Introduction to the Corporation for National and 

Community Service and RSVP

Session 1 of 2| July 13, 2020, 3:30 EST/ 12:30 PT
Recording & 

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available on 

nationalservice.gov

/rsvpcompetition

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2021rsvp@cns.gov

Nationalservice.gov/rsvpcompetition
Webinar Cycle 1 Cycle 2 

Introduction to CNCS, Senior Corps and RSVP July 13 Aug. 4

A Tour of the Notice of Funding Opportunity July 15 Aug. 5

RSVP in Action- Mobilizing a Generation July 20 Aug. 11

Understanding National Performance Measures July 21 Aug. 12

Submitting your Application via eGrants July 22 Aug. 13

All Calls at 3:30 ET/ 12:30 PT

Register and get connection information at: https://www.nationalservice.gov/rsvpcompetition

Agenda

• Competition Overview

• Competition Basics 

• Key Tools

•Introduction to CNCS and Senior Corps 

•How RSVP Works

• Examples

• Volunteers and Stations 

• Unduplicated Volunteers and 

Performance Measurement 

• Rules and Regulations 

• Funding and Budgets 

• Recap 
FY 2021 RSVP Competition

•CNCS is accepting applications now for the 

RSVP program in specific geographic service 

areas

•Applications due by 5:00pm ET on September 1

•To view available geographic service areas: 

Appendix A
Appendix A

Geographic Service 

Area (“Areas 

Affected”)

Funding 

Available

Number of 

Unduplicated 

Volunteers
Appendix A

Opportunity 

Number

Total Annual 

Funding 

Available

Number of 

Unduplicated

Volunteers

Areas Affected

AL-14 $141,304 1,109 Autauga, Coosa, 

Elmore, 

Montgomery, 

Tallapoosa 

Counties
The Notice of Funding Opportunity

WHAT IS THE 

REVIEW 

PROCESS?

Resources

Document What’s It For?

FY 2021 RSVP Competition NOFO Establishes competition, application requirements, evaluation criteria, funding priorities 

and more. Start here!

RSVP Grant Application Instructions Step-by-step instructions for navigating eGrants, CNCS’ electronic grants management 

system

Appendix A: List of Available Funding 

Opportunities by State

Lists available service areas and associated funding amounts and minimum requirements 

of volunteers

Appendix B: RSVP National 

Performance Measure Instructions

Summarizes performance measurement requirements, lists available measures

Work Plan Development Worksheets Allows you to plan Work Plans outside of eGrants

Frequently Asked Questions Updated periodically, provides more information on specific questions
Agenda

• Competition Overview

• Competition Basics 

• Key Tools

•Introduction to CNCS and Senior Corps 

•How RSVP Works

• Examples

• Volunteers and Stations 

• Unduplicated Volunteers and 

Performance Measurement 

• Rules and Regulations 

• Funding and Budgets 

• Recap 
Agenda

MISSION

The mission of CNCS is to improve lives, strengthen communities, 

and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
What is National Service?

National service is an opportunity to volunteer your time and talent to make 

a difference in people’s lives and get things done for America. Through 

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, individuals of any age can serve their country 

and their community by putting their valuable skills to use.
CNCS Programs and Initiatives

AmeriCorps State and National

AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps NCCC

RSVP

Foster Grandparents

Senior Companions
About CNCS

• NationalService.gov 

• National Service in Your State: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/impactour-nation/state-profiles

• Your CNCS State/ Regional Office: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/stateoffi

ces

• Social Media: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/newsroo

m/social-media-hub
Introducing Senior Corps

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)

• Role models and mentors to children with 

exceptional needs

• Help children learn to read and provide 

one-on-one tutoring

• Mentor troubled teenagers and young 

mothers

• Care for premature infants or children with 

disabilities

• Help children who have been abused or 

neglected

• Eligible volunteers may receive a small 

stipend to defray the costs of serving
The Senior Companion 

Program (SCP)

• Provide assistance and friendship to 

adults who have difficulty with daily 

living tasks, such as shopping or paying 

bills. 

