AmeriCorps Seniors FY 2023 Quarter 4 SCP Notice

 
 
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NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 
 
Federal Agency Name:     AmeriCorps 
Funding Opportunity Title:   Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior 
Companion Program Quarter 4 Continuation and 
Renewal  
Announcement Type:   Final Announcement  
Assistance Listing Number:  94.016  
 
Disclosure: Publication of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (Notice) does not obligate 
AmeriCorps to award any specific number of grants or to commit any particular amount of 
funding.  The actual level, timing, and process of grant funding will be subject to the 
availability of annual appropriations.   
 
Important Dates 
•  Applications are due not later than Thursday, March 9, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
Time.  
•  Successful applicants will be notified by May, 2023. 
 
Table of Contents 
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................................... 4 
  A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Funding .... 4 
  A.2. Funding Priorities ...................................................................................... 4 
  A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes .............................................. 5 
  A.4. Program Authority ..................................................................................... 6 
B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION ......................................................................................................... 6 
  B.1. Estimated Available Funds ........................................................................ 6 
  B.2. Estimated Award Amount .......................................................................... 6 
  B.3. Period of Performance ............................................................................... 6 
  B.4. Type of Award ........................................................................................... 7 
C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION .................................................................................................................... 7 
  C.1. Eligible Applicants ..................................................................................... 7 
  C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching .......................................................................... 8 
  C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements .................................................................. 8 
D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION ............................................................................. 9 
  D.1. Address to Request an Application Package ............................................ 9 
  D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission .......................................... 9 
D.2.a. Application Content ......................................................................................................... 9 
  D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) ..... 11 
  D.4. Submission Dates and Times ................................................................... 11 

 
 
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D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline .............................................................................. 11 
D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline ................................................................................ 12 
D.4.c. Late Applications ............................................................................................................. 12 
  D.5. Intergovernmental Review ...................................................................... 13 
  D.6. Funding Restrictions ................................................................................ 13 
D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements ..................................................................................... 13 
D.6.b. Indirect Costs ................................................................................................................... 13 
D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs .............................................................................................................. 13 
  D.7. Other Submission Requirements ............................................................ 13 
D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants ......................................................... 13 
E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION................................................................................................ 15 
E.1. CONTINUATION  APPLICATIONS (Going into Year 2 or Year 3 Only) ................... 15 
  E.1.a. Executive Summary............................................................................... 15 
  E.1.b. Program Design .................................................................................... 16 
  E.1.c. Work Plan(s)/Performance Measures.................................................... 16 
  E.1.d. Budget .................................................................................................. 16 
  E.1.e. Other Narrative ..................................................................................... 16 
  E.1.e.ii.  Additional federal funding Request to maintain volunteer level: 
(Required if maintaining VSY level) ................................................................ 17 
E.2. RENEWAL APPLICATIONS (Going into Year 1 only) .................................................. 17 
  E.2.a. Executive Summary............................................................................... 17 
  E.2.b. Program Design .................................................................................... 18 
  E.2.c. Work Plans ............................................................................................ 18 
  E.2.d. Recruitment and Development ............................................................ 19 
  E.2.e. Organizational Capability ..................................................................... 20 
  E.2.e.i Program Management ......................................................................... 20 
  E.2.e.ii   Organizational Capability ................................................................. 20 
  E.2.f.  Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy ............................................ 21 
  E.2 f.i. Budget ................................................................................................. 21 
  E.2.g. Other NarrativeE.2.g.i. Evaluation (Required) ..................................... 21 
  E.2.g.ii.  Additional federal funding request to maintain volunteer level: 
(Required if needing additional federal funds to cover $4 Stipend Increase)
 ........................................................................................................................ 21 
  E.3. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review ............................ 22 
  E.4. Application Review .................................................................................. 22 
  E.5. Pre-Award Risk Assessment ..................................................................... 22 
  E.6. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information .......... 23 
  E.7. Selection for Funding ............................................................................... 24 
  E.8. Feedback to Applicants ........................................................................... 24 
  E.9. Transparency in Grant-making ................................................................ 24 
F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION ...................................................................... 25 
  F.1. Federal Award Notices ............................................................................. 25 
  F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements .................................. 25 
F.2.a. Uniform Guidance ............................................................................................................ 25 
F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information ................................ 25 
F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions .............................................................................. 25 

 
 
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F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements ....................................... 25 
F.2.e. Official Guidance ............................................................................................................. 26 
  F.3. Use of Material ......................................................................................... 26 
  F.4. Reporting ................................................................................................. 27 
G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS ....................................................................................... 27 
H. OTHER INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................... 28 
  H.1. Technical Assistance ................................................................................ 28 
  H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding........................................................................... 28 
I. IMPORTANT NOTICES .............................................................................................................................. 28 
APPENDIX A .................................................................................................................................................. 29 
  List of Funding Opportunities ......................................................................... 29 
APPENDIX B .................................................................................................................................................. 29 
  Performance Measures ................................................................................... 29 
APPENDIX C .................................................................................................................................................. 29 
  Terms and Definitions ..................................................................................... 29 
APPENDIX D .................................................................................................................................................. 29 
  Litmos Resources: Continuations and Renewals Fiscal Year 2023- Q4 (July 1 
start date) ........................................................................................................ 29 
APPENDIX E .................................................................................................................................................. 29 
  Grant Application Instructions ........................................................................ 29 
APPENDIX F................................................................................................................................................... 29 
  AmeriCorps Focus Areas ................................................................................. 29 
APPENDIX G .................................................................................................................................................. 30 
  Volunteer Service Year (VSY) Adjustment Calculator for the FY23 Stipend 
Increase ........................................................................................................... 30 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Funding

AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through

service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s

most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members

and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement

of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our

national culture.

Established in 1974, the AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior Companion Program (SCP) engages

adults ages 55 and over to provide companionship and support to other adults in need of

extra assistance to remain at home or in the community for as long as possible. AmeriCorps

Seniors volunteers in the Senior Companion Program typically perform volunteer service that

takes place in the homes of their clients. Among other activities, they provide companionship

to ease loneliness and social isolation, assist with transportation and light chores, help to

serve as eyes and ears to professionals who can intervene in the case of medical or other

deterioration on the part of the clients, and give support to informal caregivers. While

serving, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the Senior Companion Program improve their own

lives by staying active and civically engaged.

AmeriCorps Senior prioritizes grant making in the Healthy Futures focus area identified by

the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended by the Serve America Act.

Under this focus area, grants must address health needs within communities by focusing

specifically on independent living (aging in place), and access to health care. Activities may

include supporting the ability of homebound, older adults and individuals with disabilities to

live independently.

