FY25 RSVP NOFO Final 508.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Federal Agency Name: Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps)

Funding Opportunity Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Assistance Listing Number: 94.002

Summary Statement: This funding announcement is an opportunity for communities to apply for funding to engage adults ages 55 and older in tackling the community’s most pressing needs through the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program. This is an open competition across all states and territories.

The AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP competition runs over a three-year period, with FY 2025 being the first year of new awards. Incumbent grantees with a 22SR grant number must submit an application in response to this Notice and be selected to maintain funding.

Incumbent grantees approved by AmeriCorps Seniors to be a temporary sponsor for a fully relinquished geographic service area must submit an application to this Notice and be selected to continue services. If incumbent grantees with a 22SR grant number or temporary sponsors fail to apply or be selected for funding, their current grants will end on March 31, 2025.

AmeriCorps publishes this Notice of Funding Opportunity (Notice) solely for the aforementioned purpose, and does not consider this Notice to meet the definition of a rule requiring publication or notice under Congressional Review Act (CRA) as codified at 5 U.S.C.

§§801- 808, and any subsequent notification provided to Congress does not constitute waiver of this position.

Disclosure: Publication of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (Notice) does not obligate AmeriCorps to award any specific number of grants or to commit any particular amount of funding. The actual level, timing, and process of grant funding will be subject to the availability of annual appropriations.

Important Dates

• Applications are due not later than Wednesday, September 18, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.

Eastern Time. Successful applicants will be notified by January 2025.

• Successful applicants will be issued awards by March 2025.

Table of Contents

FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Funding A.2. Funding Priorities A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes A.4. Program Authority

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Estimated Available Funds B.2. Estimated Award Amount B.3. Period of Performance B.4. Type of Award

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content D.2.b. Page Limits

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline D.4.c. Late Applications

D.5. Intergovernmental Review D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements D.6.b. Indirect Costs D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs

D.7. Other Submission Requirements D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1. Selection Criteria

E.1.a. Executive Summary (5 percent) E.1.b. Program Design (40 percent) E.1.b.i. Strengthening Communities - narrative section of eGrants (30 percent) E.1.b.ii Recruitment and Development – narrative section of eGrants (10 percent) E.1.c. Organizational Capability (30 percent) E.1.c.i. Program Management – narrative section of eGrants (10 percent) E.1.c.ii Organizational Capability- narrative section of eGrants (20 percent) E.1.d. Other (10 percent) E.1.d.i. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy – enter your response in Other narrative section of eGrants (5 percent):

E.1.d.ii. Data Collection and Evaluation – enter your response in Other narrative section of eGrants (5 percent):

E.1.e. Work Plans/Performance Measures (10 Percent):

E.1.f. Budget Section 1 and Section 2 (5 percent)

E.2. Review and Selection Process E.2.a. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review E.2.b. Application Review E.2.d. Pre-Award Risk Assessment E.2.e. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information E.2.f. Selection for Funding

E.3. Feedback to Applicants E.4. Transparency in Grantmaking

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1. Federal Award Notices F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements F.2.e. Official Guidance

F.3. Use of Material F.4. Reporting

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

H. OTHER INFORMATION

H.1. Technical Assistance H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

APPENDIX A – GRANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

APPENDIX B – NATIONAL PERFORMANCE MEASURE INSTRUCTIONS

APPENDIX C – TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX D – TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

APPENDIX E – UNDUPLICATED VOLUNTEER, FEDERAL SHARE, AND MATCH

CALCULATORS

APPENDIX F – FOCUS AREAS

FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Funding AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP engages people ages 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers tutor children, help prepare simple taxes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide nutrition/food support, facilitate opioid and substance abuse education workshops, and serve in their communities in many other ways.

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged.

A.2. Funding Priorities AmeriCorps will invest in existing and new partnerships with non-profit (including faith-based) organizations, institutions of higher education, Tribal organizations, and local/state government entities to get things done for America. The agency will prioritize investment in the most critical issues of our time — public health, climate and the environment, civic bridgebuilding, reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals, education, and economic opportunity — within AmeriCorps’ Focus Areas (Appendix F) and will increase its efforts to ensure AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and community-based volunteers reflect the communities where they serve. We will target our investments toward communities where the need is greatest, particularly those with populations that face racial inequality and poverty. These steps will enable more Americans than ever to strengthen the communities that need it most across the nation through their service.

