1 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Volunteer Generation Fund

As applicable to the Notice of Funding Opportunity or Notice of Funding Availability

OMB Control #: 3045-0047 Expiration Date: 09/30/2023 
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Table of Contents

APPLICATION RESOURCES ............................................................................................. 3

I. Applicant Info .................................................................................................................................... 3

II. Application Info................................................................................................................................ 4

III. Narratives ......................................................................................................................................... 4

Please complete the executive summary per the instructions in the Notice. ............................... 5

D. Amendment Justification .............................................................................................................. 5

IV. Performance Measures .................................................................................................................. 5

V. Documents ...................................................................................................................................... 5

VI. Budget Instructions........................................................................................................................ 6

VII. Review, Authorize, and Submit ................................................................................................... 7

CONTINUATION REQUESTS............................................................................................ 9

I. Applicant Info and Application Info............................................................................................... 9

II. Narrative (Narratives Section)......................................................................................................... 9

IV. Performance Measures (Performance Measures Section).......................................................10

V. Budget (Budget Section) ..............................................................................................................10

VI. Review, Authorize, and Submit ..................................................................................................10

ATTACHMENT A: Performance Measures Instructions ................................................. 12

(eGrants Performance Measures Section) ..................................................................... 12

eGrants Performance Measures Module Instructions ...................................................................12

Volunteer Generation Fund Performance Measure Requirements................................ 16

Volunteer Generation Fund Performance Measures Selection Rules ............................ 17

Capacity Building...............................................................................................................................17

Disaster Services ................................................................................................................................17

Economic Opportunity......................................................................................................................18

Education............................................................................................................................................19

Environmental Stewardship..............................................................................................................20

Healthy Futures ..................................................................................................................................21

Veterans and Military Families..........................................................................................................22

CAPACITY BUILDING ........................................................................................................................24

DISASTER SERVICES..........................................................................................................................25

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.............................................................................................................26

EDUCATION.......................................................................................................................................28

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP..................................................................................................31

HEALTHY FUTURES ...........................................................................................................................34

VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES..............................................................................................36

VGF Performance Measures Checklist........................................................................... 37

VGF Performance Measures Frequently Asked Questions ............................................ 39

ATTACHMENT B: Detailed Budget Instructions (eGrants Budget Section) ................... 42

SECTION I. Program Operating Costs ...........................................................................................42

SECTION II. Administrative/Indirect Costs.....................................................................................43

ATTACHMENT C: Budget Worksheet (eGrants Budget Section)................................... 45

ATTACHMENT D: Budget Checklist.............................................................................. 48

 These attachments are worksheets only. All information must be entered in eGrants.
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APPLICATION RESOURCES

Please use these application instructions if you are a new or recompeting applicant for a Volunteer 

Generation Fund funding opportunity

If you are submitting a request for a continuation (year two or three of a three-year Volunteer Generation 

Fund grant)please see the Continuation Instructions in this document.

Use these instructions in conjunction with the Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity (Notice). The Notice

includes deadlines, eligibility requirements, submission requirements, and other information that 

is specific to the grant competition. 

The full regulations are available online at: 

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR

If there is any inconsistency between the AmeriCorps Regulations, the Notice, and the Application 

Instructions, the order of precedence is as follows:

1. AmeriCorps Regulations 45 C.F.R. Chapter XXV take precedence over the

2. Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity/Notice of Federal Funding Availability, which takes 

precedence over the

3. Application Instructions.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION IN EGRANTS

New and Recompeting Applicants 

New applicants need to establish an eGrants account by accessing this link: 

https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp and selecting “Don’t have an eGrants account? Create an 

account.”

In eGrants, before Starting Section I you will need to:

• Start a new Grant Application

• Select a Program Area (Other) 

• Select a NOFA (see the Notice for a listing)

Your application consists of the following components. Make sure to complete each section.

I. Applicant Info 

II. Application Info

III. Narratives

IV. Performance Measures

V. Program Information

VII. Documents

VIII. Budget

IX. Funding/Demographics 

X. Review 

XI. Authorize, and Submit

I. Applicant Info

Information entered in the Applicant Info, Application Info, and Budget sections will populate the SF 424 

Facesheet. If you can only submit your application in hard copy, please follow the instructions in 

the Notice of Funding Opportunity. 
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• If you are recompeting (in the final year of a competitive funding cycle and applying for a new grant

cycle), select Continuation/Renewal 

• If you are not a current grantee, but have received a competitive AmeriCorps grant in the past five 

years, select Continuation/Renewal 

• If you are applying for the first time, or are a former grantee (non-formula) whose last Volunteer 

Generation Fund grant was received more than five years ago, select New. 

Enter or update the requested information in the fields that appear. The contact person needs to be 

the person who can answer questions about the application.

II. Application Info

In the Application Info Section enter:

• Areas affected by your proposed program. Please include the two-letter abbreviation with both 

letters capitalized for each state where you plan to operate. Separate each two-letter state 

abbreviation with a comma. For city or county information, please follow each one with the two-letter 

capitalized state abbreviation.

• Requested project period start and end dates. The length of the project period is specified in the 

Notice. 

• The Application is Subject to Review by State Executive Order 12372 Process: This is pre-filled as 

“No, this is not applicable.” 

• Indicate Yes or No if you are delinquent on any federal debt. If yes, provide an explanation. 

• State Application Identifier: Enter N/A.

III. Narratives

The narrative section of the application is your opportunity to convince reviewers that your project meets 

the selection criteria as outlined in the Notice. Below are some general recommendations to help you 

present your project in a way the reviewers will find compelling and persuasive.

• Lead from your program strengths and be explicit. Do not make the mistake of trying to 

stretch your proposed program description to fit funding priorities and special considerations 

articulated in the regulations or the Notice. 

• Be clear and succinct. Do not use jargon, boilerplate, rhetoric, or exaggeration. Describe 

clearly what you intend to do and how your project responds to the selection criteria. 

• Avoid circular reasoning. The problem you describe should not be defined as the lack of 

the solution you are proposing.

• Explain how. Avoid simply stating that the criteria will be met. Explicitly describe how the 

proposed project will meet the criteria.

• Don’t make assumptions. Even if you have received funding from AmeriCorps in the past, 

do not assume your reviewers know anything about you, your proposed program, your 

partners, or your beneficiaries. Avoid overuse of acronyms.

• Use an impartial proofreader. Before you submit your application, let someone who is 

completely unfamiliar with your project read and critique the project narrative.

• Follow the instructions and discuss each criterion in the order they are presented in the 

instructions. Use headings to differentiate narrative sections by criterion. 

In eGrants, you will enter text for 

• Executive Summary

• Rationale and Approach (Program Design) 

• Organizational Capability 

• Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 
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Note: The Narratives Section also includes fields for Clarification Summary, Amendment Justification, and 

Continuation Changes. Please enter N/A in these fields. They will be used at a later date to enter 

information for clarification following review, to request amendments once a grant is awarded, 

and to enter changes in the narrative in continuation requests. 

Reviewers will assess your application against the selection criteria. To best respond to the criteria listed 

in the Notice and Application Instructions, we suggest that you include a brief discussion of each bullet if 

it pertains to your application.

A. Executive Summary

Please complete the executive summary per the instructions in the Notice. 

B. Selection Criteria

Each application must clearly describe how it is responsive to the selection criteria are published in the 

Notice. 

1. Program Design (50 percent)

2. Organizational Capability (35 percent)

3. Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (15 percent)

D. Amendment Justification

Enter N/A. This field will be used if you are awarded a grant and need to amend it. 

E. Clarification Information

Enter N/A. This field may be used to enter information that requires clarification in the post-review 

period. Please clearly label new information added during clarification with the date.

F. Continuation Changes

Enter N/A. This field will be used to enter changes in your narratives in your continuation requests. 

IV. Performance Measures

All applicants must submit performance measures with their application. See Attachments for instructions

for entering performance measures, and see the Performance Measure Instructions for details about the 

number and type of performance measures required. 

V. Documents

A. Additional Documents

Please submit the required documents to the e-mail listed in the Notice using the naming convention and 

other instructions found there. This information must be received at AmeriCorps by the deadline in the 

Notice.
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B. Delinquent on Federal Debt

Any applicant who checks Yes to the question on federal debt delinquency must submit a complete 

explanation to AdditionalDocuments@cns.gov at the same time they submit their application. 

VI. Budget Instructions

A. Match Requirements

Program requirements, including requirements on match are located in the AmeriCorps Regulations and 

summarized below. 

Applicants are required to match funds equal to a percentage of their total program budget (AmeriCorps 

Share plus the Grantee Share equals the total program budget). The applicant’s match (Grantee Share) 

can be cash and/or in-kind contributions. See Section D.6. Funding

Restrictions in the Notice for more information. Match requirements increase with each year and are as 

follows:

• 20% in the first year

• 30% in the second year

• 40% in the third year

• 50% in the fourth year and any later year in which a recipient receives a VGF grant.

• Grantees are required to meet an overall matching rate that increases over time. 

• The acceptable sources of matching funds are state, local, and/or private sector funds in 

accordance with applicable AmeriCorps requirements. 

• In the “Source of Funds” field that appears at the end of Budget Section II, enter a brief description 

of the match. Identify each match source separately. Identify if the match is secured or proposed. 

