FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mar 19, 2012

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced the availability of federal funding for the agency's RSVP program, part of Senior Corps.

This competition will award funds to new RSVP programs in the agency's six focus areas outlined in the CNCS's Strategic Plan: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. CNCS will invest in organizations in geographic areas where RSVP projects were voluntarily discontinued by the previous sponsor. The effected geographic service areas can be found in the NOFO.

The competition also will provide grant augmentations to current existing RSVP sponsors to incorporate activities that support veterans and military families into their portfolio. A broad description of each of these areas is outlined in the Senior Corps Notice of Funding Opportunity.

“Senior Corps is a vital part of the National Service family. For four decades, Senior Corps programs have proven to be a highly effective way to engage millions of older Americans in meeting national and community needs and delivering lasting, meaningful results,” said Robert Velasco, II, Acting CEO of CNCS. “As communities and organizations around the country are facing increased demands and tighter budgets, Senior Corps volunteers provide a much needed resource.”

The deadline for applications is May 15, 2012, 5:00 p.m. EDT. All applications must be submitted via egrants, CNCS's grants system at https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp.

CNCS will host six technical assistance calls and/or workshops to answer questions about this funding opportunity, including how to submit the an application. Calls for new grant applicants are taking place on March 26, at 2:00 pm Eastern; April 9, at 1:00 pm Eastern; or April 11, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Calls for existing RSVP grantees interested in augmentation grants will take place on March 27, at 2:00 Eastern; April 10, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern; and April 12, 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

Senior Corps taps the skills, talents, and experience of more than 330,000 Americans age 55 and older to meet a wide range of community needs through three programs: RSVP; Foster Grandparents; and Senior Companions.

Established in 1971, RSVP is now one of the largest senior volunteer organizations in the nation and engages older Americans in volunteer recruitment and management, environmental projects, mentoring and tutoring, and disaster response. RSVP volunteers serve in commitments varying from a few hours to 40 hours per week in a location of their choice.

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.