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2014 Notice of Funding Opportunities 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As of 1/14/2014*

Contents

A. General................................................................................................................................ 1

B. The Grant Application ........................................................................................................ 4

C. Types of Funding .............................................................................................................. 13

D. Funding Priorities and Selection Criteria.......................................................................... 17

E. AmeriCorps Members....................................................................................................... 20

F. Governor and Mayor Initiative ......................................................................................... 22

G. Performance Measures/Logic Model................................................................................ 24

H. Budget/ Match Requirements ......................................................................................... 315

I. Evaluation Requirements.................................................................................................. 37

J. Sampling ........................................................................................................................... 38

* FAQ additions are added to the end of the relevant section and are marked with a date when they 

were added.

A. General

A1. What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), an 

independent federal agency whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster 

civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps is made up of three main 

programs: AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National 

Civilian Community Corps). Visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs to find out more about 

the differences between these three programs. 

A2. What is AmeriCorps State and National?

AmeriCorps State and National is a broad network of grant-funded AmeriCorps programs. It 

provides financial support to public and nonprofit organizations that sponsor service programs 

around the country, including hundreds of faith- and community-based organizations, higher 

education institutions, Indian tribes, and public agencies. These groups recruit, train and place 

thousands of Americans in intensive service to meet critical community needs. For the remainder 

of this document, AmeriCorps State and National will be referred to as AmeriCorps.
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A3. What is an AmeriCorps member?

An AmeriCorps member is an individual who is enrolled in an approved national service position 

and engages in intensive service to address pressing community problems. AmeriCorps members 

serve through nonprofits, public agencies, institutions of higher education, Indian Tribes, and faithbased organizations to tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, 

clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters, 

among other activities. AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education 

Award upon successful completion of their term of service. Some AmeriCorps members receive a 

living allowance to support them during their term of service.

A4. Is there a set aside for Encore programs?

AmeriCorps does not have a specific set-aside of funds for Encore programs. AmeriCorps has a goal 

that 10% of funding should support encore service programs that engage a significant number of 

participants age 55 or older. We seek to meet that 10% goal and encourage encore programs to 

apply.

A5. Where might I find past project that were supported by your organization?

We make information available on our website regarding applicants we have funded in previous 

competitions. It is on our open government page. A direct link to previous grant competitions is 

here: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/open-government-initiative/transparency/resultsgrants-competition. Some information for the 2012 AmeriCorps grant competition is not yet 

available.

A6. How do I ensure that I’m aware of any changes or new information? 

The best way to ensure you get emails to inform you of changes or new information if to sign up for 

updates by using the link at the far top right corner of our website "Get Email Updates" and check 

the box for "Funding Opportunities."

A7. How much funding is available? And how much are the average grant awards?

The amount of funding available for 2014 is not known at this time. Information about previous 

funding awarded is available at the CNCS Open Government page or at the CNCS Press Releases 

page: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/open-government-initiative/transparency/resultsgrants-competitionhttp://www.nationalservice.gov/newsroom/press-releases.

A8. What if I have questions that are not answered by this document? 

You are invited to participate in one of the technical assistance conference calls scheduled each 

month from October 2013 – December 2013. The schedule will be posted at: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/fundingopportunities/2014/americorps-state-and-national-grants-fy-2014. You may contact us with any 

questions at americorpsgrants@cns.gov or 202.606.7508 (email is strongly preferred).
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A9. How and when can I reach the AmeriCorps Hotline for help with eGrants?

The National Service Hotline is open between the hours of 9:00 am to 7:00 pm EST Monday through 

Thursday up until the January 8, 2014 deadline. They may be open on Fridays during the last few 

weeks prior to the deadline. The phone number is 1-800-942-2677. Questions may be submitted 

via this weblink: https://questions.nationalservice.gov/

A10. If an organization has applied for 501(c)3 status and is waiting for it to be approved, can they 

find an organization to act as fiscal agent to apply for the grant? Would both organizations’ 

names be on the grant application? [added 11/4/2013]

CNCS requires one legal applicant organization. An organization can find a fiscal agent to serve as 

the legal applicant and if/when the 501(c)3 status is complete, CNCS can change the legal applicant 

for the grant application, should it be selected for funding.