Include dollar amount, the match classification (cash or in-kind), and the source type (Private or 

State/Local) for your entire match. (The total amount in the Source of Funds field should match the 

total amount in the budget narrative exactly.) Define all acronyms the first time they are used. 

B. Preparing Your Budget

Your proposed budget should be sufficient to allow you to perform the tasks described in your 

narrative. Reviewers will consider the information you provide in this section in their assessment of the 

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy selection criterion. 

Follow the detailed budget instructions in the Attachments to prepare your budget. We recommend 

that you prepare your budget in the same order as indicated in the Budget Worksheets in the 

Attachments. 

As you enter your detailed budget information, eGrants will automatically populate a budget summary 

and budget narrative report. Prior to submission be sure to review the budget checklist (Attachment) 

to ensure your budget is compliant. In addition, eGrants will perform a limited compliance check to 

validate the budget. If eGrants finds any compliance issues you will receive a warning and/or error 

messages. You must resolve all errors before you can submit your budget.

As you prepare your budget:
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• All the amounts you request must be defined for a particular purpose. Do not include 

miscellaneous, contingency, or other undefined budget amounts.

• Itemize each cost and present the basis for all calculations in the form of an equation.

• Do not include unallowable expenses, e.g., entertainment costs (which include food and beverage 

costs) unless they are justified as an essential component of an activity.

• Do not include fractional amounts (cents).

• Please add the cost of the NSOPW, state check and FBI check for criminal history checks for 

each covered position in the budget. If funds are not budgeted, an explanation for how the 

costs will be covered must be noted in the budget.

Programs must comply with all applicable federal laws, regulations, and the requirements of the 

Uniform Guidance. Please refer to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 

Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) for allowable, allocable, and reasonable cost 

information, as well as, audit requirements, including the need to provide audits to the Clearinghouse 

if expending over $750,000 in federal funds. The OMB Uniform Guidance can be found on-line at 

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl. 

VII. Review, Authorize, and Submit

Applicants must submit common federal government-wide Representations and Certifications through 

SAM.gov. Entities creating new registrations in SAM.gov and existing entities completing their annual 

registration renewals in SAM.gov are required to review financial assistance representations and 

certifications before their registration can be activated. As entities renew and re-register their 

accounts, the data collected make SAM.gov the federal repository for the government-wide 

information.

eGrants requires that you review and verify your entire application before submitting, by completing 

the following sections in eGrants:

• Review

• Authorize

• Assurances

• Certifications

• Verify

• Submit

Read the Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications carefully 

(https://espan.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM, and https://espan.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM). The 

person who authorizes the application must be the applicant’s Authorized Representative or his/her 

designee and must have an active eGrants account to sign these documents electronically. An 

Authorized Representative is the person in your organization authorized to accept and commit funds 

on behalf of the organization. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this official 

representative to sign must be on file in the applicant’s office.

Be sure to check your entire application to ensure that there are no errors before submitting it. When 

you verify the application eGrants will also generate a list of errors if there are sections that need to be 

corrected prior to submission. If someone else is acting in the role of the applicant’s Authorized 

Representative, that person must log into his/her eGrants account and proceed with Authorize and 

Submit. After signing off on the Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications, his/her name will 

override any previous signatory who may appear and show on the application as the Authorized 

Representative.
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Note: Anyone within your organization who will be entering information in the application at any 

point during application preparation and submission in the eGrants system must have their own 

eGrants account. Individuals may establish an eGrants account by accessing this link: 

https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp and selecting “Don’t have an eGrants account? Create 

an account.”
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CONTINUATION REQUESTS

The following instructions for submitting a continuation request apply only to programs that are 

currently in their first or second year of operation within a grant cycle. If your program is currently in 

the final year of its grant cycle, you must apply using the application instructions for new and 

recompeting programs. 

When to Submit Your Continuation Request:

See the Notice for application deadlines. 

How to Submit Your Continuation Request: 

• Click Continuation/Renewal on your eGrants home page. You will be shown a list of grants that 

are eligible to be continued. Select the grant you wish to continue. Make sure you select the 

correct one. Do not start a new application. The system will copy your most recently awarded 

application. 

• Edit your continuation application as directed in the continuation request instructions below. When 

you have completed your work, click the SUBMIT button. 

Be sure you also review the Notice when preparing your request. If you have questions about the 

content of your continuation request, please contact your Portfolio Manager.

What to Include in Your Continuation Request:

I. Applicant Info and Application Info 

Update the Applicant Info and Application Info Sections in eGrants if necessary. Note in the 

Continuation Changes field that you have updated the Applicant Info or Application Info Section(s). 

II. Narrative (Narratives Section)

Your original application will appear in the Executive Summary and in the narrative sections Rationale 

and Approach/Program Design, Organizational Capability, Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy, 

Amendment Justification, Clarification Information, and Continuation Changes, as appropriate. Do not 

modify these original narrative fields. 

AmeriCorps expects that programs will maintain a consistent program design for the duration of the 

three-year project period; however, we recognize that, on occasion, some programmatic changes are 

necessary. As a result, continuation applicants may request the changes listed below during the 

continuation process. 

Information should be provided in the Continuation Changes narrative field as relevant. 

• Significant Changes in Program Scope or Design 

• Changes to Performance Measures

• Significant Changes to Monitoring Structures or Staffing 

• Budget revisions (detail provided in section V). 

The page limit for the Continuation Changes field is six pages, as the pages print out from eGrants.

Any continuation applicant not requesting changes that fit within the above categories should 

enter “N/A” in Continuation Changes. AmeriCorps expects that most continuation applications 

will not be requesting changes. 
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IV. Performance Measures (Performance Measures Section) 

Your performance measures are copied from your previous year’s application into your continuation 

request. If you made changes to your program, such as adding or changing grant-funded activities, 

you may need to revise your performance measures. Continuation applicants whose measures do not 

align with the current-year Performance Measure Instructions must also revise their measures to 

conform with the current instructions. To revise performance measures, “View/Edit” the performance 

measures that copy over from your original application, or add new performance measures (see 

Attachments). Note in the Continuation Changes field that you have updated your performance 

measures. If you are proposing to significantly increase or decrease output or outcome targets for 

existing performance measures, provide a justification for this change.

V. Budget (Budget Section)

Your budget from the previous year’s application is copied into your continuation request so you can 

make the necessary adjustments. Revise your detailed budget for the upcoming year. Incorporate any 

required AmeriCorps agency increases, if applicable, into your budget. Continuation applicants may 

apply for expansions(increase in funding request compared to the previous year.).

Source of Funds (Match) 

In the “Source of Funds” field that appears at the end of Budget Section II, enter a brief description of 

the match. Identify each match source separately. Identify if the match is secured or proposed. Include 

dollar amount, the match classification (cash or in-kind), and the source type (Private orState/Local) for 

your entire match. (The total amount in the Source of Funds field should match the total amount in the 

budget narrative exactly.) Define all acronyms the first time they are used. 

VI. Review, Authorize, and Submit

Applicants must submit common federal government-wide Representations and Certifications through 

SAM.gov. Entities creating new registrations in SAM.gov and existing entities completing their annual 

registration renewals in SAM.gov are required to review financial assistance representations and 

certifications before their registration can be activated. As entities renew and re-register their 

accounts, the data collected make SAM.gov the federal repository for the government-wide 

information.

eGrants requires that you review and verify your entire application before submitting, by completing 

the following sections in eGrants:

• Review

• Authorize

• Assurances

• Certifications

• Verify

• Submit

Read the Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications carefully 

(https://espan.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM, and https://espan.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM). The 

person who authorizes the application must be the applicant’s Authorized Representative or his/her 

designee and must have an active eGrants account to sign these documents electronically. An 

Authorized Representative is the person in your organization authorized to accept and commit funds 

on behalf of the organization. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this official 

representative to sign must be on file in the applicant’s office.
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Be sure to check your entire application prior to submission to ensure that there are no errors. When 

you verify the application eGrants will also generate a list of errors if there are sections that need to be 

corrected prior to submission. If someone else is acting in the role of the applicant’s Authorized 

Representative, that person must log into his/her eGrants account and proceed with Authorize and 

Submit. After signing off on the Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications, his/her name will 

override any previous signatory that may appear and show on the application as the Authorized 

Representative.

Note: Anyone within your organization who will be entering information in the application at any 

point during application preparation and submission in the eGrants system must have their own 

eGrants account. Individuals may establish an eGrants account by accessing this link: 

https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp and selecting “Don’t have an eGrants account? Create 

an account.”
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ATTACHMENT A: Performance Measures Instructions 

(eGrants Performance Measures Section) 

eGrants Performance Measures Module Instructions

About the Performance Measures Module

In the performance measures module, you will:

• Create the required performance measure(s) as specified in the Performance Measure 

Instructions

• Set targets and describe data collection instruments and strategies for your performance 

measures.

Home Page

To start the module, click the “Begin” button on the Home Page. 

As you proceed through the module, the Home Page will summarize your work and provide links to 

edit the parts of the module you have completed. You may also navigate sections of the module using 

the tab feature at the top of each page.

Once you have started the module, clicking “Continue Working” will return you to the tab you were on 

when you last closed the module. 

After you have created at least one performance measure, the Home Page will display a chart 

summarizing your measures. To edit a performance measure, click the “Edit” button. To delete a 

measure, click “Delete.” To create a new performance measure, click the “Add New Performance 

Measure” button.

