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2023 |

AmeriCorps Seniors

Fiscal Year 2024

Senior Companion Program Replacement and 

Expansion Opportunity: Tour of the Notice of 

Funding Opportunity – Selection Criteria Review
Produced and published at US taxpayer expense.

Agenda

• Important Dates and Contact Information

• Key Terms

• Funding Priorities & Primary Focus Area

• Page Limits

• Project Narrative Recommendations

• E.1. Selection Criteria & E.2 Review and 

Selection Process

• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

• Recap & Knowledge Check

• Applicant Training and Technical Assistance 

• Q&A

Dec-23 6
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Poll #1

Question 1: 

Did you attend our last live event, 

Identifying Priority Areas in Your 

Community?

Question 2: 

Have you accessed the training and 

technical assistance resources and 

webinars on the funding opportunity 

webpage? 

Dec-23 7
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Poll #2

How confident do you feel in your current level 

of knowledge relating to selection criteria for 

the Senior Companion Program Replacement 

and Expansion Funding Opportunity?

5- Very Confident

4- Confident

3- Neutral/Not sure

2- Not confident

1- Not very confident

Dec-23 8
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Important Dates

Applications are 

due no later than 

Thursday, February 

1, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. 

Eastern Time.

Successful 

applicants will be 

notified by 

April 2024.

Successful 

applicants will be 

issued awards by 

June 2024.

Dec-23 9
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Contact Information

For questions related to this funding opportunity, contact 

FGPSCPReplacement@americorps.gov.

For details on this opportunity and to see other opportunities available 

through AmeriCorps, visit the AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities website.

Dec-23 10
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Key Terms

1. Geographic Service Area: The counties in which volunteer stations are 

located and services are provided.

2. Focus Area: One of a set of six core priority issue areas identified in the Serve 

America Act where AmeriCorps focuses national service and measures its 

impact.

3. Service Activity: The service performed by AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers 

that supports an identified community need and aligns with AmeriCorps 

Seniors funding priorities and focus areas.

4. Sponsor: A public agency or private non-profit organization, either secular or 

faith- based, that receives Senior Companion Program funding and is legally 

responsible for stewarding grant funds. Also referred to as grantees. 

5. Volunteer Service Year: Equal to 1,044 hours of volunteer service activity per 

year. The standardized stipend cost per VSY is calculated by multiplying the 

number of hours served by the current cost per hour for the stipend (1,044 

hours x $4.00 per hour). VSYs are also used in the work plans.

Dec-23 11
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Key Terms

6. Volunteer Station: A public agency, secular or faith-based private non-profit 

organization, or proprietary health care organization that accepts the responsibility for 

assignment and supervision of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers.

7. Output: A type of measure that tabulates, calculates, or records the actual products 

or services delivered by a program, such as students receiving tutoring or houses built.

8. Outcome: A type of measure that indicates progress toward achieving the intended 

result of a program, which usually represents a change in the situation of beneficiaries 

of service, such as increased social support or improved capacity for independent 

living. 

9. Performance Measures: A set of standardized outputs and outcomes to help grantees 

and AmeriCorps track the impact of national service.

10. Work Plan: A plan that shows how the project will address a specified community 

need. Includes a description of the community need and AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteer service activities, the chosen performance measures, and how the impact 

of service activities will be measured. 

Dec-23 12
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Funding Priorities and Primary Focus Area

Dec-23 13
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Primary Focus Area and Funding Priorities

The Senior Companion Program focuses on Healthy Futures. 

Grants must establish programming that engages adults fifty-five (55) 

years and older to serve as volunteers who help older adults live 

independently. Activities may include providing support and/or 

facilitating access to services and resources that contribute to 

independent living.

Dec-23 14
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Senior Companion Program Funding Priorities

Priority consideration* will be given to: 

• Projects that propose to raise public awareness about the challenges and 

needs of family caregivers and the role of older adult volunteers. 

Innovative service projects that can be executed by older adults will be 

given priority consideration. These projects can include those that: 

• Advance partnerships that promote greater engagement for older 

adult support for family caregivers. 

• Optimize well-being of family caregivers by strengthening services and 

supports, e.g., services to help caregivers manage their own 

health/emotions/physical stress, helping to find and secure other 

trustworthy/affordable services or supports, and those that prevent 

caregiver isolation. 

