- How does an organization apply for AmeriCorps funding?
- What is the difference between AmeriCorps*State Formula grants and AmeriCorps*State Competitive grants?
- What do AmeriCorps Members Do?
- Who Can Be an AmeriCorps Member?
- What Are Post-Service Education Awards?
- How many terms of service can an individual serve?
How does an organization apply for AmeriCorps funding?
Serve DC runs at least two grant competitions a year for AmeriCorps funding. Before each grant competition, Serve DC releases a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) followed by the Request for Applications (RFA) and Application Instructions. All of these documents are posted on the Serve DC website and available in a variety of Washington, DC Government and other local publications. Any interested applicants must attend a mandatory Technical Assistance Session during the period of the grant competition before applying for an AmeriCorps grant. All Technical Assistance Session dates and times will be outlined in the NOFO and RFA. Typically, Serve DC runs a grant competition for AmeriCorps Formula funds in the spring and a grant competition for AmeriCorps Competitive funds in the fall. This schedule is subject to change due to funding availability. Please check the “Serve DC News” on the website home page for the most recent funding opportunities.
Serve DC runs at least two grant competitions a year for AmeriCorps funding. Before each grant competition, Serve DC releases a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) followed by the Request for Applications (RFA) and Application Instructions. All of these documents are posted on the Serve DC website and available in a variety of Washington, DC Government and other local publications. Any interested applicants must attend a mandatory Technical Assistance Session during the period of the grant competition before applying for an AmeriCorps grant. All Technical Assistance Session dates and times will be outlined in the NOFO and RFA. Typically, Serve DC runs a grant competition for AmeriCorps Formula funds in the spring and a grant competition for AmeriCorps Competitive funds in the fall. This schedule is subject to change due to funding availability. Please check the “Serve DC News” on the website home page for the most recent funding opportunities.
What is the difference between AmeriCorps*State Formula grants and AmeriCorps*State Competitive grants?
The Corporation separates its AmeriCorps*State Formula funding into two different types: Competitive and Formula. In Washington, DC, both types of AmeriCorps*State funding are managed by Serve DC. Formula funding is awarded to Serve DC and all other State Service Commissions based on a population-based formula. At present, Serve DC receives $500,000 in formula funds but that amount is subject to change based on the Corporation’s available funds. Serve DC awards these funds through a grant competition where applications are reviewed by Serve DC Staff, a Serve DC Commissioner, and three to four community reviewers. Programs seeking Competitive funding go through the same review process as formula applicants but must also compete nationally for funds through a review at the Corporation. The amount of funding available is not capped by any certain amount, only the total amount available from the Corporation.
The Corporation separates its AmeriCorps*State Formula funding into two different types: Competitive and Formula. In Washington, DC, both types of AmeriCorps*State funding are managed by Serve DC. Formula funding is awarded to Serve DC and all other State Service Commissions based on a population-based formula. At present, Serve DC receives $500,000 in formula funds but that amount is subject to change based on the Corporation’s available funds. Serve DC awards these funds through a grant competition where applications are reviewed by Serve DC Staff, a Serve DC Commissioner, and three to four community reviewers. Programs seeking Competitive funding go through the same review process as formula applicants but must also compete nationally for funds through a review at the Corporation. The amount of funding available is not capped by any certain amount, only the total amount available from the Corporation.
What do AmeriCorps Members Do?
AmeriCorps members' service addresses community needs in one of five areas: education, public safety, human services, environment and Homeland Security. Here are some of the types of service AmeriCorps members perform:
AmeriCorps members' service addresses community needs in one of five areas: education, public safety, human services, environment and Homeland Security. Here are some of the types of service AmeriCorps members perform:
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Tutor and teach elementary school students
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Assist crime victims or start neighborhood crime watches
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Turn vacant lots into neighborhood parks
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Provide assistance and companionship to homebound elderly or individuals with disabilities
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Restore rivers
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Respond to natural disasters with emergency relief for victims
Who Can Be an AmeriCorps Member?
AmeriCorps members are U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and at least 17 years of age.
AmeriCorps members are U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and at least 17 years of age.
What Are Post-Service Education Awards?
After successfully completing a term of AmeriCorps service, members receive an education award worth up to $4,725. The amount of the award is based on the number of hours that the member completes. The award can be used to cover future costs of college or vocational school and to pay back student loans. Members can only receive one education award per term of service and can only receive up to two education awards. The following is the amount of education awards based on number of hours served:
After successfully completing a term of AmeriCorps service, members receive an education award worth up to $4,725. The amount of the award is based on the number of hours that the member completes. The award can be used to cover future costs of college or vocational school and to pay back student loans. Members can only receive one education award per term of service and can only receive up to two education awards. The following is the amount of education awards based on number of hours served:
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Full-time member serving at least 1,700 hours: $4,725
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Part-time member serving at least 900 hours: $2362.50
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Reduced Part-time member serving at least 675 hours: $1,800
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Quarter-time member serving at least 450 hours: $1,250
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Minimum-time member service at least 300 hours: $1,000
How many terms of service can an individual serve?
An individual may only receive the benefits of serving as an AmeriCorps member for the first two successfully completed terms of service, regardless of whether those terms were served on a full-, part-, quarter-, or minimum-time basis. For more information on serving as an AmeriCorps member, please visit Serve DC’s Member Resource Page.
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