CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

AUTHORIZATION:

National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended.

OBJECTIVES:

Innovation grants support innovative demonstration service programs that build the ethic of service among Americans of all ages and backgrounds. These include the AmeriCorps Education Award Program, AmeriCorps Promise Fellows, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service grants, and Disability Outreach grants.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Varies by program. AmeriCorps Promise Fellows support community efforts to achieve the five goals for children and youth set at the Presidents' Summit on America's Future. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Grants support community-based service activities conducted to honor the ideals of Dr. King in conjunction with the federal holiday marking his birth. Disability outreach grants support efforts to increase the number of people with disabilities in national and community service.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   State, local governments, and nonprofit organizations are eligible for demonstration grants. State commissions, national nonprofit organizations, and operating AmeriCorps programs are eligible for disability grants.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   State and local governments and nonprofit organizations are beneficiaries of demonstration grants Persons with disabilities who are participants in AmeriCorps programs operated by State commissions, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and governments are beneficiaries of disability grants.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Described in the Notice of Funding Availability published in the Federal Register for each program.

Award Procedure:   The Corporation for National Service awards the grants.

Deadlines:   Deadlines vary according to the program and are published in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   There is a two to four month range.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Varies by program.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Varies by program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Varies by program.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Varies by program.

Audits:   Audits are performed annually.

Records:   Records must be maintained as required by the individual grant.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   95-2720-0-1-506.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 99 $23,093,000; FY 00 est $19,717,000; and FY 01 est $28,521,000. (Total for all activities under Innovation Programs.)

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Demonstration grants generally range from $25,000 to $500,000. However, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service grants generally are for $5,000 or less.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, the Corporation initiated the AmeriCorps Promise Fellows initiative. Approximately 70 grants totaling $6.1 million were awarded to state commissions, Indian tribes, U.S. territories and national nonprofit organizations supporting 530 fellowships. The National Service Fellows spent one year with organizations to help implement programs in support of the five goals for children and youth set at the President's Summit for America's Future. Education Award Program grants supported more than 13,000 full- and part-time AmeriCorps members who served with national and community service groups in education, public safety, environmental, health and human service programs. The Disability Outreach initiative was initiated in fiscal year 2000 and the grants award process is still in process.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

For final guidelines, contact the headquarters office.

INFORMATION CONTACTS: