Recently we have received a large number of questions regarding the use of PDAT, Admin and AmeriCorps program funds for activities provided by AmeriCorps Alums.  I hope that the following will provide the needed clarification.

PDAT

PDAT funds are available to state commissions for enhancing and sustaining high quality AmeriCorps State and National Programs. To the extent that AmeriCorps Alums provides training and technical assistance that meets the state commission’s goals and is consistent with the financial requirements of PDAT, using AmeriCorps Alums staff as training providers is an allowable expense.  Likewise, to the extent that the state commission has chosen to provide scholarships for program staff and members to attend conferences that it deems appropriate, providing scholarships for program staff and members to attend the annual AmeriCorps Alums conference would also be an allowable expense. PDAT funds may not be used to cover membership costs for members or recent alums to join AmeriCorps Alums.

Admin

Administrative funds are available to state commissions to support their operation.  In general, these funds may not be used to cover individual memberships in associations. However, the OMB cost principles generally assume individuals are employees of the organization. AmeriCorps members are not employees.  Therefore, a member’s individual membership in an organization can be an allowable expense if the benefits derived from that membership are consistent with the program’s and the individual member’s development objectives.  If a state commission decides that memberships are consistent with their overall objectives, then using Admin funds to pay for membership in AmeriCorps Alums would be an allowable expense. 

Program Funds

Likewise, state commissions may choose to allow subgrantees to pay AmeriCorps Alums costs for their current members.  If you choose to allow your subgrantees to include such costs in their grant budgets, you will need to ensure that membership in the Alumni Association meets specific objectives under the grant and the fees paid to AmeriCorps Alums are not used to support lobbying. If you choose to allow the costs, instruct your subgrantees to include them in Section I, Part G-2 of the budget, Member Training. 

If you have any questions about this issue, please feel free to contact your program officer.

Kristin McSwain
Director
AmeriCorps*State/National
202-606-6926