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programming is designed to meet community needs. Applicants may propose activities intended to address community needs by thoroughly explaining the unmet need and activities to be completed by volunteers to address that need. In addition, AmeriCorps is interested in programming that addresses agency priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• Supporting older adults and their caregivers. AmeriCorps Seniors programming not only engages adults aged 55 and over in solving unmet community needs, but also is at the forefront of helping older adults thrive in their communities. Programs that could fall under this priority include but are not limited to supporting caregivers of older adults by providing respite for caregivers or hosting caregiver support groups, assisting older adults or their caregivers with system navigation and care coordination, and aiding grandparents or older adults who are custodians of children.

• Helping older adults re-enter the workforce, including but not limited to services related to job readiness or job seeking, mentoring or coaching, training or upskilling, and removing barriers to employment for older adults. (Note: the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serving under this priority are not job seekers; instead, they will be providing services to other older adults who are job seekers.)

• Preventing and mitigating fraud and scams targeting older adults, including but not limited to using digital navigators and other methods to prevent and mitigate financial fraud, abuse, and exploitation of older adults, particularly with the evolution of artificial intelligence and increase in the use of digital technology in fraud and scams.

• Reducing the number of people who are unhoused, including but not limited to developing or renovating affordable housing, supporting people who are unhoused (including those in encampments or in unauthorized encampments on public lands) in finding and maintaining permanent housing, and addressing housing needs of specific populations (older adults, veterans, immigrants, etc.).

• Supporting local climate change initiatives, including but not limited to educating the community about greenhouse gas emissions, supporting energy conservation and renewable energy through education or modifications to make homes energy efficient, educating the community on waste management practices such as composting and recycling, and planting trees or restoring ecosystems to counter greenhouse gas emissions.

• Supporting behavioral health initiatives that improve mental health and reduce the impact of substance use, including but not limited to reducing isolation and loneliness among older adults, improving older adult mental health, using peer-to-peer support and support groups for people of all ages and their family members, helping with system navigation and care coordination, providing supportive employment or housing programs, distributing and training in the use of Narcan or Naloxone, and using harm reduction efforts such as fentanyl test strips.

To receive priority consideration, applicants must show that the priority is a significant part of the program focus in the narratives, must include a high-quality program design, and must designate at least one work plan for the selected priority. Proposing programs that receive priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes

National Performance Measures AmeriCorps expects applicants to use National Performance Measures as part of a comprehensive performance measurement strategy that relies on both performance and evaluation data to learn from their work and make tactical and strategic adjustments to achieve their goals.

All proposed unduplicated volunteers* and the intended impact of their service must be represented in the narratives, in a work plan, and in the budget.

* Unduplicated Volunteer: Each volunteer can only be counted once as an unduplicated volunteer even if they are assigned to more than one work plan. The volunteer should be counted as an unduplicated volunteer in the work plan where they will make the most impact in terms of the focus area, the type of service, or the scope of service (such as the number of hours served).

Applicants are required to use the specific performance measures outlined in this Notice.

For more information, please refer to Appendix B: FY 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP National Performance Measures Instructions.

Applicants are required to declare one of the six AmeriCorps focus areas as a Primary Focus Area for the grant award (see Appendix F). The Primary Focus Area represents the area in which the applicant aims to make the most impact. AmeriCorps’s six focus areas are:

Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and Veterans and Military Families. (Note: Capacity Building and Other Community Priorities are not eligible to be a Primary Focus Area.) Applicants must have at least one work plan in the Primary Focus Area.

Applicants must include work plans that meet the following minimum requirements:

• All unduplicated volunteers must be included in work plans. Work plans can include some combination of National Performance Measures and Other Community Priorities.

• Applicants may request a total federal share of $75,000 plus up to $350 per unduplicated volunteer, including unduplicated volunteers serving under an Other Community Priorities work plan. This change will eliminate the current maximum cost per unduplicated volunteer and allow applicants to request the funding they need to effectively manage the program.

