(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced the availability of more than $12 million in funds to support national providers of training and technical assistance for community service programs.

The Corporation expects to make the grants, under cooperative agreements, in 16 areas of training and technical assistance. There is the possibility of more than one award for some categories. Funding amounts range from approximately $100,000 to $1,540,000 annually for cooperative agreements of up to three years. Information and application instructions are available at http://www.nationalservice.gov/funding_initiatives/tta/index.html.

“Providing high quality training to our thousands of grantees is a vital part of the way we support America’s nonprofit and volunteer sector,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. “We hope to see a lot of interest in these grants, including from our network of grantees who have developed significant levels of expertise in through their own programs”

The selected grantees will provide training and technical assistance and clearing house services, supporting the Corporation in building the capacity of local program and organizations that use service and volunteering to meet community needs, including service-learning. Providers will use the awards to deliver training and technical assistance in specified areas to the Corporation’s grantees and subgrantees.

The 16 categories are: participant recruitment and development; leveraging additional volunteers; community engagement and strengthening; resource and fund development; performance measurement and evaluation; financial and grants management; disability inclusion; eGrants training and technical assistance; resource center; National Service-Learning Clearinghouse; technical assistance to state commissions; technical assistance for specific learning communities; education success and mentoring; independent living; coordinating service learning programs; and technical assistance for faith-based and community initiatives.

The grant competition is open to state and local government entities, non-profit organizations, including faith- and community-based organizations, higher education institutions, Indian tribes, and commercial entities. Organizations that operate or intend to operate Corporation supported programs are also eligible to apply.

The deadline for eGrants submissions is 5 p.m. Eastern Time, May 20, 2005. For further information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov under “Funding and Initiatives” to review the complete notice, which includes an application, or contact Gina Fulbright-Powell at (202) 606-5000, ext. 414, email TTANOFA@cns.gov. The TDD number is (202) 565-2799.

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. The programs of the Corporation engage more than 1.5 million Americans each year in service to their communities. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.

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