Objectives Tab

On the objectives tab, applicants will account for the full range of their program activity. Applicants are 

not expected to create performance measures for every focus area, objective, or intervention they 

select on this tab. 

An expandable list of CNCS focus areas appears on this tab. When you click on a focus area, a list of 

objectives from the CNCS strategic plan appears. A list of common interventions appears under each 

objective

First click on a focus area. Then click on an objective. Only the performance measures that correspond 

to the objectives you select on this tab will be available for selection as you continue through this 

module. To see which performance measures correspond to which objective, refer to the Volunteer 

Generation Fund Performance Measure Instructions. 

Next, select all interventions that are part of your program design. Interventions are the activities that 

members and/or volunteers will carry out to address the problem(s) identified in the application. Select 

“other” if one of your program’s interventions does not appear on the list. Repeat these actions for 

each of your program’s focus areas. Select “other” for your focus area and/or objective if your 

program activities do not fall within one of the AmeriCorps focus areas or objectives. 

Choose your program’s primary focus area from the drop-down list. Only the focus areas that 

correspond to the objectives you selected above appear in the list. Next, select the primary 

intervention within your primary focus area. You will be required to create an aligned performance 
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measure (output paired with outcome) that contains your primary intervention. See the instructions for 

the required performance measure for VGF applicants. 

You may select a secondary focus area and a secondary intervention. The primary and secondary focus 

area may be the same if you have more than one intervention within the focus area.

Performance Measure Tab

This tab allows you to create performance measures for all the grant activities you intend to measure. 

Begin by creating the required VGF performance measure. After creating your required performance 

measure, you will be able to create additional performance measures if desired. 

To create a performance measure, begin by selecting an objective. The list of objectives includes those 

you selected on the objectives tab. 

Provide a short, descriptive title for your performance measure.

Briefly describe the problem your program will address in this performance measure.

Select the intervention(s) to be delivered. The list of interventions includes the ones you selected

previously for this objective. Select only the interventions that will lead to the outputs (plus outcomes, if 

applicable) of the performance measure and that are applicable to all beneficiaries counted under the 

measure. If you selected “other” as an intervention and wish to include an applicant-determined 

intervention in your aligned performance measure, click “add user intervention” and enter a one or two 

word description of the intervention. Do not a user-defined intervention that duplicates an 

intervention already available in the system.

Select output(s) for your performance measure. The output list includes only the National Performance 

Measure outputs that correspond to the objectives you have selected. If you do not wish to select 

National Performance Measures, and if the objective you have selected permits applicant-determined 

outputs, you may create an applicant-determined output by clicking in the checkbox next to the empty 

output text box and entering the text of your output indicator. You may create additional applicantdetermined outputs for the performance measure by clicking “Add User Output.” (Note: you are not 

permitted to create an applicant-determined output that duplicates a National Performance Measure 

output. If you do not see the National Performance Measure output that you wish to use, check the 

Selection Rules in the Performance Measure Instructions to make sure you selected the correct 

objective associated with that National Performance Measure output.)

Select outcome(s). If you have selected a National Performance Measures output that has

corresponding National Performance Measures outcome(s), these outcomes will be available to select.

If you do not wish to select a National Performance Measure outcome, you may create an applicantdetermined outcome by clicking in the checkbox next to the empty outcome text box and entering the

text of your outcome indicator. If you do not wish to select any outcome for your National Performance 

Measure output, click in the checkbox next to the empty outcome text box and enter “NA” in the 

outcome indicator text box. 

If you have not selected a National Performance Measures output, or if there is no corresponding 

National Performance Measure outcome, create an applicant-determined outcome by clicking “Add 

User Outcome.” All applicant-determined outputs must be paired with an applicant-determined 

outcome.
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Enter “0” (zero) for the number of MSYs fields because these fields are not applicable to the VGF grant 

program. 

Click “next” to proceed to the data collection tab. Later you can return to this tab to create additional 

performance measures.

Data Collection Tab

On this tab, you will provide additional information about your interventions, instruments, and plan for 

data collection. 

Describe the design and dosage (frequency, intensity, duration) of the interventions you have selected.

Frequency refers to how often an intervention occurs (for example, number of sessions per week); 

intensity refers to the length of time devoted to the intervention (for example, number of minutes per 

session); and duration refers to the period of time over which the intervention occurs (for example, 

how many total weeks of sessions).

Expand each output and outcome and enter data collection information.

Select the data collection method you will use to measure the output or outcome. To select more than 

one method, click the “Add new method” button. To de-select a method, click the first (blank) line in 

the method drop-down.

Describe the specific instrument(s) you will use to measure the output or outcome. Include the title of 

the instrument(s), a brief description of what it measures and how it will be administered, and details 

about its reliability and validity if applicable. For outcomes, specify how much improvement in 

knowledge, attitude, behavior or condition is required to be counted as having improved and clearly 

explain how the instrument measures this.

Enter the target number for your output or outcome. Targets must be numbers, not percents.

For applicant-determined outputs and outcomes, enter the unit of measure for your target. The unit of 

measure should describe the beneficiary population you intend to count (children, miles, etc.). Do not 

enter percents as units of measure. In most cases, the unit of measure should be the same for the 

outputs and outcomes in an aligned performance measure.

For output-only performance measures, eGrants will require text in the outcome data collection fields. 

If you do not wish to have an outcome for your National Performance Measure output, enter the 

following:

• Method: Select “other.”

• Instrument Description: Enter “NA”

• Target: Enter “1”

• Unit of Measure: Enter “NA”

After entering data collection information for all outputs and outcomes, click “Mark Complete.” You 

will return to the Performance Measure tab. If you wish to create another performance measure, 

repeat the process. If you would like to continue to the next step of the module, click “Next.”

Summary Tab

The summary tab shows all of the information you have entered in the module.

To print a summary of all performance measures, click “Print PDF for all Performance Measures.”
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To print one performance measure, expand the measure and click “Print This Measure.”

Click “Edit Performance Measure” to return to the Performance Measure tab.

Click “Edit Data Collection” to return to the Data Collection tab.

“Click Validate Performance Measures” to validate this module prior to submitting your application.

You should also use the Performance Measures Checklist to self-assess your measure(s) prior to 

submission.
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Volunteer Generation Fund Performance Measure Requirements

All applicants are required to use the following National Performance Measures:

• G3-3.4 (output): Number of organizations that received capacity building services

AND

• G3-3.10A (outcome): Number of organizations that increased their effectiveness, efficiency, 

and/or program scale/reach*

*In the Described Instrument section of measure G3-3.10A, applicants must specifically describe 

how they will measure organizational effectiveness, efficiency, or program scale/reach with respect 

to volunteer recruitment or management.

Applicants may optionally select additional performance measure(s), either National Performance 

Measures or applicant determined performance measures, to describe the type and amount of 

activities carried out by volunteers managed and/or generated through their program. All 

performance measures must align with the Performance Measure Instructions in this document. 

The number of volunteers recruited/coordinated/supported by VGF grants, and the number of hours 

served by these volunteers, will be reported via standard Performance Data Elements and should not 

be included as performance measures.
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Volunteer Generation Fund Performance Measures Selection Rules

These selection rules specify allowable output/outcome pairings for National Performance Measures. 

Applicants must follow these selection rules when using National Performance Measures. Applicants 

may not select any National Performance Measures that may appear in eGrants if they are not present 

on this list. Please see the NOFO for additional information about application requirements.

Capacity Building

Strategic 

Plan 

Objective

Selection Rules Interventions

Outputs Outcomes (if applicable)*

Capacity 

Building & 

Leverage

G3-3.4: Number of 

organizations that 

received capacity 

building services

G3-3.10A: Number of 

organizations that increase their 

efficiency, effectiveness, and/or 

program reach

Volunteer management

Training

Resource development

Systems development

*All National Performance Measure outputs may also be paired with an applicant-determined outcome 

instead or may be used without an associated outcome.

Disaster Services

Strategic Plan 

Objective

Selection Rules Interventions

Outputs Outcomes (if applicable)*

Assistance 

Provided

D1A: Number of 

individuals served

D5: Number of individuals 

reporting increased disaster 

readiness

Disaster Preparation

Disaster Response

Disaster Recovery

Disaster Mitigation

D6: Number of 

structures protected 

or restored

D7: Number of structures 

returned to regular use after a 

disaster

Disaster Preparation

Disaster Response

Disaster Recovery

Disaster Mitigation

EN4**: Acres of parks 

or public land treated

EN4.1**: Acres of parks or public 

land improved

Disaster Preparation

Disaster Response

Disaster Recovery

Disaster Mitigation

EN5**: Miles of trails 

or rivers treated.

EN5.1**: Miles of trails or rivers 

improved

Disaster Preparation

Disaster Response

Disaster Recovery

Disaster Mitigation

G3-3.4**: Number of 

organizations that 

received capacity 

building services

G3-3.10A**: Number of 

organizations that increase their 

efficiency, effectiveness, and/or 

program reach

Disaster Preparation

Disaster Response

Disaster Recovery

Disaster Mitigation

*All National Performance Measure outputs may also be paired with an applicant-determined outcome 

instead or may be used without an associated outcome. 

