AmeriCorps States and Territories Competitive Grant Program

The summary for the AmeriCorps States and Territories Competitive Grant Program grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Corporation for National and Community Service, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

AmeriCorps States and Territories Competitive Grant Program: Purpose of GrantsAmeriCorps States and Territories Competitive Grants Program: These grants are awarded to organizations operating in a single State that are nominated to participate in a nationwide competition by Governor-appointed State Commissions. The organizations selected in this category receive grants to support AmeriCorps member positions through the State Commission.Through its AmeriCorps State and National programs, the Corporation has engaged citizens of all ages and backgrounds in helping to meet pressing local needs for more than a decade. AmeriCorps provides human and other resources to community organizations, including faith-based organizations, to build their capacity to meet local needs in education, the environment, senior independent living, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. AmeriCorps also works closely with Americas volunteer-connector organizations to increase the number and impact of our nations volunteers, and with schools and nonprofit groups to foster the ethic of good citizenship. Please see the Corporations statutes and regulations for more information at www.americorps.gov/.2006 Focus Areas: For the FY 2006 competition, the Corporation will also give special consideration to four additional strategic focus areas that meet critical needs of our nation. The Corporations draft strategic plan considers extending these focus areas with five year priorities. These focus areas are defined broadly to build upon the existing work of State Commissions, territories, national non-profits, institutions of higher education, Indian Tribes, and local communities. They are:1. Ensure a brighter future for all of Americas youth: Children and youth who grow up in severely distressed communities are more likely to be at risk of school failure, unemployment, criminal behavior, and persistent poverty. Among other interventions, AmeriCorps programs often bring positive change to the lives of these children and youth in one or both of two ways: engaging them in service and connecting them with caring adults such as mentors or tutors. AmeriCorps looks to build on this success in its 2006 program year. 2. Harness experience to meet 21st century challenges: Baby Boomers are a highly educated, highly motivated group that could drive solutions to some of our most intractable social problems. Capturing their talents and experience, and engaging them in helping to solve critical social issues through service must become a high-priority goal for the nation in the coming years. Several AmeriCorps programs have achieved strong success in this area in the past, and in 2006, AmeriCorps is interested in finding some additional models to support.3. Build the supply line for Americas Armies of Compassion: In 2004, more than 64 million Americans served their communities as unstipended volunteers with organizations. AmeriCorps programs provide more support than any other program to volunteer generating nonprofits. In addition, all Corporation programs provide unique support to volunteer connector organizations in communities. In 2006, AmeriCorps plans to build on this success through generating even higher levels of volunteering through its grantees and through supporting programs that build or strengthen volunteering infrastructure in communities.4. Students in the community building engaged citizens: Educational institutions (elementary, secondary, and higher education) are charged with the responsibility of educating students to become responsible citizens and leaders who use their education and life experiences to support the common good. Volunteering and service-learning are important factors in this educational experience and need to be incorporated on a more widespread basis. AmeriCorps is looking to expand its impact in generating service learning in the K-12 environment and to generate more students in higher education institutions serving needs in their community.