Coporation for National Service Challenge Grants

Posted by on May 15, 2004

The Corporation for National and Community Service has announced the availability of approximately $2.4 million in Challenge Grants for a small number of nonprofit organizations to expand or initiate new programs to engage volunteers in meeting community needs.

Challenge Grants is a matching grant program in which applicants are required to provide at least $2 in private funds to match every federal dollar awarded. Matching funds must be in cash. The Corporation anticipates making up to four grants through the program in 2004, with a minimum grant of $500,000 and a maximum of $1 million. The deadline for organizations to apply is June 8.

?Our Challenge Grant program is a powerful catalyst to bring new private supporters of service to the table,? said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. ?We?re looking forward to working with nonprofit organizations to expand their reach, develop new sources of funding, and help build sustainable service and volunteer programs.?

Organizations receiving funds through these grants must either greatly expand service by engaging citizens in meeting community needs or offer new services through expanded citizen engagement. Applicants must propose a program with a state-wide, regional (two or more contiguous states), or national (two or more non-contiguous states) focus.

In its first Challenge Grant competition in 2003, the Corporation awarded a total of $5.9 million in grants to eight nonprofit organizations to recruit and train new volunteers to handle tasks ranging from tutoring children to serving in health care centers.

Nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations that have not applied for federal assistance from the Corporation in the past, are encouraged to apply. The Corporation requires applicants to apply through its online eGrants system, which is at <a href="http://www.cns.gov/egrants/index.html">http://www.cns.gov/egrants/index.html</a>. However, if for a legitimate reason an applicant must submit a paper application, it must be received by 5 p.m., June 8.

The Corporation expects to announce its selections by August 15. For further information, contact Thea Kachoris at (202) 606-5000, ext. 420, or takachoris@cns.gov. The TTY number is (202) 565-2799. Upon request, this information will be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities. The awards will cover a period not to exceed one year. A more detailed description of the funding opportunity is available at <a href="http://www.nationalservice.org/whatshot/notices.html">http://www.nationalservice.org/whatshot/notices.html</a>.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. 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 <a href="http://www.nationalservice.org">http://www.nationalservice.org</a>.