MLK Day of Service multi-year grants

Posted by on September 9, 2005

Funding Opportunity for Service Projects Tied to Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

(Washington, D.C.) – The Corporation for National and Community Service announced today that it expects to award $500,000 in competitive grants to support volunteer service projects tied to the 2006 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

The grants are designed to mobilize more Americans to serve their communities on the King Holiday, which next year takes place on January 16. For this year’s competition, applicants must explicitly address how they will improve the lives of disadvantaged youth, either by engaging them in service to others or by providing services that meet their needs.

"Equal opportunity and service to others were at the heart of Dr. King’s philosophy," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Federal agency charged by Congress with transforming the holiday into a day of community service. "By focusing on disadvantaged youth, we hope to prove in a real and tangible way Dr. King’s belief that "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve."

The Corporation anticipates making up to five awards in amounts ranging from approximately $100,000 to $300,000. Grants will be made to intermediary organizations for sub-granting locally. Prospective sub-grantees must contact the eventual grant awardees directly.

Unlike in past years, when King Day grants were made for a single year, this year’s grants will cover a period of up to three years. Funding for the second and third years will be contingent upon satisfactory performance in previous years, the availability of funds; and other criteria established in the award agreement.

Applicants must show how they will: 1) improve the lives of disadvantaged youth; 2) support projects in several states, or support a comprehensive statewide initiative; 3) make a minimum of 10 sub-grants; 4) ensure that all sub-grantees have significant activities that take place on or during Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekends, and 5) expand the impact of King Day service activities from one year to the next.

"We believe that the revised structure of this grant competition, with multi-year funding and reliance on intermediaries, will help solidify the tradition of service on the King Holiday while giving grantees and the community the predictability they need to strengthen and expand their projects over time," said Eisner.

Eligible applicants will include faith-based and secular community organzations, volunteer centers, Indian tribal organizations, state commissions on service, community foundations, and state and local government agencies. The grants require a match of at least 70 percent of the cost of the project, which can include cash and in-kind contributions. Organizations seeking sub-grants to support local projects must apply to one of the successful applicants.

Information on the grant opportunity, application instructions, and the complete Notice of Funding Opportunity are available at <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp">http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp</a>. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on October 6, 2005. The Corporation anticipates making its award announcements in November.

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>.

CONTACT: James Willie 202-606-5000 ext. 280, mlkday@cns.gov