• Applicants may propose any number of unduplicated volunteers based on your assessment of community need and volunteer engagement.

• Applicants cannot place more than 20% of their total unduplicated volunteers in Other Community Priorities work plans.

o For example, an applicant with 50 unduplicated volunteers cannot place more than 10 unduplicated volunteers in Other Community Priorities work plans.

• If applicants select one or more priorities, they must designate at least one work plan for each priority they select. Please refer to Appendix B: FY 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP National Performance Measures Instructions for information on how to designate a work plan for a priority.

https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf

A.4. Program Authority Awards under this Notice are authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, (42 U.S.C. §12501 et seq.) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended (42 U.S.C. §4950 et seq.).

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Estimated Available Funds AmeriCorps anticipates approximately $10,675,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP awards. The actual level of funding is subject to the availability of annual appropriations.

B.2. Estimated Award Amount Award amounts will vary as determined by the scope of the projects. The federal share of the budget cannot exceed $75,000 + $350 per unduplicated volunteer. AmeriCorps expects to make awards in the range of zero ($0)* to $425,000 ($75,000 + (1,000 volunteers x $350)).

*Applicants may request $0 in AmeriCorps Seniors funding; those requesting a $0 grant should provide justification in Section E.1.d.

B.3. Period of Performance Successful applicants will be issued awards by March 2025.

AmeriCorps anticipates making three-year grant awards. AmeriCorps generally makes an initial award for the first year of the period of performance, based on a one-year budget.

Continuation awards for subsequent years are not guaranteed; they depend upon availability of appropriations and satisfactory performance.

B.4. Type of Award Award recipients will be assigned to an AmeriCorps portfolio manager, who will be responsible for assessing recipient performance, providing training and technical assistance, and serving as the agency’s primary point of contact.

FY 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP grants will be awarded on a cost-reimbursement basis if an application is successful.

https://americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/statutes-regulations https://americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/statutes-regulations https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/%40%20National%20and%20Community%20Service%20Act%20of%201990%20%28as%20amended%20through%20PL%20111-13%29.pdf https://americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/statutes-regulations https://americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/statutes-regulations https://www.americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/%40%20Domestic%20Volunteer%20Service%20Act%20of%201973%20%28as%20amended%20through%20PL%20111-13%29.pdf

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants The following non-Federal entities (all of which are defined in 2 CFR 200.1 or 42 U.S.C.

12511(21) are eligible to apply:

• Indian Tribes

• institutions of higher education

• local governments

• non-profit organizations

• states (including state commissions*) and US Territories

*State service commissions are currently eligible to apply due to a waiver of the prohibition at 45 CFR 2550.80(j), which provides that a State commission or AAE may not directly carry out any national service program that receives financial assistance title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA).

In addition to Indian Tribes as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, Tribal organizations that are controlled, authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also eligible to apply. If an entity applies for an award as a tribal organization that is controlled or chartered by one or more Indian Tribes [and the organization does not meet any of the other applicant eligibility types], the organization must provide copies or links to documentation which demonstrates that the organization is controlled or chartered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe. If an entity applies as an organization authorized by a federally recognized Tribe, or multiple specific federally recognized tribes, it must submit a resolution or other authorization adopted by the Tribal Council (or comparable tribal governing body) of each Indian Tribe. The authorization(s) must identify the entity applying for an AmeriCorps award by name as a tribal organization that is authorized by the Indian Tribe(s) for the purpose of applying for AmeriCorps funding (or federal grant funds generally).

Applicants must have a valid SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier to receive an award. See Section D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) for more information.

New Applicants: AmeriCorps strongly encourages organizations that have not received prior funding from AmeriCorps to apply.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Applicants are required to match funds for their programs based on the total allowable costs as determined under 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles. Non-AmeriCorps federal funds are allowed as match if the Federal agency that is the source of the funds approves its use as match. Applicants must maintain documentation of this approval. The applicant’s match can be cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter129&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter129&edition=prelim https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/Waiver-Administrative-Barrier-AmeriCorps-Seniors-Grantees-041124.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=sp2.1.200.e&rgn=div6 meet the applicable match requirement at the time that their application is submitted. See Section D.6. Funding Restrictions for more information and Appendix E for the match calculator.

