National Service Agency Announces $14 Million Funding Opportunity to Engage Volunteers 55+
Washington, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) released the RSVP 2014 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) competition today to provide local nonprofit and public agencies an opportunity to increase their capacity by engaging adults age 55 and older in high impact with volunteer service.
CNCS anticipates it will award more than $14 million to local organizations which will sponsor RSVP programs. This RSVP competition is expected to yield more than 92,000 senior volunteers who will serve in the six CNCS focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.
“Our country and our communities need the skills and talents of all of its citizens,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “Baby boomers and other older adults are an excellent resource for local nonprofits, faith-based institutions, public agencies, and others."
The 2014 RSVP funding competition builds on a successful competition in 2013, which resulted in 80,000 senior volunteers serving in more than 208 local organizations in 35 states across the nation.
One of three signature programs of Senior Corps, RSVP has more than 40 years of experience supporting nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the country through the volunteer service of older adults. RSVP volunteers help organizations enhance services to expand their impact and leverage other resources to create sustainable projects.
“Competition encourages innovation and offers organizations an opportunity for creative programming that meets critical challenges in our six focus areas,” said Dr. Erwin Tan, director of Senior Corps. “Our focus on performance measures will demonstrate the national impact that Senior Corps has on strengthening communities. It’s a great investment for taxpayers.”
This RSVP competition also reflects the requirement of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. The law established a core set of critical issues and established the rationale for competition in the RSVP program.
RSVP funding opportunities are available in 270 specific geographic areas in 45 states throughout the country. Eligible organizations include nonprofit organizations, faith-based and higher education institutions, Indian tribes, and local public agencies, including city and county governments.
CNCS will host six technical assistance calls to answer questions about this funding opportunity, including information about RSVP, how to apply through the e-grants system, and the performance measures.
The 2014 RSVP NOFO, FAQS, and technical assistance information is available at www.nationalservice.gov/RSVPCompetition.
Letters of intent to apply are due on August 9, 2013. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
In addition, the Senior Corps Virtual Conference will be held August 6-7, 2013. This virtual conference, free and open to the public, will provide information on the Senior Corps performance measures to help organizations develop programs that demonstrate measurable impact.