Table of Contents
I. Application Deadline
II. Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions
III. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
IV. Required Documents
V. Resources for Applicants
VI. Training and Technical Assistance
Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, RSVP offers a diverse range of volunteer activities that serve communities to create measurable impact, benefit volunteers through the service experience, and create community capacity. Senior Corps 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.
Through this competition, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) seeks to increase the impact of national service in specific geographic service areas (see Appendix A for the full list of available opportunities). In order to carry out Congress’s intent and to maximize the impact of investment in national service, CNCS has the following Focus Areas: Disaster Services; Economic Opportunity; Education; Environmental Stewardship; Healthy Futures; and Veterans and Military Families.
I. Application Deadline
Notice of Intent to Apply Deadline: Applicants are strongly encouraged to send a Notice of Intent to Apply by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, August 30, 2019. The Notice of Intent to Apply should be completed via Survey Monkey.
Application Deadline: Applications are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Successful applicants will be notified by early March 2020.
II. Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions
Applicants must review both the Notice of Funding Opportunity including the Appendices and the Grant Application Instructions in order to fully understand the applications requirements.
- FY 2020 RSVP Competition NOFO
- RSVP Grant Application Instructions
- Appendix A: List of Available Funding Opportunities by State (Updated August 19, 2019)
- Appendix B: RSVP National Performance Measure Instructions
- Appendix C: Terms and Definitions
- Work Plan Development Worksheets
III. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The FAQs document will be compiled and regularly updated. Questions submitted to 2020RSVP@cns.gov will likely be answered in the FAQs document.
- Frequently Asked Questions (updated August 6, 2019)
IV. Required Documents
These supplemental documents are referenced in the Grant Application Instructions. Please see Part IV of the Grant Application Instructions for the full table of required documents and when they must be submitted.
- Aggregate Dollar Amount of Funding Form
- Financial Management Survey
- New Recipient Payment Management System Instructions
V. Resources for Applicants
VI. Training and Technical Assistance
CNCS will host a series of webinars to introduce potential applicants to the RSVP, this competition, its performance measurement system and more. See below for available sessions, and click on the link to register and receive detailed connection information. All session will be recorded and recordings will be available on this webpage shortly after a webinar’s conclusion.
Complete Schedule:
Session 1: Introduction to CNCS, Senior Corps and RSVP
In this session, we will introduce potential applicants to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers the RSVP program as part of its mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering across the United States. We will also look at the RSVP program in more depth, examining how it empowers individuals 55 and over to serve their communities throughout the country.
Session 1: August 21, 3:30pm ET
Click here for a recording, transcript and slides from this session
Session 2: September 4, 3:30pm ET
Click here for a recording, transcript and slides from this session
Session 2: A Guided Tour of the Notice of Funding Opportunity
In this session, we will look more closely at the Notice of Funding Opportunity (or “NOFO”) that describes the application process and its requirements in greater depth. We will spotlight some of the most important sections of this critical document and highlight other tools and resources you can use to help you through the application process.
Session 1: August 22, 3:30pm ET
Click here for a recording, transcript and slides from this session
Session 2: September 5, 3:30pm ET
Click here for a recording, transcript and slides from this session
Session 3: RSVP in Action: Mobilizing a Generation
In this session, we will focus on the RSVP program itself and how communities all across the country use RSVP grants to mobilize older Americans in service opportunities that address their unique local needs. We will explore the kinds of partnerships they form and how RSVP has been used to address the funding priorities for this competition, with some specific examples to help potential applicants envision their own RSVP programs.
Session 1: August 23, 3:30pm ET
Click here for a recording, transcript and slides from this session
Session 2: September 11, 3:30pm ET
Click here to register for this session
Session 4: Understanding the National Performance Measures
In this session, we will review the National Performance Measures, CNCS’ method of quantifying a grantee’s impact on the community. We will discuss the rationale behind this system of performance measurement, look at the menu of available output and outcome measures, and review the specific requirements for RSVP applicants. We will also use some real examples to help us understand how an individual grantee can contribute to the nationwide story of service told by the National Performance Measures.
Session 1: August 27, 3:30pm ET
Click here for a recording, transcript and slides from this session
Session 2: September 12, 3:30pm ET
Click here to register for this session
Session 5: Submitting Your Application Via eGrants
In this session, we will walk through the process of submitting an application in CNCS’ electronic grants management system, eGrants, step-by-step. We will give some pointers on using the system and look inside the system so you’re prepared to submit your application seamlessly.
Session 1: August 29, 3:30pm ET
Click here for a recording, transcript and slides from this session
Session 2: September 18, 3:30pm ET