A.2. Funding Priorities

AmeriCorps recently released its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan that defines the agency’s goals,

objectives, and strategies to both meet and exceed the agency’s mission to improve lives and

strengthen communities. Over the next 5 years, AmeriCorps will execute the following goals

to better position the agency to respond to national and local needs and help the

communities it serves prosper: partner with communities to alleviate poverty and advance

racial equity; enhance the experience for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors

volunteers; unite Americans by bringing them together in service; effectively steward federal

resources; and make AmeriCorps one of the best and most equitable places to work in the

federal government.

Over the next five years, AmeriCorps will invest in existing and new partnerships with non-

profit, faith-based, and Tribal organizations, and state service commissions, to get things

done for America. We will prioritize investment in the most critical issues of our time — public

health, climate and the environment, and education and economic opportunity — within

AmeriCorps’ Focus Areas (Appendix F) and will increase our efforts to ensure our

AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers reflect the communities where they

serve. We will target our investments toward communities where the need is greatest,

particularly those with populations that face racial inequality and poverty. These steps will

enable more Americans than ever to strengthen the communities that need it most across the

nation through their service.

Incumbent projects that currently receive an AmeriCorps Seniors SCP grant are invited to

submit applications for the AmeriCorps Seniors SCP grant sponsored by their organization.

Incumbents are invited to apply for grant continuation or renewal based upon the

determination that the project is continuing to meet the eligibility criteria as detailed in this

document.

AmeriCorps Seniors will prioritize national service investments in the following areas:

• AmeriCorps Seniors is committed, in this grant cycle, to focus on programs that

actively engage in removing structural racial inequities, advancing racial equality, and

increase opportunity to achieve sustainable change in communities.

• AmeriCorps Seniors encourages grant applications to include work plans

that advance justice and equality in areas such as healthy futures.

• AmeriCorps Seniors encourages applicants to focus on efforts to help local

communities respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may

propose programming in the healthy futures focus area to aid communities as they

recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

To receive priority consideration, applicants must show that the priority area is a significant

part of the program focus and intended outcomes, and must include a high-quality program

design. Proposing programs that receive priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes

National Performance Measures

AmeriCorps expects applicants 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 to make strategic adjustments to achieve their

goals.

Applicants are required to use the specific performance measures outlined in this Notice. For

more information, please refer to the National Performance Measures Instructions. See the

Program-specific evaluation requirements.

Applicants must identify a Primary Focus Area. Work plans must include at least one service

activity in the selected Primary Focus Area. The Primary Focus Area should represent the area

in which the incumbent aims to make the most impact.

All proposed volunteers and the intended impact of their service must be represented in the

narratives, in a performance measure and in the budget.

This funding opportunity requires applicants to demonstrate cost-effective practices in

achieving performance goals through the services described in the proposed work plans.

Applications must include work plans that meet the following minimum requirements: for

every $9,000 in annual base federal funding, at least one Volunteer Service Year (VSY) must

be incorporated in outcome-based work plans, and must produce National Performance

Measure outcomes in:

• the Healthy Futures focus area; or

• National Performance Measure outcomes in “Inclusion of people with disabilities”

(H15A) work plans for incumbents that have historically supported programming in

this area (see Appendix B)

Volunteer Service Year (VSY): VSY is a budget term which equals 1044 service hours. The

standardized stipend cost per VSY is calculated by multiplying the number of hours served by

the current cost per hour for the stipend (1044 hours x $4.00 per hour).

A.4. Program Authority

Awards under this Notice are authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990,

as amended, (42 U.S.C. §12501 et seq.), the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as

amended (42 U.S.C. §4950 et seq.).

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

This Notice includes the deadlines, eligibility requirements, submission requirements, review

criteria and other information applicable to SCP continuation and renewal applications. This

document in addition to the grant application instructions must be reviewed in order to

complete your application. This Notice is for current grantees in Year 3 of their current grant

and seeking to renew their grant with a renewal application (for Year 1) or current grantees in

Year 1 or 2 of their current grant and seeking to continue their grant with continuation

applications (for Years 2 or 3). Please pay careful attention to sections that are specific to

continuation applicants and sections specific to renewal applications.

AmeriCorps Seniors has increased the hourly stipend rate for volunteers from $3.15 to $4.00

an hour for FY23. Grantees must ensure their FY23 proposed budgets incorporate this rate

increase, and cost per VSY does not exceed $9,000.

B.1. Estimated Available Funds

AmeriCorps Seniors anticipates approximately $45 million for FY 2023 Senior Companion

Program awards. The actual level of funding is subject to the availability of annual

appropriations.

B.2. Estimated Award Amount

Award amounts will vary, as determined by the scope of the projects. AmeriCorps Seniors

expects to make awards in the range of $0.00 to $875,000.00.

B.3. Period of Performance

AmeriCorps expects to issue awards by June 30, 2023, to support a period of performance

that begins on July 1, 2023.

B.3.a. Continuation Grants:

Continuation funding for years 2 and 3 is not guaranteed and may be dependent upon:

• Organizations that have current program awards that continue beyond FY 2022 must

submit an application in order to be eligible to receive funding for the following year.

If a continuation application is not submitted by the due date, or if approval is not

given for an extension, this will be an indication that the organization is no longer

interested in receiving funding. Please see the Application Instructions and other

appendices.

• Satisfactory performance that signals the grantee is on track to achieve its proposed

performance measures at the end of the grant

• Demonstrated capacity to manage the grant

• Compliance with grant requirements, including terms and conditions, criminal history

checks, reporting and securing the required non-AmeriCorps share

• Availability of Congressional appropriations

B. 3.b. Renewal Grants:

Organizations that have current program awards and are eligible for renewal funding must

submit an application in order to be eligible to receive funding for the following year. If a

renewal application is not submitted by the due date, or if approval is not given for an

extension, this will be an indication that the organization is no longer interested in receiving

funding.

AmeriCorps anticipates making three-year grant awards for successful renewal applications.

However, applications for funding must be based on a one-year period of performance and a

one-year budget. Actual award periods will vary due to program requirements, the

availability of appropriations, or specific circumstances of an individual application.

AmeriCorps reserves the right to adjust the amount of an award.

B.4. Type of Award

FY 2023 Senior Companion Program grants will be awarded on a cost reimbursement basis.

Award recipients will be assigned to an AmeriCorps Portfolio Manager, who will be

responsible for assessing recipient performance, providing training and technical assistance,

and serving as the agency’s primary point of contact.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants

Through this Notice, only AmeriCorps Seniors SCP grantees who currently receive federal

funds for an AmeriCorps Seniors SCP grant or have an approved no-cost grant ($0), may

apply for funding.

