Frequently Asked Questions 

FY2017 Day of Service Funding Opportunities 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (MLK) 

September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance (September 11)

Updated January 6, 2017 

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides the Notice of Funding Opportunity (Notice) 

and the Day of Service Grant Application Instructions as the primary sources of information about the 

requirements of this grant competition. The FAQ resource is intended to provide further clarification, 

where necessary, and does not replace or override the information contained in the published 

requirements. 

1 General Application Submission and Notice Questions

1.1 Can I receive one-on-one technical assistance to answer my questions about this 

competition? 

No, there is not a one-on-one technical assistance process as part of this grant 

competition. Questions submitted to DayofService@cns.gov will be answered via email and 

posted in this FAQ resource on the competition website as appropriate to ensure all applicants 

receive the same information. 

1. 2 My organization is interested in applying for both MLK and September 11 funding. How do 

we submit applications for both Days of Service? 

To apply for both Days of Service funding opportunities, you will need to submit two separate 

applications in eGrants. Specific guidance on this is addressed on page 5 of the Application 

Instructions. The budget and performance measures should be completed for each application. 

However, only the narrative section of the September 11 application should be completed. In 

the narrative for the MLK application, enter ‘See September 11 application ID # [add 

corresponding application ID #]’. 

1.3 Where can I find information about the results of previous September 11 and MLK Grant 

competitions? 

Results can be found at: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/open-governmentinitiative/transparency/results-grants-competition 

1.4 What are the different ways that an organization can implement a Day of Service award? 

There are four possible ways to implement a Day of Service award (Notice, page 3) 

Type of Award: 
a. Pass-through entity: A pass-through entity selects subrecipients on a competitive basis 

through a sub-grant. Pass-through applicants should clearly describe their plan for 

subawarding in their application narrative. Subawards are to be made in annual amounts of 

$1,000 or more, per year. A pass-through entity does not plan activities for the Day of 

Service. Instead, only the subrecipients plan Day of Service activities.

b. Subgranting organization: A subgranting organization selects subrecipients on a 

competitive basis through a sub-grant. Subgranting organizations should clearly describe 

their plan for subawarding in their application narrative. Subawards are to be made in 

annual amounts of $1,000 or more, per year. A subgranting organization plans activities for 

the Day of Service and their subgrantees also plan activities for the Day of Service.

c. Partnership coordinators: A partnership coordinator works with partner organizations but 

may select them on a noncompetitive basis. The partnership plan should be clearly 

described in the narrative.

d. Sole entity: A sole entity does not provide any subaward funding. Instead, the applicant 

organization plans and implements all Day of Service activities.

ADDED 1/6/17

1.5 The Notice includes a section that describes Funding Priorities. What does it mean for an 

application to receive priority?

If an application meets the description listed in the Funding Priority section of the Notice, this 

will be taken into consideration during recommendation of the portfolio for selection by the 

CEO. Generally, when applications are determined to be equal in substance, receiving priority 

consideration means that a particular application will move in line ahead of an otherwise equal 

application. Of course, as stated in the Notice, ‘priority consideration does not guarantee 

funding.’

1.6 The Notice states (on page 9) that there must be at least 10 service locations for each Day of 

Service. How are service locations defined?

It is up to the applicant to define a service location. A service location may be a neighborhood, a 

city, regional to cover multiple states, or some other area. The idea is for each applicant 

organization to have plans for at least 10 service events.

1.7 If my organization submits two applications, one each for MLK and September 11, with 

narratives included for both, will both narratives be read and reviewed? 

No. Please review page 5 of the Application Instructions. If both narratives are completed, only 

the September 11th narrative will be reviewed.
1.8 What is the CNCS definition of “youth” as listed in the priority section? Up to 18 years old or 

would college students count? 

Yes, college students do count. 

1.9 Do factors like geographic location, Funding priorities, and a cash match make an 

application more competitive? 

The Notice addresses the factors considered in the review and selection process on Page 13: 

 

h. Selection for Funding 

The review and selection process is designed to: 

 identify how well eligible applications are aligned with the application review criteria 

 build a diversified portfolio based on the following strategic considerations: 

o CNCS Funding Priorities (See Section A.2. Funding Priorities) 

o meaningful representation of 

 geographic diversity 

 rural communities 

 small and medium programs 

 faith-based organizations 

 Focus Area representation 

 high ratio of match and/or other revenue to CNCS investment 

1.10 Typically CNCS performance measures are to be measured over a one year period. How do 

the CNCS performance measures fit for Days of Service? 

 

The measures identified in the Notice are outputs only and should be measurable for a day of 

service event. As stated on Notice page 18, applicants may also develop their own measures. 

1.11 How do I know if my proposed project is a good proposal for this competition? 

 

Individual feedback on proposals is not provided in an open competition. To help you assess 

whether your proposal is viable for this competition, review your idea against the funding 

priorities section of the NOFA on page 2, the performance measures beginning on page 18 of 

the NOFA, and the selection criteria in the NOFA. You can also review funded applications from 

the previous competitions (2015) in the CNCS Results of Grant Competitions page—keep in 

mind, there are that some requirements will vary each year.( 

2 Budget

2.1 What amount should be included in the application budget submitted? 

Enter your annual request for the first funding year. 

Added 1/6/17 

2.2 Can Day of Service funds be used to train AmeriCorps members? 
Yes, as long as a connection can be made between training the members and implementing Day 

of Service activities. Funds cannot be used for training alone. 

2.3 Where can I learn what budget items are allowable and unallowable?

 

Pleases review the Notice carefully and consider if the cost is reasonable, necessary, allocable 

and allowable per 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. In considering these items see especially 2 

C.F.R. §§ 200.403, 200.404, 200.405. 

2.4 According to the Notice, it states that the minimum funding request is $50,000. The Notice 

also states this is a three-year project period. Is the minimum $50,000 to cover the three year 

period ($50,000 over three years or about $16,000 per year) or is the minimum request really 

$150,000 ($50,000 each year)? 

 

The minimum funding request is $50,000 per year. The budget submitted should be a one year 

request. In the second and third years, a continuation application could be submitted for 

continuation funding. 

 

2.5 Please provide an example of what it means to match 70% of the total project budget, as 

required for MLK. 

An applicant must provide at least 70% of the total project budget. If $80,000 in CNCS funding 

were requested from CNCS, $187,241 in non-federal funding would need to be provided by the 

applicant as match. This brings the total project budget to $267,241. The applicant share of 

$187,241 is 70% of the total project budget, meeting the required 70% non-federal share. The 

eGrants budget will help you identify the CNCS and match percentages. 

3 Program Implementation 

3.1 If an application is selected for award, what is the first Day of Service for MLK and 

September 11? 

The first September 11 Day of Service for this competition is September 11, 2017. The first MLK 

Day of Service for this competition is January 15, 2018. If selected, the expectation is that the 

organization would plan Day of Service events for the next three September 11 or MLK Days of 

Service as applicable and contingent on funding of continuation applications and federal 

appropriations.