Washington, DC - Up to $5.1 million in grant funds are available from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support partnerships that engage people with disabilities in national and community service. The special competition will focus particularly in two areas: engaging disabled veterans in service to their communities, and assisting young people with disabilities in the transition from school to adult life.

“Too often we think of people with disabilities as recipients of services, without recognizing their extraordinary capacity to improve the lives of others,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. “These grants will support the best programs in the country who are providing encouragement and opportunity for more disabled Americans - particularly veterans and young people - to answer the President’s call to service and help meet pressing needs in their communities.”

The grant competition is open to public and private non-profit organizations, including educational institutions, with experience working with disabled persons and that intend to operate projects in at least three states. Partnerships among organizations that do this work are encouraged as well. Among other purposes, grant funds may be used to provide information about volunteer service to disabled populations or to help service organizations adapt programs to encourage greater participation by individuals with disabilities.

Applications for this competition are due to the Corporation no later than April 12, 2005.
The Corporation expects to make one to four grant awards - each for a three year period. Complete application materials for this Disability Outreach competition are available on the Corporation’s website at: www.nationalservice.org/funding_initiatives. The TDD number is 202-565-2799. For further information or for a printed copy of this NOFA and the supplementary information and application guidelines please call (202) 606-5000 x 280, or send an e-mail to disabilityoutreach@cns.gov.

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 www.nationalservice.org.

###