New applicants only: The required match contribution is at least 10 percent of the total allowable costs in Year 1 of the grant, at least 20 percent of the total allowable costs in Year 2 of the grant, and at least 30 percent of the total allowable costs in Year 3 and subsequent years of the grant.

Incumbents only: Incumbent AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP grantees that are applying for funding in this grant competition are required to budget and raise at least 30 percent of the total allowable costs, regardless of whether they are applying for a new geographic service area.

Please see the “AmeriCorps Seniors and AmeriCorps State and National Match Waiver FAQs” and the “AmeriCorps Seniors Individual Match Waiver Request” located on the AmeriCorps website’s Manage Your Grant web page.

AmeriCorps encourages Tribal Nations to request match waivers to reduce barriers. Every effort will be made to reduce the match requirements to improve accessibility.

C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements Applications that propose to engage in activities that are prohibited under AmeriCorps’ statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of its awards are not eligible to receive AmeriCorps funding.

Note that under appropriations provisions annually enacted by Congress, if AmeriCorps is aware that any corporation has any unpaid federal tax liability:

• that has been assessed;

• for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed; and

• that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability;

then that corporation is not eligible for an award under this Notice. However, this exclusion will not apply to a corporation that a federal agency has considered for suspension or debarment and determined that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the federal government.

Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization described in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. §501 (c)(4) that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to apply for AmeriCorps funding.

https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixE.FederalShareUnduplicatedVolunteerMatchCalculatorsforRSVPCompetition_508.pdf https://www.americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopici03.pdf https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopici03.pdf

D. Application and Submission Information

This Notice should be read together with the RSVP regulations (45 CFR Part 2553), the AmeriCorps Seniors Grant Application Instructions, Appendix B: FY 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP National Performance Measure Instructions, Appendix C: Terms and Definitions, and Appendix E: Unduplicated Volunteer, Federal Share, and Match Calculators.

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package All information associated with this funding opportunity is available through the AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities web pages. Applicants should refer to AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities for more information and instructions on how to fully respond to this Notice.

Applicants can also send an email to RSVPCompetition@americorps.gov for a printed copy of the Notice, Grant Application Instructions, and Appendix B: FY 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP National Performance Measure Instructions, if applicable.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content Complete applications must include the following elements:

• Standard Form 424 (SF-424) Face Sheet: This is automatically generated when applicants complete the data elements in the eGrants system.

• Narrative Sections:

o Executive Summary: This is a brief description of the proposed program.

Executive Summaries must match the template as provided in Section E.1.a of the Notice. Executive Summaries of all awarded applications will serve as the basis for congressional notifications and press. For this reason, Executive Summaries must follow the template.

o Strengthening Communities o Recruitment and Development o Program Management o Organizational Capability o Other: Please provide responses to the Cost-Effectiveness & Budget

Adequacy and Evaluation sections in the “Other” narrative of eGrants

• Work Plans/Performance Measures

• Program Information

• Standard Form 424A Budget

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2553 https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixA.AmeriCorpsSeniorsGrantApplicationInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixC.TermsandDefinitions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixC.TermsandDefinitions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixE.FederalShareUnduplicatedVolunteerMatchCalculatorsforRSVPCompetition_508.pdf http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities mailto:RSVPCompetition@americorps.gov https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM

D.2.b. Page Limits Applications may not exceed 15 double-spaced pages as according to the pages printed out from eGrants. The application sections that count toward the page limit are the following:

• SF-424 Face Sheet;

• Narratives o Executive Summary;

o Strengthening Communities;

o Recruitment and Development o Program Management o Organizational Capability o Other (Cost Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy and Evaluation)

The application page limit does not include the Work Plans/Performance Measures, Program Information, the Budget, or any required additional documents. Please review the Grant Application Instructions together with Section E in this Notice and Appendix B to ensure you have a complete grant application that includes all required components.

Please note that the length of the application as a word processing document may differ from the length of the document printed out from eGrants. The character limits in eGrants do not align with page limits set in the Notice. AmeriCorps strongly encourages applicants to print out the application from the “Review” tab in eGrants prior to submission in order to confirm that the application does not exceed the page limit.