The following non-Federal entities (all of which are defined in 2 CFR 200.1) are eligible to

apply:

• Indian Tribes

• institutions of higher education

• local governments

• nonprofit organizations

• state service commissions

• states and US Territories

In addition to Indian Tribes as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, tribal organizations that are controlled,

authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also eligible to apply. If an

entity applies for an award as a tribal organization that is controlled or chartered by one or

more Indian Tribes, and if it does not meet one of the other eligibility categories, the

organization must provide copies or links to documentation which demonstrates that the

organization is controlled or chartered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe. If an entity

applies as an organization authorized by a federally recognized tribe, or multiple specific

federally recognized tribes, it must submit a resolution or other authorization, adopted by the

Tribal Council (or comparable tribal governing body) of each Indian Tribe. The

authorization(s) must identify the entity applying for an AmeriCorps award by name as a tribal

organization that is authorized by the Indian Tribe(s) for the purpose of applying for

AmeriCorps funding (or federal grant funds generally).

Applicants must have a valid SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier to receive an

award. See Section D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

for more information.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Applicants are required to match funds equal to 10% percent of their total requested one-

year program budget. The applicant’s match can be non-AmeriCorps cash and/or in-kind

contributions. Applicants must indicate whether the match is proposed or secured and

maintain documentation. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the 10% percent

match requirement at the time of application submission. If needed, match waiver request

can be submitted. Please see the Match Waiver information for AmeriCorps Seniors

Grantees located on the AmeriCorps website’s Manage Your Grant webpage.

Non-AmeriCorps Federal funds are allowed as match if the Federal agency that is the source

of the funds approves its use as match. Applicants must maintain documentation of this

approval.

See Section D.6. Funding Restrictions for more information.

C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

Applications that propose to engage in activities that are prohibited under AmeriCorps’

statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of its awards are not eligible to receive

AmeriCorps funding.

Note that under appropriations provisions annually enacted by Congress, if AmeriCorps is

aware that any corporation has any unpaid federal tax liability

• that has been assessed;

• for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have

lapsed; and

• that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority

responsible for collecting the tax liability;

that corporation is not eligible for an award under this Notice. However, this exclusion will not

apply to a corporation that a federal agency has considered for suspension or debarment

and determined that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the

federal government.

Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization described in the Internal

Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. §501 (c)(4) that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible

to apply for AmeriCorps funding.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

This Notice should be read together with the AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion

Program regulations, 45 CFR Part 2551, AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program

Grant Application Instructions, Appendix A: List of Funding Opportunities, and Appendix B:

AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Performance Measure Instructions. These

documents are available online at https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/scp

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package

All information associated with this funding opportunity is available through the AmeriCorps

Seniors webpages. Applicants should refer to AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion

Program Grantees page for more information and instructions on how to fully respond to this

Notice. Applicants can also send an email to the assigned Regional Office for a printed copy

of the Notice, Guidance or Application Instructions. AmeriCorps also offers live text chat at

https://americorps.gov/contact.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content

Complete applications must include the following sections:

AmeriCorps Seniors SCP Continuation Grantees (Going into Year 2 or Year 3): (Also see

Section E.1 for more detailed information)

• Standard Form 424 (SF-424) Face Sheet: This is automatically generated when

applicants complete the data elements in the eGrants system.

• Narrative Sections:

o Executive Summary: This is a brief description of the proposed program.

Executive Summaries must match the language templates as provided in the

Notice. Executive Summaries of all compliant applications are made available

to the public following grant awards.

o Program Management: Inform of any changes or challenges to your program,

otherwise enter N/A if there are no continuation changes. Leave previous

information in this section.

o Work plan(s)/Performance Measures: Update, if necessary, and make sure to

leave the previous information there.

o Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy: Update, if necessary, and make sure to

leave the previous information there.

o Other: Respond to questions specific to DEIA and retention. If other

information is present, please leave it.

• Standard Form 424A Budget

• Performance Measures

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications

Do not delete content in the other fields (such as Strengthening Communities, Recruitment

and Development, and Organizational Capability) that have populated unless you are

changing the number of VSY or cost per VSY. Because eGrants is our system of record, it is

critical that previous information stays and that you update only where specific items

identified.

AmeriCorps Seniors SCP Renewal Grantees (Going into Year 1):

• Standard Form 424 (SF-424) Face Sheet: This is automatically generated when

applicants complete the data elements in the eGrants system.

• Narrative Sections:

o Executive Summary: This is a brief description of the proposed program.

Executive Summaries must match the language templates as provided in

application instructions and the Notice. Executive Summaries of all compliant

applications are made available to the public following grant awards.

o Strengthening Communities

o Recruitment and Development

o Program Management (Program Design)

o Organizational Capability

o Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy

o Other

• Standard Form 424A Budget

• Performance Measures

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications

D.2.b. Page Limits

Applications may not exceed 17 double-spaced pages as according to the pages printed out

from eGrants. The application sections that count toward the page limit are the:

• SF-424 Face Sheet;

• Executive Summary; and

• Strengthening Communities, Recruitment and Development, Program Management,

Organizational Capability, Other, and Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy

narratives.

The application page limit does not include the Budget, Performance Measures,

Continuation Changes, Clarification, or any required additional documents.

Please note that the length of the application as a word processing document may differ from

the length of the document printed out from eGrants. The character limits in eGrants do not

align with page limits set in the Notice. AmeriCorps strongly encourages applicants to

print out the application from the “Review and Submit” tab in eGrants prior to

submission in order to confirm that the application does not exceed the page limit.

AmeriCorps will not consider the results of any alternative printing methods when

determining if an application complies with the page limit. Reviewers will also not consider

material that is over the page limit, even if eGrants allows applicants to enter and submit

additional text.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and maintain an

active SAM registration until the application process is complete. If an applicant is awarded a

grant, it must maintain an active SAM registration throughout the life of the award. See the

SAM Quick Guide for Grantees.

SAM registration must be renewed annually. AmeriCorps suggests that applicants finalize a

new registration or renew an existing one at least three weeks before the application

deadline, to allow time to resolve any issues that may arise. Applicants must use their SAM-

registered legal name and physical address on all grant applications to AmeriCorps.

The legal applicant’s name and physical address in eGrants must match exactly the

applicant’s SAM-registered information.

Applications must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is generated as part of

the SAM registration process. AmeriCorps Seniors will not make awards to entities that do

not have a valid SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier.

Applications must include an Employer Identification Number. The UEI and Employer

Identification Number must be entered by the organization’s Grantee Administrator as an

organization attribute, and this will apply the information to all applications for the

organization.

If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time AmeriCorps is

ready to make a federal award, AmeriCorps may determine that the applicant is not qualified

to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to

another applicant.

