New RSVP Funding Will Expand Program To New Communities

Washington, DC—The Corporation for National and Community Service issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) today that will provide grant funding to launch new RSVP projects – service projects that recruit volunteers ages 55 and over – in communities not served and expand existing service programs.

“These funds increase service opportunities for older Americans to help address the challenges facing communities across the nation,” said Nicola Goren, the Corporation's Acting CEO.

The RSVP NOFA totals $2.7 million in new funding that will be made available through a national competition to grow the number of RSVP volunteers through a combination of new grants in communities not served by RSVP volunteers and an expansion of existing grants. In Fiscal 2009, RSVP volunteers mentored more than 103,000 children and youth, provided a range of independent living services for more than 600,000 frail seniors, and recruited and coordinated nearly 44,000 community volunteers.

This grant competition will build on the successes of the RSVP programs by placing a priority on projects that enable volunteers to:

• Assist individuals, including frail seniors and veterans of recent conflicts, with independent living support, including respite for family or informal caregivers;

• Assist children academically so they will succeed in school; and

• Assist individuals, including frail seniors and other vulnerable populations, with home energy efficiency, such as weatherization and energy audits.

All applicants must describe how they will place 20% of their volunteers in assignments that enhance organizational capacity in the community, such as pro bono planning support, recruiting and coordinating community volunteers, or assisting with resource development.

Submission of a Concept Paper is required. Applicants submitting successful Concept Papers will be invited to submit full applications. The Concept Paper deadline is February 22, 2010, 5:00 EST. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, April 6, 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by August 20. Click here to read the entire NOFA, and for further information, email PNS@cns.gov or call 202.606.3225. Applications should be submitted to https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp.

RSVP is one of three Corporation programs operated by Senior Corps, which taps the skills, talents, and experience of nearly 500,000 Americans age 55 and over to meet a wide range of community challenges. The other programs are the Foster Grandparent Program and the Senior Companion Program.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service each year through its core programs, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information about the Corporation, visit NationalService.gov.