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AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engages more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, the environment and other unmet human needs. AmeriCorps members serve through thousands of nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. AmeriCorps members’ activities address critical needs in their communities, and take many forms. They tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters, among other activities. Full-time members who complete their service earn an AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back student loans. Members who serve part-time receive a partial education award. Some AmeriCorps members may receive a modest living allowance during their service.
Created in 1993, AmeriCorps is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Together these programs engage more than 1.5 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year.
AmeriCorps is made up of three programs: AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps).
AmeriCorps Members
- What is an AmeriCorps member?
An AmeriCorps member is an individual enrolled in and serving with an AmeriCorps program who commits to engage in community service for an intensive period of time. Some AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance to support them during their term of service, and upon successful completion of their service they receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.
- What is the difference between an AmeriCorps member and a volunteer?
An AmeriCorps member is an individual serving in an approved national service position with an AmeriCorps program. An AmeriCorps member serves for a pre-determined term of service and is eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service. AmeriCorps members are supervised by program staff and often receive a living allowance. Volunteers are not eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award, usually do not receive compensation and might not be required to provide consistent, sustained service. Volunteers and AmeriCorps members might serve side-by-side.
- Can AmeriCorps members take the place of current staff or volunteers at my organization?
No. AmeriCorps members may not displace staff or volunteers at your organization, nor may they perform any services or duties that would supplant the hiring of employed workers.
- What are the living allowance (stipend) requirements for AmeriCorps members?
The living allowance (stipend) requirements for AmeriCorps members vary by grant type. Detailed information on the living allowance requirements can be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity. Additional information can also be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Application Instructions.
- How many AmeriCorps members will my program receive?
In your proposal you must indicate how many AmeriCorps members you are requesting. If your proposal is approved for funding, the Corporation will determine how many AmeriCorps members will be included in your award.
- Does the Corporation recruit and train the AmeriCorps members?
No. While the Corporation has an online recruitment and placement system that AmeriCorps programs are strongly encouraged to use, each program is responsible for recruiting its own AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps programs are entirely responsible for providing training to AmeriCorps members. In your proposal you must describe how you will recruit, orient and train the AmeriCorps members you are requesting.
- Must an AmeriCorps member serve for a certain amount of time?
Yes. An AmeriCorps member may serve either a full-time term of service, which requires 1700 hours during the course of 9 to 12 months; or a part-time term, which can range from 300 hours to 900 hours. The AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO, provides additional detail. In your application, you must specify the terms of service you are proposing for your AmeriCorps members.
Cost per MSY stands for Cost per Member Service Year and represents the cost to the Corporation of your AmeriCorps program. One MSY is the equivalent of one full-time term of service (1700 member service hours). You calculate your cost per MSY by dividing the total amount of Corporation funds requested by the total number of MSYs requested. For example, if your application requests $10,000 in Corporation funds and 10 MSYs, then your cost per MSY is $1,000. The cost per MSY does not include child care or the cost of the Education Award a member may earn.
- I have seen the term “FTE” used in other AmeriCorps publications. What is the difference between the terms FTE and MSY?
MSY and FTE (full-time equivalent) are synonymous. However, beginning in 2005, the Corporation has replaced the term FTE with MSY (Member Service Year).
- Is there a maximum cost per MSY?
Yes. The maximum cost per MSY varies by grant program. Specific information about the maximum cost per MSY for each grant program can be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity. Additional information can also be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Application Instructions.
All AmeriCorps National Funding Opportunities
- What AmeriCorps National funding opportunities are available?
There are five types of AmeriCorps National grant opportunities available for FY 2009:
- AmeriCorps National Direct
- AmeriCorps National Professional Corps
- AmeriCorps National Planning grants
- AmeriCorps National Education Award Program
- AmeriCorps Indian Tribes
- AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Planning grants
- How do I find out more information about these grant opportunities, and determine which is appropriate for me?
Detailed information can be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity, and in the responses to the questions listed below. Additionally, you may access the Chart of AmeriCorps National Direct Programs for a brief overview of each grant type. Further information can also be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Application Instructions, which will be available in September 2008.
AmeriCorps National Direct Grants
- What is an AmeriCorps National Direct program?
An AmeriCorps National Direct program uses service and volunteering to address compelling community needs in at least two states. An organization identifies a community need, designs a program to meet that need through the service of AmeriCorps members and volunteers, and applies to the Corporation for funding. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer and monitor a federal, multi-site, multi-state grant; have developed relationships with organizations in different states that will operate the local programs; and have in place the components of a successful National Direct program, as identified in the 2009 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity, and the 2009 AmeriCorps Application Instructions. Once awarded a grant, the successful applicant is responsible for recruiting the AmeriCorps members and implementing the program in the communities to be served.
- What is an AmeriCorps National Direct grant?
