2016 AmeriCorps State Grant Information Session

September 30th – 9:00 to 10:30 AMOctober 2nd (webinar) – 1:00 to 2:30 PM

Serve Rhode Island Staff

Session Objectives• Sessions are for NEW or RECOMPETING applicants that

plan to operate an AmeriCorps State program in Rhode Island– VISTA has a separate process managed by the State CNCS office

• Review the AC State application process• Serve Rhode Island RFP & CNCS NOFO priorities• Budget Considerations• AmeriCorps Basics

• Determine whether or not AmeriCorps is the right fit for your organization

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Serve Rhode Island (SRI)• Established in 1994, as the Rhode Island

Service Alliance, SRI is the State Commission for National & Community Service. – Administers and manages all AmeriCorps State

programs– Intermediary VISTA sponsor for 18 host sites

• Merged with Volunteer Center of RI in January 2009.

• RI’s leading resource for volunteerism and service.

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Applying for an AC State grant• Applicants must demonstrate:– A commitment to recruit, train and orient, support and

develop AmeriCorps members.– Understanding the unique status of AmeriCorps

members (one-year term, not employees).– The capacity to administer and monitor a federal grant. – Developed partnerships with local organizations that can

support AmeriCorps members’ activities. – An Evidence-based or informed AmeriCorps

intervention

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Organizational CapacityRequirements to meet:

– Sound Federal Grant Management and Oversight• Administrative Program Management – member files,

recordkeeping, collect and analyze data• Fiscal reporting and documentation

– Extensive Regulations and Provisions– Significant Reporting Requirements– Fiscal Requirements – meeting match (cash or inkind) – Human Resource Management – managing AC members

If AmeriCorps is the right fit, a dedicated AmeriCorps team can be agreat resource to build the capacity of your organization to meet unmet community needs.

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2016 SRI AmeriCorps State Grant Process

New for 2016• Use of eGrants system for grant submissions– Worksheets are posted to SRI website

• SRI T/TA support – SRI staff available to answer general questions during RFP

Clarification period, after submission of Phase 1 applications staff will be conducting quality review

– Individual T/TA sessions with organizations after Intent to Apply forms are received

• 20 Member slot minimum (can be a combination of slot types, not MSYs)

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Key Dates & Information

• Intent to Apply – Oct. 7 by 12:00 PM• RFP Clarification Deadline – Nov. 12 at 4:00 PM• Phase 1 Application Submission – Nov. 16 by

12:00 PM• Board Presentations – Dec. 15 (times TBD)• Minimum Number of Slots – 20 member slots

(not MSYs)

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Eligible Applicants• Public or private non-profit organizations including:

– Labor organizations– Community organizations– Faith-based organizations– Institutes of higher education– State agencies– Government entities within the state (e.g., cities, counties)– Indian Tribes– Partnerships and consortia

• Ineligible organizations:– Convicted of a federal crime– 501(c)(4) status – engaged in lobbying activities

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SRI Grants Process• SRI is charged with administering the state’s AmeriCorps

grant-making process. One RFP to solicit proposals that will be considered for submission to either the National Competition or Formula funding

• Competitive funds compete with others nationally and are decided upon by the Corporation for National and Community Service in early May. – Applicants that are submitted for competitive funds and are not

successful could also be considered for formula funds.

• Formula funds compete at the state level with others for federal formula funding allotment (based on population) with decisions made by SRI in early June.

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SRI Grant Timeline Highlights

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Date ItemOctober 7 Intent to Apply – Required – by 12:00 PM

October 15 - 30 Individual T/TA sessions with applicants

November 12 RFP Clarification Question Deadline by 4:00 PM

November 16 Phase 1 Application submission via eGrants by 12:00 PM

Week of Nov. 30 Peer Review Sessions

December 15 Applicant presentations to SRI Board/Board approval

Competitive continuation applications submitted

Week of Dec. 15 Notifications and feedback to applicants

Week of January 5 Clarification sessions with applicants (times vary)

January 14 Final application submission to SRI via eGrants

By January 19 Final SRI Board approval

January 20 Competitive submission to CNCS by SRI

NOTE: Please refer to page 10 of the SRI RFP for details

Submission Deadlines• SRI will not review any application that fails to meet

stated deadlines or does not include all components• Intent to Apply Form – required – by Oct. 7 by 12:00

PM – Sent via email: RIAmeriCorps2016@serverhodeisland.org

• Applicants must submit the Phase 1 application in eGrants by November 16 by 12:00 PM

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Application RequirementsA complete Phase 1 Application includes the following:1. A Complete eGrants application

1. Facesheet2. Assurances and Certifications 3. Narratives – maximum of 15 pages (18 if an intermediary) printed out

in eGrants (with the exception of Evaluation Plan, if applicable)4. Budget – not included in 15 page limit5. Performance Measures – not included in 15 page limit6. Logic Model – no more than 3 pages printed out through eGrants

2. Additional Information – sent via email1. Two Letters of Support – for all applicants2. Evaluation Report – if applicable3. Strong or Moderate Research reports – if applicable

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Evidence-Based Approach• AmeriCorps grants are awarded to organizations proposing

to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions.