Primary Focus Areas and Funding Priorities

Dec-23 15
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Senior Companion Program Funding Priorities

Funding Priorities Continued...

• Develop volunteer roles that integrate older 

adults as volunteers who serve as part of a care 

coordination for clients and ongoing support for 

family and other caregivers. 

• Develop interventions where elders can support 

caregivers in tribal communities. 

• Spur innovations that engage older adults in 

intergenerational activities that help increase 

access to information and services for 

caregivers. 

Primary Focus Areas and Funding Priorities

Dec-23 16

*To receive priority consideration, applicants must show that the priority area is a 

significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes and must include a 

high-quality program design.

Suggested 

Resource: 

Identifying 

Priority 

Areas

AmeriCorps Funding 

Opportunities website.
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Funding Priorities

Primary Focus Areas and Funding Priorities

• Organizations leading service in communities with concentrated poverty, rural

communities, tribal communities, and those organizations serving historically 

underrepresented and underserved individuals, including but not limited to 

communities of color, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, people 

who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and religious minorities.

• Projects that propose to serve states listed in Appendix A: Priority States and 

Territories.

• Organizations that serve people with arrest and conviction records and provide 

meaningful reentry opportunities.

• Programs that support civic bridgebuilding projects (meaning projects that foster 

respect among diverse communities, strengthen relationships across lines of 

difference, forge a sense of common civic purpose, and seek to solve a 

community program and diminish polarization) and provide training in civic 

bridgebuilding skills and techniques to AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers.

Dec-23 17
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Appendix A: Priority States and Territories

*Applicants are not limited 

to this list of states and 

territories to apply for, but 

AmeriCorps Seniors is 

prioritizing projects that 

designate counties in these 

states and territories due to 

relinquishments.

*Applicants can apply for 

one or more counties.

Dec-23 18

Primary Focus Areas and Funding Priorities

AS GU MP PR VI

U.S. Territories
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D.2.b. Page Limits

Dec-23 19
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D.2.b. Page Limits

Section D. Application And Submission Information

Applications may not exceed 17 double-spaced pages (based on the 

eGrants print out). 

Count Towards Page Limit: 

•SF-424 Face Sheet

•Executive Summary

•Narratives

Do Not Count Towards Page Limit

•Budget

•Performance Measures/Work 

Plans

•Other Required Additional 

Documents

AmeriCorps strongly encourages applicants to print out the application from the “Review and Submit” 

tab in eGrants prior to submission to confirm the application does not exceed the page limit.

2023 20
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General Recommendations for Project Narratives

Dec-23 21
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General Recommendations for Project Narratives

Lead from your 

program 

strengths and 

be explicit.

Be clear and 

succinct. 

Avoid circular 

reasoning.

Avoid simply 

stating that the 

criteria will be 

met. 

Don’t make 

assumptions. 

Avoid overuse 

of acronyms. 

Use a 

proofreader.

Follow the instructions and 

discuss each criterion in the 

order they are presented in the 

instructions. 

Suggested 

Resource: 

Grant 

Application 

Instructions

AmeriCorps Funding 

Opportunities website.

Dec-23 22
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Section E.1. Selection Criteria

Dec-23 23
Applications should include a well-designed plan with clear and compelling 

justifications for receiving the requested funds. Reviewers will assess the 

quality of applications by using the selection criteria described below and 

will rate them accordingly. 

Section E.1. Selection Criteria

Categories/Subcategories Percentage

Executive Summary (not scored but evaluated for following instructions) 0

Program Design 30

• Strengthening Communities 19

• Recruitment and Development 11

Organizational Capability 30

• Program Management 8

• Organizational Capability 22

Other 11

• Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 4

• Evaluation 7

Work Plan/ Performance Measures 18

Budget Section 1 and Section 2 11

Resource: 

Notice of 

Funding 

Opportunity

AmeriCorps Funding 

Opportunities website.

