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Manage AmeriCorps Seniors Grants

Program Handbooks and Supplements


The AmeriCorps Seniors Operations Handbooks provide technical assistance to help grantees develop effective practices in operating and managing many aspects of AmeriCorps Seniors projects. The federal regulations governing the grant are the controlling authority for grantee compliance.  The Appendices provide supplemental guidance and sample forms to serve as resources to grantees. AmeriCorps Seniors updates these handbooks quarterly. The most recent update was published in November 2020.

  • FGP Operations Handbook (PDF)
  • RSVP Operations Handbook (PDF)
  • SCP Operations Handbook (PDF)
  • Handbook Appendices (PDF/WORD/EXCEL) - This page contains PDF and, when applicable, editable versions of all handbook appendices.

AmeriCorps Seniors Pandemic Augmentation Opportunity

Overview:
AmeriCorps Seniors is pleased to announce a one-time augmentation for all AmeriCorps Seniors grants. This one-time augmentation is available to support current grantees efforts to facilitate a safer pathway to service. AmeriCorps Seniors encourages all grantees to use these funds to address service challenges as a result of COVID-19.

Augmentation amounts are offered to each AmeriCorps Seniors program as follows:

  • AmeriCorps Seniors FGP and SCP grantees may request augmentations between $5,000.00-$15,0000.00
  • AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP grantees can request an augmentation for $5,000.00

All Augmentation funds are required to be spent by the end of the current budget period (March 31,2021 or June 30, 2021)

How to Request Funds:
To request funds email AmeriCorpsSeniors@cns.gov copying your grants assigned Portfolio Manager no later than 12:00pm EST on Friday, November 13, 2020 with the following information:   

  1. Subject Line: Pandemic Augmentation
  2. Legal Applicant Name
  3. Grant Number
  4. Portfolio Manager Name
  5. Amount of Funds Requested

All requests will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions on completing your augmentation.

How to use funds:
Looking for some ideas on how to use the funds available through the augmentation? AmeriCorps Seniors is committed to supporting grantees in identifying safe pathways to service by January 1, 2021. AmeriCorps Seniors strongly encourages grantees to consider one or more of the ideas below:

  • Short-term staff member to support recruitment efforts or additional training needed for volunteers,
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) for volunteers to use during their service,
  • Training materials needed to implement innovative new safe volunteering programs or virtual service opportunities (could include technology items),
  • Technology required for volunteers to use as part of their service (could include mobile hotspots or tablets),
  • Technology for programs to support recruitment efforts (could include tablets for volunteer enrollment),
  • Printing and advertising costs to volunteer recruitment campaigns or to promote volunteer service opportunities, and
  • Other allowable line items (including flexibilities approved and outlined in AmeriCorps Seniors COVID-19 FAQs).

Pandemic Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions 

Continuations and Renewals:  Notice of Funding, Appendix A Performance Measure Instructions, Application Instructions and More

FY 2021 Q3 Continuations and Renewals are now open. 

Application Deadline: Applications are due by November 8, 2020. Successful incumbent applicants will be notified by February 2021.

Resources:

Incumbent applicants must review both the Notice of Funding Opportunity including the Appendices and the Grant Application Instructions in order to fully understand the applications requirements. Please note, there is no administrative renewal process for RSVP in Fiscal Year 2021, due to the 2021 RSVP competition. These resources are applicable to FGP and SCP grantees going through the Continuation and Renewal process and RSVP grantees going through the continuation process only.

COVID-19

AmeriCorps Seniors is closely monitoring the latest developments related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As Americans prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their community, you may have concerns about the potential impact of this new virus on your Senior Corps project. 

AmeriCorps Seniors Progress Report (PPR Lite and PPR Annuals)

Completing and submitting Progress Reports is a grant requirement. Progress Reports are completed in the eGrants system.

These instructions provide a step-by-step reference and guide to help grantees complete and submit the Progress Report.

Other Resources

Once you receive a grant, there are specific responsibilities your organization must fulfill. How you use your funds and report ,in program and fiscal management outcomes are mandated by the terms of the grant. Specific requirements are included in the program regulations.

Applications and Funding Availability

Applications for new Senior Corps grants are accepted only when funding is available. Senior Corps will notify the public when new grants are being accepted by posting a notice at www.grants.gov and in our Funding Opportunities section. All documents are able to be downloaded and printed.

 Guidance: Leave and Volunteer Recognition

The following guidance supersedes the guidance issued on December 18, 2015 entitled “Senior Corps Guidance: Recognition and Leave”.

Guidance: Prohibition of Fee-for-Service Activities

The guidance references the relevant statutory citation, as well as provides scenarios in which questions around potential prohibited activities commonly arise.

2020 Progress Report Supplement (PRS) Data Collection and Station Roster Updates

The Progress Report Supplement (PRS) and Station Rosters are used as the annual data survey and data collection conducted by AmeriCorps Seniors to aggregate the latest numbers and accomplishments of Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP grantees. The PRS is will open on October 7, 2020 and is due on November 18, 2020. Further information is available in the following resources:

Federal Financial Report (FFR)

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has implemented the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) new government-wide financial reporting form, the Federal Financial Report (FFR). The new FFR combines data that CNCS grantees report on two separate forms: the Federal Cash Transaction Report to HHS (FCTR, also known as the “272”) and the Financial Status Report to CNCS (FSR, also known as the “269”). Unlike the existing FSR, the new FFR includes data fields to specifically report program income. For more information, please read the Frequently Asked Questions document.

Closeout Documents and Instructions

CNCS grants usually are awarded for a 3 year project period, consisting of three yearly budget periods. CNCS direct grantees are responsible for meeting the submission deadlines for closeout. Closeout documents are due to your corporation Grants Officer no later than 90 days after the expiration of the Project Period. Read the Closeout Instructions document to fully understand the requirements.

Fixed Amount Grants Pilot FY 2011 - Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program

In FY 2011, CNCS is launching a Fixed Amount Grants Pilot for Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and Senior Companion Program (SCP) projects. FGP and SCP grantees eligible to participate in the Pilot are notified directly by the respective State Office. The following materials were developed to help potential applicants to learn more about the Pilot.

AmeriCoprs Seniors Resources

Senior Corps offers a number of resources to help you manage your grant effectively. For information and assistance in building capacity, enhancing quality, working with volunteers and more, please see the following resources:

 

Recruitment Resources for Grantees

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