A11. How many letters of support should be submitted? [updated 12/18/2013]

There is no maximum limit for the number of letters of commitment submitted for a particular 

application. However, the applicant should only provide letters from the most significant 

community partners. (Note that the guidance in the NOFO is more specific regarding the required 

letters of commitment for the Governor and Mayor Initiative and Tier 1 Education applications.)

A12. Do you want Multi-State applicants to send in a separate Letter of Intent for each application 

or do you want one Letter of Intent with bulleted information about each of the applications an 

applicant plans on submitting? [updated 11/22/2013]

The NOFO and Application Instructions do not specify how this needs to be done, so Multi-State

applicants may send a single Letter of Intent containing information about all the applications they 

intend to submit. Or, if they prefer, they may submit separate Letters of Intent for each 

application. Either way is acceptable. A multi-state applicant who is also submitting single-state 

applications should not send letters of intent for the single-state applications directly to CNCS. A 

letter of intent for a single-state application must be submitted by the State Commission.

A13. Are Letters Intent (LOIs) required for continuations? What about continuations requesting 

expansions? [updated 12/6/2013]

No, continuation applications, including those requesting expansions, are not required to submit a 

Letter of Intent. The purpose of requesting letters of intent is to identify how many new and 

recompeting applications we will receive. We already know how many continuations we are likely 

to be getting.

A14. Should commissions that have only continuation applications in the FY2014 competition 

submit a Letter of Intent? [added 12/6/2013]

If a commission has only continuation applications being submitted in the 2014 competition, they 

do not need to submit a Letter of Intent. They can notify their program officer that they will not be 

submitting new or recompete applications in the FY14 competition.
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A15. Are organizations that have not previously received any CNCS or other federal funding 

ineligible to apply? [added 12/18/2013]

Such organizations are eligible to apply, but must make the case in the application for their capacity 

to successfully manage such funds.

A16. What do I do if I have a question or experience difficulty submitting an application between 

now and January 22? [added 1/4/2014]

As the application deadline of January 22, 2014 at 5:00 pm Eastern approaches, we want you to know 

that the eGrants Help Desk has extended hours.

Friday 1/17/2014 9 am-9pm

Saturday 1/18/2014 11am-7pm

Sunday 1/19/2014 11am-7pm

Monday (Fed Holiday) 1/20/2014 12pm-7pm

Tuesday 1/21/2014 9 am-9pm

Wednesday 1/22/2014 9 am-9pm

If you are experiencing technical difficulties related to submitting your application in eGrants, please 

contact the National Service Hotline for technical eGrants assistance (800-942-2677 or 

https://questions.nationalservice.gov/app/ask_eg) to document your issue and obtain assistance. Make 

sure you get a ticket number. 

If you have a program/content inquiry related to the submission of an application, please send your 

specific question to AmeriCorpsGrants@cns.gov. Program Officers attend to that mailbox and are 

standing by to assist. In the meantime, please refer back to the Notice of Funding Opportunity for 

specific guidance on where to send your required Additional Documents, or if you believe that you 

might submit a Late Application. 

(http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/upload/2014AmericorpsNofo.pdf) 

B. The Grant Application 

B1. Who can apply for Full-Time/Less than FT serving in a full time capacity, Fixed Amount Grants? 

[updated 12/18/2013]

Recompeting and previous grantee applicants can apply for Full-Time/Less than FT serving in a full 

time capacity Fixed Amount grants. A current cost reimbursement grantee must submit a new 

application (not a continuation application) if it would like to apply for a Full-Time/Less than FT 

serving in a full time capacity Fixed Amount grant. New applicants and Tier 1 Education applicants 

are NOT eligible to apply for fixed amount grants. Tier 1 Education applicants (except new 

applicant organizations) may apply for EAP grants.

B2. Is there a limit on the amount of grant funds I may request? 
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There is no pre-determined limit on the amount of grant funds that you may request for an 

implementation grant. However, your level of requested funding should make sense for your 

proposed program design, desired impact, and the capacity of your organization. Additionally, you 

should keep in mind the total amount of funds available and the maximum Cost per MSY for your 

competition. The general practice is to not award more than 50 member positions to new grantees.