An AmeriCorps National Direct grant provides the funding to support a National Direct program. Grants are typically for a three year period, but funds are provided one year at a time, contingent upon satisfactory performance, compliance, the availability of funds, and other criteria established in the award agreement. Grant funds are for program expenses such as AmeriCorps member support costs (living allowance and benefits), staffing, training, travel for program oversight, and overhead.
- How are National Direct grants structured?
Organizations receiving AmeriCorps National Direct grants work with local partners to operate their AmeriCorps program in local communities. The organizations that receive the AmeriCorps National grants are called “grantees,” or “parent organizations.” The grantee or parent organization is responsible for implementing and managing its AmeriCorps program at various locations. The local partners the grantee works with are referred to as “operating sites” or “subgrantees”. The operating sites oversee the activities of AmeriCorps members, collect activity data, and report to the parent organization.
- What are the eligibility requirements?
Information about eligibility requirements can be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Is there a limit on the amount of grant funds I may request?
Yes, there is a limit on how much the Corporation will support per full-time member service year (MSY). The Corporation maximum for a National Direct grant is $12,600 per MSY. For example, if you propose a program with 50 full-time members, the maximum amount of funds the Corporation will provide is $630,000 (50 MSY multiplied by $12,600).
- Can we use this grant to pay for the overall operational needs of our organization?
No. AmeriCorps grants are only for costs directly related to the proposed project, rather than general organizational expenses. The application instructions provide guidance on charging administrative costs to the grant.
- Will I have to contribute matching funds?
Yes. The match requirements are described in the 2009 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity and the 2009 AmeriCorps Application Instructions.
- How long is the grant period?
AmeriCorps National Direct grants cover a three-year period, but funds are provided one year at a time. Continued funding during the course of the three years is contingent upon satisfactory performance, compliance, the availability of funds, and other criteria established in the award agreement.
- Are planning grants available?
Yes, a limited number of planning grants will be available. Please refer to the AmeriCorps National Planning Grants section of this document for further information.
- Must my National Direct program operate in more than one state?
Yes. National Direct programs must operate in two or more states.
- Can I operate a single-state program in the first year, while I develop a multi-state partnership?
No.
Eligibility
Operating Sites
- What is an “operating site?”
An operating site is the local organization that implements your AmeriCorps National Direct or National Professional Corps program in the communities you will serve.
AmeriCorps National Education Award Programs, Indian Tribes have “service” or “placement” sites, rather than operating sites.
- What is a “service” or “placement” site?
“Service” or “placement” sites are the local organizations where members perform their service. For National Direct and National Professional Corps grants, “service/placement” sites may be the same as operating sites, or operating sites may place members at other nearby service/placement sites.
- What types of organizations can be operating sites and service sites?
You may use a variety of organizations including, but not limited to, faith-based or community based organizations, schools, and institutions of higher education. You should select the organizations you feel are the best partners to implement your program locally.
- Do I have to select my operating sites prior to submitting my grant application?
Yes. If you are an AmeriCorps National Direct or AmeriCorps National Professional Corps applicant, you must select your operating sites before submitting your grant application.
Applicants for an AmeriCorps National Planning Grant, a National Education Award Program grant, or a Tribal grant do not have operating sites. Therefore, they do not identify operating sites in their applications.
Application Information
- What documents do I need to read in order to apply for funding?
You must read the 2009 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity and the AmeriCorps Regulations, 45 C.F.R. §§ 2520 - 2550. Additional information can also be found in the 2009 AmeriCorps Application Instruction. These documents contain information critical to your grant application.
Submission Requirements
- Do I need to indicate my organization’s intent to apply?
Although not required, we strongly encourage you to do so to assist us in planning the grant review process. By November 8, 2008, please send an email indicating your organization’s intent to apply to americorpsnational@cns.gov.
- Are we required to submit our application via the on-line eGrants system?
The Corporation requires that all applicants attempt to utilize the Corporation’s web-based application system, eGrants, to submit applications electronically. The AmeriCorps*National Application Instructions contain detailed submission instructions in the event that you are unable to submit via eGrants.
- When are applications due?
There are two application deadlines.
AmeriCorps National and Indian Tribes Planning grant applications are due November 5, 2008 at 5:00 pm Eastern.
Applications for all other AmeriCorps National grant competitions are due by January 13, 2009 at 5:00 pm Eastern. This includes AmeriCorps National Direct, AmeriCorps National Professional Corps, AmeriCorps National Education Award Program, and AmeriCorps Indian Tribes program grant applications.
Other Questions
- What if I have questions that are not answered by this document?
You are invited to participate in one of the technical assistance conference calls scheduled each month from August 2008 – January 2009. The schedule can be found here. You may register for the calls or contact us with any questions at americorpsnational@cns.gov or 202.606.7508. |
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