OpportunityTitle: AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions
CategoryExplanation: The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation) is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and volunteering. For more than fifteen years, the Corporation&#151;through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs&#151;has helped to engage millions of citizens in meeting community and national challenges through service and volunteer action.     On April 21, 2009, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the most sweeping expansion of national service in a generation. This landmark law not only expands service opportunities, but also focuses national service on key outcomes; builds the capacity of individuals, nonprofits, and communities to succeed; and encourages innovative approaches to solving problems.    In alignment with the Serve America Act, this AmeriCorps State and National Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity will focus AmeriCorps grant making in six Focus Areas identified by the Act:   &#149; Disaster Services   &#149; Education   &#149; Environmental Stewardship  &#149; Healthy Futures   &#149; Opportunity   &#149; Veterans and Military Families     In order to carry out Congress&#146; intent and to maximize the impact of the investment in national service, the Corporation is seeking to fund programs that can demonstrate an evidence-based approach to creating community impact and solving community problems.     In the AmeriCorps State and National competition this year, the Corporation especially seeks to focus investment on national service programs that improve academic outcomes for children, youth and young adults. This focus reflects the extensive experience and past success of national service programs in education, and aligns with the reform efforts of the Department of Education. In addition, the Corporation seeks to increase its investment in programs that serve veterans and military families, or that engage veterans in service.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Public or private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and other community organizations; institutions of higher education; government entities within states or territories  (e.g., cities, counties); Indian Tribes; labor organizations; or a partnership or consortia consisting of the aforementioned are eligible to apply.  Intermediaries are encouraged to apply.      If your organization works in just one state, please contact your state commission, which can be found here: http://www.americorps.gov/about/contact/statecommission.asp.  You will apply to them.      If your organization works in more than one state, you are eligible to apply for a national grant.  You will apply directly to the Corporation.     If your organization is an Indian Tribe you may apply through your state commission, or directly to the Corporation.
Description: On October 18, 2010, the Corporation released amended notices for the 2011 AmeriCorps grant competitions which include greater emphasis on evidence-based programs, information on priorities, definitions of Focus Areas, information on the review and selection process, and 2011 national performance measurement pilot information. References to &#147;Priority Area&#148; were changed to &#147;Focus Area;&#148; and &#147;Clean Energy&#148; to &#147;Environmental Stewardship&#148; throughout. &#61616; Click here for a list of changes to the 2011 Notice &#61616; Click here for background information on 2011 National Performance Measures Notice of Intent to Apply: In order to help us gauge the number of applications we are likely to receive, please send an e-mail 60 days prior to the deadline to americorpsnational@cns.gov, for National applicants, or americorpsapplications@ cns.gov for state commissions. National applicants should state the competition for which you will be applying. State commissions are encouraged to include an estimate of the number of programs you will be submitting to the state competitive competition. Although submission of the notice of intent to apply is not mandatory, your e-mail will help the Corporation to plan more efficiently for review. More Information on AmeriCorps State and National For more information contact your state commission, which you can find here http://www.americorps.gov/about/contact/statecommission.asp if you are interested in the State grant program. Contact (202) 606-7508 if you are interested in the National grant program.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Direct email for this competition
GrantorContactText: For more information contact your state commission, which you can find here  http://www.americorps.gov/about/contact/statecommission.asp if you are interested in the State grant program.  Contact (202) 606-7508 if you are interested in the National grant program.
CloseDateExplanation: The deadline for eGrants submissions is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 25, 2011.