**In the eGrants Performance Measure Module, these measures may appear with the letter “D” at the 

end when used in the Disaster Services focus area. However, the instructions for these measures are 

the same regardless of the focus area in which they are used. 
18 

Economic Opportunity

Strategic 

Plan 

Objective

Selection Rules Interventions

Outputs Outcomes (if applicable)*

Financial 

Literacy

O1A: Number of 

individuals served 

O9: Number of individuals with 

improved financial knowledge

Financial Literacy 

Education

Housing O1A: Number of 

individuals served 

O11: Number of individuals 

transitioned into safe, healthy, 

affordable housing

Housing Unit Development

Housing Unit Repair

Housing 

Placement/Assistance

O4: Number of 

housing units 

developed or 

repaired

O20: Number of safe, healthy, 

affordable housing units made 

available

Housing Unit Development

Housing Unit Repair

Employment O1A: Number of 

individuals served 

O10: Number of individuals 

who secure employment 

O21: Number of individuals 

with improved job readiness

Job Training

Job Placement

GED Education

Other Adult Education

Find 

Opportunity

N/A (outputs may be 

reported as 

Performance Data 

Elements on annual 

Progress Reports) 

N/A (outcomes may be 

reported as Performance Data 

Elements on annual Progress 

Reports)

N/A

Other 

Economic 

Opportunity

O1A: Number of 

individuals served

Applicant-determined Applicant-determined

*All National Performance Measure outputs may also be paired with an applicant-determined outcome 

instead or may be used without an associated outcome.
19 

Education

Strategic 

Plan 

Objective

Selection Rules Interventions

Outputs Outcomes (if applicable)*

School 

Readiness

ED1A: Number of 

individuals served

ED23A: Number of children 

demonstrating gains in school 

readiness

Tutoring

Mentoring

Other Classroom Support

Out-of-School Time

Family Involvement

Service Learning

Summer Learning

Classroom Teaching

K-12 Success ED1A: Number of 

individuals served

ED5A: Number of students with 

improved academic performance 

ED9: Number of students 

graduating from high school on 

time

ED10: Number of students 

enrolling in post-secondary 

education/training

ED27C: Number of students 

with improved academic 

engagement or social-emotional 

skills

ED6: Number of students with 

increased attendance

ED7A: Number of students with 

decreased disciplinary incidents 

(referrals, 

suspensions/expulsions, criminal 

or gang involvement)

Tutoring

Mentoring

Coaching

Other Classroom Support

Out-of-School Time

Family Involvement

Service Learning

Summer Learning

Classroom Teaching

Opioid/Drug Intervention

Post-HS 

Education 

Support

ED1A: Number of 

individuals served

ED11: Number of individuals 

earning a post-secondary degree 

or technical certification

Tutoring

Mentoring

Family Involvement

Service Learning

Summer Learning

Teacher 

Corps

N/A (outputs may be 

reported as 

Performance Data 

Elements on annual 

Progress Reports) 

N/A (outcomes may be reported 

as Performance Data Elements 

on annual Progress Reports)

N/A

Other 

Education

ED1A: Number of 

individuals served

Applicant-determined Applicant-determined

*All National Performance Measure outputs may also be paired with an applicant-determined outcome 

instead or may be used without an associated outcome.
20 

Environmental Stewardship

Strategic 

Plan 

Objective

Selection Rules Interventions

Outputs Outcomes (if applicable)*

At-Risk 

Ecosystems

EN4: Acres of parks 

or public land treated

EN4.1: Acres of parks or public 

land improved

Fire Mitigation

Flood Mitigation

Invasive Species Removal

Debris Removal

Plant Establishment

EN5: Miles of trails or 

rivers treated.

EN5.1: Miles of trails or rivers 

improved

Trail Creation

Trail Remediation

Stream Remediation

Fire Mitigation

Flood Mitigation

Invasive Species Removal

Debris Removal

Plant Establishment

Energy 

Efficiency

EN1: Number of 

housing units or 

public structures 

weatherized or 

retrofitted to improve 

energy efficiency

EN1.1: Number of housing units 

or public structures with reduced 

energy consumption or reduced 

energy costs

Weatherization

Retrofitting 

Awareness & 

Stewardship

EN3: Number of 

individuals receiving 

education or training 

in environmental 

stewardship and/or 

environmentallyconscious practices 

EN3.1: Number of individuals 

with increased knowledge of 

environmental stewardship 

and/or environmentallyconscious practices

EN3.2: Number of individuals 

reporting a change in behavior 

or intention to change behavior 

to better protect the 

environment

Education/Training

Service Learning 

Green Jobs N/A (outputs may be 

reported as 

Performance Data 

Elements on annual 

Progress Reports) 

N/A (outcomes may be reported 

as Performance Data Elements 

on annual Progress Reports)

N/A

*All National Performance Measure outputs may also be paired with an applicant-determined outcome 

instead or may be used without an associated outcome.
21 

Healthy Futures

Strategic 

Plan 

Objective

Selection Rules Interventions

Outputs Outcomes (if applicable)*

Aging in 

Place 

H4A: Number of 

individuals served

H9A: Number of individuals 

who report improved capacity 

for independent living

H19: Number of individuals 

with improved health

Companionship

Nutrition/Food Support

Legal Services

Transportation

Medical Services

Opioid/Drug Intervention

Obesity & 

Food 

H4A: Number of 

individuals served 

H12: Number of individuals 

who report increased food 

security

H17: Number of individuals 

with increased health 

knowledge

H18: Number of individuals 

reporting a change in behavior 

or intent to change behavior to 

improve their health

H19: Number of individuals 

with improved health

Outreach

Education/Training

Referrals

Medical Services

Nutrition/Food Support

Physical Activities

Counseling/Coaching

Opioid/Drug Intervention 

H10A: Number of 

pounds of food 

provided

Applicant-determined Nutrition/Food Support

Access to 

Care 

H4A: Number of 

individuals served

H17: Number of individuals 

with increased health 

knowledge

H18: Number of individuals 

reporting a change in behavior 

or intent to change behavior to 

improve their health

H19: Number of individuals 

with improved health

H20: Number of individuals 

with improved access to 

medical care

Outreach

Education/Training

Referrals

Medical Services

Counseling/Coaching

Opioid/Drug Intervention

Other Healthy 

Futures

H4A: Number of 

individuals served

Applicant-determined Applicant-determined

*All National Performance Measure outputs may also be paired with an applicant-determined outcome 

instead or may be used without an associated outcome.
22 

Veterans and Military Families

Strategic 

Plan 

Objective

Selection Rules Interventions

Outputs Outcomes (if applicable)*

Veterans & 

Families 

Served

V1: Number of 

veterans served 

V7A: Number of 

active military 

members and/or 

military family 

members served

V8: Number of 

veteran family 

members served

O9**: Number of individuals 

with improved financial 

knowledge

O11**: Number of individuals 

transitioned into safe/affordable 

housing

O10**: Number of individuals 

who secure employment 

O21**: Number of individuals 

with improved job readiness

ED11**: Number of individuals 

earning a post-secondary degree 

or technical certification

H9A**: Number of individuals 

who report improved capacity for 

independent living

H12**: Number of individuals 

who report increased food 

security

H17**: Number of individuals 

with increased health knowledge

H18**: Number of individuals 

reporting a change in behavior 

or intent to change behavior to 

improve their health

H19**: Number of individuals 

with improved health

H20**: Number of individuals 

with improved access to medical 

care

Financial Literacy 

Education

Housing Unit Development

Housing Unit Repair

Housing 

Placement/Assistance

Job Training

Job Placement

GED Education

Other Adult Education

Tutoring

Mentoring

Family Involvement

Service Learning

Summer Learning

Companionship

Nutrition/Food Support

Legal Services

Transportation 

Outreach

Referrals

Medical Services

Physical Activities

Counseling/Coaching

Opioid/Drug Intervention

Access & 

Attract 

N/A (outputs may be 

reported as 

Performance Data 

Elements on annual 

Progress Reports) 

N/A (outcomes may be reported 

as Performance Data Elements on 

annual Progress Reports)

N/A

*All National Performance Measure outputs may also be paired with an applicant-determined outcome 

instead or may be used without an associated outcome.
23 

**In the eGrants Performance Measure Module, these measures may appear with the letter “V” at the 

end when used in the Veterans and Military Families focus area. However, the instructions for these 

measures are the same regardless of the focus area in which they are used. 
24 

CAPACITY BUILDING

Focus Area Notes 

• Activities associated with these measures must be carried out by staff or volunteers supported 

by the Volunteer Generation Fund grant.

• Activities associated with these measures must meet the definition of capacity building 

specified in the “key terms” definition under G3-3.4.

• Programs are not permitted to create applicant-determined outputs in the Capacity Building 

focus area.

• The number of volunteers recruited/coordinated/supported by VGF grants, and the number of 

hours served by these volunteers, will be reported as Performance Data Elements in annual 

Progress Reports.

G3-3.4 (output) Number of organizations that received capacity building services

Definition of 

Key Terms

Organization: nonprofit or state/local/tribal government entity

Capacity building services: a set of activities that expand the scale, reach, 

efficiency, or effectiveness of programs and organizations. Capacity building 

activities may also leverage resources (e.g., funding, volunteers, in-kind support, 

or partnerships) for programs and/or organizations. As a general rule, 

AmeriCorps considers capacity building activities to be indirect services that 

enable organizations to provide more, better and sustained direct services. 