B3. What does Cost per MSY mean? 

Cost per MSY stands for Cost per Member Service Year and represents the cost to CNCS of your 

AmeriCorps program. One MSY is the equivalent of one full-time term of service (1700 member 

service hours). The cost per MSY is calculated by dividing the total amount of CNCS funds requested 

by the total number of MSYs requested. For example, if the application requests $10,000 in CNCS 

funds and 10 MSYs, then the cost per MSY is $1,000. The cost per MSY does not include child care or 

the cost of the Segal Education Award a member may earn. Cost per MSY is not applicable for 

planning grants.

B4. Is there a maximum Cost per MSY? 

Yes. The maximum cost per MSY varies by grant program and is detailed in the Notice of Funding 

Opportunity.

B5. Can we use this grant to pay for general organizational expenses? 

No. AmeriCorps grants are only for costs directly related to the proposed project, rather than 

general organizational expenses. Fundraising costs, including raising funds to meet your 

AmeriCorps grant matching costs, are considered general organizational expenses and cannot be 

paid with grant funds. However, to a limited degree, you may capture indirect administrative costs 

related to your AmeriCorps program. The application instructions provide guidance on charging 

administrative costs to the grant.

B6. Will I have to contribute matching funds?

Yes. The money awarded as part of an AmeriCorps grant does not cover the full cost of running an 

AmeriCorps program. Cost reimbursement grants have a required minimum match, and match 

documentation must be maintained. Fixed-amount grants do not have a specified minimum match 

requirement, but the amount provided by the Corporation does not cover the full cost of operating a 

program. The match requirements are described in the NOFO.

In light of Executive Order 13175 (November 6, 2000) on Consultation and Coordination with 

Tribal Governments, CNCS will consider requests for waivers of match requirements from Indian 

Tribes in an expedited manner. Please review the NOFO for information explaining how to submit a 

match waiver request.

B7. How many AmeriCorps members will my program receive? 

In your application you must indicate the number and type of AmeriCorps member positions you 

are requesting based on your program design and desired outcomes. If your proposal is approved 

for funding, CNCS will determine how many AmeriCorps members will be included in your award.

B8. What are the AmeriCorps member health insurance requirements?
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The member health insurance requirements are outlined annually in the grant provisions that are 

incorporated into the Notice of Grant Award. Grantees must provide, or make available, healthcare 

insurance to those members serving a 1700-hour full-time term who are not otherwise covered by 

a healthcare policy at the time each begins his/her term of service. This requirement does not apply 

to EAPs, Professional Corps, or members covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

B9. How long is the grant period? 

AmeriCorps program implementation grants typically have a three-year period, but funds are 

provided one year at a time. Continued funding during the course of the three years is contingent 

upon satisfactory performance, compliance, the availability of funds, and other criteria established 

in the award agreement. The budget submitted in the application is for a one-year period.

B10. What is an operating site? 

An operating site is the organization that manages the AmeriCorps program on behalf of the multistate recipient of the grant from CNCS. A multi-state grantee must have an operating site in each 

state in which it has AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps members may be placed at the operating 

site, or an operating site may place AmeriCorps members at multiple member service locations.

B11. Is an applicant locked into the proposed operating sites or can they change them later in the 

process?

We anticipate that applicants have a well thought out plan for their project implementation and 

have identified operating sites based on the demonstrated community needs. We expect the sites 

proposed at the time of application to align with those involved in project implementation. 

However, if necessary, an applicant can modify their list of operating sites during the clarification 

process or through an amendment.

B12. What is a member service location?

A member service location is the site at which an AmeriCorps member is placed to provide his/her 

service to the community.

B13. Can I operate a single-state program in the first year, while I develop a multi-state 

partnership? 

If an organization is funded for a multi-state grant they must be operating in more than one state. 

An organization that seeks to operate a program in a single state, must request AmeriCorps funding 

through the State Service Commission in your state.

