Table of Contents

Application Deadline

Competition Documents

Funding Priorities

Training and Technical Assistance Resources

AmeriCorps Pre-Award Requirements and Other Resources

About RSVP

Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP engages people ages 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers tutor children, help prepare simple taxes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide nutrition/food support, facilitate opioid and substance abuse education workshops, and serve in their communities in many other ways. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged. To read the statute that regulates the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program, view the Uniform Guidance § CFR 200 and RSVP Federal Regulations.

Application Deadline

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, September 18, 2024. Successful applicants will be issued awards by end of March 2025.

Competition Documents

Fiscal Year 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Notice of Funding Opportunity 
Appendix A: AmeriCorps Seniors Grant Application Instructions
Appendix B: AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Performance Measure Instructions
Appendix C: Terms and Definitions
Appendix D: Training and Technical Assistance Resources
Appendix E: Federal Share, Unduplicated Volunteer, and Match Calculators for RSVP Competition
Applicant Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS)

Funding Priorities

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programming is designed to meet community needs. Applicants may propose activities intended to address community needs by thoroughly explaining the unmet need and activities to be completed by volunteers to address that need. In addition, AmeriCorps is interested in programming that addresses agency priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP priorities for this funding opportunity are:

  • Supporting older adults and their caregivers: Caregiver respite, support groups, system navigation, care coordination, and resources for custodial grandparents.
  • Helping older adults re-enter the workforce: Job readiness support, mentoring, training, and removing barriers to employment.
  • Preventing and mitigating fraud and scams: Digital navigators and other methods to prevent and mitigate financial fraud, abuse, and exploitation.
  • Reducing the number of people who are unhoused: Provide affordable housing, support the unhoused, and addressing housing needs.
  • Supporting local climate change initiatives: Energy efficiency, waste management, and ecosystem restoration.
  • Supporting behavioral health initiatives: Reduce isolation, improve mental health, offer peer support, provide support, and use harm reduction methods.

Training and Technical Assistance Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

FY 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition FAQ (Last updated July 2024)

Training and Technical Assistance Schedule

Enhance your knowledge and skills with our upcoming training sessions. Explore the list below and register today! 

Pre-submit a question for the Q&A webinars. 

Training and Technical Assistance Recordings

Recordings and presentation slides for all trainings will be posted within seven days of the event.

FY 2025 RSVP Competition: What's New

Stay updated on the latest changes and updates in the Fiscal Year 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP competitions to ensure you're well-prepared for the upcoming cycle. 

Priorities and Selection Criteria 

Understand the key priority areas and selection criteria for the Fiscal Year 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Notice of Funding Opportunity to align your application with the program’s priorities. 

Best Practices in Budget Development 

Join AmeriCorps Seniors and the Office of Grant Administration to learn best practices in budget development, ensuring your proposal stands out. 

Using Narratives and Work Plans to Make Your Case 

Learn to create compelling narratives and detailed work plans that highlight community needs, volunteer activities, and project impact for the Fiscal Year 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Competition. 

Introduction to AmeriCorps Seniors

Discover AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, explore funded programs, and see how these initiatives meet community needs through inspiring volunteer activities.

Tour of the Notice of Funding Opportunity
Get an insider's look at the Fiscal Year 2025 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Notice of Funding Opportunity and learn how to maximize your application.

General Q&A 

Participate in a live General Q&A session with AmeriCorps Seniors staff to address all your general inquiries about the FY2025 RSVP Notice of Funding Opportunity. 

Budget Q&A 

Join a live Q&A session with staff from AmeriCorps Seniors and the Office of Grant Administration to get answers to your budget-related questions for the FY2025 RSVP Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Work Plans and Performance Measures Q&A 

Attend a live Q&A session with AmeriCorps Seniors staff to get clarity on programming, performance measures, and work plans for the FY2025 RSVP Notice of Funding Opportunity application. 

Program Development: Critical Questions for Success (Posted July 22, 2024)

Get essential tips and best practices for crafting a competitive application, understanding grant requirements, creating compelling narratives, and demonstrating community impact. 

Submitting Your Application in eGrants (Pre-recorded)

Learn to navigate eGrants in this step-by-step webinar, ensuring a smooth and efficient application submission. 


 

AmeriCorps Pre-Award Requirements and Other Resources

This list outlines the essential pre-award requirements you must meet and other resources to consider when submitting an AmeriCorps grant application:

  • Applicant Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS) - All new and recompeting applicants regardless of funding level are required to submit an OFMS with every new and recompeting application an organization submits to AmeriCorps. The form needs to be completed fully, a response for every question. If there are additional comments needed to explain certain responses, please utilize the ‘preparer’s comments’ section.
    • The OFMS must be submitted as an MS Form Survey through the link above. All other formats, including Word Document and PDF, will not be accepted.
  • Due Diligence Review Process and Compliance – Applicants will find information to help them understand the pre-award due diligence checks in this training. This content will help applicants obtain due diligence compliance and remain compliant throughout the grant life.
  • Indirect Cost Guidance - This guide is designed to provide AmeriCorps applicants and grantees with the foundational knowledge necessary to effectively manage, and consistently allocate and apply indirect costs associated with AmeriCorps awards.
  • eGrants Indirect Cost Rate (IDCR) Instructions – Instructions for how to enter the organization’s indirect cost rate are located on this page. Applicants should not submit documentation addressing indirect cost rate agreement via email.
  • National Performance Measurement Core Curriculum - AmeriCorps expects all applicants and grantees to use National Performance Measures as part of a comprehensive performance measurement strategy that relies on both performance and evaluation data to learn from their work and make tactical and strategic adjustments to achieve their goals.
  • National Service Criminal History Check – National Service Criminal History Checks (NSCHC) is a baseline screening requirement established by law to protect the beneficiaries of national service.
  • SAM Registration – Your System for Award Management (SAM) registration must be active at the time of the application deadline. 
  • Terms and Conditions – Current versions of the AmeriCorps General and Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for each of its programs is available. Terms and Conditions for the FY 2025 RSVP awards will be posted at a later date.

Further information

Program Type
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
Status
Open
CFDA number
94.002