Capacity building activities must (1) be intended to support or enhance the 

program delivery model, (2) respond to the organization’s goal of increasing, 

expanding or enhancing services in order to address pressing community 

needs, and (3) enable the organization to provide a sustained level of more or 

better direct services after the national service participant’s term of service has 

ended.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of organizations who 

have received services

 

G3-3.10A 

(outcome)

Number of organizations that increased their effectiveness, efficiency, and/or 

program scale/reach

Definition of 

Key Terms

Organizations: those counted in G3-3.4

Effectiveness: Improved ability of the organization to achieve outcomes 

resulting in better success rates or better quality of outcomes achieved

Efficiency: Improved outcomes with the same level of resources; improved or 

consistent quality of services with fewer resources

Scale/Reach: The scope of a program’s services. Increased scale/reach can be 

measured by the number of new people served, new populations served, and/ 

or new or expanded services. 

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Organizational assessment tool or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in effectiveness, efficiency, or scale/reach at the organization level. 

When possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized. 
25 

DISASTER SERVICES

Focus Area Notes 

• Programs should only opt into the Disaster Services performance measures if the measures 

reflect significant program activities aligned with the applicant’s core theory of change. 

• Activities associated with these measures must be carried out by staff or volunteers supported 

by the Volunteer Generation Fund grant.

D1A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services related to disaster 

preparedness, response, recovery, and/or mitigation

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific disaster-related 

goal in mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as 

email blasts, social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have 

received services

D5 (outcome) Number of individuals reporting increased disaster readiness

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure D1A

Disaster readiness: measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of 

future disasters

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in disaster 

readiness at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

D6 (output) Number of structures protected or restored

Definition of 

Key Terms

Structures: housing units or public facilities

Protected: prepared to more effectively withstand future disasters

Restored: repaired from damage sustained during a disaster

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of structures that 

received services

D7 (outcome) Number of structures returned to regular use after a disaster

Definition of 

Key Terms

Structures: those reported in measure D6

Returned to regular use: able to be used for the same or similar purpose for 

which they were used prior to the disaster 

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Report from structure owner/manager/occupant, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in condition at the individual structure level.
26 

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Focus Area Notes 

• Programs should only opt into the Economic Opportunity performance measures if the 

measures reflect significant program activities aligned with the applicant’s core theory of 

change. 

• Activities associated with these measures must be carried out by staff or volunteers supported 

by the Volunteer Generation Fund grant.

O1A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services related to increasing 

economic opportunity

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific goal in mind 

related to economic opportunity. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of 

information such as email blasts, social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have 

received services

O4 (output) Number of housing units developed or repaired

Definition of 

Key Terms

Housing unit: A single-family home (including a mobile home if permanently 

placed), an apartment, or a room in a group home for people with disabilities

Develop: Build new or substantially rehabilitate housing units that were 

uninhabitable or soon would have become so. Involves replacing major systems 

such as the roof, the plumbing, the wiring, the foundation, or elevating the unit as 

required by a flood plain standard. 

Repair: A more modest level of physical work on the unit, such as weatherizing, 

painting, replacing appliances and removing safety hazards

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of the number of 

housing units that have received AmeriCorps-supported development or repair 

services 

O9 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved financial knowledge

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A, V1, V7A, or V8

Improved financial knowledge: increased knowledge/understanding of 

financial literacy topics such as credit management, financial institutions including 

banks and credit unions, and utilization of savings plans

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in financial 

knowledge at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

O10 (outcome) Number of individuals who secure employment
27 

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A, V1, V7A, or V8

Secure employment: individual is hired in a new job as a result of AmeriCorpssupported services provided; individual may have been previously working in a 

different job or previously unemployed

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Preferred method is a copy of acceptance letter from employer or copy of first 

pay stub. Beneficiary self-reports may also be utilized.

O11 (outcome)

Number of individuals transitioned into safe, healthy, affordable housing

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A, V1, V7A, or V8

Safe, healthy, affordable housing: Grantee certifies that the housing is safe and 

healthy based on an inspection or other documentation. Grantee defines 

affordability and certifies that the housing is affordable to the individual(s) 

transitioned into the unit.

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Preferred method is a proof of residence such as a lease, mortgage, certificate of 

occupancy, or other verification from an external agency. Beneficiary self-reports 

may also be utilized.

 

O20 (outcome) Number of safe, healthy, affordable housing units made available

Definition of 

Key Terms 

Housing unit: those reported in measure O4

Safe, healthy, affordable housing unit: Grantee certifies that the housing unit is 

safe and healthy based on an inspection or other documentation. Grantee 

defines affordability and certifies that the housing unit is affordable.

Made available: This count indicates that the work has been completed to make 

the units available but they may or may not have been occupied. 

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of the number of safe, 

healthy, affordable housing units that have been made available 

O21 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved job readiness

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A, V1, V7A, or V8

Improved job readiness: increased knowledge or skills related to seeking, 

obtaining, or successfully retaining a job. 

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Survey, interview, observation, or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in job readiness at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, prepost assessments should be utilized.
28 

EDUCATION

Focus Area Notes 

• Programs should only opt into the Education performance measures if the measures reflect 

significant program activities aligned with the applicant’s core theory of change. 

• Activities associated with these measures must be carried out by staff or volunteers supported 

by the Volunteer Generation Fund grant.

ED1A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services related to education; 

may include students enrolled in grades K-12, out-of-school youth, preschool 

age children, and/or individuals pursuing postsecondary education

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific education-related 

goal in mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as 

email blasts, social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have 

received services

ED5A 

(outcome)

Number of students with improved academic performance

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Improved academic performance: an improved demonstration of skill or 

knowledge in one or more academic subjects 

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Standardized test, report card grade, or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in academic performance at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

ED6 (outcome) Number of students with increased school attendance

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Increased school attendance: higher rate of presence and/or on-time arrival at 

school as compared to a previous comparable time period

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

School/district/classroom attendance records or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in attendance at the individual beneficiary level

ED7A 

(outcome)

Number of students with decreased disciplinary incidents (referrals, 

suspensions/expulsions, criminal or gang involvement)

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Decreased disciplinary incidents: lower rate of incidents as compared to a 

previous comparable time period

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

School/district/classroom records, police records, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in disciplinary incidents at the individual beneficiary level

ED9 (outcome) Number of students graduating from high school on time with a diploma
29 

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

On Time: Within four years of starting 9th grade

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is school/district graduation records for student beneficiaries. 

Beneficiary self-reports may also be utilized.

ED10 (outcome)

Number of students enrolling in post-secondary education or training

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Post-secondary education or training may include two- or four-year college 

programs or occupational/vocational programs

Enrolling: means matriculating as a full-time or part-time student

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is registration records that confirm student enrollments. 

Beneficiary self-reports may also be utilized. 

ED11 (outcome) Number of students earning a post-secondary degree

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A, V1, V7A, or V8

Degree: may include an associate degree from an accredited academic program 

or an occupational or vocational program; a bachelor’s degree (ex., BA, BS); a 

master’s degree (ex.: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW); a professional school degree 

(ex.: MD, DDS, DVM); or a doctorate degree (ex.: PhD, EdD)

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is registration records that confirm degree was earned. 

Beneficiary self-reports may also be utilized.

Notes Programs may only select this measure if they are able to collect data during a 

one-year grant period. 

ED23A 

(outcome)

Number of children demonstrating gains in school readiness

Definition of 

Key Terms

Children: those reported in ED1A

School readiness: Preparation for Kindergarten which includes multiple 

indicators assessed across developmental and behavioral domains including but 

not limited to physical well-being, health and motor development, social and 

emotional development, approaches to learning, language development, 

cognitive development, and age-appropriate academic skills and behavior.

How to 

Measure/

Collect Data

Teacher observation, standardized test, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in school readiness at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

ED27C 

(outcome)

Number of students with improved academic engagement or social and 

emotional skills

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Improved academic engagement or social and emotional skills: A positive 

change in student skills, attitude, and/or mindset that is likely to contribute to 

increased educational success. May include increased interest in school, 

improved perspective on school climate, increased attachment to school and/or 

increased educational aspirations. 
30 

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, observation, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

academic engagement or social and emotional skills at the individual beneficiary 

level. When possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

Notes Academic or behavioral improvements counted under ED5A, ED6, or ED7A 

cannot be counted under this measure
31 

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Focus Area Notes 

• Programs should only opt into the Environmental Stewardship performance measures if the 

measures reflect significant program activities aligned with the applicant’s core theory of 

change. 

• Activities associated with these measures must be carried out by staff or volunteers supported 

by the Volunteer Generation Fund grant.

• AmeriCorps encourages grantees to perform service with the greatest impact versus providing 

minimal impact to the highest number of acres/miles/individuals

EN1 (output) Number of housing units or public structures weatherized or retrofitted to 

improve energy efficiency

Definition of 

Key Terms

Housing unit: a single-family home (including a mobile home if permanently 

placed), an apartment, or a room in a group home for people with disabilities

Public structure: Shelter, such as homeless shelter or emergency shelter 

operated by a nonprofit or government organization; government-owned 

building

Weatherization: Modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and costs 

and optimize energy efficiency. Whole-house weatherization includes the 

installation of modern energy-saving heating and cooling equipment and looks at 

how the house performs as a system.