Dec-23 24
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Section E.1.a. Executive Summary 

(Not Scored, Evaluated for Following Instructions)

Dec-23 25
“The [Name of the organization] proposes to have [number of 

unduplicated] AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who will [specific 

service activities] in [the locations the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers 

will serve]. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve [XX number 

volunteer service hours (VSY)] each year. The primary focus area of 

this project is Healthy Futures. [(If applicable) Other priorities include 

[List priority areas to be addressed.] AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers 

will be responsible for [fill in the anticipated outcome(s)]. The 

AmeriCorps investment of $ [fill in the annual AmeriCorps grant 

amount or the requested amount] will be supplemented by $ [fill in 

the anticipated level of non-AmeriCorps resources].”

Executive Summary Template

Dec-23 26
“The A proposes to have B _

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who will 

C in D . AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers will serve _ E _ each year. The 

primary focus area of this project is 

Healthy Futures. [(If applicable) Other 

priorities include [ F .] AmeriCorps 

Seniors volunteers will be responsible for 

[fill in the anticipated outcome(s)]. 

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be 

responsible for G . The AmeriCorps 

investment of $ H will be supplemented 

by $ I .” 

Executive Summary Template (continued)

Dec-23 27

• A: Name of the organization

• B: Number of unduplicated 

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers

• C: Specific service activities

• D: Locations AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers will serve 

• E: Number of volunteer service hours 

(VSY)

• F: (Optional) Other priorities to be 

addressed

• G: Anticipated outcome(s) 

• H: Annual AmeriCorps grant 

amount or the requested amount

• I: Anticipated level of nonAmeriCorps resources
The ABC Senior Service Center proposes to have 25 AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers provide companionship and respite services to older adults in 

their homes at the Lake View Senior Center in Crystal County, VA. 

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be trained in best practices related to 

family support and respite care. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve 28 

volunteer service years (VSY) each year. The primary focus area of this 

project is Healthy Futures. Other priorities include programming that focuses 

on aging in place, access to care, and raising awareness about the 

importance of respite care. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will be 

responsible for reducing isolation and providing respite services for 150 

older adults. The AmeriCorps investment of $250,000 will be supplemented 

by $50,000 private-sector funds.

Executive Summary Sample

Dec-23 28
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Section E.1.b. Program Design 

(30 Percent)

Dec-23 29
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E.1.b.i. Strengthening Communities (19 Percent)

Section E.1.b. Program Design

Applications should:

• describe the community need. 

• provide details on the proposed communities 

served by the project. 

• outline the project and interventions that 

address the need. 

• provide rationale for engaging volunteers to 

deliver interventions. 

• list organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and 

accessibility and describe how they are 

embedded in program implementation. 

Suggested 

Resource: 

Identifying 

Priority Areas 

in Your 

Community

AmeriCorps Funding 

Opportunities website.

Dec-23 30
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E.1.b.ii. Recruitment and Development (11 Percent)

Section E.1.b. Program Design

Applications should: 

• describe the plan to recruit volunteers. Include:

• how the recruitment plan is supported in the budget.

• plans to recruit volunteers best suited to serve the community; for 

example, volunteers with geographic or demographic 

representation. 

• detail plans to ensure volunteers receive training. 

• describe a plan to retain and recognize volunteers. Include:

• strategies to foster an inclusive culture. 

• plans to keep volunteers engaged. 

Dec-23 31
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Section E.1.c. Organizational Capacity

(30 Percent)

Dec-23 32
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E.1.c.i Program Management (8 Percent)

E.1.c. Organizational Capacity

Applications should: 

• describe plans to develop volunteer stations to provide meaningful 

service opportunities that address stated community needs.

• describe volunteer station management plans. Include how you will 

ensure volunteer stations are: 

• providing guidance and training to volunteer station supervisors 

and volunteers.

• meeting program regulations, priorities, and expectations.

• providing training and assistance to volunteer station staff that 

fosters the creation of safe, inclusive spaces for volunteers of all 

identities, backgrounds, talents, and capabilities.

Dec-23 33
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E.1.c.ii Organizational Capability (22 Percent)

E.1.c. Organizational Capacity

Applications should: 

• provide applicant’s experience developing and implementing 

internal policies and operating procedures. 

• describe the organizational infrastructure to ensure sound 

programmatic and fiscal oversight.

Dec-23 34
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Applications should: 

• describe the extent to which the organization has sufficient 

policies, procedures, controls, and staff training in place to 

prevent, detect, and mitigate the risk of fraud, waste, abuse, 

and mismanagement: This can include how you will: 

• assess appropriate segregation of duties, internal oversight 

activities, measures to prevent timekeeping fraud, etc. 