B14. Will applicants be able to select more than one focus area and, within the focus areas, more 

than one service activity? [updated 12/18/2013]

Yes, applicants are able to select more than one focus area and more than one service activity 

within a focus area. Note that the assignment of applications to Tiers considers the MSY allocation 

to the Focus Area and related performance measures. For Tier 1 Education, the program must 

allocate 100% of the MSY to this service activity.
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B15. Will applicants who select more than one service activity be required to identify a primary 

activity and secondary activity as in prior years?

Applicants must select at least one primary service activity for each focus area selected. Additional 

or secondary service activities in a focus area are not required. 

B16. Is the list of populations on the Performance Measures screen beneficiary populations or 

populations to be recruited as AmeriCorps Members? 

Most of the items in the list refer to traditionally underrepresented populations that a program 

intends to intentionally recruit as AmeriCorps members (as outlined in the Strategic Plan). If any of 

these grant characteristics are selected, the application narrative should reflect the intention to 

recruit the selected population(s). 

B17. Can a national organization submit applications for both a national program and programs in 

specific states?

CNCS will not provide more than one grant for the same project in one fiscal year. This does not 

prohibit a national applicant from submitting national and state applications for the same 

geographic area. If an application is being submitted in multiple competitions, applications should 

be clear about the duplicative requests. 

B18. What documents do I need to read in order to apply for funding? 

You must read the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Application Instructions for the 

competition you are interested in. The AmeriCorps Regulations, 45 C.F.R. §§ 2520 - 2550 is also an 

important reference to understand the requirements of AmeriCorps programs. If you are 

considering National Performance Measures, you must read the appropriate National Performance 

Measures instructions.

B19. When must I contact the State Service Commission?

If your organization is not an Indian Tribe and the program you wish to operate is located in one 

state, you must contact your State Service Commission to find out how to apply for an AmeriCorps 

grant. If your organization plans to operate an AmeriCorps program in two or more states, you 

must consult and coordinate activities with the State Service Commission in each state where 

activities will take place. The consultation is designed to ensure the most effective use of national 

service resources and lead to enhanced coordination among grantees. You must describe the 

consultation in your application. The AmeriCorps Notices of Funding Opportunity describes the 

consultation requirements in more detail. You can find your State Commission‘s contact 

information here: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/contact-us/state-service-commissions. 

B20. Are Indian Tribes required to consult with State Service Commissions? 

Indian Tribes are not required to consult with State Service Commissions. However, to ensure the 

most effective use of national service resources and to enhance coordination among grantees, 

Indian Tribes are encouraged to do so. 
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B21. Are we required to submit our application via the on-line eGrants system? 

CNCS requires that all applicants utilize CNCS’ web-based application system, eGrants, to submit 

applications electronically. The Notices of Funding Opportunity and the Application Instructions 

contain detailed submission instructions in the event that you are unable to submit via eGrants.

B22. If a current grantee becomes a host site for another program that is a new applicant 

organization, is that application still considered new?

A current grantee can serve as a partner for a new program without affecting the status of the new 

applicant as a first time grantee.

B23. Some of our U.S offices have AmeriCorps state and VISTA members that will be completing 

their service next year. Would applying for the national grant on a multi-state level affect local 

offices from applying for future state and VISTA AmeriCorps members?

AmeriCorps will not fund the same project through separate funding sources. Activities taking place 

through the Multi-State grant should not to be duplicative of what is happening through activities 

supported by state commissions or service provided by VISTA members. Additionally, AmeriCorps 

members cannot supervise other AmeriCorps members, so the interaction between AmeriCorps 

members and VISTA members can be complementary but not supervisory.

B24. Can a current grantee submit both a continuation application as well as be part of a joint 

“coalition” proposal, acknowledging the duplication in both and knowing that only one can be 

funded? [added 11/4/2013]

Yes, they can submit both if they acknowledge the duplication and understand that only one of the 

applications will be funded.

B25. Will the definitions of episodic and ongoing volunteers provided on page 5 of the Application 

Instructions be the same as the definitions we are currently using in the capacity building 

performance measures? [added 11/4/2013]

No. While the application instructions request that you provide data on the different types of 

volunteers your program will engage, the capacity building performance measure instructions do 

not differentiate between episodic and ongoing volunteers for the purpose of performance 

measurement. 