AmeriCorps will not consider the results of any alternative printing methods when determining if an application complies with the page limit. Reviewers will also not consider material that is over the page limit, even if eGrants allows applicants to enter and submit additional text.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM), have an active registration by the application deadline, and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete. If an applicant is awarded a grant, it must maintain an active SAM registration throughout the life of the award. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees.

SAM registration must be renewed annually. AmeriCorps suggests that applicants finalize a new registration or renew an existing one at least three weeks before the application deadline, to allow time to resolve any issues that may arise. Applicants must use their SAM-registered legal name and physical address on all grant applications to AmeriCorps.

The legal applicant’s name and physical address in eGrants must exactly match the applicant’s SAM-registered information.

https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixA.AmeriCorpsSeniorsGrantApplicationInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0029897

Applications must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is generated as part of the SAM registration process. Applications submitted by entities that do not have an active SAM registration and valid UEI will be assessed as noncompliant.

Applications must include an Employer Identification Number. The UEI and Employer Identification Number must be entered by the organization’s Grantee Administrator as an organization attribute, and this will apply the information to all applications for the organization.

If an applicant’s SAM registration is active at the time of application but becomes inactive prior to award, the applicant must renew its registration by the time AmeriCorps is ready to make a federal award. If the SAM registration is not active at the time of award, AmeriCorps may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline Applications are due not later than Wednesday, September 18, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.

Eastern Time.

AmeriCorps will not consider applications submitted after the deadline, except as noted in Section D.4.c. Late Applications. AmeriCorps reserves the right to extend the submission deadline. AmeriCorps will post a notification in the event of an extended deadline on AmeriCorps’ website.

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline Additional documents are due by the application submission deadline. See Sections D.4.a.

Application Submission Deadline and D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents for more information.

D.4.c. Late Applications All applications received after the submission deadline published in this Notice, of Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time, are presumed to be non-compliant. To overcome this presumption, the applicant must:

• submit a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance(s) that caused the delay, including:

o the timing and specific cause(s) of the delay o the ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the AmeriCorps

Hotline o any information provided to the applicant by the AmeriCorps Hotline o any other documentation or evidence that supports the justification

• ensure that AmeriCorps receives the written explanation or justification and any other evidence that substantiates the claimed extenuating circumstance(s), via email to

LateApplications@americorps.gov no later than 24 hours after the application deadline as stated in the Notice.

Communication with AmeriCorps staff, including an applicant’s portfolio manager, is not a substitute for a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance that caused the delay as outlined above. Applicants are required to continue working in eGrants, AmeriCorps' web-based application system, and with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit the application. AmeriCorps will determine whether or not to accept a late application on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants that do not meet the application submission deadline and do not submit a written explanation or justification or any other evidence to overcome the presumption of non-compliance within the published timeframe will be deemed noncompliant. If AmeriCorps sustains a noncompliant determination, the application will not be reviewed or selected for award.

AmeriCorps will not consider an advance request to submit a late application. Please carefully review and follow the guidance in this section and submit your application as soon as possible.

D.5. Intergovernmental Review This Notice is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements Applicants must construct the budget in the following manner. The federal share of the budget must not exceed $75,000 plus up to $350 for every unduplicated volunteer, whether or not they serve in an outcome-based work plan.

Awards under this Notice are subject to cost share or matching requirements as noted below and in Section C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching. Please see Appendix E for the federal share and match calculators.

There are also limitations on the use of Federal funds to recover indirect costs. As provided in 2 CFR 200.306(c), unrecovered indirect costs may be included as part of an applicant’s cost sharing or matching requirements.

D.6.b. Indirect Costs Application budgets may include indirect costs. Based on qualifying factors, applicants may either use a Federally approved indirect cost rate or a 15 percent de minimis rate* of modified total direct costs, or may claim certain costs directly, as outlined in 2 CFR 200.413.