• report, without delay, any suspected criminal activity, 

waste, fraud, and abuse to both the AmeriCorps Office of 

Inspector General and AmeriCorps. 

• prevent and detect non-compliance and enforce 

compliance with AmeriCorps rules and regulations including 

those related to prohibited activities and criminal history 

checks at the grantee and service site locations

E.1.c.ii Organizational Capability (Continued)

E.1.c. Organizational Capacity

Dec-23 35

Suggested 

Resources:

• Segregation of 

Duties 

Worksheet

• Office of 

Monitoring 

website
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E.1.c.ii Organizational Capability (Continued)

E.1.c. Organizational Capacity

Applications should: 

• outline a plan to develop and implement a 

policy to comply with National Service Criminal 

History Check regulations. 

• list titles and position descriptions for all staff 

assigned to this project and explain how these 

positions will ensure the accomplishment of 

program objectives. 

• describe the applicant’s experience with and 

plans to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and 

accessibility within their organization.

Suggested 

Resource: 

National 

Service 

Criminal 

History Checks

Dec-23 36
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Section E.1.d. Other

(11 Percent)

Dec-23 37
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E.1.d.i. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 

(4 Percent):

Section E.1.d. Other

Application should: 

• detail plans to secure non-federal support to ensure program 

sustainability. Include: 

• dedicated grant staff, 

• grant proposal processes,

• development of in-kind support,

• fundraising efforts, and 

• other relevant plans.

Dec-23 38
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E.1.d.ii. Evaluation (7 Percent)

Section E.1.d. Other

Applications should: 

• describe the data collection system including 

how it: 

• is sufficient to collect high quality 

performance measurement data.

• will use data to track and measure the outputs 

and outcomes and to make data-informed 

decisions about the project.

Suggested 

Resource: 

AmeriCorps 

Evaluation 

Resources

Dec-23 39
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Section E.1.e. Work Plan and Performance Measures

(18 Percent)

Dec-23 40
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*Volunteer Service Year (VSY) is a budget term which equals 1,044 hours of volunteer service 

activity. The standardized stipend cost per VSY is calculated by multiplying the number of hours 

served by the current cost per hour for the stipend (1,044 hours x $4.00 per hour). See Appendix 

F: Cost per Volunteer Calculator for more information.

Work Plans

Section E.1.e. Work Plan and Performance Measures

Work Plans - Applications must include work plans that meet the following 

minimum requirements: 

• National Performance Measure outcomes using Healthy Futures as 

the primary focus area.

• Federal funding requests cannot exceed $9,000 per Volunteer Service 

Year. 

• For every $9,000 in annual base federal funding, at least one 

volunteer service year* must be placed in work plan that result in 

National Performance Measure outcomes in the Healthy Futures 

focus area.

Dec-23 41
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Performance Measures, continued

Section E.1.e. Work Plan and Performance Measures

Work Plans that logically connect the following four major elements to 

each other and are aligned with National Performance Measures the: 

1. community need(s) identified.

2. service activities that will be carried out by AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers.

3. instrument description and data collection plans. 

4. target numbers that lead to outcomes or outputs and are 

appropriate for the total number of volunteers assigned to the 

performance measure.

Dec-23 42
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Work Plans and Performance Measures, continued

Section E.1.e. Work Plan and Performance Measures

Dec-23 43

the duration of the intervention (e.g., the total number of weeks, sessions, or 

months of the intervention).

the dosage of the intervention (e.g., the number of hours per session or sessions per 

week).

the target population for the intervention (e.g., disconnected seniors/youth, third 

graders at a certain reading proficiency level). 

the measurable outputs that result from delivering the intervention (i.e., number of 

beneficiaries served, types and number of activities conducted). If applicable, 

identify which National Performance Measures will be used as output indicators.

Service activities that are defined in each Work Plan must include the intervention the 

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will implement or deliver, including:

•

•

•

•

• outcomes that demonstrate changes in knowledge/skill, attitude, behavior, or 

condition that occur because of the intervention. If applicable, identify which 

National Performance Measures will be used as outcome indicators. 
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Work Plan and Performance Measures Resources

Section E.1.e. Work Plan and Performance Measures

Grant 

Application 

Instructions

Appendix B: 

National 

Performance 

Measure 

Instructions 

AmeriCorps 

National 

Performance 

Measurement 

Core 

Curriculum

AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities website.