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline

Applications are due not later than Thursday, March 9, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

AmeriCorps will not consider applications submitted after the deadline, except as noted in

Section D.4.c. Late Applications. AmeriCorps reserves the right to extend the submission

deadline. AmeriCorps will post a notification in the event of an extended deadline on

AmeriCorps’ website.

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline

Additional documents are due by the application submission deadline. See Sections D.4.a.

Application Submission Deadline and D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents for more

information.

D.4.c. Late Applications

All applications received after the Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time,

submission deadline published in this Notice are presumed to be non-compliant. To

overcome this presumption, the applicant must:

• submit a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance(s) that

caused the delay, including:

o the timing and specific cause(s) of the delay

o the ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the AmeriCorps

Hotline

o any information provided to the applicant by the AmeriCorps Hotline

o any other documentation or evidence that supports the justification

• ensure that AmeriCorps receives the written explanation or justification and any other

evidence that substantiates the claimed extenuating circumstance(s), via email to

[email protected], no later than 24 hours after the application deadline

as stated in the Notice.

Communication with AmeriCorps staff, including an applicant’s Portfolio Manager, is not a

substitute for a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance that

caused the delay as outlined above. Applicants are required to continue working in eGrants,

AmeriCorps' web-based application system, and with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit the

application. AmeriCorps will determine whether to accept a late application on a case-by-

case basis.

Applicants that do not meet the application submission deadline and do not submit a written

explanation or justification or any other evidence to overcome the presumption of non-

compliance within the published timeframe will be deemed noncompliant. If AmeriCorps

sustains a noncompliant determination, the application will not be reviewed or selected for

award.

AmeriCorps will not consider an advance request to submit a late application. Please

carefully review and follow the guidance in this section and submit your application as soon

as possible.

D.5. Intergovernmental Review

This Notice is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs.”

D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements

Awards under this Notice are subject to cost share or matching requirements. The amount of

funding AmeriCorps provides will be limited to 10 percent of the total allowable costs for the

funded activity, as determined under 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles.

D.6.b. Indirect Costs

Application budgets may include indirect costs. Based on qualifying factors, applicants may

either use a Federally approved indirect cost rate, a 10 percent de minimis rate of modified

total direct costs, or may claim certain costs directly, as outlined in 2 CFR 200.413. States,

local governments, and Indian Tribes may use previously-approved indirect cost allocation

plans. All methods must be applied consistently across all federal awards. Applicants that

have a federal negotiated indirect cost rate must enter that information in the Organization

section in eGrants.

The instructions for how to enter the organization’s indirect cost rate are located

here: eGrants Indirect Cost Rate User Instructions. Applicants should not submit

documentation addressing the indirect cost rate agreement via email.

Please note: To request a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, when

AmeriCorps is the applicable cognizant agency for an organization’s indirect costs, the

applicant must submit a request to [email protected]. The applicant may also obtain

instructions and additional information by contacting the email address above.

D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs, where authorized, are allowed after receiving written approval from

AmeriCorps.

D.7. Other Submission Requirements

D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants

Applicants must submit applications electronically via eGrants, AmeriCorps' web-based

application system. AmeriCorps recommends that applicants create an eGrants account if

necessary and begin the application at least three weeks before the deadline. Applicants

should draft the application as a Word document, then copy and paste the text into the

appropriate eGrants field no later than 10 days before the deadline.

The applicant’s authorized representative must be the person who submits the application.

The authorized representative must use their own eGrants account to sign and submit the

application. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this official representative to

sign must be on file in the applicant’s office.

Applicants should contact the AmeriCorps Hotline at (800) 942-2677 or via eGrants

Questions if they have a problem when they create an account, prepare, or submit the

application. AmeriCorps Hotline hours are posted on website.

Be prepared to provide the application ID, organization’s name, and the name of the Notice

to which the organization is applying. If the issue cannot be resolved by the deadline,

applicants must continue working with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit via eGrants.

If circumstances make it impossible for an applicant to submit in eGrants, applicants may

send a paper copy of the application via overnight carrier below. Applicants must include a

written explanation and any other documentation or evidence that support their inability to

submit their application electronically.

AmeriCorps

ATTN: Office of AmeriCorps Seniors/FY 2023 Senior Companion Continuation or

Renewal Q4 Application

250 E Street, SW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20525

Please use a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier to avoid security-related delays. All deadlines

and requirements in this Notice also apply to paper applications. AmeriCorps does not

accept applications submitted via fax or email.

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents

Applicants are required to submit the following additional documents by the application

submission deadline:

1. Tribal organization eligibility documentation, if applicable (See Section C.1 Eligible

Applicants)

2. Renewal (going into Year 1) applicants only regardless of are required to submit an

Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS). Please submit the OFMS

using this link.

Additional documents must be emailed to [email protected] with the following

subject line: “Legal Applicant Name” – “Application ID Number.” Emails should include:

• the legal applicant’s name and its point of contact information

• the application ID number

• individually attached files that are clearly labeled, and that include the legal

applicant’s name and application ID number within the file name and heading of each

document. To ensure that all required additional documents are considered, please

provide each document as a separate single file, labeled appropriately. Please do not

send multiple documents in one combined file, and do not send a single document in

multiple files.

Failure to submit the required additional documents, following the email instructions in this

section, by the deadline may have a negative effect on the assessment of your application.

Do not submit any items that are not requested in this Notice and Application

Instructions. AmeriCorps will not review or return them.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

AmeriCorps Seniors SCP Continuation Grantees must review section E.1. and provide the

information as instructed.

AmeriCorps Seniors SCP Renewal Grantees must review section E.2. and provide the

information as instructed.

E.1. CONTINUATION APPLICATIONS (Going into Year 2 or Year 3 Only)

Continuation Funding Information and Requirements

Organizations that have current program awards that continue beyond FY 2022 must submit

an application in order to be eligible to receive funding for the following year. If a

continuation application is not submitted by the due date, or if approval is not given for an

extension, this will be an indication that the organization is no longer interested in receiving

funding. Please see the Application Instructions and other appendices.

The hourly stipend rate for FY23 is $4.00. Requests by existing continuation applicants for

increases in the level of funding will be assessed based on review of information provided in

the continuation application, most recent progress reports, most recent federal financial

report, and AmeriCorps staff’s knowledge of the grant program.

To be approved for continuation funding, recipients must demonstrate satisfactory

performance with respect to key program goals and requirements, as well as compliance

with the terms and conditions of the grant. AmeriCorps reserves the right to award

applications in an amount less than the requested level of funding and will document the

rationale for doing so. Continuation applications must respond to the items noted below

for executive summary, program design, work plan, DEIA, and budget.

