AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP) 94.016

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) provides grants to qualified agencies and organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older, particularly those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs; and to p

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) provides grants to qualified agencies and organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older, particularly those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs; and to provide a high-quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. Program funds are used to support Senior Companions in providing supportive, individualized services to help adults with special needs maintain their dignity and independence.

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

Senior Companions 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; interested in serving special-needs adults, especially the frail elderly, and must be physically, mentally and emotionally capable, and willing to serve on a person-to-person basis. However, non-income eligible individuals may serve as non-stipended volunteers under certain conditions.

The grants may be used for: Senior Companion stipends, transportation, physical examinations, insurance, and meals; staff salaries and fringe benefits, staff travel, equipment, space costs, etc. Assignment of Senior Companions to adults may occur in residential and non-residential facilities and in their own homes. Volunteers do not supplant hiring or displace employed workers, or impair existing contracts for service. No agency supervising volunteers shall request or receive compensation for services of the volunteers. Volunteers are not to be involved in and funds are not to be used for religious activities, labor or anti-labor organizations, lobbying, or partisan or non-partisan political activities. In addition, eligible agencies or organizations may, under a Notice of Grant Award from AmeriCorps, receive technical assistance and materials to aid in establishing and operating non-AmeriCorps funded SCP projects using state, local and private funds.

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. Funds must be used as described in the approved application. All appropriated funds awarded under this program are discretionary.

Assistance is usually awarded for project periods of three of 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 Federal 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/partner/funding-opportunities

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

See the program's Invitation 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.