Dec-23 44
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Section E.1.f. Budget Section 1 and Section 2 

(11 Percent)

Dec-23 45
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E.1.f. Budget (11 Percent)

Section E. Application Review Information

The budget demonstrates that costs are reasonable, allocable, allowable, 

and necessary and conform to the Uniform Guidance. 

• The budget is complete with all costs itemized. 

• The extent to which match has been secured or the quality of the 

plan to raise match. 

• The extent to which match will deepen the impact of the proposed 

project. 

• The quality of the financial management system. 

• Cost per Volunteer Service Year is not more than $9,000. 

• Budget includes costs associated with National Service Criminal 

History Checks, volunteer insurance, and volunteer recognition.

Dec-23 46
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E.1.f. Budget, continued (11 Percent)

Section E. Application Review Information

• The non-AmeriCorps share must be a minimum of 10% of total project 

costs. If needed, you may request a match waiver. 

• All AmeriCorps Seniors grantees must budget for one staff person, 

primarily the Project Director, to attend the AmeriCorps Seniors annual 

convening. 

• Grantees may budget for an additional staff member to attend the 

event if funds permit. 

• The recommended amount for budgeting purposes is $2,000. Long 

distance travel funds may be re-budgeted later in the year 

depending on actual training activities.

Dec-23 47
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Budget Resources

Section E. Application Review Information

Dec-23 48

Grant 

Application 

Instructions

Sample Budget 

Narrative

Best Practices 

in Budget 

Development

Resources available on the AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities website.
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Section E.2. Review and Selection Process

Dec-23 49
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Initial 

Compliance 

and Eligibility 

Review

Application 

Review 

Applicant 

Clarification

Pre-Award 

Risk 

Assessment

Integrity and 

Performance 

System 

Information

Selection for 

Funding

E.2. Review and Selection Process

Section E. Application Review Information

Note: AmeriCorps reserves the right to adjust or make changes to the review process, if unforeseen 

challenges or urgent circumstances make it impossible, impracticable, or inefficient to conduct the review 

process as planned. Any such adjustments or changes will not affect the selection criteria (E.1.) that will be 

used to assess applications.

Dec-23 50
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E.3. Feedback to Applicants & 

E.4. Transparency in Grant-making

Section E. Application Review Information

• Each compliant applicant will receive feedback on their application. 

• A list of all approved applications will be published on AmeriCorps 

Funded Grants website within 90 business days after all grants are 

awarded.

• Submitted program narratives and executive summaries for successful 

applications will be available upon request via email to 

AmeriCorpsOGA@cns.gov.

• Further information about funded grants and subgrants is also available in 

USASpending.gov.

Dec-23 51
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Dec-23 52
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Dec-23 53

Can two or more organizations jointly apply for one grant?

No. One organization must be identified as the sponsor organization. Other 

organizations can become volunteer stations but would not be 

considered the grantee. AmeriCorps Seniors does not allow sub-awards.
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Dec-23 54

How do I know if our agency should apply?

Suggested ways to assess:

1) Do you meet the eligibility requirements in section C.1. Eligibility? If yes, 

consider applying.

2) Can you demonstrate how Healthy Futures focus area support is needed in 

your community, and your agency is able to meet this need? If yes, apply.

3) Are you able to identify one of the other priority areas will be addressed in 

your application? If yes, apply. If no, but yes to question 1, then apply. If no to 

both, then no.

4) Does data show that there are older adults (aged 55+) in your community 

that are capable and interested in service? If yes, then apply.
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Dec-23 55

If the geographic area I wish to serve is not listed in Appendix A; can I 

apply for that service area?

Yes, applicants are not limited to this list of states and territories to apply 

for, but AmeriCorps Seniors is prioritizing projects that designate 

geographic service areas operating in these states and territories due to 

relinquishments.
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Dec-23 56

What ages group can our AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion 

volunteers serve?