See section D.2.a for Continuation Application content.

E.1.a. Executive Summary

Please ensure the Executive Summary is in the correct format as noted below. Do not

deviate from the template below. If the executive summary does not match the template

below, applicants will be instructed to correct prior to award.

“The [Name of the organization] proposes to have [Number of unduplicated]

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who will [service activities the volunteers will be doing]

in [the locations the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve]. The primary focus

area of this project is [fill in AmeriCorps Focus Area]. At the end of the three-year

grant, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be responsible for [fill in the anticipated

outcome (s)]. The AmeriCorps investment of $ [fill in the annual AmeriCorps grant

amount or the requested amount] will be supplemented by $ [fill in the anticipated

level of non-AmeriCorps resources].”

E.1.b. Program Design

If there are changes you are proposing changes for FY23, please update the appropriate

section(s) in eGrants. For example, if the information is no longer accurate due to project or

sponsor organization changes, or if you are proposing changes to the number of VSYs or cost

per volunteer, you must update your application in the following sections: Strengthening

Communities and in the Recruitment and Development of volunteers. If there are no

changes, enter N/A. For continuation applications, please leave any pre-populated

information.

E.1.c. Work Plan(s)/Performance Measures

Information will copy from your previous awarded application into your continuation

application. Work plans are designed to align with the three-year performance period. If you

are making changes to your VSYs, then the work plans need to reflect the current number of

volunteers and other changes to your service activities. Your performance measures must

also be aligned with any changes to your number of volunteers and service activities. If there

are no changes, please make no edits to the workplan.

E.1.d. Budget

Update the budget based upon the revised stipended VSY for this project period. Please

refer to the Append G. Stipend Calculator and Cost per VSY for assistance in calculating the

impact of the $0.85 stipend increase. Incorporate any changes such as new sources of non-

AmeriCorps funds, adjustments to the stipend lines, etc. The non-AmeriCorps share must be

a minimum of 10% of the total amount. If needed, you may request a match waiver (see

section C.2).

E.1.e. Other Narrative

E.1.e.i. All Continuation Grantees must respond to the following: (Provide responses to

the following questions on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and

Recruitment in the “Other” section of eGrants. Do not revise previous DEIA and recruitment

responses in other sections of the application.

• Describe your organization’s DEIA goals and demonstrate what progress has been

made toward achieving them?

• In what ways could your organization utilize training, technical assistance, and other

resources related to DEIA?

• Describe any challenges your organization is experiencing with recruitment and/or

retention of volunteers. Include any relevant information with regard to influencing

factors (e.g., Covid-19, inflation, school protocols), and how AmeriCorps can assist

your project in meeting those challenges?

E.1.e.ii. Additional federal funding Request to maintain volunteer level: (Required if

maintaining VSY level)

If after completing your VSY review (use the VSY Adjustment Calculator to determine the

minimum number of VSYs) and a determination is made that additional funds are required to

meet your local community and programmatic needs, then complete the following

statements in the “Other” section in eGrants: (Note, applicants should not request more VSYs than

previously awarded, this is a request to maintain levels of VSY being met in the community):

• Our past performance indicates that we will be able to maintain our current

number [include number of VSYs ] of VSYs. As a result, we are requesting

additional funding to cover the stipend increase of $0.85 per VSYs [insert

number] in order to maintain the current service activities.

• With the volunteer stipend increasing to $4, our program will need an

additional $X,XXX in AmeriCorps funds.

E.2. RENEWAL APPLICATIONS (Going into Year 1 only)

Organizations that have current program awards and are eligible for renewal funding must

submit an application in order to be eligible to receive funding for the following year. If a

renewal application is not submitted by the due date, or if approval is not given for an

extension, this will be an indication that the organization is no longer interested in receiving

funding.

Applications should include a well-designed plan with clear and compelling justifications for

receiving the requested funds. Reviewers will assess the quality of applications by using the

selection criteria described below and will rate them accordingly.

See section D.2.a for Renewal application content.

E.2.a. Executive Summary

Please fill in the blanks of these sentences to complete the Executive Summary. Do not

deviate from the template below. If applicant does not follow the template below, the

application will be returned for correction before an award can be made.

“The [Name of the organization] proposes to have [Number of unduplicated]

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who will [service activities the volunteers will be doing]

in [the locations the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve]. The primary focus

area of this project is [fill in AmeriCorps Focus Area]. At the end of the three-year

grant, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be responsible for [fill in the anticipated

outcome (s)]. The AmeriCorps investment of $ [fill in the annual AmeriCorps grant

amount or the requested amount] will be supplemented by $ [fill in the anticipated

level of non-AmeriCorps resources].”

E.2.b. Program Design

Reviewers will consider the quality of the application’s response to the criteria below. Do not

assume all sub-criteria are of equal value.

The Strengthening Communities narrative addresses:

• The proposed interventions are responsive to the identified community problem(s).

• The applicant’s proposed interventions are clearly articulated including the design,

dosage, target population, and roles of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers. The

applicant’s intervention is likely to lead to the outcomes identified in the applicant’s

work plans.

• The expected outcomes articulated in the Strengthening Communities narrative and

Performance Measures represent meaningful progress in addressing the community

problems identified by the applicant.

• The rationale for utilizing AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to deliver the intervention(s),

addressing the community need is reasonable.

• How the service of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will produce significant

contributions to existing efforts to address the stated problem.

• For incumbent organizations, if the anticipated outcomes (Performance Measures)

were not met in the previous three-year grant cycle and those same outcomes are

included in this application, include what actions will be taken to meet those

outcomes under this new award.

• The applicant’s (organization or institution’s) definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion,

and accessibility are included AND activities the organization is engaged in related to

diversity, equity, inclusion. And accessibility are clearly identified.

• The proposed plan to ensure the project engages a diverse and inclusive group of

volunteers is clearly articulated.

• The application clearly states how the project will serve members of the community

through an equity lens.

• The description of the community to be served includes demographic, income, and

additional relevant information.

E.2.c. Work Plans

Performance Measures should include:

Description of the community problem being addressed by the individual performance

measure.

Description of the service activities that address the community problem.

Description of the intended outcome of the service activity.

• Each Performance Measure must logically connect the four major elements to each

other and be aligned with National Performance Measures.

