AmeriCorps Seniors

Session 1| October 21, 2020- 3:30 PM E.T./ 12:30 P.T

Introduction to the 2021 FGP- SCP Expansion 

Competition

1
2

Recording & 

Slides 

available on 

Competition 

Page

All lines are on 

Mute

Questions in 

Q&A Pod

Technical problems? 

Let us know in the 

chat.

Audio: 

Phone and 

Online
2021FGPSCP@cns.gov

https://www.nationalservice.gov/

FY2021/FGP&SCP-Competition

3
4

Training and Technical Assistance Calls

Webinar Cycle 1 Cycle 2 

Introduction to the 2021 FGP-SCP Expansion 

Competition

Oct. 21 Jan. 5

The Foster Grandparent Program Oct. 26 Jan. 6

The Senior Companion Program Oct. 27 Jan. 12

Submitting your Application via eGrants Nov. 2 Jan. 14

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

Register, view recordings, and get connection information at: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/FY2021/FGP&SCP-Competition
5
6

Agenda

• Competition Basics

• Get to Know AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps 

Seniors

• Get to Know the AmeriCorps Seniors 

Foster Grandparent Program

• Get to Know the AmeriCorps Seniors 

Senior Companion Program

• The Competition: What to Do Next
7

FY 2021 FGP-SCP Expansion Competition

• AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent and Senior 

Companion Programs accepting applications 

now.

• Applications due by 5:00pm ET on February 3, 2021

• To view available geographic service areas: 

Appendix A
8
9
10

WHAT IS THE 

REVIEW 

PROCESS?

The Notice of Funding Opportunity

WHAT IS THE 

REVIEW 

PROCESS?
11
12

Resources

Document What is it For?

FY 2021 FGP/SCP Competition 

NOFO

Establishes competition, application requirements, 

evaluation criteria, funding priorities and more. Start here!

FGP/SCP 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: FGP/SCP 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
13

Agenda

• Competition Basics

• Get to Know AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps 

Seniors

• Get to Know the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster 

Grandparent Program

• Get to Know the AmeriCorps Seniors 

Senior Companion Program

• The Competition: What to Do Next
AmeriCorps, the Agency

Formally the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)

14
Agenda

MISSION

The mission of AmeriCorps 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.
AmeriCorps, the Agency

Formally the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)

17

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP

AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents

AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companions
About CNCS

• Americorps.gov 

• National Service in Your State: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/i

mpact-our-nation/state-profiles

• Your AmeriCorps Regional Office: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/st

ateoffices

• Social Media: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/n

ewsroom/social-media-hub

About AmeriCorps
Introducing AmeriCorps Seniors

AmeriCorps Seniors Impact Video: New York
22

AmeriCorps Seniors 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
• 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

AmeriCorps Seniors

Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)

23
AmeriCorps Seniors 

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

24
Key Terms

25

SPONSOR/ GRANTEE:

The organization that 

receives AmeriCorps Seniors 

funding and is legally 

responsible for stewarding 

grant funds

STATION:

A community partner 

where AmeriCorps 

Seniors 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.

• AmeriCorps Seniors sponsors can also be 

Volunteer Stations

• AmeriCorps Seniors sponsor organizations sign 

MOU with local organizations and sends them 

volunteers

26
Partnering with AmeriCorps Seniors

27

AmeriCorps 

Seniors 

Grantee

Stations

Performance 

Data

On site 

Assignment/ 

Supervision

Management of 

AmeriCorps 

Seniors grant

Volunteers

MOU
Partnering with AmeriCorps Seniors

28
• 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

29
Learn more at https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/senior-corpsand-health-benefits

30
31

Rules and Regulations

Topic Cycle 1

Assignments One-on-one supportive relationships, client with special or 

exceptional needs

Criminal History Checks AmeriCorps requires a specific process, provides two 

designated vendors. Be sure to include it in your budget.

Minimum/Maximum Amounts of 

Service

Weekly: 5 to 40 hrs OR

Annual: 260 to 2080 hrs

Performance Measurement Must choose from standard output and outcome measures 

provided by AmeriCorps, must include a certain amount of 

volunteer activity in National Performance Measures

Stipend Management Must manage stipend expenditures over course of year

Orientation and Training Must provide at least 20 hours of pre-service orientation and 

24 hours of in-service training

Use of Funds Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary (see 2 CFR 

200)
Match

• Match aka Non-Federal Share aka Non-CNCS share

• 10% of the total project cost

• To find the amount:

• Required Non-Federal Share= (Federal Share/ 0.9)- Federal Share

Example: Verona Department of Aging is Requesting 

$260,000 

Required Non-Federal Share = ($260,000/0.9)- $260,000

Required Non-Federal Share = $28,889
Award Period

• Grant award covers three years. AmeriCorps 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
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

Renewal

2021

Initial Award

“Continuations” –

Awarded subject 

to... Renewal 

(NonCompetitive)

“Continuations” –

Awarded subject 

to... 
AmeriCorps 

Seniors 

Impact 

Video

AmeriCorps 

Seniors 

Stories

National 

Service in 

your State

Manage 

AmeriCorps 

Seniors 

Grants 

eCFR.gov

For More Information

35
36
37

Agenda

• Competition Basics

• Get to Know AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps 

Seniors

• Get to Know the AmeriCorps Seniors 

Foster Grandparent Program

• Get to Know the AmeriCorps Seniors 

Senior Companion Program

• The Competition: What to Do Next
The Competition: What to do next?

 Determine the Geographic Service Areas you 

wish to serve on Appendix A

38
VSYs

VSY: 

VOLUNTEER 

SERVICE YEARS
How to Calculate VSYs?

1 VSY= 1,044 

STIPENDED HOURS 

52.2 WEEKS @ 20 HRS. 

PER WEEK 
How to Calculate VSYs?

10 VSYS =

10,440 HOURS
Verona Montague County

Verona Capulet County
Verona Montague

Verona Capulets

1 VSY for every $6,500 40 

VSYs $6,500

$260,000

x

=
The Competition: What to do next?

 Determine the Geographic Service Areas you wish 

to serve on Appendix A

 Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity, 

particularly the Evaluation Criteria

 Begin your application in a word processing 

program 

 Create an eGrants account (if you haven’t already), register in SAM and request a DUNS 

number)

 Submit your application early, but no later than 

5:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 3, 

2021.

44
AmeriCorps Seniors Impact Video: Montana
46

Training and Technical Assistance Calls

Webinar Cycle 1 Cycle 2 

Introduction to the 2021 FGP-SCP Expansion 

Competition

Oct. 21 Jan. 5

The Foster Grandparent Program Oct. 26 Jan. 6

The Senior Companion Program Oct. 27 Jan. 12

Submitting your Application via eGrants Nov. 2 Jan. 14

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

Register, view recordings, and get connection information at: 

https://www.nationalservice.gov/rsvpcompetition
Questions?

47