• Help them remain independent in their 

homes instead of more costly 

institutional care

• Give other caregivers much needed 

respite

• Eligible volunteers may receive a small 

stipend to defray the costs of serving
RSVP

• Established in 1971 • Engages people 55 and older in 

diverse volunteer activities

• Volunteers: • Tutor children

renovate homes

• Assist victims of natural disasters • Provide independent living 

services

• Recruit and manage other 

volunteers 

• And much, much more
Agenda

• Competition Overview

• Competition Basics 

• Key Tools

•Introduction to CNCS and Senior Corps 

•How RSVP Works

• Examples

• Volunteers and Stations 

• Unduplicated Volunteers and 

Performance Measurement 

• Rules and Regulations 

• Funding and Budgets 

• Recap 
How RSVP Works

• RSVP volunteers are individuals 

55+

• RSVP assesses community needs 

and leverages RSVP volunteers to 

meet those needs

• RSVP volunteers serve at RSVP 

volunteer stations in the 

geographic service area, 

including the sponsor itself. 
Senior Corps Stories
To Learn More

SENIOR CORPS 

STORIES

SENIOR CORPS 

IMPACT VIDEOS

NATIONAL 

SERVICE IN YOUR 

STATE

TRANSPARENCY 

RESULTS
Agenda

• Competition Overview

• Competition Basics 

• Key Tools

•Introduction to CNCS and Senior Corps 

•How RSVP Works

• Examples

• Volunteers and Stations 

• Unduplicated Volunteers and 

Performance Measurement 

• Rules and Regulations 

• Funding and Budgets 

• Recap 
Key Terms

SPONSOR/ GRANTEE:

The organization that receives 

RSVP funding and is legally 

responsible for stewarding grant 

funds

STATION:

A community partner where 

RSVP volunteers serve
Volunteer Stations

• Nonprofit organizations, proprietary 

health care facilities, public agencies

• Some sponsors may develop a wide 

range of stations, dispersed 

throughout a geographic service 

area. Others may choose to focus on 

a couple of specific stations or 

service activities

• RSVP sponsors can also be RSVP 

volunteer stations

• RSVP sponsor organizations sign 

memoranda of understandings with 

local organizations and sends them 

volunteers.
Partnering with Senior Corps

Senior 

Corps 

Grantee

Stations

Performance 

Data

On site 

Assignment/ 

Supervision

Management 

of CNCS 

grant

Volunteers

MOU
Partnering with Senior Corps

Sponsor

Stations

RSVP 

Volunteers

CNCS grants 

funds to 

sponsor

Sponsor recruits 

volunteers and 

places them with 

independent 

stations
Partnering with Senior Corps

CNCS grants 

funds to 

sponsor

Sponsor

RSVP 

Volunteers

Sponsor 

Programs

Sponsor recruits 

volunteers and 

places them within 

own programs 

(sponsor= Station)
Partnering with Senior Corps 
• Leverage volunteers to achieve 

your mission

• Build the capacity of your 

organization

• Become part of a large national 

network

• Strengthen other public and 

nonprofit agencies in your 

community

• Demonstrate Competitive 

programming

Benefits to the Sponsor
• Real Impact on Community 

Needs

• Friends and Connections 

• Flexible Opportunities

• Health and Happiness 

• Benefits:

• Insurance (Accident, Personal 

Liability, and Certain Excess 

Automobile Liability)

• Recognition

• Meals 

• Transportation 

Benefits to the Volunteer 

Agenda

• Competition Overview

• Competition Basics 

• Key Tools

•Introduction to CNCS and Senior Corps 

•How RSVP Works

• Examples

• Volunteers and Stations

• Unduplicated Volunteers and 

Performance Measurement 

• Rules and Regulations 

• Funding and Budgets 

• Recap 
•All RSVP grants must use CNCS’ National Performance 

Measures to project and measure impact

•Volunteers allocated to two kinds of “work plans”

• National Performance Measures or “outcome-based” work 

plans tied to specific output and outcome measures 

• “Other Community Priority” work plans for activities not 

measured by National Performance Measures

•At least one unduplicated volunteer programmed in 

NPM work plans for every $1,000 in federal funding 

Performance Measurement
1. Divide $75,000 by $1,000= 

2. Program at least volunteers in NPM work plans

3. Program other volunteers (at least 25) in “Other Community 

Priorities,” with no less than 100 total volunteers 

4. NPM volunteers + OCP volunteers ≥

Performance Measurement

State Opportunity 

Number

Total 

Annual 

Funding 

Available

Start Date Unduplicated

Volunteers

Areas Affected

Verona VU- 01 $75,000 April 1, 

2020

100 Montague and Capulets

75

75

100
Key Documents

Document What’s It For?

