AmeriCorps State and National

May, 2021

2021 Tribal Grants NOFO

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Objectives and Mission

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The AmeriCorps mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic 

engagement through service and volunteering.

AmeriCorps State and National engages in strategic grant-making to support 

organizations that see service as a solution to local and national challenges and 

create powerful member experiences that result in lifelong civic engagement.

• AmeriCorps Tribal Grantee Overview

• Understanding the Notice of Funding Opportunity

• Identifying Application Resources
AmeriCorps Tribal Grant Process

• Each year, 1% of AmeriCorps funding is set aside specifically for 

federally-recognized Indian Tribes. 

• The total amount available changes depending on the size of the 

appropriation and other factors.

• Applicants must be Indian Tribes and tribal organizations 

controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by Indian Tribes. 
The 2021 AmeriCorps Tribal Grant NOFO

In this presentation we will cover: 

• Where to access the NOFO

• Important Dates

• Funding Priorities

• Selection Criteria

• Cost per MSY

Resources: 

• Mandatory Supplemental Guidance

• Performance Measure Instructions

• Application Instructions 
ASN Tribal Notice of Funding Opportunity

Where do I access the NOFO?

• AmeriCorps.gov 

• https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2021-americorpsindian-tribes-grants

This page also provides links and guidance for: 

• Mandatory Supplemental Guidance

• Application Instructions

• Performance Measure Instructions

• Technical Assistance Calls 
ASN 2021 Funding Priorities 

• COVID-19: Efforts to help local communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may propose 

programming in any AmeriCorps focus area to aid communities as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Programs that actively engage in removing structural racial inequities, advancing racial equality, and increasing 

opportunity in order to achieve sustainable change in communities.

• Economic Opportunity – a program model that increases economic opportunities for communities by preparing 

people for the workforce i.e. broad band and building/renovating low income housing. 

• Education – improving student academic performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

(STEM), and/or serving students who attend Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. 

• Environmental Stewardship – i.e. traditional food systems

• Healthy Futures – a program model that reduces and/or prevents prescription drug and opioid abuse. 

• Veterans and Military Families – a program model that improves the quality of life outcomes of veterans and 

improves military family strength.

• Programs that reduce child poverty. 
Application Content

• Standard form 424 Face Sheet

• Narratives

o Executive Summary

o Program Design

o Organizational Capability

o Cost Effectiveness and Budget 

Adequacy

o Evaluation Plan (if applicable)

• Logic Model

• Standard Form 424 Budget

• Performance Measures

• Authorization, Assurances, and 

Certification 

Applicants will complete materials for the following:
Page Limits

Application sections that count towards the page limit: 

• SF-424 Face Sheet

• Executive Summary

• Program Design, Organizational Capability, and Cost-Effectiveness & Budget 

Adequacy narratives 

Page limits does not include the Budget, Performance Measures, or any required 

additional documents

Limits are:

• 10 pages for program grant narrative 

• 7 pages for planning grants

• 3 pages for logic model

**Adhere to the identified page limits! Any information beyond the page limit for the grant will not be reviewed**
Selection Criteria

Application Review Criteria

• For a program grant applicant, this information begins on page 14 of the Notice 

of Funding Opportunity

• For planning grant applicants, this information begins on page 22

There are specific point values, as outlined in the Notice, for each of the criteria

Review Criteria Categories:

• Executive Summary – 0%

• Program Design – 50%

• Organizational Capability – 25%

• Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy – 25%
Cost per MSY

Member Service Year = MSY

Does not include: 

• Child Care

• Value of Education Award

New and recompeting 

applicants held to maximum 

cost/MSY for their grant type 

*Page 11 in the NOFO

AmeriCorps Share

# of MSYs Requested 

Grant Program Maximum

Indian Tribes (cost reimbursement) $18,000

Professional Corps Fixed Amount 

Applicants/Grantees

$1,000**

Education Award Program Fixed 

Amount Grant

$800 or 

$1,000***

Full-cost Fixed Amount Grant $18,000
Changes in the NOFO from last year?

• Updated Agency Priorities (pg. 1-2)

• Raise in living allowance and cost per MSY (pg. 4 & 11) 

• Added language to be consistent with blanket match waiver 

AmeriCorps announced in December 2020 (pg. 6) 

• Added language related to agency’s new Criminal History Check 

rule (pg. 28 – 30) • https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check
Electronic Application Submission in eGrants

Start eGrants process 

3 Weeks before 

deadline! 

Draft responses in Word. 

Copy and paste to eGrants

10 days before deadline! 

July 23rd

Deadline! 

Applicants submit 

electronically via the 

CNCS web-based 

system, eGrants: 

http://www.nationals

ervice.gov/egrants/

The Authorized 

Representative must 

be the person to 

submit the 

application in eGrants
Important Dates

Technical Assistance Calls

• June 2nd 2:30pm EST

• June 15th 2:00pm EST

• June 30th 1:00pm EST

Applications Due

•Friday, July 23, 2021 by 5:00 PM EST

Successful Applicants Notified

•Late August 2021

To discuss any questions you may 

have about the funding 

opportunity and eGrants process 
Additional Applicant Resources

Tribal NOFO Page: 

https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2021-americorps-indian-tribesgrants 

This page also provides links and guidance for: 

• Mandatory Supplemental Guidance

• Application Instructions

• Performance Measure Instructions

• Applicant Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS)

• Technical Assistance Calls 

Agency webpage for Directs and Tribal Grantees:

https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/directs-territories-tribes 

Email: americorpsgrants@cns.gov