Year 1 and Year 2 costs.
19) Is there a cost share (match) requirement?
Yes. There is a mandatory 25% cost share requirement.
20) How does Y-USA propose to meet the 25% cost share requirement?
Y-USA proposes meeting the match through in-kind contributions such as supervision, office space, support services, and volunteer time.
21) Can third-party volunteer services count toward the cost share?
Yes. The posting references 2 CFR 200.306(e), which allows third-party volunteer services to count as match if the services are integral to the approved project and valued consistently with similar work.
22) Are indirect/overhead costs included in the budget?
The text states that Y-USA is not charging overhead/indirect costs and will contribute the time of two Co-Principal Investigators at no cost to DOI.
23) Is this an open competitive grant solicitation?
No. This posting is described as a public notice of a single-source (noncompetitive) assistance determination rather than an open competitive solicitation.
24) Why is this being done as a single-source (sole-source) award?
DOI states it solicited a proposal from Y-USA in December 2014, evaluated it (including a budget analysis), and recommended acceptance based on Y-USA's capacity and overall cost to DOI. The justification cited is "unique qualifications" under DOI Departmental Manual criteria for noncompetitive awards.
25) What qualifications does DOI cite to support the "unique qualifications" justification?
DOI cites Y-USA's nationwide systems and staffing, experience with federal funds and reporting, ability to share costs, and an established partnership framework with DOI, including an April 2014 Memorandum of Understanding with DOI and the National League of Cities.
26) What does "substantial federal involvement" mean here in practical terms?
DOI anticipates hands-on involvement, including program assistance and consultation; guidance through the Office of the Secretary; helping build and maintain partnerships with other national or regional organizations; promoting collaboration across DOI bureaus; expanding access to DOI-managed lands for YMCA programming; supporting joint philanthropic fundraising; connecting YMCA sites with educational and career development resources; encouraging DOI bureau relationships with local Ys; creating pathways to DOI volunteer and education programs; supporting internship and youth employment opportunities; and sharing publicity and marketing.
27) How many awards does DOI expect to make under this opportunity?
The listing indicates Expected Awards: 1.
28) What are the award floor and ceiling amounts?
Both the award ceiling and award floor are listed as $1,500,000.
29) Who is listed as eligible on the Grants.gov posting?
Eligibility is generally described as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
30) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted March 9, 2015. The original and current closing date is March 19, 2015. The archive date is April 18, 2015.
31) What legal or policy authorities are referenced for this award?
The posting references funding under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (P.L. 113-76) and also references internal DOI authority through the Departmental Manual (Federal Assistance Programs Series, Part 505, Chapter 2).
32) Who can be contacted for Grants.gov access issues or questions mentioned in the listing?
The contact provided is Anthony Jasper, Agreements Officer: 303-969-5750, anthonyjasper@ibc.doi.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development
Next opportunity: HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Field Initiated Program (Research) CFDA Number 84.133G 4
Previous opportunity: Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation S2I2
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for D15AC00006
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (D15AC00006) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| KEFJ Centennial Mural Apply for P15AS01070 Funding Number: P15AS01070 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Apply for NPS 16 NERO 0005 Funding Number: NPS 16 NERO 0005 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $85,390 |
| U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self Help 2016, U.S. Embassy Maseru Apply for DOS MSU SSH FY16 Funding Number: DOS MSU SSH FY16 Agency: DOS-MLS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Development of GW Cincinnati â¿¿ Mill Creek Apply for P16AS00024 Funding Number: P16AS00024 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Expanding Participation of People with Disabilities Program-Macedonia Apply for RFA 165 16 000002 Funding Number: RFA 165 16 000002 Agency: USAID-MAC Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| HIV and AIDS Community Grants Program Apply for COMMGRANTSHIVAIDS16 Funding Number: COMMGRANTSHIVAIDS16 Agency: DOS-ZAF Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Evaluation of Regional Money Laundering Risks within Colombia Apply for SCO 200 16 GR061 Funding Number: SCO 200 16 GR061 Agency: DOS-INL Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| PEPFAR Small Grants Program 2016, U.S. Embassy, Kampala Apply for DOS KAM SMGCG FY16 Funding Number: DOS KAM SMGCG FY16 Agency: DOS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| USAID/Kosovo-Expanding Participation of People with Disabilities Program Apply for RFA 167 16 000001 Funding Number: RFA 167 16 000001 Agency: USAID-KOS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Activity to Support Citizen Engagement in Elections-Serbia Apply for RFA 169 16 000005 Funding Number: RFA 169 16 000005 Agency: USAID-SER Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Activity to Support Citizen Engagement in Elections-Serbia Apply for RFA 169 16 000004 Funding Number: RFA 169 16 000004 Agency: USAID-SER Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Capital Magnet Fund Program Apply for CDFI 2016 CMF Funding Number: CDFI 2016 CMF Agency: USDOT-CDFI Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| FY 2016 Native American CDFI Assistance Apply for CDFI 2016 NACA Funding Number: CDFI 2016 NACA Agency: USDOT-CDFI Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Groundwork Atlanta (GW ATL) Launch and Capacity Building Apply for P16AS00050 Funding Number: P16AS00050 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Protection of Migrant Human Rights Apply for RFA 165 16 000003 Funding Number: RFA 165 16 000003 Agency: USAID-MAC Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| LGBTI Inclusion Project Apply for RFA 165 16 000004 Funding Number: RFA 165 16 000004 Agency: USAID-MAC Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Strengthen Citizen Security through Economic and Social Opportunity Apply for PRMECON 16 GR 001 WHA 030116 Funding Number: PRMECON 16 GR 001 WHA 030116 Agency: DOS-CRI Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY 2016 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services Apply for DHS 16 CIS 010 002 Funding Number: DHS 16 CIS 010 002 Agency: DHS-OPO Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $9,000,000 |
| FY 2016 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction Apply for DHS 16 CIS 010 001 Funding Number: DHS 16 CIS 010 001 Agency: DHS-OPO Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Community Programs Expansion, NPS Centennial Apply for P16AS00068 Funding Number: P16AS00068 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $94,500 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "D15AC00006", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.