AmeriCorps State and National presentation providing important information about the Education focus area as a funding priority for 2011 grants

1. AmeriCorps State and National
FY2011

2. Agenda
Speaker Introductions
What is AmeriCorps?
2011 AmeriCorps Funding Priorities
How to Apply for an AmeriCorps Grant
Next Steps for You
Additional Resources

3. What is AmeriCorps?
Maximizes the power of service and volunteering to improve
lives in communities across the country
Provides grants to organizations to operate AmeriCorps
programs that engage individuals in service as AmeriCorps
members.
Funds high-quality programs that are developed by an
applicant who designs a set of activities that demonstrate an
evidence-based approach to creating community impact and
solving community problems.

4. AmeriCorps Members
Individuals enrolled for an intensive term of service
(300-1700 hours per year) in an AmeriCorps program
U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident
alien of the United States
At least 17 years of age (no upper age limit)
Not a volunteer or a staff person
Receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for
successful completion of a term of service
Some AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance
and are eligible for health and childcare benefits

5. AmeriCorps State and
National Grant Funds
Provide partial funding to support AmeriCorps
programs
Require recipients to contribute match funding
Include an allotment of AmeriCorps member positions
Are directly tied to a specific number of member
positions
Are solely for program-related expenses

6. AmeriCorps State and
National Grant Funds are
NOT
Used to duplicate or supplant pre-existing activities,
staff, or volunteers.
For general organizational expenses.
Enough to support all program-related expenses.

7. Benefits of an
AmeriCorps Grant
Expands the capacity of organizations to meet critical
community needs
Provides funds to support program administration,
access to training and technical assistance resources,
and entrance into a national network of organizations
Allows organizations to recruit individuals from the
community to serve as AmeriCorps members
Community members who serve as AmeriCorps
members gain skills, experience, and a Segal
AmeriCorps Education Award to be used to further
their education or repay student loans

8. Eligible Grant Applicants
Non-profit organizations
Institutions of higher education
Government entities within states or territories
Indian tribes
Non-profit or higher education partnerships or
consortia
Intermediaries that provide support to
organizations with limited organizational
capacity are encouraged to apply

9. EDUCATION
Environmental Stewardship
Healthy Futures
Economic Opportunity
Disaster Services
Veterans & Military Families
2011 Funding Priorities

10. Education Focus Area
The Corporation seeks to fund research- and
evidence-based programs that improve academic
outcomes for young children, youth, and young
adults by helping them:
 Prepare for school
 Perform at grade level
 Graduate from high school ready for college, work and
life
 Succeed in college and university
Emphasis on the lowest-performing schools

11. General Education
Outcomes, including
mentoring and tutoring
Improved academic performance
Improved school attendance
Decreased disciplinary referrals and suspensions
Decreased substance abuse, arrest, or gang involvement
Increased graduation rates and GED acquisition
Entrance into post-secondary institutions
Attainment of a post-secondary degree

12. Teaching Outcomes
Improved academic performance
Individuals continuing to teach after their term of service
Individuals remaining in the education field in a non-
teaching role
Impact on student learning
Certification to teach after term of service

13. Early Childhood
Outcomes
Demonstrated gains in school readiness in terms of:
 Social and emotional development
 Literacy skills
 Numeracy skills

14. Education Program Activities
might include
Providing counseling or programming that improves social and
emotional development for young children
Teaching or assisting teachers in the lowest-performing schools
Tutoring, mentoring, or counseling students to improve academic
achievement or classroom engagement.
Increasing participation in post secondary enrollment options, early-
college high school, and other alternative credit-accumulation
strategies.
Assisting economically disadvantaged students in navigating the
college admissions process.

15. AmeriCorps State (single-state)
Formula
Competitive
AmeriCorps National (multi-state)
Indian Tribes
Applying for an AmeriCorps
Grant

16. How to Apply for an
AmeriCorps Grant
Organizations proposing to operate within one state only must
apply through their State Service Commission. Commissions have
two ways of awarding AmeriCorps funds:
 Formula
 Competitive
State Service Commissions have earlier deadlines and may have
additional requirements for applicants.
Organizations proposing to operate in more than one state apply
directly to the Corporation.
Indian tribes may apply through their State Service Commission or
directly to the Corporation. The Corporation sets aside 1% of
competitive funding specifically for Indian Tribes.

17. Application Materials
AmeriCorps Regulations: 45 Code of Federal Regulations Sections
2520-2550 (www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr) are the rules governing
AmeriCorps programs and includes important topics such as matching
requirements and program management requirements.
2011 Notice of Funding Opportunity (
http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/10_0831_ac_nofo.pdf) Outlines the
available grant opportunities, maximum allowable program costs,
funding priorities and other information pertinent to the year’s
competitions.
Application Instructions: Each section contains a description of the
information that is to be addressed in that section of the application
narrative.
eGrants account: Applications are submitted via eGrants and
applicants must create an account.

18. Next Steps for You
Participate in the AmeriCorps State and National Outreach Call Series:
 Introductory call: Provides specific information about the various types
of AmeriCorps grants and the roles and responsibilities of an
AmeriCorps grantee
 Next Steps call: Reviews the materials needed to apply for a grant and
discusses the application content selection criteria
 Budget Calls: Reviews the components of an AmeriCorps budget and
fiscal responsibility of an AmeriCorps grantee
 Go to eventbrite.com and search for AmeriCorps to register for an
upcoming call or visit:
http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/10_1005_nofa_ac_tta.pdf
Review this online presentation in lieu of the Intro Call:
 AmeriCorps Grants 101 slide presentation:
http://www.slideshare.net/AmeriCorpsOutreach2009/americorps-grants-101-p

19. Important Dates for
2011 Applicants
Fall 2010 –
State Service Commission deadlines vary, if you
are a single-state program, contact your State
Service Commission now!
January 25, 2011 –
Multi-State and Indian tribes applications due to
CNCS
June 2011 –
Award Announcements

20. Resources to Assist Programs
with the Application Process
www.americorps.gov
Click on: How to Apply / Eligibility
http://americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/index.asp
Which takes you to:
Link to State Competition information:
http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/state.asp
Link to National Competition information:
http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/national .asp
Link to eGrants
http://www.nationalservice.gov/egrants/

21. Additional Resource
www.americorps.gov/fitfinder

22. Getting Things Done for America