B26. Does the evaluation plan in the narrative count in the page limit? While the NOFO states that, 

"This limit does not include the budget, performance measures, evaluation plan or required 

supplementary materials (e.g., letters of commitment, organizational chart, logic model 

worksheet)," the evaluation plan section is part of the narratives. [added 11/4/2013]

The evaluation section is at the end of the narrative document so it will not interfere with our 

determination of page limits. Programs are not eliminated from consideration if the narrative 

exceeds the limit; we do not review content for those sections if it extends beyond the page limit.
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B27. Can an applicant be one of the two nonprofits in the Governor and Mayor Initiative and still 

apply for their own grant in competitive? [added 11/4/2013]

Yes, as long as the two applications are for different projects.

B28. The AmeriCorps Regulations require that programs include a component of volunteer 

recruitment. We understand that how a program chooses to fulfill this requirement is dependent 

on the program design and organizational capacity and need for volunteers. According to the 

Regulations (§ 2520.35), if recruiting or supporting volunteers is a “fundamental alteration to 

your program structure” then you would submit the waiver as part of your application which 

CNCS would review. If a program does not request a waiver, they will be required to report on the 

number of volunteers and volunteer hours as part of the GPR. Does CNCS have an expectation that 

information on Volunteer Recruitment be included in the narrative of the application? [added 

11/4/2013]

The Executive Summary includes information about volunteers leveraged. "The AmeriCorps 

members will leverage an additional [number of leveraged volunteers, if applicable] that will be 

engaged in [what the leveraged volunteers will be doing.]" The NOFO outlines what reviewers will 

assess in the application narrative. Program models and designs vary, so the emphasis on volunteer 

recruitment and management might also vary depending on the role of AmeriCorps members and 

the interventions an applicant is proposing to address the identified need. Because it is expected 

that all programs leverage volunteers, unless requesting a waiver, the application instructions 

describe where programs should enter information regarding projections for volunteers leveraged.

B29. How can an applicant without previous AmeriCorps experience be competitive and what 

percentage of new applicants are funded annually? [added 11/4/2013]

Applicant responses to selection criteria are what CNCS uses to assess application quality. 

Applicants who successfully demonstrate that they can fully address the selection criteria will be 

scored accordingly. Past program performance is a factor in the review process, but previous 

experience with AmeriCorps is not a requirement. CNCS encourages new applicants to apply for 

AmeriCorps grants. New applicants are only eligible for cost reimbursement grants. While there is 

no set percentage, some new grants are historically awarded each year.

B30. What are the eligibility factors that will determine if my application will be reviewed? [added 

11/4/2013]

As stated in the NOFO, CNCS staff will review all applications to determine compliance with 

eligibility, deadline, and completeness requirements. In order to be compliant and advance to 

External Review, an applicant must satisfy all the following requirements: 

• Submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by the deadline: Wednesday, December 11, 2013.

• Submit an application by the application submission deadline: Wednesday, January 22, 

2014 at 5:00 p.m. 

• Submit an application that is complete, in that it contains all required elements and 

additional documents via e-mail and follows the instructions provided in the NOFO.
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B31. If we miss the Intent to Apply deadline, but the application deadline is approaching, can we 

still apply? [updated 12/18/2013]

CNCS will not consider notifications of Intent to Apply that are received after the Intent to Apply

deadline (December 11, 2013 at 5:00p.m. Eastern Time), other than for the Tier I VetSuccess 

AmeriCorps applicants for whom the deadline to submit the Letter of Intent is January 21, 

2014. Failure to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply will render an applicant ineligible to apply. All 

Notices of Intent to Apply will receive an email response acknowledging receipt.

B32. What is required to submit my Intent to Apply? [added 11/4/2013]

Please send an email to IntentToApply@cns.gov with the SUBJECT: AmeriCorps State and National 

Notice of Intent. The Notice of Intent to Apply should include: the name of the applicant 

organization, address, contact person, e-mail address, and phone number. Applicants should also 

state the type of grant for which they intend to apply. State Commissions should include an 

estimate of the number of applications planned for submission (number of applications submitted 

cannot exceed this amount). State Commissions must provide the number of potential 

subapplicants by focus area. Single state programs applying through a State Commission should 

not provide this information directly to CNCS.

