1. AmeriCorps 101 AmeriCorps 101 Basic AmeriCorps Terminology & Concepts for Reviewers AmeriCorps External Review

2. Objectives  Describe CNCS’s AmeriCorps programs  Define basic AmeriCorps grant concepts and terminology  Identify CNCS’s six Focus Areas  Describe the differences between the categories of AmeriCorps grant opportunities 2

3. CNCS Programs 3

4. AmeriCorps is an Umbrella that Consists of Three Programs 4 AmeriCorps VISTA AmeriCorps State and National AmeriCorps NCCC

5. CNCS Focus Areas 5 Education Disaster Services Veterans and Military Families Healthy Futures Economic Opportunity Environmental Stewardship

6. AmeriCorps Terms and Concepts The direct recipient of the grant funds. Grantee Operating solely within one state. This program receives an AmeriCorps grant through a state service commission (see below). Single-state Operating in two or more states. This program receives an AmeriCorps grant directly from CNCS. Multi-state (National Direct) Comprised of a board, nominated and appointed by a state’s governor, that oversees the implementation of national/community service and volunteer initiatives in their state. State Service Commission 6

7. AmeriCorps Terms and Concepts (cont.) The local organizations which receive the grant funds from the Grantee to implement the grant activities on the local level. Subgrantee Terms used to describe the place where a member conducts the service activities. Operating Sites and Service Locations 7

8. Who are AmeriCorps Members?  Individuals enrolled for a specific term of service with an AmeriCorps program  Members are not volunteers or employees  Some AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance, health insurance, and child care assistance to support them during their term of service  AmeriCorps members receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successfully completing a term of service  All AmeriCorps members are subject to criminal history checks 8

9. Member Terminology  Member Service Year (MSY): One Member Service Year is equivalent to one full-time AmeriCorps member (not always equivalent to one person—see slot type below). AmeriCorps funds are contingent on the number of MSYs requested by the program.  AmeriCorps member term/slot type: There are five types of AmeriCorps member terms or slots: full time, half time, reduced half time, quarter time, and minimum time. The total MSYs a program requests depends on the number and type of slots/AmeriCorps member positions included in a particular program design (i.e. two members with half-time slots comprises one MSY). 9

10. AmeriCorps State & National Grants  Require an applicant to propose an AmeriCorps program  Applicants submit an application explaining their program’s:  Program Design  Organizational Capability  Cost Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy  Other important submissions include a detailed budget, logic model, performance measures, and/or additional documents  As an External Reviewer, you will primarily assess the Program Design 10

11. AmeriCorps Program Design  Design/structure of AmeriCorps programs vary; not prescriptive or cookie-cutter  Programs may address community needs in a single Focus Area or multiple Focus Areas  Members can provide their service directly with the organization receiving the AmeriCorps grant, or members could be placed at other community organizations by the grant recipient  Members can serve as a team on a single project, or could be placed individually or in small groups on various projects  Common to all programs: high-quality member activities that meet compelling community needs and lead to meaningful outcomes 11

12. Categories of Funding  AmeriCorps State Grants  National Direct Grants  Education Award Program (EAP) Grants  Professional Corps Grants  US Territories and Indian Tribe Grants 12

13. State vs. National Direct Grants  State grants address needs within one state  Single-state programs must contact their State Commission to apply for AmeriCorps funding  National Direct grants address needs in a multi-state area  Grantee has relationships with entities in at least two different states that will operate the local programs  Grantee applies directly to CNCS 13

14. Education Award Programs (EAP)  Funded directly by CNCS or through State Commissions  Receive minimal financial support from the AmeriCorps grant and have fewer fiscal reporting requirements  Organizations must raise the additional revenue required to operate the program 14

15. Professional Corps Grants  Funded directly by CNCS or through State Commissions  Recruit and place qualified members in positions as teachers, health care providers, police officers, engineers, or other professionals  Applicants should demonstrate that the community in which it will place professionals has an inadequate number of these professionals 15

16. US Territories and Indian Tribe Grants  Indian Tribes Program  Per CNCS’s legislation, a minimum of 1% of funds for AmeriCorps programs is set aside for Tribal applicants  Indian Tribes can submit applications for any category of grant funding (State, National Direct, EAP, Professional Corps)  A separate Indian Tribes funding opportunity is also offered later in the fiscal year  States and Territories without Commissions  Applicants from these locations can apply directly to CNCS 16

17. Wrap Up  Describe CNCS’s AmeriCorps program  Define basic AmeriCorps grant concepts and terminology  Identify AmeriCorps’ six Focus Areas  Describe the differences between the categories of AmeriCorps grant opportunities 17

18. Assessment  To check for understanding and to verify that you have completed this orientation session, please complete the Assessment at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/americorps101 https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/americorps101 18