Washington D.C. - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced the availability of approximately $4 million in Challenge Grants to assist in disaster relief and recovery efforts following the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region. Applicants must also include strategies that engage baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, in service designed to meet the community needs. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that engage volunteers in these activities.

The Challenge Grant program requires applicants to provide at least $2 in private funds to match every federal dollar awarded. The Corporation anticipates making up to eight Challenge Grants this year, with a minimum grant of $500,000 and a maximum of $1 million. The deadline for applications is November 8.

“In light of the devastation and suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, our Challenge Grant program will bring new private supporters of service to the table to support the mobilization of volunteers to assist in hurricane recovery," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Organizations receiving funds through these grants must focus on engaging volunteers in disaster relief and recovery for the population affected by the recent hurricanes in addition to engaging baby boomers in full-time, part-time, or episodic community service. Applicants must also propose programs that will operate in three or more states. The Corporation will consider applications proposing programs that would be located in one or two states, but only if the scope of the proposed program is statewide in nature and must include one of the following states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations that have not applied for federal assistance from the Corporation in the past, are encouraged to apply. Since 2003, the Corporation has awarded a total of $ 8.5 million in Challenge Grants to 14 nonprofit organizations to recruit and train new volunteers to handle tasks ranging from tutoring children to serving in health care centers.

The Corporation expects to announce its selections by December 31. For further information, contact Marci Hunn at (202) 606-7507, or ChallengeGrants@cns.gov. The TTY number is 202-606-3471. Upon request, this information will be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities. Visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp for a detailed description on the funding opportunity.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/.

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