Per the Section 2551.81 of the Code of Federal Regulations, AmeriCorps 

Seniors Senior Companion Program serve only adults, primarily older adults, 

who have one or more physical, emotional, or mental health limitations 

and are in need of assistance to achieve and maintain their highest level 

of independent living. 
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

How does my organization determine how much federal funding we should 

apply for?

Applicants can request as much funding as needed to support a successful 

program. There are two things to consider: number of Volunteer Service 

Years and amount of match.

• For every $9,000 in federal funding, you must budget for and place one 

volunteer service year (VSY) in an outcome-based work plan with the 

Access to Care objective in the Healthy Futures focus area.

• Applicants are required to match funds equal to 10% of the total requested 

one-year program budget. This can be either in-kind or cash match.

Dec Dec-23 | 57 -23 57
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

How does my organization determine how much federal funding we should 

apply for? (continued)

For example, if you think you can recruit 23 volunteers to serve 20 VSYs (or 

20,880 hours of service) in outcome-based work plans with the Access to Care 

objective in the Healthy Futures focus area, you can request $180,000 in 

federal funding. Your grantee share is $20,000, and your total project budget 

is $200,000.

Dec Dec-23 | 58 -23 58

Appendix E: Cost per Volunteer Calculator can be used to determine a 

minimum number of VSYs for a funding request.

VSY * $9,000 = Federal 

Funding

20 * $9,000 = $180,000

Determine Total Project 

Budget

(Federal Share/0.90) = Total 

Project Budget

($180,000/0.90) = $200,000

Calculate Grantee Share

Total Project Budget * 0.10 = 

Grantee Share

$200,000 * 0.10 = $20,000
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Our organization is currently a grantee and are operating within a 

temporary geographic service area. Do we need to apply to this 

opportunity?

Yes. If your organization was granted permission by AmeriCorps to operate 

within a geographic service area that was not a part of your original 

project, the new geographic service area needs to be applied for during 

this opportunity. The application will only be for the new service area and 

will not have an impact on your current grant. If the application is 

successful, the original project can be amended to merge both into a 

single grant.

Without a successful grant application, organizations will not be allowed to 

operate in temporary geographic service areas beyond June 2024.

Dec Dec-23 | 59 -23 59
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Our organization is currently a temporary sponsor of a relinquished 

project. Do we need to apply to this opportunity? 

Yes. If your organization was granted permission by AmeriCorps to 

operate as a temporary sponsor for a relinquished project, to maintain 

services as an AmeriCorps grantee, the organization must apply for this 

opportunity

Without a successful grant application, organizations will not be 

allowed to operate in temporary geographic service areas beyond 

June 2024.

Dec Dec-23 | 60 -23 60
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

If I am applying for the geographic service area to be permanently 

added, do we need apply for funding if we do not need it?

No. Applicants can propose the funding level needed to meet the 

needs of a successful project in the geographic area. There maybe 

cases where programs are already operating and are requesting to 

add the geographic service area. If awarded, current grantees may 

choose to merge the new award into current grants. These cases may 

not need funds and will apply with a zero budget.

If you are requesting zero dollars in funding, ensure you clearly 

communicate and describe how staffing, volunteers, and 

programmatic needs will be met in section E.1.d.i. Cost-Effectiveness 

and Budget Adequacy -enter your response in Other section of eGrants

Dec Dec-23 | 61 -23 61
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to have a full-time Project Director budgeted in our 

application?

For new applicants yes. Section 2551.25(c) of the Code of Federal 

Regulations states projects should employ a full-time project director to 

accomplish project objectives and manage the functions and activities 

delegate to project staff for Senior Companion projects(s) within its 

control.

For current AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program grantees 

applying to permanently add geographic service area, no. They don’t 

need to budget for a full-time director, as their current grant has the 

full-time director already.

Dec Dec-23 | 62 -23 62
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any tips for having a complete application? 

1) Read and reread the Notice of Funding Opportunity and make sure you 

answer each of the questions in Section E.1. Selection Criteria.

2) Include your leadership, board, and financial staff in addressing the items in 

Section E.1. Selection Criteria. 

3) Clearly describe how your proposal addresses each criteria and subcriteria as outlined in Section E.1. Selection Criteria. 

4) Check your Work Plans, ensure there are no blanks. 

5) Ensure you are budgeting and programing for at least 1 Volunteer Service 

Year per $9,000 of funding. 

