AmeriCorps is the
cornerstone of the Corporation's national service programs. AmeriCorps
addresses pressing education, public safety, human, and environmental needs of
our Nation's communities by encouraging Americans to serve either part or
full-time. AmeriCorps programs have four goals: 1) Getting things done by
providing services with direct and demonstrable results; 2) strengthen
communities and uniting individuals of different backgrounds in a common
effort to improve their communities); 3) encourage responsibility through
service and civic education (AmeriCorps enables members to see themselves as
leaders and problem solvers and fulfill their responsibilities to their
communities); and 4) expand opportunities in return for devoting a year of
their lives to national service. AmeriCorps members may receive education
awards for qualified postsecondary education expenses or to pay off qualified
student loans.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Funds must be used to operate or plan national and community service programs.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
Tribes, Territories, national nonprofit organizations, professional corps, and
multi-State organizations may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
Tribes, Territories, national nonprofit organizations, professional corps, and
multi-State organizations will benefit.
This program is excluded from coverage
under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure:
Contact the Corporation for specific
information.
Award Procedure:
Contact the Corporation for specific award
information.
Deadlines:
Contact the Corporation for deadline dates.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
The time ranges from 2 to 3
months.
Appeals:
None.
Renewals:
None.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
Fifteen percent living allowances
for AmeriCorps members; 33 percent operating and support expenses must be
matched. (The funds are allocated as follows: 1) State formula programs.
One-third of the fiscal year 1999 AmeriCorps funds will be allocated to States
according to a population based formula; 2) State competitive programs. At least
one-third of the fiscal year 2000 AmeriCorps funds will be distributed to
programs that are first selected by the States and then submitted to the
Corporation for competitive consideration; 3) National direct. Remaining fiscal
year 2000 funds will be distributed directly to programs operated by national
nonprofit organizations, professional corps and programs operating in more than
one State; and 4) Set-asides are estimated at two percent of the fiscal year
2000 AmeriCorps funds. Set-aside for Indian Tribes and Territories, one percent
each.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
A time frame has not been
established.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
As required by the Law.
Audits:
Audits must be performed as required by the Law.
Records:
All records necessary to perform a proper audit must be
retained.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
95-2720-0-1-506.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $237,000,000; FY 02 est $233,395,000; and
FY 03 est $284,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
The anticipated program
grant sizes (excluding planning grants) will range from approximately $200,000
for State formula programs to $3,000,000 for National Directs.
In fiscal year 2001, it is estimated that 45,000 Americans of all ages will
serve in AmeriCorps projects. For fiscal year 2001, the Corporation has
identified four issue areas: education, public safety, human needs and
environment. The vast majority of AmeriCorps projects funded in fiscal year
2001 will work within these priority areas with a special emphasis on children
and youth.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
As described in the Law. Contact the Corporation's headquarters office for
further details.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office:
A list has been included in Appendix IV of
the Catalog. State commissions should also be contacted.
Headquarters Office:
Corporation for National and Community Service,
1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20525. Telephone: (202) 606-5000, Ext.
474.
Web Site Address:
http://www.nationalservice.org
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
AmeriCorps members serve in area elementary schools as teaching assistants,
tutors, mentors, and role models. AmeriCorps members develop and lead after
school programs, work with community volunteers to develop community service
projects, assist in immunization projects, renovate housing in low-income
areas, tutor elementary children, and staff a crisis help-line for parents of
at-risk children; work to improve relationships between community youth and
local law enforcement officials by performing outreach, developing public
safety instructional materials, conducting conflict resolution classes, and
developing crime watch programs. AmeriCorps members have worked to transform a
city sludge farm into a nature preserve, restore a polluted swamp to a
thriving natural lake, test area drinking water, and create environmental
public service announcements.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Criteria are contained in the application guidelines.
