2011 AmeriCorps Grant Funding Available in Montana

The Governor’s Office of Community Service announced today that AmeriCorps State and National ‘Competitive’ and ‘Planning’ grant award opportunities are available from the Corporation for National and Community Serve, an independent federal agency, for Montana organizations and Indian tribes interested in utilizing AmeriCorps as a solution for critical issues facing local communities and our state.

"This is a great opportunity to expand AmeriCorps in Montana," said Jan Lombardi, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Service. "We want to get the word out that there are federal grant dollars now available to plan and implement AmeriCorps programs."

The purpose of the grant awards is to establish AmeriCorps programs in local Montana communities to help address needs outlined in the national Serve America Act: improving education, healthy futures for all Americans, energy conservation, increasing local service opportunities by and for veterans, economic opportunity for vulnerable individuals and providing disaster services.

Funding Notice and Application Information –click here: http://serve.mt.gov/?page_id=2960

Organizations that are eligible to apply include: Public or private nonprofit organizations, including labor organizations, faith-based and other community organizations; institutions of higher education; government entities within states or territories (e.g., cities, counties); Indian Tribes; partnerships and consortia; and intermediaries planning to sub-grant funds awarded.

Key Dates:

• October 13

Letter of Intent for AmeriCorps State ‘Competitive’ Applications
(new applications only) Due to the Governor’s Office of Community Service by 1pm

• October 20

Technical Assistance Call for ‘Competitive’ and ‘Planning’ Grant Applicants with the Governor’s Office of Community Service

The grant funding is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service (http:/www.nationalservice.gov), an independent federal agency, and administered in Montana by the Governor’s Office of Community Service.

The total federal funding available will be set by the U.S. Congress through the appropriations process now underway. If the President’s fiscal year 2011 budget request is fully funded, the agency anticipates approximately $311 million nationwide to be available for new, re-competing, and continuation grants in all of the AmeriCorps State and National grant categories, and $1 million nationwide for AmeriCorps planning grants (including $500,000 for Indian Tribes).

Request for Proposal (RFP), Application Instructions for Montana organizations, and Additional Information can be found at http://www.serve.mt.gov / click on ‘resources’ then ‘funding’.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is the nation’s largest grant maker supporting service and volunteering. Through our Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, CNCS provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to address critical community needs.

The Governor’s Office of Community Service was created in 1993 to promote and expand national service and volunteer opportunities in Montana.

• Visit us at: http://hwww.serve.mt.gov

• Connect with us on Facebook at ServeMontana.

• Nominate an outstanding volunteer or national service member: serve.mt.gov click on ‘programs’, ‘ServeMontana awards’