• Applicants must spend the time conducting research during the grant process to find the most relevant research

• Clearly describes and demonstrates the AmeriCorps intervention.– In an environment with limited funds, need to be able to prove

the “so what” of having AmeriCorps intervention to solve problems

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CNCS Focus Areas• CNCS is targeting funds to the following focus

areas – Disaster Services– Economic Opportunity– Education– Environmental Stewardship– Healthy Futures– Veterans and Military Families

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2016 CNCS Funding Priorities

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• Disaster Services• Economic Opportunity – focus on opportunity youth• Education – focus on STEM• Environment – 21st Century Service Corps• Veterans & Military Families• Governor and Mayor Initiatives• Programming that supports My Brother’s Keeper• Multi-focused intermediaries (rural and other underserved

communities)• Safer Communities – public safety focus• Elder Justice AmeriCorps

*Refer to page 4 of SRI RFP for details

SRI Focus AreaSRI is interested in AmeriCorps applications that:• Provide effective solutions that address local

community needs• Offer meaningful AmeriCorps member experiences• Demonstrate the ability to document and evaluate

significant community impact • Provide the opportunity for strategic

partnership

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AmeriCorps Budget Considerations

Types of grants• Cost reimbursement (operational grant)– Must meet match requirements– Provide documentation for match– Higher cost/MSY

• Fixed amount grants– No match required– Money is directly tied to slots enrolled and

retained– Lower cost/MSY

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AC Budget Basics• Solely for AC program expenses and not for general

organizational expenses.

• Provide partial funding to support AmeriCorps projects/programs. Grant recipients must contribute cash or in-kind match funds (unless opting for a Fixed Amount).

• Budgets include costs such as: member living allowance and benefits, member and staff training, personnel costs, supplies, and evaluation.

• Must have administrative capacity to manage fiscal reporting and administration.

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Budget ItemsRequired:• Living allowance for FT members • Health insurance for FT members• Criminal history checks for ALL members and any staff on grant

(CNCS or match funds)• 1% Commission Fee

Not required:• Unemployment or TDI for members (unallowable)• Education award – separate benefit paid by Trust• Child care (for eligible FT members) – separate benefit paid by CNCS

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Budget Considerations• Member Service Years (MSY) are not equivalent to FTE. For

example, 4 Minimum-time ≠ 1 Full Time. – Can request any combination of types of members to meet minimum

size of 20 Member slots

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Type MSY Hours (Min)

Full-time 1.00 1700

Half-time .500 900

Reduced Half-time .381 675

Quarter-time .265 450

Minimum-Time .212 300

Budget Consideration• Cost reimbursement grants:– Min Living Allowance = $12,530– Max cost per MSY = $13,730

• Fixed Amount grants: $800/MSY• Having a lower cost/MSY is a competitive

advantage and may receive higher priority for funding

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Match Requirements• In Years 1, 2 and 3 match requirement = 24% minimum. Beyond

that match increases incrementally

NOTE: If your organization has not received AC funds for 5+ years, you begin matching at

Year 1 level

• Combination of In-kind and cash match sources. CNCS does not prescribe percentages. Applicants will list out in Source of Funds section.

• Examples of match may include: Staff time, office space, transportation

• NEW for 2016: CNCS expects that programs meet budgeted match, if higher than required

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Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10

26% 30% 34% 38% 42% 46% 50%

Budgeting ExampleExample using FT members:$13,730 = CNCS Grant per MSY less the

following required expenses:- $12,530 required minimum living allowance- $1,050 in FICA (7.65%)- $2,200 in health coverage* ($200/month x 11 mos)

= -$2,050 per FT member

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*Health coverage required to be budgeted even if some waive the benefit upon enrollment.

