1. INTRODUCTION TO AMERICORPS STATE FORMULA FUNDING REQUEST FOR APPLICATION Cathleen Plager, Executive Director Janet L. Schmidt, Fiscal/Operations Officer

2. Corporation for National and Community Service AmeriCorps What Americorps Programs Do How an Organization Becomes an Americorps Program AmeriCorps Application and Review Process Resources Session Objectives

3. Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) Created in 1993 through the signing of the national and Community Service Trust ActCreated in 1993 through the signing of the national and Community Service Trust Act Nation’s largest grant maker supporting service and volunteeringNation’s largest grant maker supporting service and volunteering Engages millions for Americans in service each yearEngages millions for Americans in service each year Sponsors and promotes a variety of special initiatives and days of serviceSponsors and promotes a variety of special initiatives and days of service CNCS

4. SERVENEBRASKA STATE SERVICE COMMISSION o Created by Executive Order in 1994 o Comprised of governor appointed boards who oversee the implementation of service and volunteer initiatives in the state. o Provide Corporation funding to single state programs through grant competitions. o Provide feedback to the Corporation on the multistate programs operating in the state. o Encourages and inspires Nebraskans to volunteer through ServeNebraska Week and Days of Service Events o Promotes Governor’s Volunteer Awards Programs

5. WHAT IS AMERICORPS AmeriCorps VISTA AmeriCorps NCCC AmeriCorps State and National

6. Awards grants to non-profit, faith & community-based organizations, public agencies, Indian tribes, and institutions of higher education. Provides opportunities for individuals –AmeriCorps members – to serve communities across the country. Since 1994, more than 820,000 men and women have provided service as AmeriCorps members.

7. Provide partial funding to support AmeriCorps projects/programs. Grant recipients must contribute cash or in-kind match funds. Solely for program expenses and not for general organizational expenses. Include an allotment of AmeriCorps member positions and funds that are directly tied to the number of members

8. AMERICORPS STATE AND NATIONAL GRANTS Activities are designed for AmeriCorps members that demonstrate an evidence-based or evidence-informed approach to strengthening communities and solving community problems.  Allows an organization to better address community needs by utilizing AmeriCorps resources to build capacity or deepen the impact of the service to individuals or communities  Broadens the scope of the service activities to reach previously underserved communities. NOTE: Funds cannot supplant resources that organically exist in a community

9. What do AmeriCorps State and National Programs Do? Training Citizens in disaster preparedness Responding to disaster events Providing recover and/or mitigation Improving the housing situation for economically disadvantaged people Improving the school readiness of pre-k children Improving the academic performance or academic engagement of K-12 students Improving the environmental condition of distressed public lands and waterways Enhancing the quality of life for homebound or older adults and individuals with disabilities Increasing access to food resources for economically disadvantaged individuals Engaging veterans and military families in service or providing service to these individuals AmeriCorps Impact Includes

10. How does an Organization Become an AmeriCorps State and National Program? There are 2 ways an organization can become an AmeriCorps Program Or Apply directly to the Corporation for National and Community Service Submit an application to a State Service Commission

11. AmeriCorps Grant Applications NOFO and application instructions are provided by ServeNebraska on-line at www.serve.nebraska.gov Applications consist of a narrative, budget, and performance measures, plus a few supplementary items such as letters of commitment. Budgets include costs such as: member living allowance and benefits, member and staff training, personnel costs, supplies, and evaluation. http://www.nationalservcie.gov/egrants/

12. Apply to State Commission Commission conducts review of applications How AmeriCorps Applications are processed Compliance Check External Review Internal Staff Review Clarification Award—Late Summer

13. Disaster Services Economic Opportunity Education Environmental Stewardship Healthy Futures Veterans and Military Families AmeriCorps Grant Focus Areas

14. Types of Grants Cost Reimbursement Fund a portion of program operating costs Flexible-funds may be used for allowable costs regardless of whether the program recruits and retains all AmeriCorps members supported under the grant. Available to new and re-competing applicants

15. Cost Reimbursement Grants o Applications must provide a detailed budget with the application submission. o Must meet specific match requirements outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity o Must submit financial and programmatic reports to ServeNebraska

16. Traditional Support the majority of the AmeriCorps programs May include all AmeriCorps member slot types Maximum cost/MSY published annually in the NOFO 2015-16 $13,730 Planning Grant Professional Corps Types of Cost Reimbursement Grant

17. Professional Corps Recruit and place members as qualified professionals in communities with an inadequate number of such professionals. Member salaries paid entirely by the organization with which members serve: not included in the budget. Can be supported by fixed amount or cost reimbursement grants

18. Provide a specific dollar amount per Member Service Year (MSY) Access to funds is contingent on recruitment and retention of the AmeriCorps members supported und the grant Not available to new applicants Fixed Amount Grants

19. Fund a portion of program operating costs Organizations must raise the additional funds needed to run the program No budget or financial reports and no formal matching requirement

20. Full-Time Fixed (or less than full-time serving in a full-time capacity) Maximum cost/MSY $13,430 Education Award Program (EAP) Small fixed amount per member No restrictions on AmeriCorps member slot types Can access all funds if all member positions awarded are enrolled Professional Corps Types of Fixed Amount Grants

21. Individuals enrolled for a specific term of service with an AmeriCorps program Members are not volunteers or employees Some members receive a living allowance, health insurance and child care assistance AmeriCorps members receive the Segal Education Award upon completing a term of Service. AmeriCorps Members

22. Members must be: U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals or Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States At Least 17 years of age – no upper age limit High school graduate or GED recipients (or working towards this goal) Subject to criminal history checks AmeriCorps programs may add program specific requirements Member Eligibility

23. The stipend an AmeriCorps member receives during a term of service CNCS publishes a maximum and minimum living allowance for each member position Is not a wage, not calculated on an hourly basis Only full time members are required to receive a living allowance Living Allowance

24. A benefit provided for completing a term of service in AmeriCorps Can be used to pay education costs, educational training, or to repay student loans Maximum amount of the education award depends on the type of member position Can be used up to seven years after a term of service has ended Is transferable to an eligible child, grandchild or foster child of a member who is 55 years of age or older Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

25. Member Terms of Service Table 1: Minimum and Maximum Living Allowance Service Term Minimum # of Hours Minimum Living Allowance Maximum Total Living Allowance Full-time1700$12,530$25,060 One-year Half- time 900n/a$13,265 Reduced Half- time 675n/a$9,950 Quarter-time450n/a$6,635 Minimum-time300n/a$4,420

26. Your Responsibilities to Members Recruit Interview Select Train/Professional Development Supervise Understand the prohibited Activities

27. Questions??? Thank you for your attention! www.serve.nebraka.gov