States, local governments, and Indian Tribes may use previously-approved indirect cost mailto:LateApplications@americorps.gov https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixE.FederalShareUnduplicatedVolunteerMatchCalculatorsforRSVPCompetition_508.pdf http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1306&rgn=div8 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1413&rgn=div8 allocation plans. All methods must be applied consistently across all Federal awards.

Applicants that have a Federal negotiated indirect cost rate must enter that information in the Organization section in eGrants. Applicants claiming the 15 percent de minimis rate of modified total direct costs must also enter that information in the Organization section in eGrants.

*Per the Uniform Guidance effective October 1, 2024, the de minimis rate for awards made on or after October 1, 2024, is increasing to 15 percent. The indirect costs for applicants claiming the de minimis rate may be no more than 15 percent of modified total direct costs.

For instructions on how to enter the organization’s indirect cost rate, please see the “eGrants Indirect Cost Rate User Instructions” on the Manage Your Grant web page.

Applicants should not submit documentation addressing the indirect cost rate agreement via email.

Please note: To request a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, when AmeriCorps is the applicable cognizant agency for an organization’s indirect costs, the applicant must submit a request to IndirectCostRate@americorps.gov. Please see the “Indirect Cost Guidance” on the Manage Your Grant web page for more information.

D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs, where authorized, are allowed after receiving written approval from AmeriCorps.

D.7. Other Submission Requirements

D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants Applicants must submit applications electronically via eGrants, AmeriCorps' web-based application system. AmeriCorps recommends that applicants create an eGrants account and begin the application at least three weeks before the deadline. Applicants should draft the application as a Word document, then copy and paste the text into the appropriate eGrants field no later than 10 days before the deadline.

The applicant’s authorized representative must be the person who submits the application.

The authorized representative must use their own eGrants account to sign and submit the application. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this official representative to sign must be on file in the applicant’s office. The authorized representative and the project director may not be the same person and may not have the same email address.

Applications will be returned for corrections if the authorized representative and the project director have the same name and contact information.

Applicants should contact the AmeriCorps Hotline at (800) 942-2677 if they have a problem when they create an account, prepare, or submit the application. AmeriCorps Hotline hours are also posted.

https://www.americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant mailto:IndirectCostRate@americorps.gov https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask

Be prepared to provide the application ID, organization’s name, and the name of the Notice to which the organization is applying. If the issue cannot be resolved by the deadline, applicants must continue working with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit via eGrants.

If circumstances make it impossible for an applicant to submit in eGrants, applicants may send a paper copy of the application via overnight carrier below. Applicants must include a written explanation and any other documentation or evidence that support their inability to submit their application electronically.

AmeriCorps ATTN: Office of Grant Administration (OGA)/ FY 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition Application 250 E Street, SW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20525

Please use a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier to avoid security-related delays. All deadlines and requirements in this Notice also apply to paper applications. AmeriCorps does not accept applications submitted via fax or email.

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents Applicants are required to submit the following additional documents by the application submission deadline:

1. All applicants, regardless of funding level, are required to submit an Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS). Please submit the OFMS using the link to the online form, where you will be required to submit your response electronically.

Forms submitted by email as a Word document, PDF, or any other document format may not be accepted.

2. Tribal organization eligibility documentation (see Section C.1 Eligible Applicants).

Additional tribal organization eligibility documents must be emailed to AdditionalDocuments@americorps.gov with the following subject line: “Legal Applicant Name” – “Application ID Number.” Emails should include:

• the legal applicant’s name and its point of contact information

• the application ID number

• a list of documents that are attached to the email by filename, labeling each document type

• individually attached files that are clearly labeled, and that include the legal applicant’s name and application ID number within the file name and heading of each document.

Failure to submit the required additional documents by the deadline, following the instructions in this section, may have a negative effect on the determination of the application’s eligibility to advance for review.

https://forms.office.com/g/kyH8TnGx6Q https://forms.office.com/g/kyH8TnGx6Q https://forms.office.com/g/kyH8TnGx6Q https://forms.office.com/g/kyH8TnGx6Q mailto:AdditionalDocuments@americorps.gov

Do not submit any items that are not requested in this Notice. AmeriCorps will not review or return them.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Please review the Grant Application Instructions together with Section E and Appendix B to ensure you have a complete grant application that includes all required components.