Retrofit: An energy conservation measure applied to an existing building or the 

action of improving the thermal performance or maintenance of a building.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of units/structures that 

have received services

EN1.1 

(outcome)

Number of housing units or public structures with reduced energy consumption 

or reduced energy costs

Definition of 

Key Terms

Housing units or public structures: those reported in EN1

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Utility bill/statement, computer modeling, resident survey, or other instrument 

capable of measuring changes in energy consumption or energy costs at the 

individual unit/structure level. When possible, pre-post assessments should be 

utilized.

EN3 (output) Number of individuals receiving education or training in environmental 

stewardship and/or environmentally-conscious practices

Definition of 

Key Terms

Environmental Stewardship and/or environmentally conscious practices:

Organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function and, 

particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and choices in order 

to live sustainably within those environments.

Education or training: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific 

education goal in mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of 

information such as email blasts, social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.
32 

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals that have 

received services

EN3.1 

(outcome)

Number of individuals with increased knowledge of environmental stewardship 

and/or environmentally-conscious practices

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in EN3

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, test, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in knowledge at 

the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post assessments should be 

utilized.

EN3.2 

(outcome)

Number of individuals reporting a change in behavior or the intent to change 

behavior to better protect the environment

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in EN3

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in behavior 

at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post assessments should 

be utilized.

EN4 (output) Number of acres of public parks or other public and tribal lands that are treated

Definition of 

Key Terms

Public parks: Park/recreation areas that are designated by national, state, city, or 

county governments (not trails or rivers; see EN5)

Other public lands: Other publicly owned lands; land owned by nonprofits for 

public use or the public good (such as land conservancies): and public 

easements

Tribal lands: Same meaning as imparted by the definitions of “Indian Lands” and 

“Indian Tribes” provided in. SEC. 101. [42 U.S.C. 12511] 

Treated: Removal of invasive species, planting native plants, building riparian 

buffers, clearing of natural debris (such as fallen trees/limbs, hazardous fuel) and 

unnatural debris (such as disaster debris and improperly disposed waste). 

Treatment must go beyond basic trash removal. 

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of acres of land that 

have received services

EN4.1 

(outcome)

Number of acres of public parks or other public and tribal lands that are 

improved

Definition of 

Key Terms

Acres of public parks or other public and tribal lands: those reported in EN4

Improved: Renovated to reduce human impact or the negative impact of natural 

disasters or invasive species, restored native plants and habitat, reduced erosion, 

protected watersheds, reduced wildfire risk, upgraded or repaired outdoor 

recreation facilities or signage, increased public safe access, protected flora and 

fauna. Improvement should be consistent with an accepted natural resource 

restoration, maintenance or improvement plan. 
33 

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Land manager assessment or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

land condition at the scale of individual acres. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

EN5 (output) Number of miles of public trails or waterways that are treated and/or constructed

Definition of 

Key Terms

Public trails or waterways: owned/maintained by national, state, county, city or 

tribal governments; nonprofits when for public use or the public good; and 

public easements

Treated: Removal of invasive species, planting native plants, building riparian 

buffers, improving tread/corridor of existing trail or making changes to increase 

the trail lifespan, implementing safety measures, removal of unsafe trail 

structures, repair of damage caused by visitor use, changes to increase 

accessibility, clearing of natural debris (such as fallen trees/limbs and hazardous 

fuel) and unnatural debris (such as disaster debris and improperly disposed 

waste). Treatments must go beyond basic trash removal. 

Constructed: Activities designed to make trails newly available such as adding 

handicapped accessibility, building boardwalks, trail-blazing, converting a 

railroad bed to a trail, etc.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of miles of 

trail/waterway that have received services

EN5.1 

(outcome)

Number of miles of public trails or waterways that are improved and/or put into 

use

Definition of 

Key Terms

Miles of public trails or waterways: those reported in EN5

Improved: Restored to reduce human impact or the negative impact of natural 

disasters or invasive species, restored native plants and habitat, reduced erosion, 

protected watersheds, increased safe condition or long-term sustainability of 

trails, increased accessibility, protected flora and fauna. Improvement should be 

consistent with an accepted natural resource restoration, maintenance or 

improvement plan.

Put into use: Established safe and useable trails that are now available for public 

access

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Land manager assessment or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

trail or waterway condition at the scale of individual miles. When possible, prepost assessments should be utilized.
34 

HEALTHY FUTURES

Focus Area Notes 

• Programs should only opt into the Healthy Futures performance measures if the measures 

reflect significant program activities aligned with the applicant’s core theory of change. 

• Activities associated with these measures must be carried out by staff or volunteers supported 

by the Volunteer Generation Fund grant.

H4A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services related to improving 

health-related outcomes

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific health-related goal 

in mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as email 

blasts, social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have 

received services

H9A (outcome) Number of individuals who report improved capacity for independent living

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A, V1, V7A, or V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in independent living capacity at the individual beneficiary 

level. When possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

H10A (output) Number of pounds of food provided

Definition of 

Key Terms

Food provided: made available at reduced or no cost to individuals and/or 

organizations for the purpose of alleviating food insecurity or hunger. May 

include community garden programs.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of pounds of food 

provided

H12 (outcome) Number of individuals who report increased food security

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A, V1, V7A, or V8

Food security: Access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. 

Food security includes at a minimum: (1) the ready availability of

nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and (2) an assured ability to acquire 

acceptable

foods in socially acceptable ways (that is, without resorting to emergency food 

supplies,

scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies). [USDA]

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in food security at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized. 
35 

H17 (outcome) Number of individuals with increased health knowledge

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A, V1, V7A, or V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, test, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in knowledge at 

the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post assessments should be 

utilized. 

H18 (outcome) Number of individuals reporting a change in behavior or intent to change 

behavior to improve their health

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A, V1, V7A, or V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in behavior 

at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post assessments should 

be utilized.

H19 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved health

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A, V1, V7A, or V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Assessment by a healthcare professional, survey, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in health condition at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized. 

H20 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved access to medical care

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A, V1, V7A, or V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in health care access at the individual beneficiary level. 

When possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized. 
36 

VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

Focus Area Notes 

• Programs should only opt into the Veterans and Military Families performance measures if the 

measures reflect significant program activities aligned with the applicant’s core theory of 

change. 

• Activities associated with these measures must be carried out by staff or volunteers supported 

by the Volunteer Generation Fund grant.

V1 (output) Number of veterans served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Veteran: a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who 

was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable 

[Section 101 of Title 38, 23 United States Code] 

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with specific outcome(s) in mind. 

Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as email blasts, 

social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have 

received services

V7A (output) Number of active duty military service members and/or military family members 

served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Active duty military service member: The term ‘‘active duty’’ means “full-time 

duty in the active military service of the United States, including active duty or fulltime training duty in the Reserve Component” [DOD Dictionary of Military and 

Associated Terms, April 2018]. AmeriCorps considers National Guard members 

and reservists and wounded warriors sub-groups of active duty military service 

members for the purposes of grant applications and performance measure 

reporting.

Military family member: Immediate family member related by blood, marriage, 

or adoption to a current member of the U.S. armed forces including one who is 

deceased. 

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with specific outcome(s) in mind. 

Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as email blasts, 

social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have 

received services

V8 (output) Number of veteran family members served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Veteran: a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who 

was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable 

[Section 101 of Title 38, 23 United States Code] 

Veteran family member: Immediate family member related by blood, marriage, 

or adoption to a veteran, including one who is deceased.

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with specific outcome(s) in mind. 

Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as email blasts, 

social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have 

received services
37 

VGF Performance Measures Checklist

This checklist is used to assess performance measures during the review process. Items on the 

checklist are common problems that require resolution but do not represent a comprehensive list. 

Refer to the Performance Measure Instructions for full requirements.

Checklist Item Primary 

Aligned 

Measure

(required)

Addition

al 

Measure 

(optional)

Additional 

Measure 

(optional)

Performance Measure Requirements

1 The application includes the required aligned performance 

measure G3-3.4 (output) and G3-3.10A (outcome)

2 The Described Instrument section of measure G3-3.10A 

describes how the applicant will measure organizational 

effectiveness, efficiency, or program scale/reach with 

respect to volunteer recruitment or management.

3 All performance measures included in the application are 

logically connected to activities described in the grant 

application.

4 Any output-only measures included in the application 

consist solely of National Performance Measure outputs.

5 The application does not include applicant-determined 

measures that duplicate existing National Performance 

Measures. (Note: Applicant-determined measures are 

recognizable by the labels OUTPT or OUTCM, followed by 

numbers. Any applications containing these labels are NOT 

National Performance Measures, even if the applicant has 

labeled them like a national measure.)

6 The application does not include any applicant-determined 

outputs in the Capacity Building focus area. (Note: the 

number of volunteers recruited/coordinated/supported by 

the grant and the number of hours served by these 

volunteers will be reported via Performance Data Elements 

on the Grantee Progress Report)

Interventions

7 Interventions are consistent with the program design and 

contribute directly to the outputs and outcomes.

8 The application does not include user-defined intervention 

labels that duplicate existing system-defined intervention 

categories.

Output Quality

9 Outputs clearly specify what is counted.

Outcome Quality and Alignment

11 Outcomes are logically aligned with the outputs.

12 Outcomes reflect a meaningful change in knowledge, 

attitude, behavior or condition for program beneficiaries. 

