Funding Opportunity
CaliforniaVolunteers (CV) is seeking to fund programs that engage individuals as AmeriCorps members to address an unmet community need through service and volunteer action.
Purpose of AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans each year to provide intensive results-driven service. Grants assist organizations in recruiting, training, and placing AmeriCorps members to meet state and local community challenges through service and volunteer action. AmeriCorps grants provide funding for program staff, member living allowances, health insurance for full-time members, equipment, supplies and other associated program expenses. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who is enrolled in an approved national service position that engages in community service. Upon successful completion of their service, members receive and education award from the National Service Trust.
Administering Agency: CaliforniaVolunteers is the State Service Commission in California.
Through the 2015 AmeriCorps Request for Applications (RFA), CV will award AmeriCorps grants on a competitive basis to eligible organizations that engage members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. CV is targeting funds to the following focus areas:
- Disaster Services
- Economic Opportunity
- Education
- Environmental Stewardship
- Healthy Futures
- Veterans and Military Families
Funds Available: CaliforniaVolunteers anticipates approximately $5.6 million in state formula funds will be available for the 2015 grant competition. Additional funds will be available for applicants selected by CV that successfully compete through the state and national grant competitions.
Project Period: Grants will support service activities during the 2015-16 program year. Successful applicants are expected to start member service activities by mid-October of 2015 and will have 12 months to support AmeriCorps members in completing a term of service.
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations and state and local government agencies are eligible to apply. Community partnerships are a critical element of successful AmeriCorps programs.
Application Documents:
- 2015 AmeriCorps Request for Applications
- 2015 AmeriCorps Application Instructions
- 2015 AmeriCorps Application Forms
- Budget Form and Budget Narrative
- Fixed Amount Grant Budget Worksheet
- AmeriCorps Program Title Page and Partnership Forms
- 2015 CNCS Performance Measures Instructions
Notice of Intent to Apply Deadline: Submission of a Notice of Intent to Apply is required to be eligible for this competition and is due Monday, November 3, 2014 at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time to CV.
Application Deadline: Applications are due Monday, November 24, 2014 at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time to CV.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED.
Technical Assistance
Contact:
Please submit questions about this funding opportunity to Funding@californiavolunteers.ca.gov.Responses will be included in a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that we will update periodically on this webpage. Applicants are encouraged to submit their questions well in advance of the application deadline as CV is not obligated to respond to questions that are received 48 hours prior to the application due date.
Technical Assistance Calls and Registration
Calls will be limited to 50 people. If multiple staff members from the same organization wish to participate, please register only once and use the same call-in line.
RFA Guidance and Application Instructions Overview: Addresses questions about grant parameters and requirements covered in the RFA and other questions related to the application instructions that need to be addressed in order to complete your application. Please review the RFA, the Application Forms, and Application Instructions prior to joining the call.
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at 10:00-11:00 am PST
Register for the webinar
Dial-in: 866-639-9991
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at 2:00-3:30 pm PST
Register for the webinar
Dial-in: 866-639-9991
AmeriCorps Program Logic Model: Addresses questions about elements that should be included in your logic model to clearly convey your program’s theory of change.
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at 2:00-3:30 pm PST
Register for the webinar
Dial-in: 866-639-9991
California Performance Measurement Worksheets (PMWs): Addresses questions about performance measurement requirements and how to complete the required PMWs.
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014, at 2:00-3:30 pm PST
Register for the webinar
Dial-in: 866-639-9991
AmeriCorps Application Components Q & A: Addresses questions related to completing your application.
Date: Friday, October 31, 2014, at 10:00-11:00 am PST
Register for the webinar
Dial-in: 866-639-9991
Technical Assistance Documents and Resources: Organizations interested in applying for an AmeriCorps grant are encouraged to visit the resources provided below.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Sample AmeriCorps Program Title Page
- Sample Partnership Form PART 1_Partner Organization
- Sample Partnership Form PART 2_Member Placement Site Org
- AmeriCorps RFA Overview Presentation
- CV Logic Model Presentation
- CA Performance Measurement Worksheets Presentation
- How to Develop a Program Logic Model
- High Quality Performance Measures
- Building Evidence of Effectiveness
- Member Development & Support PowerPoint
- Applying for AmeriCorps Grants
- National Service Knowledge Center
- National Website for AmeriCorps
- 2013-14 AmeriCorps Portfolio
- AmeriCorps Regulations 45 CFR Section 2520-2550
Multi-State Applicant Consultation
Prior to submission of a grant application to the Corporation for National and Community Service, an organization proposing to operate an AmeriCorps program in two or more states is expected to consult with the State Commission of the state in which it intends to operate. Multi-state organizations proposing to operate in California must submit an online National Direct Consultation Form to CaliforniaVolunteers. This form must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on January 14, 2015.