E.1. Selection Criteria Applications should include a well-designed plan with clear and compelling justifications for receiving the requested funds. Reviewers will assess the quality of applications by using the selection criteria described below and will rate them accordingly. They will also consider the weights assigned to each criterion (if applicable). Do not assume all sub-criteria are of equal value.

Categories/Subcategories Percentage Value

Executive Summary 5 Program Design 40 Strengthening Communities 30 Recruitment and Development 10 Organizational Capability 30 Program Management 10 Organizational Capability 20 Other 10 Cost- Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 5 Evaluation 5 Work Plans/Performance Measures 10 Budget 5

E.1.a. Executive Summary (5 percent) Please fill in the blanks of these sentences to complete the Executive Summary. Do not deviate from the template below.

“The [1. name of the organization] proposes to have [2. number of] AmeriCorps

Seniors Volunteers who will [3. service activities the members will be doing] in [4.

the locations the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve]. The primary focus area of this project is [5. fill in AmeriCorps Focus Area]. At the end of the three-year grant, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be responsible for [6. fill in the anticipated outcome (s)]. The AmeriCorps federal investment of $ [7. fill in the https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixA.AmeriCorpsSeniorsGrantApplicationInstructions_508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AppendixB.AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVPPerformanceMeasuresInstructions_508.pdf annual federal grant amount or the requested amount] will be supplemented by $

[8. fill in the anticipated level of non-AmeriCorps resources].”

Must provide the following:

1. name of the organization applying under this Notice

2. total number of unduplicated AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serving; should match the total number of unduplicated volunteers in your work plans

3. brief list of the service activities the members will be doing

4. the locations where the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve; for example, service sites or counties

5. the primary AmeriCorps Focus Area as selected in the Performance Measure Module

6. brief list of the anticipated outcome(s) of service

7. the amount requested from AmeriCorps Seniors; cannot exceed $75,000 plus $350 per unduplicated volunteer

8. the amount of match from non-AmeriCorps resources, based on the match requirement noted in Section C.2

A sample Executive Summary might look like:

The ABC Agency proposes to have 80 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who will tutor fourth-grade children, prepare tax returns, and build nonprofit capacity in schools, community centers, libraries, and other nonprofit agencies in our community. The primary focus area of this project is Education. At the end of the three-year grant, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be responsible for improving academic achievement in math and reading, generating $60,000 in tax refunds for community residents, and making nonprofit organizations more efficient and effective. The AmeriCorps federal investment of $103,000 will be supplemented by $11,444.

E.1.b. Program Design (40 percent) AmeriCorps encourages the use of evidence-based program models in its program design.

Evidence-based programs are models in which a set of activities and practices has been shown to be effective through a rigorous program evaluation. AmeriCorps also encourages the use of programs with evidence-based practices that have been shown to contribute to effective outcomes through a rigorous program evaluation.

E.1.b.i. Strengthening Communities - narrative section of eGrants (30 percent) Reviewers will consider the extent to which applications:

• Describe the needs of the community where volunteers will be serving; include data and any relevant details and sources.

• Describe the organization’s commitment to equity when addressing critical community needs, as reflected in the organization’s mission and vision.

• Provide details on the proposed communities to be served by the project, including race, gender, income, and other demographics relevant to the community to be served.

• Outline the project and interventions that address the stated community needs.

Include information about the target population and the roles of the volunteers.

o Proposals must demonstrate how the interventions align with any selected priorities (as listed in section A.2).

• Provide rationale for engaging AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to deliver the intervention(s) and how they will make a significant contribution to address the stated need(s).

• Explain why the number of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers is adequate for addressing the stated need(s). Include how your previous experience with your community and expected volunteer engagement has informed the number of volunteers.

• List your organization’s definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and clearly describe how these values will be embedded in program implementation.

E.1.b.ii Recruitment and Development – narrative section of eGrants (10 percent) Reviewers will consider the extent to which applications:

• Detail a plan to support successful recruitment of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers best suited to serve the community, for example, from geographic or demographic communities in which the program operates.

o Include your plan to recruit volunteers to specifically address your selected priority(ies). (For example, if your selected priority is supporting behavioral health initiatives, explain how you will recruit volunteers in recovery or who have family members in recovery.)