AmeriCorps Basics

Corporation for National & Community Service

• Federal agency created in 1993 through the signing of the National and Community Service Trust Act – The nation’s largest grant-maker supporting service and

volunteer activities

• Engages millions Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year through: – AmeriCorps– Senior Corps – Social Innovation Fund– Volunteer Generation Fund

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AmeriCorps• AmeriCorps a federally funded National Service

program engaging approximately 75,000 full and part-time volunteers in intensive service to meet unmet local community needs.

• AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance, a post-service Education Award and extensive training and professional development.

• AmeriCorps is made up of three main programs.

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AmeriCorps Programs

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Largest AC arm, includes AC State (through state commissions, AC National Directs. Members perform a range of DIRECT service activities in local communities

VISTA programs administered through State CNCS offices, VISTA members engaged in poverty-alleviation efforts through INDIRECT/CAPACITY BLDG efforts to organizations

National Civilian Community Corps, full-time, 10-month, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18 to 24, engaged in disaster response and envt’l restoration efforts across the county.

AMERICORPSFederally funded national service programs to support 75,000 individuals/year through 3 main programs

Est. in 1994

AmeriCorps in RIAmeriCorps funds are distributed by two agencies: • the State CNCS Office (federal office) and • the State Commission, which can either be a stand alone

501(c)3 non-profit or part of the state or municipal government offices. – National Directs apply and are administered by CNCS.

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State CNCS OfficeAdministers:

AmeriCorps*VISTA and

Senior Corps

Serve Rhode Island:State Commission

Administers:AmeriCorps State programs

andVGF Grant

AmeriCorps*VISTA• AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps State and National

have distinct program differences:– VISTA focus on poverty-alleviation, capacity-building

activities (compared to direct service). – VISTAs are usually individual placements to an organization

as opposed to a team of members. – VISTA members cannot hold outside employment during

service.• For more information contact RI CNCS Director:

Vin Marzullo: 528-5426 or vmarzullo@cns.gov

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AC State & National (cont’d)• Provide partial funding to support AmeriCorps

projects/programs. Grant recipients must contribute cash or in-kind match funds.

• If your programming will address community needs in at least two states, consider applying for a National Direct grant (directly through CNCS).

• If your programming will be focused solely in the state of RI, consider applying for an AmeriCorps State grant through Serve Rhode Island.

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AmeriCorps Member Requirements and Benefits

AC Member Requirements• Must be at least 17 years of age• Documentation of being a U.S. citizen, national, or legal

permanent resident alien of the U.S. • High school diploma or equivalent, or agree to obtain

before using Education Award • Undergo a National Service Criminal History Check –

enhanced for those with access to vulnerable populations (FBI Fingerprint, State BCI and National Sex Offender Registry)

• Each program determines other eligibility requirements– Experience, skills, etc.– Educational background

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AC Member Benefits• Living Allowance

– Minimum of $12,530 for full-time– Only full-time members are required to receive a living

allowance • Loan Forbearance on qualified student loans• Health Coverage - required to offer for full-time only• Child Care, if eligible (full-time only)• Personal and Professional Development• Education Award – Post service benefit

– Seven years from end of service to use Ed Award– Qualified school expenses or repay qualified loans

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AmeriCorps Prohibited Activities• Attempting to influence legislation; • Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; • Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing; • Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements; • Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of

an election to any public office; • Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or

against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials;

• Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship

• Providing a direct benefit to: a business organized for profit; a labor union; a partisan political organization; a nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3)

• Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct a voter registration drive;

• Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and • Such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit.

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AC Prohibited ActivitiesBy law AmeriCorps members (and staff) are strictlyprohibited from engaging the following activities while on AmeriCorps time:• Fundraising for general operations and own support costs• Displace or supplant any staff or volunteers of the agency• Management of any administrative aspects of the

AmeriCorps grant or program not related to actual programming

• Supervision or management of other members• All prohibited activities outlined in the AmeriCorps

Regulations/Provisions (§2520.65).

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AmeriCorps Summary

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AmeriCorps Is AmeriCorps Is Not

A year of stipended service An actual earned hourly wage

A team of individuals meeting an identified compelling need

Cheap labor to supplant, displace other full-time or volunteer positions

A way to leverage local, state and federal resources

A direct funding source for your organization

Direct service program to the community, with an evidence-based intervention

General support to your organization, results that cannot be attributed to the AmeriCorps team

ResourcesCorporation for National & Community Service

2016 AmeriCorps NOFO and related materials National Service Knowledge District: Performance Measures Home

National Service Knowledge District: Evaluation Homepage

Results of CNCS Grants Competitions

Serve Rhode Island – 401-331-2298

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Questions?