B33. How is "community" defined, in terms of identifying community need, particularly if it is a 

group of people and not a specific community? [added 11/4/2013]

Community can be a geographic region, a specific population of people, or a combination of both. 

The applicant organization must document the need it plans to address with its proposed program, 

whether it is a defined geographic community or a subset of individuals living in a particular area.

B34. I know that CNCS generally does not award grants of more than 50 MSY’s to new programs, 

but is there a minimum of MSYs (i.e. – 10 MSY’s)? [updated 12/18/2013]

The Notice of Funding Opportunity does not specify a minimum number of MSYs (with the 

exception of Tier I Education programs which are encouraged to apply for a minimum of 20 MSYs). 

However, if you are applying for a single-state program through a state service commission, the 

commission may set a minimum number of MSYs for their particular state competition. Please 

check with the commission before applying. You can find contact information for state service 

commissions at http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/contact-us/state-service-commissions/all.

B35. Our continuation application will add four MSYs to our current eight, to total 12. Can one or 

more of those additional four be positions not previously funded by CNCS? [added 11/8/2013]

Yes. We refer to this as a continuation request for expansion. Continuation requests for expansion 

will be assessed using the same criteria as the new and recompete applications and whether the 

applicant has lowered its cost per MSY.
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B36. We have had a few applicants submit bibliographies as part of their application narrative text 

and I’m wondering with CNCS’s increased emphasis on evidence if you all would like to see the 

bibliography/reference pages. If so, would they count towards the page limit? [updated 

12/18/2013]

Unless documents are required supplementary materials as listed on p. 21 of the NOFO, they would 

go within the application and be subject to the application page limits. So, any citations/references 

have to be addressed within the 15-page application narrative. 

B37. What are the character limits in eGrants? [added 11/22/2013]

The overall character limit in eGrants is greater than the 15 page limit listed in the NOFO, so be sure 

to print out the application to check its length. Within the application format, some sections have 

character limits. So, if you are having trouble saving a section of content, try reducing its size to 

resolve the issue. If continuations have problems with reaching character limits for their 

applications, they should contact their Program Officer for guidance.

B38. To whom should the Letters of Commitment, referenced in the NOFO, be addressed? [added 

11/22/2013]

The Letters of Commitment should be addressed to the director of the applicant organization. 

B39. If an organization was an operating site/service location or a subgrantee of another 

AmeriCorps program previously and are now applying on their own, would they be considered a 

new applicant? [added 11/22/2013]

Yes, only applicants who have had an AmeriCorps State or National implementation grant 

previously and ran their own AmeriCorps program (not a portion of it) are considered as Previous

grantees. All others (including current planning grantees) should apply as New. 

B40. Are continuation applications required to submit the following documents: Logic Model 

Worksheet (See section 2.b.); Organizational Chart (See section 3.a.); or Letters of Commitment 

from most significant community partners? [added 12/6/2013]

No, continuation applications are not required to submit these documents.

B41. What specific information do you want to see reflected in the organizational chart that is 

required as part of the application? [added 12/6/2013]

We do not have specific instructions for what to include in an organizational chart. It should be a 

standard organizational chart sufficient to assess the organization’s management structure and 

should be consistent with the Organizational Background and Staffing narrative.

B42. Should programs use links to research in the narrative? Is it realistic to think that peer/staff 

reviewers will use a link to read additional information? [added 12/6/2013]

We do not specify whether to use links. However, reviewers are advised not to view links in an 

application so you may assume if a link is provided it will not be viewed. The applicant has to 

provide sufficient information in the application narrative to describe the evidence that is being 

used to describe the community need or to support the program intervention.
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B43. Will we receive an acknowledgement when we submit supplemental materials? [added 

12/18/2013]

No. Based on anticipated high volume in a short time frame, we will not be able to acknowledge the 

receipt of supplemental materials.

B44. We see that CNCS has put a priority on serving rural schools. Is there a certain percentage that 

would have to be rural in order to be considered? [added 1/11/2014]

We do not have a requirement for the percentage of rural schools. It is the program’s discretion, 

based on the identified community need(s) and program model.