• Detail plans to ensure volunteers receive training needed to comply with regulations and succeed in the service activities described in the work plans.

o Include trainings related to selected priority(ies).

• Describe a plan to retain and recognize volunteers. Include:

o strategies to foster an inclusive service culture where all identities, backgrounds, talents, and capabilities are welcome.

o plans to keep volunteers engaged in their service activity over the course of grant funding.

E.1.c. Organizational Capability (30 percent)

E.1.c.i. Program Management – narrative section of eGrants (10 percent) Reviewers will consider the extent to which applications:

• Describe plans to develop volunteer stations to provide meaningful service opportunities that address stated community needs. Include strategies to recruit external partners if applicable.

o Include your plan to develop volunteer stations related to your selected priority(ies).

• Describe your volunteer station management plan, including how you will ensure volunteer stations are:

o providing guidance and training to volunteer station supervisors and volunteers.

o meeting program regulations, priorities, and expectations (including but not limited to what is listed in 45 CFR 2553.62).

o providing training and assistance to volunteer station staff that fosters the creation of safe, inclusive spaces for volunteers of all identities, backgrounds, talents, and capabilities.

E.1.c.ii Organizational Capability- narrative section of eGrants (20 percent) Reviewers will consider the extent to which applications:

• Briefly describe your organization’s experience with managing grants, especially federal or state grants. Include your past performance in meeting:

o Grant goals and objectives.

o Compliance and reporting requirements.

Note: if you do not have experience with managing grants, please indicate that.

• Describe the organizational infrastructure to ensure sound programmatic and fiscal oversight, including any history with managing federal grants. Include infrastructure such as:

o Governance and risk management, such as accounting, personnel management, and purchasing.

o Staffing, training, and data and financial management software.

o Compliance with internal organizational policies as well as program regulations, priorities, and expectations (statutes, the Code of Federal Regulations, and related policies).

• Describe the extent to which the organization has sufficient policies, procedures, controls, and staff and volunteer training in place to:

o prevent, detect, and mitigate the risk of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, including an assessment of appropriate segregation of duties, internal oversight activities, measures to prevent timekeeping fraud, etc.

o report, without delay, any suspected criminal activity, waste, fraud, and abuse to both the AmeriCorps Office of the Inspector General and AmeriCorps.

o prevent and detect non-compliance and enforce compliance with AmeriCorps rules and regulations including those related to prohibited activities and criminal history checks at the grantee and service site locations.

o comply with reporting requirements, including timely and accurate submission of reports.

• Outline a plan to develop and implement a policy to comply with National Service Criminal History Check regulations.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2553#subpart-F

• Describe a plan to participate and complete trainings related to implementing the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program such as project and financial management, volunteer recruitment, station management, financial and project progress reports, criminal history checks, National Performance Measures, etc. Both AmeriCorps and non-AmeriCorps offered trainings may be included in the description.

• List titles and position descriptions for all staff assigned to this project and explain how these positions will ensure the accomplishment of program outcomes and requirements. Include names of any staff who may already be employed by your organization and plans to recruit staff for any open positions.

• Describe the applicant’s experience with, and plans for, supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within their organization.

o Include DEIA efforts and policies related to project staff, the board of directors, and addressing community needs.

E.1.d. Other (10 percent) Please use headings to organize your responses to the following questions in the Other narrative section of eGrants.

E.1.d.i. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy – enter your response in Other narrative section of eGrants (5 percent):

Reviewers will consider the extent to which applications:

• Detail plans to secure non-federal support to ensure program sustainability.

o Include dedicated staff, grant proposal processes, development of in-kind support, fundraising efforts, and other relevant plans.

• If requesting $0 in federal funds, describe the funding structure that enables you to support the program without AmeriCorps Seniors funding.

E.1.d.ii. Data Collection and Evaluation – enter your response in Other narrative section of eGrants (5 percent):

Evaluation is a tool for improvement and increases your program’s ability to serve people more efficiently and effectively. To ensure there is a quality evaluation plan:

• Describe your data collection system, including the process for collecting and maintaining high-quality performance data from…