6) Check the math in your budget.

7) Do not exceed 17 pages.

Dec Dec-23 | 63 -23 63
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Recap and Knowledge Check

Dec-23 64
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To receive priority 

consideration, 

applicants must show 

that the priority area is 

a significant part of the 

program focus and 

intended outcomes 

and must include a 

high-quality program 

design.

Priority Consideration

Recap

• Selection criteria can 

be found in Section 

E.1. Selection Criteria 

of the Notice of 

Funding Opportunity

• Each application will 

be reviewed by a 

panel of AmeriCorps 

staff members. 

Selection Criteria

• Applications are due 

no later than 

Thursday, February 1, 

2024, at 5:00 pm 

Eastern Time (ET). 

• Successful applicants 

will be notified by 

April 2024.

• Successful applicants 

will be issued award 

by June 2024. 

Application Deadlines

Dec-23 65
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What is the Primary 

Focus of the Senior 

Companion Program?

Knowledge Check

True or False?

The executive summary is 

the highest scored 

section.

Applicants are limited 

to only areas listed in 

Appendix A

Dec-23 66

• Environmental

Stewardship

• Disaster Response Healthy Futures FALSE – This section 

is not scored but 

will be evaluated 

for following 

instructions. 

True or False?

FALSE – Applicants 

are NOT limited to 

the states and 

territories in 

Appendix A. 
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Applicant Training and Technical Assistance

Dec-23 67
Produced and published at US taxpayer expense.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Appendices

2023 68

Appendix Name Purpose

Appendix A: Priority 

States and Territories

Applicants are not limited to this list of states and territories to apply 

for, but AmeriCorps Seniors is prioritizing projects that designate 

Geographic Service Areas operating in these states and territories 

due to relinquishments. Applicants can apply for one or more 

counties in a state.

Appendix B: National 

Performance Measure 

Instructions

Guidance for performance measures selection, output and 

outcome pairings, and required information for Work Plan in 

eGrants.

Appendix C: Terms 

and Definitions

Terms and Definitions provides information for terms most used in 

AmeriCorps Seniors.

Appendix D: Grant 

Application Instruction

Grant Application Instructionssubmitting your application in eGrants. provides step by step guidance for 

Appendix E: Cost Per 

Volunteer Calculator

Resource to help applicants determine a minimum number of 

volunteer service years (VSY) for a funding request.

68

AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities website.

Dec-23 68
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For more information, visit the Funding Opportunity Page.

Additional Applicant Training and Technical Assistance

Live Events (Requires Registration) Pre-Recorded

AmeriCorps Seniors in Action: Mobilizing a 

Generation 

Introducing AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors, 

and Its Programs

Identifying Funding Priority Areas in Your 

Community 

AmeriCorps National Performance Measures 

Curriculum

Tour of the Notice of Funding Opportunity –

Selection Criteria Review 

Best Practices in Budget Development

National Performance Measures and Work 

Plans 

Submitting Your Application in eGrants

Senior Companion Program Office Hours: 

Budget Q&A

AmeriCorps Due Diligence Review and 

Compliance Training

Senior Companion Program Office Hours: 

General and Performance Measurement Q&A 

Frequently Asked Questions (Document)

Dec-23 69
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Additional Applicant Training and Technical Assistance

National Performance Measures 

and Work Plans

Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 

3:30 p.m. ET.

Next Live Event

• Budget Q&A, Wednesday, 

January 17, 2024, 1:30 p.m. ET

• General and Performance 

Measures Q&A, Thursday, 

January 18, 2024, 3:30 p.m. ET

• Pre-Submit Questions for 

webinar

Senior Companion Program

Office Hours

Dec-23 70
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Poll #3

Having attended today’s webinar, how 

confident do you feel in your current level of 

knowledge relating to selection criteria for the 

Senior Companion Program Replacement and 

Expansion Funding Opportunity?

5- Much more confident

4- More confident

3- Neutral/Not sure

2- Less confident

1- Much less confident

Dec-23 71
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Please enter your questions 

into the Q&A box.

Questions?

Use the Q&A to ask your questions.

Dec-23 72
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Thank you for your interest in 

AmeriCorps Seniors funding 

opportunities. 

Dec-23 73