(Note: completion of a program would be considered an 

output, not an outcome.)

13 Outcomes can be measured during a single grant year.

Targets
38 

14 Output and outcome targets are reasonable for the 

proposed program design.

15 Targets are expressed as numbers, not percentages.

Performance Measure Instructions

16 National Performance Measures conform to selection rules, 

definitions, and data collection requirements specified in the 

Performance Measure Instructions.

17 The application does not include any retired National 

Performance Measures (e.g., measures that do not appear in 

the Performance Measure Instructions).

Data Collection/Instruments

18 Data collection methods are appropriate for the 

output/outcome being measured.

Sampling (if applicable)

19 If sampling is proposed, the sampling plan is forwarded to 

AmeriCorps for consideration.
39 

VGF Performance Measures Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. What should a continuation applicant do if one or more of their National Performance 

Measures is no longer present in the Performance Measure Instructions?

All applicants, including continuation applicants, must follow the National Performance Measure 

selection rules specified in the current Performance Measure Instructions. Applicants must revise their 

performance measures as needed to conform to the updated instructions.

2. What should a continuation grantee who is measuring a National Performance Measure 

output or outcome that has a changed definition do in the continuation application? 

If the grantee is unable to measure the output or outcome as defined in the current Performance 

Measure Instructions, the grantee should choose a different performance measure. 

3. What are National Performance Measures? 

AmeriCorps has established six Focus Areas: Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, 

Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and Veterans and Military Families based on the priorities 

included in the Serve America Act. Within these Focus Areas, as well as for Capacity Building, 

AmeriCorps has created National Performance Measures in order to aggregate the results of similar 

programs and demonstrate the impact across our agency programs and initiatives. 

4. What is an aligned performance measure? 

An aligned performance measure is an output paired with an outcome. The paired output-outcome 

measures may be National Performance Measures, applicant-determined measures, or the 

combination of a National Performance Measure output and an applicant-determined outcome. 

Applicant-determined outputs cannot be paired with National Performance Measure outcomes in an 

aligned performance measure.

5. What is an applicant-determined performance measure? 

An applicant-determined performance measure is one in which the applicant creates the language for 

the outputs and/or outcomes that will be measured. This is different from the National Performance 

Measures, where AmeriCorps pre-determines common outputs and, in some instances, outcomes that 

are available for applicants to use. 

6. What is an output-only performance measure?

An output-only measure is a National Performance Measure output without associated outcome(s). 

Applicants may select output-only measures if the output measures a significant program activity. 

These do not fulfill the requirement for an aligned performance measure, but may be selected in 

addition to the aligned measure(s).

7. Can I count the same beneficiaries in more than one performance measure output? 

Unless otherwise specified, the same beneficiaries may be counted more than once across different 

measures for different interventions (services) they may be receiving. For example, if your program 

helped one specific individual to both prepare for a disaster and obtain employment, you may count 

that same individual in both D1A and O1A. However, programs cannot count the same individual 

more than once within any one specific performance measure. So, for example, an individual who 
40 

attended two disaster preparation training workshops during a single program year cannot be 

counted twice under D1A. 

8. Do all beneficiaries counted under a particular performance measure have to receive the 

same interventions?

Yes, the interventions associated with the measure need to be applicable to all of the beneficiaries 

counted under the measure, even if the details of the intervention (e.g., the exact dosage provided) 

may vary. If one set of beneficiaries is receiving one type of intervention (e.g., mentoring) and a 

different set of beneficiaries is receiving a different type of intervention (e.g., tutoring), the two sets of 

beneficiaries should be counted in separate performance measures even if the expected outcome is 

the same. In contrast, if all beneficiaries are receiving multiple interventions with the same expected 

outcome (e.g. all beneficiaries are being both mentored and tutored to improve their academic 

performance), they can be counted in a single performance measure.

9. Can one performance measure output have more than one outcome? 

Yes, there may be more than one outcome measure associated with a single output. Aligned 

measures should only be configured this way if it is expected that all of the individuals counted in the 

output will potentially achieve the outcomes indicated. If the outcomes are resulting from different 

populations being served, they should be counted in distinct performance measures.

10. Can I count the same people more than once under one performance measure output or 

outcome if they receive service in more than one grant year?

If the individual receives services in more than one grant year, they may be counted as having received 

services in the output measure for each of the grant years in which they receive services. They may 

only be counted in the outcome measure for each grant year if they meet the specified level of 

improvement for the outcome in each year. For example, a student receives tutoring in second and 

third grade. The program expects that students will improve their reading score by one grade level 

each year. If the student is served in both second and third grade and improves by one grade level in 

each year, the student may be counted in output ED1A and outcome ED5A for both years. If the 

student improves by 1⁄2 grade level in second grade and one grade level in third grade, the student 

may be counted in ED1A for both years but only in ED5A for the third-grade year.

11. Am I allowed to allocate funds for collecting and analyzing data? If so, how much? 

Costs related to measuring the performance of a program are allowable grant expenses. There is no 

standard recommended amount. As with all grant expenditures, these costs must be reasonable, 

allowable for the proposed program, and properly allocated across grant activities. 

12. The National Performance Measure I want to select doesn’t appear in the drop-down menu. 

What should I do? 

Only performance measures corresponding to objectives selected on the Objectives tab will appear in 

the drop-down menu. Refer to the National Performance Measure selection rules to determine which 

objective to select for each performance measure. Do NOT create an applicant-determined measure 

that duplicates a National Performance Measure.

13. I want to create an applicant-determined measure, but the Performance Measures Module 

isn’t allowing me to do that. What should I do?
41 

There are some objectives for which the creation of applicant-determined outputs is not allowed. 

These include the Capacity Building and Leverage objective (Capacity Building focus area), the Find 

Opportunity objective (Economic Opportunity focus area), the Teacher Corps objective (Education 

focus area), the Green Jobs objective (Environmental Stewardship focus area), and the Access & 

Attract objective (Veterans and Military Families focus area). For the Capacity Building and Leverage 

objective, only National Performance Measure outputs are allowed to be used. For the Find 

Opportunity, Teacher Corps, Green Jobs, and Access & Attract objectives, programs are not allowed 

to create performance measures. 

14. Under what circumstances is it ok for grantees to use sampling to measure outputs and 

outcomes? 

Methodologically speaking, sampling is appropriate for competitive grantees as long as the grantee 

has a solid plan for ensuring that its sample will be representative. Practically speaking, we would want 

grantees to use sampling only when they are able to make the case that it is unrealistic to collect data 

from the whole population. 

15. When would AmeriCorps not allow sampling? 

AmeriCorps will not allow sampling when it is reasonable to expect a grantee to collect data from the 

whole population. AmeriCorps will also not allow sampling if the grantee’s sampling frame is not 

sufficient or if the grantee’s methodology will not result in a representative sample. 

16. How does a grantee set targets when it is planning to sample? 

In most cases the grantee should be able to set targets based on the population as a whole. If a 

grantee‘s sampling methodology is sound and results in a representative sample, then the program 

can extrapolate their results to report on an outcome for the population as a whole. For example, a 

program reports an output of 1000 children served. The program selects a representative sample of 

200 children. Of these, 180 students (90%) demonstrate the desired change. In this case, the program 

could report an extrapolated outcome of 900 students.

17. How do I request permission to sample?

A detailed sampling plan must be forwarded to AmeriCorps for consideration. Please consult the 

Notice of Funding Opportunity or your Portfolio Manager for instructions on how to submit additional 

documents.
42 

ATTACHMENT B: Detailed Budget Instructions (eGrants Budget Section)

In eGrants, the preparation of a detailed budget provides the data that creates the summary budget 

and the budget narrative. Your detailed budget must provide a full explanation of associated costs 

including their purpose, justification, and the basis of your calculations. Itemize each cost and present 

the basis for all calculations in the form of an equation, identifying the number of persons involved with 

the event, the per person/unit cost, and/or the annual salary cost. The budget should be sufficient to 

perform the tasks described in your program narrative. All of the amounts you request must be for a 

particular purpose. Do not include unexplained amounts, amounts for miscellaneous or contingency 

costs, or unallowable expenses such as entertainment costs. Costs may include travel necessary to 

meet grant and grantee obligations. Do not include fractional amounts (cents). Use the Budget 

Worksheet as a guide as you prepare your budget.

Please note that while AmeriCorps is now operating name for the Corporation for National and 

Community Service (CNCS), some fields in eGrants still refer to CNCS.

As you enter your detailed budget information, eGrants will automatically populate a budget summary 

and budget narrative report. eGrants will perform a limited compliance check to validate the budget. If 

it finds any compliance issues you will receive a warning and/or error messages. You must resolve all 

errors before you can submit your budget. 

Use the Budget Worksheet as a guide as you prepare your budget. 

SECTION I. Program Operating Costs

A. Personnel Expenses – Include the portion of principal staff time attributed directly to the operation 

of the project. List each staff position and a brief statement of responsibilities for each in the 

‘Position/Title’ field. For each position, also include the annual salary, and the percentage of staff time 

that will apply to the grant. 

B. Personnel Fringe Benefits – Include costs of benefit(s) for each project staff. You can identify and 

calculate each benefit or show cost as a percentage of all salaries. If a fringe benefit amount is over 

30%, please list covered items separately. 

