Grant Competitions

AmeriCorps Grants: Request for Applications Open Now

RFA# 202407139:  AmeriCorps State Competitive Grants

Submission deadline: November 14, 2024 by 11:59 p.m.

Volunteer Maine, the Commission for Community Service, is seeking proposals for AmeriCorps Programs under the AmeriCorps Competitive operating grant process. Proposals must require at least 17,000 hours of service during each of the 3 grant years. Applicants must propose an evidence-based program model, use standardized performance measures, and conduct a program evaluation. Program activities must fall under one of the federally authorized categories. Priority considerations for this competition include:

• Serving communities with concentrated poverty, rural communities, tribal communities, and historically underrepresented and underserved individuals
• Implementing programs for or expand access to high-quality youth mental health and substance use recovery services and prepare AmeriCorps members to enter behavioral health careers.
• A focus on improving the quality of life for veterans, active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and their families. 
• Supporting civic bridgebuilding programs and projects to reduce polarization and community divisions; and providing training in civic bridgebuilding skills and techniques to AmeriCorps members
• Promoting environmental stewardship to help communities (especially underserved households and communities) to be more resilient

Eligible applicants are public or non-profit agencies, higher education institutions, and regional organizations that will operate an AmeriCorps program solely within Maine. Typical awards range from $250,000 to $850,000. 

A copy of this RFA, as well as the Question & Answer Summary and all amendments related to this RFA, can be obtained below or at  https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/vendors/grants.

There will be a virtual information session to answer questions about AmeriCorps and this grant application on Oct 24, 2024 at 10:00 am –12:00 pm, local time. Registration is required. Use this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtce-srDwsGdaP1H7nnFhbCM4np_GAmBqchttps://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtce-srDwsGdaP1H7nnFhbCM4np_GAmBqc 

Proposals must be submitted electronically as directed in the RFA. Both the proposal sections using the federal eGrants system and additional documents emailed to the Division of Procurement Services (Proposals@maine.gov) must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., local time on November 14, 2024. Proposals received after the 11:59 p.m. deadline will be rejected without exception.

RFA DOWNLOAD:  RFA 202410178 Maine Americorps State Competitive Grants- Final.docx (DOC)

INFO SESSION RECORDING: https://youtu.be/ptSXGv05gMg 

RFA QUESTION & ANSWER SUMMARY  RESPONSE (posted 11/4/2024)

Maine Climate Corps Grants

There are no active requests for applications at this time. 

For information, contact the Climate Corps Coordinator at 207-624-7792.

Direct Grants from AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps NCCC North Central Region 2023-2024 Request for Applications

Who Can Receive a Team?

Nonprofit and faith-based organizations, government entities (federal, state and local), public schools and universities, and Native American Tribal Councils.

What Can Teams Do?

• NCCC teams work on a variety of projects, each lasting up to the length of the round. Service areas include:
• Disaster Mitigation, Response & Recovery
• Urban and Rural Development
• Environmental Stewardship
• Energy Conservation
• Infrastructure Improvement

PLEASE NOTE: Due dates for project proposals vary.

To learn more about expectations of a project sponsor and how to apply use this LINK.

NOTE: Volunteer Maine staff are available to provide local advice on designing a project and submitting the proposal. 

Federal contact for next steps: 

Alana Svensen Hults, Assistant Program Director
202-409-6797
asvensen@cns.gov