1. 2016 AmeriCorps State Grant Information Session September 30 th – 9:00 to 10:30 AM October 2nd (webinar) – 1:00 to 2:30 PM Serve Rhode Island Staff

2. 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 1

3. 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. 2

4. 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 3

5. Organizational Capacity Requirements 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 a great resource to build the capacity of your organization to meet unmet community needs. 4

6. 2016 SRI AmeriCorps State Grant Process

7. 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) 6

8. 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) 7

9. 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 – Partnershipsand consortia Ineligible organizations: – Convicted of a federal crime – 501(c)(4) status – engaged in lobbying activities 8

10. 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. 9

11. SRI Grant Timeline Highlights 10 DateItem October 7Intent to Apply – Required – by 12:00 PM October 15 - 30Individual T/TA sessions with applicants November 12RFP Clarification Question Deadline by 4:00 PM November 16Phase 1 Application submission via eGrants by 12:00 PM Week of Nov. 30Peer Review Sessions December 15Applicant presentations to SRI Board/Board approval Competitive continuation applications submitted Week of Dec. 15Notifications and feedback to applicants Week of January 5Clarification sessions with applicants (times vary) January 14Final application submission to SRI via eGrants By January 19Final SRI Board approval January 20Competitive submission to CNCS by SRI NOTE: Please refer to page 10 of the SRI RFP for details

12. 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.orgRIAmeriCorps2016@serverhodeisland.org Applicants must submit the Phase 1 application in eGrants by November 16 by 12:00 PM 11

13. Application Requirements A complete Phase 1 Application includes the following: 1.A Complete eGrants application 1.Facesheet 2.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 limit 5.Performance Measures – not included in 15 page limit 6.Logic Model – no more than 3 pages printed out through eGrants 2.Additional Information – sent via email 1.Two Letters of Support – for all applicants 2.Evaluation Report – if applicable 3.Strong or Moderate Research reports – if applicable 12

14. 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 13

15. 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 14

16. 2016 CNCS Funding Priorities 15 Disaster Services Economic Opportunity – focus on opportunity youth Education – focus on STEM Environment – 21 st 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

17. SRI Focus Area SRI is interested in AmeriCorps applications that: Provideeffective solutions that addresslocal community needs Offer meaningful AmeriCorps member experiences Demonstrate the ability to document and evaluate significant community impact Providetheopportunity for strategic partnership 16

18. AmeriCorps Budget Considerations

19. 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 18

20. 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. 19

21. Budget Items Required: 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 20

22. 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 21 TypeMSYHours (Min) Full-time1.001700 Half-time.500900 Reduced Half-time.381675 Quarter-time.265450 Minimum-Time.212300

23. 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 22

24. 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 23 Year 4Year 5Year 6Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10 26%30%34%38%42%46%50%

25. Budgeting Example Example 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 24 *Health coverage required to be budgeted even if some waive the benefit upon enrollment.

26. AmeriCorps Basics

27. 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 26

28. 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. 27

29. AmeriCorps Programs 28 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. AMERICORPS Federally funded national service programs to support 75,000 individuals/year through 3 main programs Est. in 1994

30. AmeriCorps in RI AmeriCorps 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. 29 State CNCS Office Administers: AmeriCorps*VISTA and Senior Corps Serve Rhode Island: State Commission Administers: AmeriCorps State programs and VGF Grant

31. 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.govvmarzullo@cns.gov 30

32. 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. 31

33. AmeriCorps Member Requirements and Benefits

34. 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 33

35. 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 34

36. 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. 35

37. AC Prohibited Activities By law AmeriCorps members (and staff) are strictly prohibited 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). 36

38. AmeriCorps Summary 37 AmeriCorps IsAmeriCorps Is Not A year of stipended serviceAn 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

39. Resources Corporation 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 Serve Rhode Island – 401-331-2298 38

40. Questions?