1. The community need(s) identified

2. The service activities that will be carried out by AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers

3. The instrument description and data collection plans

4. Target numbers that lead to outcomes or outputs, and are appropriate for the

total number of volunteers assigned to the Performance Measure

• The service activities that are defined in each Performance Measure must include the

intervention the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will implement or deliver, including:

o The duration of the intervention (e.g., the total number of weeks, sessions or

months of the intervention)

o The dosage of the intervention (e.g., the number of hours per session or

sessions per week)

o The target population for the intervention (e.g., disconnected seniors/youth,

third graders at a certain reading proficiency level)

o The measurable outputs that result from delivering the intervention (i.e.,

number of beneficiaries served, types and number of activities conducted). If

applicable, identify which National Performance Measures will be used as

output indicators

o Outcomes that demonstrate changes in knowledge/skill, attitude, behavior, or

condition that occur because of the intervention. If applicable, identify which

National Performance Measures will be used as outcome indicators. For every

$9,000 in annual base federal funding, at least one Volunteer Service Year (VSY)

must be incorporated in outcome-based work plans, and must produce

National Performance Measure outcomes in: the Healthy Futures focus area; or

National Performance Measure outcomes in “Inclusion of people with

disabilities” (H15A) work plans for incumbents that have historically supported

programming in this area (see Appendix B)

o All proposed AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers must be included in at least one

outcome-based Performance Measure.

E.2.d. Recruitment and Development

Reviewers will assess the extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a plan and the

organization’s infrastructure to provide for effective volunteer recruitment and management

by assessing the extent to which the application:

• Describes how the proposed recruitment strategy is a strategic response to the

demographics in the community served.

• Demonstrates a plan and infrastructure to ensure volunteers receive training needed

to succeed in the service activities described in the Performance Measures.

• Describes the demographics of the community served and plans to recruit

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers from geographic or demographic communities in

which the program operates. This could include but not limited to the following:

a. Volunteers from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color)

communities

b. Volunteers from LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and

Questioning) communities

c. Individuals with varying degrees of English language proficiency

d. Individuals with disabilities

e. Veterans and military family members as volunteers

• Demonstrates a plan and adequate infrastructure to retain and recognize volunteers.

This includes:

a. An explanation of how the applicant will foster an inclusive service culture

where different backgrounds, talents, and capabilities are welcome.

b. A description of how engaged volunteers will remain active over the course of

grant funding.

• Demonstrates a plan for developing and growing a culture of inclusion at volunteer

stations to ensure volunteer station supervisors who are involved in the recruitment of

volunteers are invested in addressing community disparities and the root causes of

biases in recruitment efforts.

E.2.e. Organizational Capability

E.2.e.i Program Management

Reviewers will consider the extent to which the application:

• Describes the plans and infrastructure to ensure management of volunteer stations

are in compliance with the program regulations

• Demonstrates plans to address culture of volunteer stations to be safe inclusive

spaces for diverse volunteers.

• Demonstrates plans and infrastructure to develop and/or oversee volunteer stations

to ensure that volunteers are performing their assigned service activities, including:

a. Sufficient guidance and support of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for provide

effective service.

b. Adequate training and preparation of station supervisors to follow AmeriCorps

Seniors program regulations, priorities, and expectations.

E.2.e.ii Organizational Capability

Reviewers will consider the extent to which the application:

• Describes the organizations commitment to equity when addressing critical

community needs reflected in the organizations mission and vision, as well as the

application’s Performance Measures.

• Describes the plans and infrastructure to provide sound programmatic and fiscal

oversight (both financial and in-kind) and day-to-day operational support to ensure

the following:

a. Compliance with program requirements (statutes, regulations, and the Uniform

Guidance/2 CFR 200 and related appendices);

b. Accountability;

c. Efficient and effective use of available resources; and

d. Plans to engage non-federal funding sources for sustainability of

programming.

• Clearly defines paid staff positions, including identification of current staff assigned to

the project (name, title, and brief position description) and how these positions will

ensure the accomplishment of program objectives.

• Describes your organization’s experience with, and/or plans for diversity, equity, and

inclusion within your organization. This can include the inclusion of diversity on the

Board of Directors, agency staff and leadership, and/or volunteers.

• Demonstrates organizational capacity to develop and implement internal policies and

operating procedures to provide governance and manage risk, such as accounting,

personnel management, and purchasing.

• Describes the extent to which the organization has an effective mechanism in place to

report, without delay, any suspected criminal activity, waste, fraud, and/or abuse to

both the AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General and AmeriCorps and a plan for

training staff and participants on these reporting protocols.

• Describes the extent to which the organization has sufficient policies, procedures, and

controls in place to prevent, detect, and mitigate the risk of fraud, waste, abuse, and

mismanagement (this can include an assessment of appropriate segregation of duties,

internal oversight activities, measures to prevent timekeeping fraud, etc.)

• Describes the extent to which the organization has a monitoring and oversight plan to

prevent and detect non-compliance and enforce compliance with AmeriCorps rules

and regulations including those related to prohibited activities and criminal history

checks at the grantee, and service site locations.

E.2.f. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy

Please describe the extent to which the proposal:

• Has a reasonable cost per volunteer in proposed work plan that will lead to National

Performance Measure requirements (See Appendix B and section A.3 of the Notice).

• Has plans and infrastructure to secure the non-federal support for program

sustainability-including dedicated staff, grant proposal processes and other plans.

E.2 f.i. Budget

Update the budget based upon the revised stipended VSY for this project period. Please

refer to the Append G. Stipend Calculator and Cost per VSY for assistance in calculating the

impact of the $0.85 stipend increase. Incorporate any changes such as new sources of non-

AmeriCorps funds, adjustments to the stipend lines, etc. The non-AmeriCorps share must be

a minimum of 10%. If needed, you may request a match waiver.

E.2.g. Other Narrative

E.2.g.i. Evaluation (Required)

Evaluation is a tool for improving a program and increasing its ability to serve people more

efficiently and effectively. To ensure the applicant has a quality evaluation plan, describe the

following:

The applicant’s data collection system and how it is sufficient to collect high quality

performance measurement data. If the applicant does not yet have a data collection system,

describe the plan and timeline for developing a high-quality system during the propose

planning period.

How the applicant will use performance data.

For more information, about evaluation plans and data collection methods, please visit the

AmeriCorps Evaluation Resources website.

E.2.g.ii. Additional federal funding request to maintain volunteer level: (Required if

needing additional federal funds to cover $4 Stipend Increase)

If after completing your VSY review (use the Appendix G: VSY Adjustment Calculator to determine the

minimum number of VSYs) and a determination is made that additional funds are required to meet your

local community and programmatic needs, then complete the following statements in the “Other”

section in eGrants. (Note, applicants should not request more VSYs than previously awarded, this is a

request to maintain levels of VSY being met in the community):

• Our past performance indicates that we will be able to maintain our current number

[include number of VSYs] of VSYs. As a result, we are requesting additional funding to

cover the stipend increase of $0.85 per VSYs [insert number] in order to maintain the

current service activities.

