National Service Agency Announces Operation AmeriCorps

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced Operation AmeriCorps, a new program designed for AmeriCorps members of all types to help local leaders address their community’s most pressing local challenge. 

 

Funding is available exclusively to tribal and local governments, including counties, cities, towns, and school districts; and state service commissions. 

 

“Local leaders are all about getting things done for America – making communities great places to live, work, and raise a family,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “That’s a mission we share. For 20 years, AmeriCorps members have had a positive and lasting impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation. I’m proud that, through Operation AmeriCorps, members can be essential part of the solution to help communities get things done.”

 

Applicants will identify a high-priority local challenge that AmeriCorps members can holistically address in two years or less. The proposed solution may be a new initiative, or may utilize national service to scale up an existing successful effort. Unlike other CNCS programs, applicants may request AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC resources in a single application.

 

The Operation AmeriCorps competition has two funding priorities. Applicants may choose to apply to either of the priorities. The first priority focuses on specific post-secondary outcomes for students. The second priority allows localities to identify their most pressing challenge. In each case, the most important element is choosing a project that will be a game-changer for the local community and ensuring that there are clear outcomes to measure success. 

 

Since 1994, more than 900,000 men and women have served in AmeriCorps, providing more than 1.2 billion hours of service addressing critical challenges from poverty and hunger to disasters and the dropout crisis.  AmeriCorps members have earned more than $2.7 billion in education scholarships to pay for college or pay back student loans. 

 

AmeriCorps members serve at more than 25,000 locations from coast to coast, strengthening education, providing disaster services, fostering economic opportunity, assisting veterans and military families, preserving the environment, and expanding health services.  While they serve others, AmeriCorps members expand opportunity for themselves, gain skills, experience, and education support to help jump start their careers. 

 

Applications are due Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 5 p.m. EDT to CNCS. A Notice of Intent to Apply is encouraged for this competition and is due Monday, December 29, 2014 at 5 p.m. EDT.  CNCS expects that successful applicants will be notified no later than April 7, 2015, contingent on timely full year appropriations.

 

Potential applicants are encouraged to read all the available information, including the Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity, the Application Instructions, the Performance Measures Instructions, Glossary, and AmeriCorps Regulations 45 CFR Sections 2520 – 2550.

 

CNCS will hold a series of public conference calls to provide background and answer questions about the Operation AmeriCorps funding opportunity. Call information is available on the funding notice page.