FY 2021 RSVP Competition NOFO Establishes competition, application requirements, evaluation criteria, funding priorities 

and more. Start here!

RSVP Grant Application Instructions Step-by-step instructions for navigating eGrants, CNCS’ electronic grants management 

system

Appendix A: List of Available Funding 

Opportunities by State

Lists available service areas and associated funding amounts and minimum requirements 

of volunteers

Appendix B: RSVP National 

Performance Measure Instructions

Summarizes performance measurement requirements, lists available measures

Work Plan Development Worksheets Allows you to plan Work Plans outside of eGrants

Frequently Asked Questions Updated periodically, provides more information on specific questions
CNCS Focus Areas

Disaster Services

Economic Opportunity 

Education

Environmental Stewardship

Healthy Futures

Veterans and Military Families

Capacity Building
Performance Measurement
Performance Measurement
A Complete Workplan

• Community Need

• Output

• Target 

• Instrument Description

• Service Activity

• Outcome

• Target

• Instrument Description 

• # of Unduplicated Volunteers

• # of Total Volunteers

• # of Volunteer Stations

Agenda

• Competition Overview

• Competition Basics 

• Key Tools

•Introduction to CNCS and Senior Corps 

•How RSVP Works

• Examples

• Volunteers and Stations 

• Unduplicated Volunteers and 

Performance Measurement 

• Rules and Regulations 

• Funding and Budgets 

• Recap 
Rules and Regulations 

• The Code of Federal Regulations is the source of the requirements 

that govern Senior Corps grants. 

• Code of Federal Regulation 45 

part 2553 (abbreviated “45 CFR 

2553”) is the source of 

requirements for RSVP. 

• Viewable at eCFR.gov

• Funding and Grant Management 

Regulations: 2 CFP 200 (Uniform 

Guidance)
Key Regulations 

• Service Activity Restrictions:

• Replacing Paid Staff

• Political Activity

• Religious Activity

• Labor and Anti-Labor Activity

• National Service Criminal History Checks

• Specific set of checks for grant-paid staff required by law

• Be sure to budget for them

• “Grantees should utilize two vendors CNCS has engaged 

to conduct the required NSCHCs”
Funding and Budgets

• Support a Program Director, other 

staff

• Recognition Activities

• Recruitment Activities

• Communications with volunteers 

and stations (newsletters, other 

mailings, or local travel)

• Staff Training

• Guidance for other costs?

Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) 
Match

Year Match Requirement

Year 1 10% of total project budget

Year 2 20% of total project budget

Year 3 30% of total project budget
Award Period 

• Grant award covers three years. CNCS generally funds the first year.

• Funding for the second and third year of the project period is 

dependent upon 

• Satisfactory performance

• Demonstrated capacity to manage the grant

• Compliance with grant requirements

• Availability of Congressional appropriations

• After three years, grant may be “renewed”- a non- competitive 

process

• If renewed, competition begins again three years after that 
Award Period

Performance Period 1 Performance Period 2

Budget 

Period 1

Budget 

Period 2

Budget 

Period 3

Budget 

Period 1

Budget 

Period 2

Budget 

Period 3

2027

Recompete

2021

Initial Award

“Continuations” –

Awarded subject to... 

Renewal 

(Non-Competitive)

“Continuations” –

Awarded subject to... 
Webinar Cycle 1 Cycle 2 

Introduction to CNCS, Senior Corps and RSVP July 13 Aug. 4

A Tour of the Notice of Funding Opportunity July 15 Aug. 5

RSVP in Action- Mobilizing a Generation July 20 Aug. 11

Understanding National Performance Measures July 21 Aug. 12

Submitting your Application via eGrants July 22 Aug. 13

All Calls at 3:30 ET/ 12:30 PT

Register and get connection information at: https://www.nationalservice.gov/rsvpcompetition
Questions?