AUTHORIZATION:

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5 (�Recovery Act�); National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended; Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, 42 Stat. 12561, 45 U.S.C 2520-2550.

OBJECTIVES:

For more than fifteen years, the Corporation for National and Community Service�through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs�has mobilized a new generation of engaged citizens. This year, more than 1.8 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will serve through these programs. They will help thousands of national and community non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies meet local needs in education, the environment, health, veterans, economic opportunity, and other critical areas.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that identify an unmet need in their community that will be addressed by AmeriCorps members that the organization recruits, trains, and manages. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who is enrolled in an approved national service position and engages in community service. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members receive an education award from the National Service Trust.

AmeriCorps grant funding is distributed to Governor-appointed State Commissions and multi-state grantees. State Commissions award subgrants to organizations in their states, and the multi-state grantees work through operating sites in more than one state. These organizations recruit AmeriCorps members to respond to local needs.

Additional funding opportunities are available to existing AmeriCorps Programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds to utilize service and volunteerism to stimulate the economy and meet the needs of those negatively impacted by the current economic crisis. Through AmeriCorps Recovery grants, individuals currently unemployed will gain work experience and valuable skills, and nonprofit organizations and communities negatively affected by the economic crisis will gain critical human resources. Eligible activities include providing job counseling and skills training to the unemployed, constructing or rehabilitating housing, assisting nonprofits facing increased need and decreased resources, recruiting volunteers, making housing resource referrals for and providing legal services to those experiencing eviction or foreclosure, connecting children and families to health care, and allowing after-school centers that have lost funding to stay open.

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. Included in Notices of Federal Funding and application instructions.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Assistance must be used consistent with scope of approved / funded application.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Beneficiaries must be identified within application for assistance.

Credentials/Documentation:   Various records and forms required for first time applicants, as well as copy of last audit may be requested. First time applicants must certify financial systems. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Pre-application Coordination:   See application instructions. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. See application instructions.

Award Procedure:   Contact the Corporation for specific award information.

Deadlines:   Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

From 60 to 90 days.

Appeals:   

From 30 to 60 days.

Renewals:   

From 30 to 60 days.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

Statutory Formula: Funding distributed based upon statutory formulas when applicable. Matching Requirements: Matching requirements vary from 0 to 50 percent based on duration that the program has been funded; see program regulations and application instructions. This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details. See application instructions.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

Award project periods are three year duration and funds must be obligated during project period. Funding may be for to less then three years when appropriate. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Semi-annual program reports. HHS Payment Management System collects quarterly cash transaction reports on behalf of the Corporation for National & Community Service. Annual progress reports. Federal Financial Status Reports are required as specified in the grant award provisions. Subgrantee monitoring required.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. None. OMB Circular A-133 applies when total grantee federal funds expenditures meet or exceed $500,000 per year.

Records:   All records necessary to perform a proper audit must be retained.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

95-2728-0-0-000 - Operating Funds; 95-2729-0-0-000 - Recovery Funds.

Obligations:   (Project Grants) FY 15 $202,012,826; FY 16 est $231,926,208; and FY 17 est $232,573,733

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

$200,000 for state subgrants awarded by State Commissions, to $3,000,000 for National Direct grants.

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