FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 25, 2004
|
Corporation for National and Community Service
CONTACT: Sandy Scott
202-606-5000 x255
sscott@cns.gov |
$4 Million in Funding Available for Organizations to Engage Volunteers in Homeland Security |
|
(Washington D.C.) — The Corporation for National and Community Service is
encouraging nonprofit organizations and public agencies to apply for $4 million
in grants for projects to engage volunteers in homeland security efforts in
their communities.
The grants are for projects that engage volunteers, especially those age 55
and over, in helping communities prepare for and respond to all types of
emergencies and disasters. The Corporation expects to make approximately 12
awards, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 each. The grants will cover one year
of program activity, but funding for a second and third year may be provided
contingent on performance and availability of funds.
“Americans are eager to serve and can make an important contribution to
homeland security,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. “These grants
will strengthen the volunteer infrastructure and engage thousands more Americans
in disaster relief and preparedness. We encourage organizations to apply for
these grants to support more Americans getting directly involved in protecting
their communities.”
Examples of the kinds of activities that could be supported include engaging
volunteers to assist fire or police departments; assisting in disaster response,
search and rescue, first aid, coordination of emergency supplies, and
establishing communication links for relief workers; organizing immunization
programs; and educating the public on preparing for potential disasters or
terrorist attacks.
Eligible applicants include both nonprofit organizations and public entities
at the state and local levels. The Corporation encourages community groups, both
faith-based and secular, and organizations that have never received Corporation
funding, to apply or to become part of a community-wide initiative in response
to this notice.
The new funding represents an expansion of the Corporation’s efforts in the
area of homeland security. The Corporation’s AmeriCorps and Senior Corps
programs have worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and
the American Red Cross for the past decade to respond to natural disasters.
After the September 11 terrorist attacks, President Bush asked the Corporation
to devote more resources to homeland security, and the Corporation was the first
federal agency to distribute grants after attacks to engage volunteers in
homeland security. Those homeland security grants, announced in July 2002,
included support for 17 organizations under the Corporation’s Special Volunteer
Program. These 17 organizations have engaged nearly 37,000 volunteers in the
past two years in emergency response planning and coordination, terrorism and
bioterrorism response, and strategy development for wide emergency response. The
$4 million in new funding for the Special Volunteer Program was included in the
fiscal 2004 appropriation bill signed by the President in January.
The application deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, April 23. All applicants are
asked to use eGrants, the Corporation’s web-based application system. To see an
overview of ongoing grants and application instructions, visit
www.nationalservice.org/whatshot/notices.html. For further information, call
the Senior Corps comments line at (202) 606-5000, x 554 or email
seniorfeedback@cns.gov. The
Corporation will announce award recipients this summer.
The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for
Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country
through three main programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve
America. Working with national and community nonprofit organizations,
faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies, the Corporation engages
Americans in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment,
public safety, homeland security, and other areas. 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.
###
|