AmeriCorps Grants

Posted by on September 16, 2005

The Corporation for National and Community Service has announced a number of AmeriCorps funding opportunities (see links to details below). Applications are due February 14, 2006.

AmeriCorps programs provide grants to initiate, improve, or expand the ability of organizations and communities to provide services to address local unmet needs in education, the environment, independent senior living, public safety (including disaster preparedness and response), or other human needs. Members engage in a range of activities such as recruiting and supporting community volunteers, providing translation services in community clinics, conducting safety patrols for local police departments, participating in environmental projects, conducting outreach and referral services for the homeless, tutoring and mentoring young people, helping homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes, and responding to natural disasters.

AmeriCorps provides human and other resources to community organizations, including faith-based organizations,to build their capacity to meet local needs in education, the environment, senior independent living, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. AmeriCorps also works closely with Americas volunteer-connector organizations to increase the number and impact of our nations volunteers, and with schools and nonprofit groups to foster the ethic of good citizenship.

Please see the Corporations statutes and regulations for more information at <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/">http://www.americorps.gov/</a>.

2006 Focus Areas: For the FY 2006 competition, the Corporation will also give special consideration to four additional strategic focus areas that meet critical needs of our nation. The Corporations draft strategic plan considers extending these focus areas with five year priorities. These focus areas are defined broadly to build upon the existing work of State Commissions, territories, national non-profits, institutions of higher education, Indian Tribes, and local communities. They are:

1. Ensure a brighter future for all of Americas youth: Children and youth who grow up in severely distressed communities are more likely to be at risk of school failure, unemployment, criminal behavior, and persistent poverty. Among other interventions, AmeriCorps programs often bring positive change to the lives of these children and youth in one or both of two ways: engaging them in service and connecting them with caring adults such as mentors or tutors. AmeriCorps looks to build on this success in its 2006 program year.

2. Harness experience to meet 21st century challenges: Baby Boomers are a highly educated, highly motivated group that could drive solutions to some of our most intractable social problems. Capturing their talents and experience, and engaging them in helping to solve critical social issues through service must become a high-priority goal for the nation in the coming years. Several AmeriCorps programs have achieved strong success in this area in the past, and in 2006, AmeriCorps is interested in finding some additional models to support.

3. Build the supply line for Americas Armies of Compassion: In 2004, more than 64 million Americans served their communities as unstipended volunteers with organizations. AmeriCorps programs provide more support than any other program to volunteer generating nonprofits. In addition, all Corporation programs provide unique support to volunteer connector organizations in communities. In 2006, AmeriCorps plans to build on this success through generating even higher levels of volunteering through its grantees and through supporting programs that build or strengthen volunteering infrastructure in communities.

4. Students in the community building engaged citizens: Educational institutions (elementary, secondary, and higher education) are charged with the responsibility of educating students to become responsible citizens and leaders who use their education and life experiences to support the common good. Volunteering and service-learning are important factors in this educational experience and need to be incorporated on a more widespread basis. AmeriCorps is looking to expand its impact in generating service learning in the K-12 environment and to generate more students in higher education institutions serving needs in their community.

AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-004/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-004/listing.html</a>

AmeriCorps National Direct Grant Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-003/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-003/listing.html</a>

AmeriCorps National Professional Corps Grants Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-002/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-002/listing.html</a>

AmeriCorps State Education Award Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-001/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-001/listing.html</a>

AmeriCorps National Direct Grant Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081205-001/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081205-001/listing.html</a>

AmeriCorps States and Territories Competitive Grant Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081605-001/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081605-001/listing.html</a>

AmeriCorps National Direct Education Award Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081505-001/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081505-001/listing.html</a>

AmeriCorps States and Territories without Commissions Grants Program
<a href="http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-005/listing.html">http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/CNCS/OGM/OGM/CNCS-GRANTS-081705-005/listing.html</a>