C. Travel - Describe the purposes for which staff will travel. Costs allowable are transportation, 

lodging, subsistence, and other related expenses for local and outside the project area travel. Where 

applicable, identify the current standard reimbursement rate(s) of the organization for mileage, daily 

per diem, and similar supporting information. The standard mileage reimbursement should not 

exceed the federal mileage rate unless a result of the applicant’s policy and justified in the budget 

narrative. Only domestic travel is allowable.

D. Equipment – Equipment is defined as tangible, non-expendable personal property having a useful 

life of more than one year AND an acquisition cost of $5,000 (five thousand) or more per unit 

(including accessories, attachments, and modifications). Include items that do not meet this definition 

in E. Supplies below. Purchases of equipment are limited to 10% of the total AmeriCorps funds 

requested. If applicable, show the unit cost and number of units you are requesting. Provide a brief 

justification for the purpose of the equipment under Item/Purpose. 

E. Supplies – Include the funds for the purchase of consumable supplies and materials that does not fit 

the definition above. You must individually list any single item costing $1,000 (one thousand) or more. 
43 

F. Contractual and Consultant Services - You may include costs for consultants related to the 

project’s operations. Consultants used for evaluation should be included in H. Evaluation below. 

Where applicable, indicate the daily rate for consultants. 

G. Training – You may include the costs associated with training of staff working directly on the 

project, especially training that specifically enhances staff project implementation and professional 

skills. Where applicable, indicate the daily rate for consultants. 

H. Evaluation - Include costs for project evaluation activities, including additional staff time or 

subcontracts, use of evaluation consultants, purchase of instrumentation, and other costs specifically 

for this activity not budgeted in Section A. Personnel. This does not include the daily/weekly gathering 

of data to assess progress toward project objectives but is a larger assessment of the impact your 

project is having on the community, as well as an assessment of the overall systems and project 

design. Where applicable, indicate the daily rates for consultants. 

I. Other Program Operating Costs – These costs may include office space rental, utilities, and 

telephone and Internet expenses that are specifically used for participants, directly involve project 

staff, and are not part of the organization’s indirect cost/admin cost. Criminal history background 

checks for all employees or other individuals who receive a salary, education award, living allowance, 

or stipend or similar payment from the grant (federal or non-federal share). Please include the cost of 

the NSOPW, state check and FBI check for criminal history checks for all covered positions. If funds are 

not budgeted, an explanation for how the costs will be covered must be noted in the budget. If costs 

are shared with other projects or activities, you must prorate the costs equitably. List each item and 

provide a justification in the budget. 

SECTION II. Administrative/Indirect Costs 

A. Definitions 

Indirect costs are an allowable budget item in AmeriCorps grants. IAW 2 CFR §200.414 Indirect (F&A) 

costs, grantees have the option of using an indirect cost rate which has been negotiated with, and 

approved by, their cognizant federal agency; or a non-federal entity receiving less than $35 million in 

direct federal funding that does not have a current federally negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to 

charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. 

Grantees may also charge certain administrative costs directly as outlined in 2 CFR §200.413 Direct 

costs. 

Options for Calculating Administrative/Indirect Costs (choose either 1 or 2 from B below) 

Applicants choose one of two methods to calculate allowable administrative costs – a federally 

approved indirect cost rate method, or a de minimis method. Regardless of the option chosen, the 

CNCS shareof administrative costs is limited to 5% of the total CNCS funds actually expended under 

this grant. Do not create additional lines in this category.

B. Calculating Administrative/Indirect Costs 

1. Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate Method

If you have a federally approved indirect cost rate this method must be used and the rate will 

constitute documentation of your administrative costs. Specify the Cost Type for which your 

organization has current documentation on file, i.e. Provisional, Predetermined, Fixed, or Final indirect 

cost rate. Supply your approved indirect cost rate (percentage) and the base upon which this rate is 

calculated (direct salaries, salaries and fringe benefits, etc.). It is at your discretion whether or not to 
44 

use your entire indirect cost rate to calculate administrative costs. If you choose to claim a lower rate, 

please include this rate in the Rate Claimed field. 

As specified in your indirect cost rate agreement, apply your rate against the direct costs in your 

budget, including both AmeriCorps’ and Grantee’s shares (i.e., based on salaries and benefits, total 

direct costs, or other). Then multiply the appropriate direct costs by the rate being claimed. This will 

determine the total amount of indirect costs allowable under the grant.

2. De Minimis Rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs 

Organizations that do not have a current a federally negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional 

rate) and that receive less than $35 million in direct federal funding, may indefinitely use a de minimis 

rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). Additional information regarding what is included in 

the MTDC and use of this option can be found at 2 CFR 200.414 (f) and 200.68. If this option is elected, 

it must be used consistently across all federal awards. 

C. Entering Administrative/Indirect Costs in eGrants.

The instructions for how to enter the organization’s indirect cost rate are located here: eGrants Indirect 

Cost Rate User Instructions. Applicants should not submit documentation addressing the indirect cost 

rate agreement via email.

Source of Funds. Enter a brief description of the match. Identify each match source separately. 

Identify if the match is secured or proposed. Include dollar amount, the match classification (cash or inkind), and the source type (Private or State/Local) for your entire match. (The total amount in the 

Source of Funds field should match the total amount in the budget narrative exactly.) Define all 

acronyms the first time they are used.
45 

ATTACHMENT C: Budget Worksheet (eGrants Budget Section)

Section I. Program Operating Costs

A. Personnel Expenses

Position/Title/Description Qt

y

Annual 

Salary % Time Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

B. Personnel Fringe Benefits

Purpose/Description Calculation Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

C. Travel

Purpose Calculation Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

D. Equipment

Item/ Purpose/Justification Qty Unit Cost Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

E. Supplies

Purpose Calculation Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

F. Contractual and Consultant Services

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals
46 

G. Training

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

H. Evaluation 

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

I. Other Program Operating Costs

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

Subtotal Section I: 

Total 

Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share
47 

Section II. Administrative/Indirect Costs

A. Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate Or De Minimis Rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct 

Costs

Cost 

Type

Cost 

Basis

Calculation Rate Rate 

Claimed

Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Total Sections I + II : Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Budget Total: Validate this budget

Required Match Percentages:

 

Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Source of Funds

Match Description

(Note whether Secured 

or Proposed)

Amount Match Classification 

(Cash or In Kind)

Match Source ( State, 

Local, or Private)
48 

ATTACHMENT D: Budget Checklist

Below is a checklist to help you make certain that you submit an accurate budget 

narrative that meets AmeriCorps requirements. 

 

In 

Compliance? Section I. Program Operating Costs

Yes __ No __ Costs charged under the Personnel line item directly relate to the operation of the VGF 

project? 

Yes __ No __

Staff indirectly involved in the management or operation of the applicant organization 

are funded through the administrative cost section (Section III) of the budget? Examples 

of administrative costs include central management and support functions.

Yes __ No __

The types of fringe benefits to be covered and the costs of benefit(s) for each staff 

position are described? Allowable fringe benefits typically include FICA, Worker’s 

Compensation, Retirement, SUTA, Health and Life Insurance, IRA, and 401K. You may 

provide a calculation for total benefits as a percentage of the salaries to which they 

apply or list each benefit as a separate item. If the fringe amount is over 30%, the 

benefits are listed separately?

Yes __ No __ Holidays, leave, and other similar vacation benefits are not included in the fringe benefit 

rates but are absorbed into the personnel expenses (salary) budget line item?

Yes __ No __ The purpose for all staff travel is clearly identified?

Yes __ No __ Funds for the purchase of equipment (does not include general use office equipment) 

are limited to 10% of the total grant amount?

Yes __ No __ All single equipment items over $5000 per unit are specifically listed?

Yes __ No __ Justification/explanation of equipment items is included in the budget narrative?

Yes __ No __ All single supply items over $1000 per unit are specifically listed and explained in the 

budget narrative?

Yes __ No __ Does the budget reflect adequate budgeted costs for project evaluation?

Yes __ No __ 

Have you budgeted the cost of the NSOPW, FBI, and state check in the CNCS share for 

criminal history checks of each grant-funded staff that are in covered positions per 45 

CFR 2522.205? If not, have you provided an explanation of how the costs will be 

covered?

Yes __ No __ Are all items in the budget narrative itemized and the purpose of the funds justified?

In Compliance? Section II. Administrative/Indirect Costs

Yes __ No __ Applicant has a current approved indirect cost rate – The maximum grantee share 

does not exceed the federally approved rate, less the 5% CNCS share? 

Yes __ No __

Applicant has a current approved indirect cost rate-the type of rate, the IDC rate 

percentage, the rate claimed and the base to which the rate is applied has been 

specified?

Yes __ No __ Applicant has a current approved indirect cost rate and the approved indirect cost rate 

information has been entered into eGrants to support the costs budgeted? 

Yes __ No __ Applicant does not have a federally approved indirect cost rate and is choosing to use 

a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs?
49 

In Compliance? Match

Yes __ No __ Is the overall match being met at the required level, based on the year of funding?

Yes __ No __

For all matching funds, proposed vs secured, the source(s) [private, state, local, and/or 

federal], the type of contribution (cash or in-kind), and the amount of match, are clearly 

identified in the narrative and in the Source of Funds field in eGrants? 

Yes __ No __ The amount of match is for the entire amount in the budget narrative? (The total 

amount of match equals the amount in the budget exactly?)