Grants to Engage Baby Boomers as Volunteers

Posted by on July 22, 2005

$4 Million in Challenge Grant Funds Available to Nonprofits to Expand the Number of Baby Boomer Volunteers

(Washington D.C.) – The Corporation for National and Community Service has announced the availability of approximately $4 million in Challenge Grants for a small number of nonprofit organizations to expand or launch new programs that encourage the baby boomer generation [born between 1946 and 1964] to become volunteers to help meet important 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. The Corporation anticipates making up to eight Challenge Grants this year, with a minimum grant of $500,000 and a maximum of $1 million. The deadline for applications is August 23, 2005.

"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. "As the Baby Boomer generation nears 60, there will be millions of Americans completing obligations of child-rearing and full-time work who may be drawn to volunteering, if we can encourage them. Their experience and energy can help solve community across the country."

Organizations receiving funds through these grants must focus on engaging baby boomers in full-time, part-time, or episodic community service. Applicants must propose programs that will operate in three or more states.

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. Since 2003, the Corporation has awarded a total of $ 8.5 million in grants to fourteen nonprofit organizations to recruit and train new volunteers to handle tasks ranging from tutoring children to serving in health care centers.

The Corporation expects to announce its selections by September 30. For further information, contact Marci Hunn at (202) 606-5000, ext. 420, or ChallengeGrants@cns.gov. The TTY number is (202) 565-2799. Upon request, this information will be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities. A more detailed description of the funding opportunity is available at <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/funding_initiatives/index.html">http://www.nationalservice.gov/funding_initiatives/index.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.gov">http://www.nationalservice.gov</a>.