FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jul 11, 2011

Washington, DC – The Corporation for National and Community Service has announced the availability of close to $1 million in funding to help build the capacity of small and midsize nonprofits to develop and implement performance management systems.

The funding is available through the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, authorized by the bipartisan 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. CNCS will provide grants to a small number of intermediary organizations to assist nonprofits in resource-poor communities in developing performance management systems to help them better measure progress and improve performance.

In creating the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, Congress recognized that many small and midsize nonprofit organizations are challenged in their ability to sustain and expand services and that organizational development assistance may be necessary to ensure the continuation of much-needed services in local communities.

Through grants awarded in this competition, CNCS aims to build the capacity of small and midsize nonprofits to help them better deliver and demonstrate results. Research suggests that an established framework of performance management is the prerequisite and predictor of success in other aspects of nonprofit health such as financial planning and sustainability.

For this competition, CNCS has approximately $998,000 available, and expects to make up to five awards. CNCS will select no more than one intermediary based in a particular state.

In alignment with the CNCS Strategic Plan, applicants are encouraged to identify potential subgrantees that focus on the agency's six focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.

Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 9, 2011. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of September. For more information including the Notice of Funding Availability and Frequently Asked Questions. The original NOFA is published here. A press release on last year's Nonprofit Capacity Building Program grantees is available by clicking here.

CNCS will host two technical assistance calls to answer questions from potential applicants. The calls will be held on July 19 and July 25 at 3:00 pm Eastern. Call-in information and the calls will be recorded and posted on the website.

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.