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Washington, D.C. - The Corporation for National and Community Service has announced the availability of up to $1 million in funds to eligible organizations to bring skilled construction volunteers to help rebuild Gulf Coast communities.
The grant competition is designed to stimulate the particular kind of volunteering that the Gulf needs the most—volunteers who are skilled in the building and other trades—and to create a viable national model for skilled trades volunteering in rebuilding efforts after future disasters.
“When we talk to community leaders in the Gulf, they tell us their biggest need now is skilled construction volunteers who can help repair and build homes for people in need,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. “We know there are tens of thousands of volunteers out there who have the necessary construction skills and the desire to help. We’re looking for nonprofit organizations to find these volunteers and match them up with appropriate projects in the Gulf Coast.”
Skilled Baby Boomers with relevant experience are especially a target group, as the initiative seeks to increase the number of volunteers among working and retired citizens from that generation who are carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, etc. The potential grantees’ strategy should include outreach to increase public awareness and the recruitment, support, and management of skilled volunteers.
The grant will be awarded to between one and three nonprofit organizations. Although the immediate goal is to stimulate the recruitment of construction volunteers to assist Gulf communities, the long-lasting implication is to create a viable national model for building trades to assemble an army of volunteers to rebuild after future disasters.
The Corporation will award one grant of up to $1 million, or up to three smaller grants to organizations, to develop and execute a plan to engage skilled trade professionals in Gulf rebuilding efforts. Intermediary organizations, which specialize in supporting the work of many smaller, newer, often faith and community-based organizations through which they make their impact, are encouraged to apply.
Grant applications should be submitted by email to SkilledServiceGulf@cns.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, May 1. Applications submitted by fax or hard copy will not be accepted. Applicants are also asked, but not required, to submit an email stating their intent to apply. Those emails should be submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday, April 20. Visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp for complete application instructions.
The Corporation for National and Community Service strives to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering by providing opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country. The Corporation administers the Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs. 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 http://www.nationalservice.gov.
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