AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) 94.011

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) provides grants to qualified agencies and organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 years of age or older, with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs; and to provid

The Foster Grandparent Program is an intergenerational program that engages volunteers ages 55 and older in national service to provide one-on-one mentoring, tutoring, and other supports to children who have special or exceptional needs or who are academically or socially, disadvantaged. AmeriCorps Seniors' volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program serve an average of 20 hours per week in schools, early education and childcare centers, and other settings where children are present and through a one-on-one relationship, AmeriCorps Seniors' volunteers tutor children based on their specific needs, and teach parenting skills to young parents, among other activities. The grantee has the opportunity to enhance school environment.

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

Foster Grandparents must be: 55 years of age or older, with an income of up to 200 percent of poverty, based on the Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines, and interested in serving infants, children, and youth with special or exceptional needs. (However, individuals who are not income eligible may serve as non-stipended volunteers under certain conditions.) Foster Grandparents must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable and willing to serve selected infants, children or youth on a person-to-person basis. See the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity for additional information.

The grants may be used for: low-income Foster Grandparent stipends, transportation, physical examinations and meals; staff salaries and fringe benefits, staff travel, equipment, space costs, etc. Foster Grandparents may be assigned to children and youth in residential and non-residential facilities, including schools and preschools and to children living in their own homes. Volunteers may not supplant hiring or 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 organization, lobbying, or partisan or non-partisan political activities. 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 a non-AmeriCorps funded FGP project using state, local, and/or private funds.

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.

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

From 120 to 180 days. For Continuations and Renewals Notice, only existing AmeriCorps Seniors FGP grantees who currently receive federal funds for an AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program grant can apply for funding. In addition to Indian tribes and defined in 2 CFR 200.1, tribal organizations that are controlled, sanctioned or chartered by federally recognized Indian tribes are also eligible to apply.

For Continuations and Renewals Notice, only existing AmeriCorps Seniors FGP grantees who currently receive federal funds for an AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program grant can apply for funding. In addition to Indian tribes as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, tribal organizations that are controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by federally recognized Indian tribes are also eligible to apply.

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.