• With the volunteer stipend increasing to $4, our program will need an additional

$X,XXX in AmeriCorps funds.

E.3. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review

AmeriCorps will conduct an initial Compliance and Eligibility Review to determine if an

application meets the eligibility requirements published in this Notice and advances to the

next stage of the review process.

An application is compliant if the applicant:

• is an eligible organization

• submitted an application by the submission deadline

Reviewing for eligibility is intended to ensure that only those applications that are eligible for

award are further reviewed. However, determinations of eligibility can take place at any point

during the application review and selection process. Applicants that are determined to be

ineligible will not receive an award.

E.4. Application Review

Internal Review

AmeriCorps Staff Reviewers will assess the applications based on the information provided in

E.1 or E.2. Staff Reviewers will also consider the priorities and strategic considerations

detailed in this Notice. All Staff Reviewers will be screened for conflicts of interest.

E.5. Pre-Award Risk Assessment

AmeriCorps staff will assess the risks to the program posed by each applicant to determine

an applicant’s ability to manage Federal Funds. This evaluation is in addition to those about

the applicant’s eligibility and the quality of its application on the basis of the Selection Criteria

(E.1 for Continuation, E.2 for Renewal). Results from this assessment will inform funding

decisions. If AmeriCorps determines that an award will be made to an applicant with

assessed risks, special conditions that correspond to the degree of assessed risk may be

applied to the award. Additionally, if AmeriCorps concludes that the reasons for applicants

having poor risk assessment are not likely to be mitigated, those applications may not be

selected for funding.

In assessing risks, AmeriCorps may consider the following criteria:

1. Due Diligence, including:

• Federal debt delinquency

• suspension and debarment

• information available through Office of Management and Budget (OMB)- designated

repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity

information, such as:

o Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

o U.S. Treasury Bureau of Fiscal Services

o System for Award Management (SAM)

o “Do Not Pay”

• reports and findings from single audits performed under Uniform Administrative

Guidance and findings of any other available audits or investigations

• IRS Tax Form 990

• Oversight.gov

• Public Litigation Records

2. Operational and Financial Management, including: (Renewals Only)

• financial stability

• Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS)

3. Past Performance, including:

• an applicant’s record in managing previous AmeriCorps awards, cooperative

agreements, or procurement awards, including:

o timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements

o accuracy of data reported

o validity of performance measure data reported

o conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards

o applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other

requirements imposed on award recipients

o timely closeout of other awards

o meeting matching requirements

o the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to

future awards

o national service criminal history check (NSCHC) compliance. See section F.2.d.

National Criminal History Check Requirements and the NSCHC webpage for

more information

4. Other Programmatic Risks, including:

• publicly available information, including from the applicant organization's website

• amount of funding requested by the organization

E.6. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information

Prior to making any award that exceeds $250,000, AmeriCorps is required to review and

consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and

performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (See 41 U.S.C. §2313).

Additionally, AmeriCorps may expand upon these requirements and use its discretion to

review and consider information about any applicant receiving an award, including those

under $250,000.

Any applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and

performance systems accessible through FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself

that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated

integrity and performance system accessible through FAPIIS.

AmeriCorps may consider comments by any applicant, in addition to the other information in

the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the

applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when

completing its review of risk posed by the applicant under the Risk Assessment section of this

Notice.

E.7. Selection for Funding

The review and selection process are designed to:

• identify how well eligible applications are aligned with the application selection

criteria (E.1 for Continuation; E.2 for Renewal)

• build a diversified portfolio based on the following strategic considerations:

o AmeriCorps Funding Priorities (See Section A.2. Funding Priorities)

o meaningful representation of

▪ geographic diversity

▪ rural communities

▪ small and medium programs

▪ faith-based organizations

In selecting applicants to receive awards under this Notice, the Director of AmeriCorps

Seniors will endeavor to include a diverse portfolio of applications based on staff

recommendations, alignment with selection criteria, and strategic considerations.

AmeriCorps reserves the right to award applications in an amount other than at the

requested level of funding and will document the rationale for doing so.

AmeriCorps reserves the right to adjust or make changes to the review process, if

unforeseen challenges or urgent circumstances make it impossible, impracticable, or

inefficient to conduct the review process as planned. Any such adjustments or changes

will not affect the selection criteria (E.1. for Continuation; E.2. for Renewal) that will be

used to assess applications.

E.8. Feedback to Applicants

After review of applications, continuation and renewal applications may receive resolution

items, which are clarification and/or budget items which must be resolved prior to an award

being made. Applicants are expected to adhere to all deadlines or may risk receiving a late

award, or no award.

E.9. Transparency in Grant-making

Information about funded grants is available in USASpending.gov.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1. Federal Award Notices

AmeriCorps will make awards following the selection announcement. AmeriCorps anticipates

announcing the results of this funding opportunity by late May 2023, contingent on the

availability of congressional appropriations. All applicants, successful or not, will be notified

of funding decisions via email.

Notification of an award is not an authorization to begin activities. The Notice of Grant Award

signed by the Office of Grant Administration Grant Award Specialist is the authorizing

document. An awardee may not expend Federal Funds until the start of the Period of

Performance identified on the Notice of Grant Award.

F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance

All awards made under this Notice will be subject to the Uniform Administrative

Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform

Guidance), in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 2205.

F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information

AmeriCorps will request documentation from award recipients in order to monitor the

grantee and award to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including the Payment

Integrity Information Act of 2019. Failure to make timely responses to these requests may

result in award funds being placed on manual hold, reimbursement only status, or other

remedies as appropriate.

F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions

All awards made under this Notice will be subject to the FY 2023 AmeriCorps General Terms

and Conditions, and the FY 2023 Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for the particular

program (when applicable). These Terms and Conditions contain detailed, mandatory

compliance and reporting requirements. Current versions of the AmeriCorps General and

Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for each of its programs is available at SCP grantees |

AmeriCorps.

F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements

The National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) is a specific screening procedure

established by law to protect the beneficiaries of national service. We encourage grantees to

minimize barriers to service without putting their program beneficiaries at genuine risk.

• In general, award recipients and subrecipients must conduct an NSCHC for

AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and all staff funded under, or

whose salary is reflected as match on, the award.

• AmeriCorps strongly encourages applicants to review the regulations and additional

guidance to fully understand how to comply with the requirements (see the National

Service Criminal History Check webpage). AmeriCorps also strongly encourages

award recipients to utilize the agency-approved vendors to conduct the required

NSCHCs.

• Failure to conduct a compliant NSCHC may result in significant disallowed costs.

• The cost of conducting NSCHC is an allowable expense under the award and the

individual subject to the NSCHC may not be required to cover the cost without being

reimbursed.

