AmeriCorps 101Basic AmeriCorps Terminology &

Concepts for Reviewers

AmeriCorps External Review

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Objectives

¨ Describe CNCS’s AmeriCorps programs

¨ Define basic AmeriCorps grant concepts and terminology

¨ Identify CNCS’s six Focus Areas¨ Describe the differences between the

categories of AmeriCorps grant opportunities

CNCS Programs

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AmeriCorps is an Umbrella that Consists of Three Programs

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AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps State and National

AmeriCorps NCCC

CNCS Focus Areas

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EducationDisaster Services

Veterans and Military FamiliesHealthy Futures

Economic Opportunity

Environmental Stewardship

AmeriCorps Terms and Concepts

• The direct recipient of the grant funds.Grantee

• Operating solely within one state. This program receives an AmeriCorps grant through a state service commission (see below).

Single-state

• Operating in two or more states. This program receives an AmeriCorps grant directly from CNCS.

Multi-state (National Direct)

• Comprised of a board, nominated and appointed by a state’s governor, that oversees the implementation of national/community service and volunteer initiatives in their state.

State Service Commission

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AmeriCorps Terms and Concepts (cont.)

• The local organizations which receive the grant funds from the Grantee to implement the grant activities on the local level.

Subgrantee

• Terms used to describe the place where a member conducts the service activities.

Operating Sites and Service Locations

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Who are AmeriCorps Members?

¨ Individuals enrolled for a specific term of service with an AmeriCorps program

¨ Members are not volunteers or employees¨ Some AmeriCorps members receive a living

allowance, health insurance, and child care assistance to support them during their term of service

¨ AmeriCorps members receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successfully completing a term of service

¨ All AmeriCorps members are subject to criminal history checks

Member Terminology

¨ Member Service Year (MSY): One Member Service Year is equivalent to one full-time AmeriCorps member (not always equivalent to one person—see slot type below). AmeriCorps funds are contingent on the number of MSYs requested by the program.

¨ AmeriCorps member term/slot type: There are five types of AmeriCorps member terms or slots: full time, half time, reduced half time, quarter time, and minimum time. The total MSYs a program requests depends on the number and type of slots/AmeriCorps member positions included in a particular program design (i.e. two members with half-time slots comprises one MSY).

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AmeriCorps State & National Grants

¨ Require an applicant to propose an AmeriCorps program

¨ Applicants submit an application explaining their program’s: Program Design Organizational Capability Cost Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy

¨ Other important submissions include a detailed budget, logic model, performance measures, and/or additional documents

¨ As an External Reviewer, you will primarily assess the Program Design

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AmeriCorps Program Design

¨ Design/structure of AmeriCorps programs vary; not prescriptive or cookie-cutter

¨ Programs may address community needs in a single Focus Area or multiple Focus Areas

¨ Members can provide their service directly with the organization receiving the AmeriCorps grant, or members could be placed at other community organizations by the grant recipient

¨ Members can serve as a team on a single project, or could be placed individually or in small groups on various projects

¨ Common to all programs: high-quality member activities that meet compelling community needs and lead to meaningful outcomes11

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Categories of Funding

¨ AmeriCorps State Grants¨ National Direct Grants¨ Education Award Program (EAP)

Grants¨ Professional Corps Grants¨ US Territories and Indian Tribe Grants

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State vs. National Direct Grants

¨ State grants address needs within one state Single-state programs must contact their State

Commission to apply for AmeriCorps funding

¨ National Direct grants address needs in a multi-state area Grantee has relationships with entities in at

least two different states that will operate the local programs

Grantee applies directly to CNCS

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Education Award Programs (EAP)

¨ Funded directly by CNCS or through State Commissions

¨ Receive minimal financial support from the AmeriCorps grant and have fewer fiscal reporting requirements

¨ Organizations must raise the additional revenue required to operate the program

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Professional Corps Grants

¨ Funded directly by CNCS or through State Commissions

¨ Recruit and place qualified members in positions as teachers, health care providers, police officers, engineers, or other professionals

¨ Applicants should demonstrate that the community in which it will place professionals has an inadequate number of these professionals

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US Territories and Indian Tribe Grants

¨ Indian Tribes Program Per CNCS’s legislation, a minimum of 1% of

funds for AmeriCorps programs is set aside for Tribal applicants

Indian Tribes can submit applications for any category of grant funding (State, National Direct, EAP, Professional Corps)

A separate Indian Tribes funding opportunity is also offered later in the fiscal year

¨ States and Territories without Commissions Applicants from these locations can apply

directly to CNCS

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Wrap Up

¨ Describe CNCS’s AmeriCorps program

¨ Define basic AmeriCorps grant concepts and terminology

¨ Identify AmeriCorps’ six Focus Areas¨ Describe the differences between the

categories of AmeriCorps grant opportunities

Assessment

¨ To check for understanding  and to verify that you have completed this orientation session, please complete the Assessment at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/americorps101

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