Frequently
Asked
Questions:
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2006, the Corporation for National and Community Service will award grants on a formula based-allotment directly to organizations within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to promote and support community service in addressing critical community needs. The deadline for these applications is March 14, 2006. Please refer to the Notice of Funds Availability and Application Instructionslinks foundbelow for application information.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands: Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2006, the Corporation for National and Community Service will award grants on a formula based-allotment directly to organizations within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands to promote and support community service in addressing critical community needs. The deadline for these applications is March 14, 2006. Please refer to the Notice of Funds Availability and Application Instructions links found below for application information.
What does it mean when you say that 90% is a rate of enrollment and retention for the 2006 grant round? How is this information used in the continuation decision making process? The Corporation thinks that enrollment for any program ought to be over 90% and that a target of 90% for retention or completion is usually desirable. We recognize that many programs not yet meeting these rates are nevertheless performing well in their individual circumstances; and we understand in particular, that retention may vary among effective programs depending on the target populations for those programs. However, in order to leverage our limited program dollars, we expect our programs to strive towardimproving their rates of enrollment and retention.
Some grantees say that the new AmeriCorps rule discourages fee-for-service activities by grantees. Is that the case? The new rule does not change our current policy on fee-for-service, or government-wide policy on project income, but instead codifies our policy in this area, which allows programs to collect fees for service with certain caveats, including that the income generated remain in the program budget.The codified policy is neutral on fee-for-service, and is in addition to the government-wide rule that encourages grantees to earn income to defray program costs. Previously, we had “encouraged” organizations to use fee-for-service, but we felt that a more neutral policy – simply allowing them to choose to do so -- would be more appropriate.
What is an “operating site?” Operating sites are the local organizations which would implement your AmeriCorps*National Direct or National Professional Corps program in the communities you would serve. AmeriCorps*National Education Award Programs, Indian Tribes, and South Dakota programs have “service” or “placement” sites instead of 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 can 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? AmeriCorps*National Direct and AmeriCorps*Professional Corps applicants must select their operating site before submitting their grant application. Applicants for an AmeriCorps*National Planning Grant, a National Education Award Program grant, a Tribal grant or a South Dakota grant do not have operating sites. Therefore, they do not identify operating sites in their applications.
What is the difference between an AmeriCorps member and a volunteer? An AmeriCorps member is an individual serving with an AmeriCorps program for a pre-determined term of service who is eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of their 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 at my organization? No. AmeriCorps members can neither displace staff employed at your organization, nor perform any services or duties that will 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 Chart of AmeriCorps*National Programs, the 2006 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity, and the 2006 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 to award you.
Does the Corporation recruit the AmeriCorps members? No. While the Corporation has an online recruitment and placement system that AmeriCorps programs are strongly encouraged to utilize, each program is responsible for recruiting its own 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. AmeriCorps members can serve either full-time terms of service, which require 1700 hours during the course of one year, or part-time terms, which range from 300 hours to 900 hours. The AmeriCorps NOFO provides additional detail. In your application, you must specify the terms of service you are proposing for your AmeriCorps members.
What is “cost per MSY”? 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 MSY requested. For example, if your application requests $10,000 in Corporation funds and 10 MSY, then your cost per MSY is $1,000. It 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 chart, the 2006 AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity and the 2006 AmeriCorps Application Instructions.
Do I need to indicate my organization’s intent to apply for AmeriCorps*National grants?
Although not required, we strongly encourage you to do so to assist us in planning the grant review process. By January 9, 2006, please send an email indicating your organization’s intent to apply to americorpsnational@cns.gov or grantsapplications@cns.gov for applicants to state programs.
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. |
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