AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) 94.002

RSVP engages people ages 55 and older to address a wide range of community needs. AmeriCorps Seniors' volunteers in RSVP recruit and manage other volunteers, mentor and tutor children, support workforce and job readiness skill development, provide di

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. RSVP volunteers support food security programs, mentor and tutor children, assist with workforce development and job-readiness training, provide disaster preparedness and mitigation support, serve veterans and military families, recruit and manage other volunteers, and much more.

See the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.

Individuals who serve as RSVP volunteers must be age 55 and older who are willing to volunteer on a regular basis by serving in a diverse range of activities that meet specific community needs. See the program's Notice of Federal Funding for additional information.

Volunteers are not to supplant hiring, displace employed workers, or impair existing contracts for service. No agency supervising volunteers may request or receive compensation for services of the volunteers. Volunteers may not be involved in and funds may not be used for religious activities, labor or anti-labor organizations, lobbying, or partisan or non-partisan political activities. Grants may be used for staff salaries and fringe benefits, staff travel, equipment, and related expenses, and for volunteer out-of- pocket expenses, primarily for transportation. In addition, eligible agencies or organizations may, with a Notice of Grant Award from AmeriCorps, receive technical assistance and materials to aid in establishing and operating non-AmeriCorps funded RSVP projects using local funds. Refer to the program's Notice of Federal Funding for additional information for uses and restrictions including the prohibited activities.

Assistance is usually awarded for project periods of three or more years; funding must be obligated during the award project period and liquidated by the end of the closeout period.

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Proposal selection criteria are described in the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity or Invitation to Apply.

See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity and application instructions for information on award procedures.

Notice of Funding Opportunities, with important dates and deadlines, are listed here: https://americorps.gov

See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.

From 120 to 180 days. See program's Invitation to Apply or Continuation and Renewals Funding Notice.

No formal appeals for denial of initial grant application, but regulations provide for hearings on terminations and suspensions, and opportunity to show cause in cases of denial of refunding. See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.