An NSCHC consists of a check of the:

1. National Sex Offender Public website (nationwide check);

2. State criminal history record repository or agency-designated alternative for the

individual's State of residence and State of service; and

3. Fingerprint-based check of the FBI criminal history record database through the State

criminal history record repository or agency-approved vendor.

All checks must be conducted, reviewed, and an eligibility determination made before the

individual begins work or service.

An individual is not eligible to serve or work in a position subject to the NSCHC requirements

if:

• the individual refuses to consent to a criminal history check;

• makes a false statement in connection with a criminal history check;

• is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry or the

National Sex Offender Registry; or

• has been convicted of murder.

See 45 CFR 2540.200– 2540.207 and National Service Criminal History Check Resources for

complete information and FAQs.

F.2.e. Official Guidance

AmeriCorps active Guidance is available on the agency’s Guidance webpage. The contents

of these documents do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the

public in any way unless incorporated into a contract or grant agreement. These documents

are intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the

law or agency policies.

F.3. Use of Material

To ensure that materials generated with AmeriCorps funding are available to the public and

readily accessible to recipients and non-recipients, AmeriCorps reserves a royalty-free,

nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to obtain, use, modify, reproduce, publish, or disseminate

publications and materials produced under the award, including data, and to authorize

others to do so (2 CFR §200.315).

F.4. Reporting

Award recipients are required to submit a variety of reports that are due at specific times

during the life cycle of an award. All reports must be accurate, complete, and submitted on

time.

Award recipients are required to provide annual progress reports and semi-annual financial

and narrative progress reports through eGrants, AmeriCorps’ web-based grants

management system. All award recipients must submit quarterly financial reports to the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System.

In addition, at the end of the award period, award recipients must submit final financial and

progress reports that are cumulative over the entire award period and consistent with the

close-out requirements. The final reports are due 120 days after the end of the period of

performance.

Award recipients will be required to report at Federal Funding Accountability and

Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) on all subawards over $30,000 and

may be required to report on executive compensation for the recipient organization and its

subrecipients. Award recipients must have the necessary systems in place to collect and

report this information. See 2 CFR Part 170 for more information and to determine how these

requirements apply.

Once the grant is awarded, award recipients will be expected to have in place data collection

and data management policies, processes, and practices that provide assurance that they are

reporting high quality performance measure data. At a minimum, award recipients should

have policies, processes, and practices that address the following five aspects of data quality

for themselves and for subrecipients (if applicable):

• data measures what it intends to measure

• data reported is complete

• grantee collects data in a consistent manner

• grantee takes steps to correct data errors

• grantee actively reviews data for accuracy prior to submission.

Failure to submit accurate, complete, and timely required reports may affect the award

recipient’s ability to secure future AmeriCorps funding.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

For more information email [email protected]. AmeriCorps also offers live text

chat.

For technical questions and problems with the eGrants system, call the AmeriCorps Hotline at

(800) 942-2677. AmeriCorps Hotline hours are also posted. Be prepared to provide the

application ID, organization’s name, and the name of the Notice to which the organization is

applying.

H. OTHER INFORMATION

H.1. Technical Assistance

AmeriCorps will host technical assistance calls to answer questions about the funding

opportunity and eGrants. AmeriCorps strongly encourages all applicants to participate in

these sessions. Information for these technical assistance calls is available on the AmeriCorps’

Funding Opportunities website.

Recordings will be posted in Litmos, one week from date recorded.

H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding

AmeriCorps reserves the right to re-focus program dollars under this Notice in the event of

disaster or other compelling needs.

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

Public Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for collection of information under this

Notice of Funding is estimated to average six hours per submission, including reviewing

instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing the application and

reporting forms. AmeriCorps informs people who may respond to this Notice of Funding that

they are not required to respond unless the OMB control number and expiration date are

current valid. (See 5 C.F.R. 1320.5(b)(2)(i).) This collection is approved under OMB Control #:

3045-0035, Senior Corps Grant Application, Expiration Date: November 30, 2024.

Privacy Act Statement: The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C §552a) requires that we notify you

that the information requested under this Notice of Funding is collected pursuant to 42

U.S.C. §§12592 and 12615 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended,

and 42 U.S.C. §4953 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended.

Purposes and Uses - The information requested is collected for the purposes of reviewing

grant applications and granting funding requests. Routine uses may include disclosure of the

information to Federal, state, or local agencies pursuant to lawfully authorized requests. In

some programs, the information may also be provided to Federal, state, and local law

enforcement agencies to determine the existence of any prior criminal convictions. The

information may also be provided to appropriate Federal agencies and contractors that have

a need to know the information for the purpose of assisting the government to respond to a

suspected or confirmed breach of the security or confidentiality or information maintained in

this system of records, and the information disclosed is relevant and unnecessary for the

assistance.

Effects of Nondisclosure - The information requested is voluntary; however, to be a recipient

of this grant program, disclosure of personal or sensitive information is required to receive

federal benefits.

APPENDIX A

List of Funding Opportunities

APPENDIX B

Performance Measures

APPENDIX C

Terms and Definitions

APPENDIX D

Litmos Resources: Continuations and Renewals Fiscal Year 2023- Q4 (July 1 start date)

APPENDIX E

Grant Application Instructions

APPENDIX F

AmeriCorps Focus Areas

The National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended by the Serve America Act,

emphasizes measuring the impact of service and focusing on a core set of issue areas. In

order to carry out Congress’s intent and to maximize the impact of investment in national

service, and to achieve the goals laid out in our Strategic Plan (2022-2026), AmeriCorps has

the following Focus Areas:

Disaster Services

Helping individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the

effects of disasters and increase community resiliency.

Economic Opportunity

Improving the economic well-being and security of underserved individuals.

Education

Improving educational outcomes for underserved people, especially children. AmeriCorps is

particularly interested in program designs that support youth engagement and service

learning as strategies to achieve high educational outcomes.

Environmental Stewardship

Supporting communities to become more resilient through measures that reduce

greenhouse gas emissions, conserve land and water, increase renewable energy use and

improve at-risk ecosystems, especially in underserved households and communities.

Healthy Futures

Supporting for health needs within communities, including mitigating the impacts of COVID-

19 and other public health crises, access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood

obesity, especially in underserved communities.

Veterans and Military Families

Improving the quality of life of veterans and improve military family strength.

Capacity Building

Support indirect services that enable AmeriCorps-supported organizations to provide more,

better, and sustained direct services. Capacity building activities cannot be solely intended to

support the administration or operations of the organization.

APPENDIX G

Volunteer Service Year (VSY) Adjustment Calculator for the FY23 Stipend Increase