B45. The Tier I Education programs need to submit letters of commitment from their local 

education agencies and eligible schools. Would having a contract or MOU in place with these 

agencies meet that requirement, or would it actually need to be a letter of commitment? [added 

1/11/2014]

 

An MOU cannot be used in place of a letter of commitment, since such letters have specific 

requirements as outlined on p. 23 of the NOFO and need to demonstrate the schools’ commitment 

to partnership as part of the proposed AmeriCorps program going forward.

B46. Could you please clarify how you define “new” for the purpose of this application? [added 

1/14/14]

Whether a program is considered “new” or not is a factor in several different contexts within the 

AmeriCorps State and National application. Whether or not a project is “new” can be different 

depending on which context. Below is a detailed description of when an applicant or application 

project is considered “new.”

1) What applicants qualify for fixed award grants - CNCS encourages organizations that have 

never received funding from CNCS or AmeriCorps to apply for the grants. Organizations that 

have not previously received AmeriCorps funding or other CNCS funding with a costreimbursement budget are considered “new” and therefore are not eligible to receive fixed 

amount grants.

2) Narrative content and scoring - For the purposes of development and review of the 

application narrative, applicants that have previously received AmeriCorps funding for the 

same program model – either through a state formula grant, a state competitive grant, or a 

national direct grant – are not considered new applicants and should respond to, and be 

scored on, the Past Performance criteria as stated in the NOFO.

3) Applicant Information – In completing the SF424 worksheet and listing applicant 

information:

• If you are applying for the first time, have only received formula funding in the past, or 

are a former grantee (non-formula) whose last AmeriCorps grant was received more 

than five years ago, select New

• If you are applying for a different program model (a new project), select New (Current 

and previous grantees need to get approval from their program officer to be considered 

a new project; an application is “new” if the organization is proposing a project that 

addresses a different issue area, different priorities, and/or different objectives.)
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• If you were a previous state competitive grantee but your most recent funding was 

formula funding, select New (otherwise eGrants will assume you are applying to 

continue your formula grant) 

• If your previous funding was from a different grant type within CNCS – eg. a former 

national direct applying for state funding; a former state grantee applying for national 

direct funding; a former cost-reimbursement grant applying for fixed funding, select 

New

• If you are a current planning grantee applying for an implementation grant, select New

4) Evaluation requirement - 

• If the applicant is competing for the first time, they are new so they enter N/A in the 

Evaluation Summary or Plan field. 

• If the applicant is recompeting for AmeriCorps funds for the first time (previously 

received funding for one 3-year cycle of AmeriCorps funding for this project, the 

program must submit an evaluation plan in the Evaluation Summary, or Plan field in 

eGrants. A formula program will be considered a recompeting application, if it satisfies 

the CNCS definition of “same project” and has been funded in formula for at least one 

three-year cycle. 

• If the applicant is recompeting for a subsequent time (has received two or more 3-year 

cycles of funding), the program must submit an evaluation report as well as an 

evaluation plan for the next three-year period.

The intent is to draw a distinction between a new organization (an organization with no prior 

history of being funded by CNCS), a new program (a set of activities distinct from other sets of 

activities being or intended to be carried out by an organization), and a new application (a request 

for funding by a program).

B47. I am a continuation applicant and am getting an error message that the continuation field is 

full when I enter the requested narrative information. What should I do? [added 1/14/2014]

The applicant should delete the previous year’s information in the Continuation Changes section.

C. Types of Funding

C1. What is a planning grant? Do I have to apply for a planning grant before I can apply for an 

AmeriCorps program grant?

The purpose of a planning grant is to support the development or improvement of a program so 

that it may be better prepared to successfully compete for an AmeriCorps program implementation 

grant in the following grant cycle. Planning grants do not include AmeriCorps member positions. 

During the planning period, you will define the roles and activities members will perform in the 

program. It is not necessary to have a planning grant prior to applying for an implementation grant. 

The Corporation for National and Community Service is not offering planning grants at this time. A 

separate Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity for Indian Tribes for either fully operational or 

planning grants will be released at a later date with an application deadline of spring 2014. It is 

possible that individual state commissions may be offering planning grants.
Page 14 of 39

C2. What is a program implementation grant? 

A program implementation grant provides funding to support the operation of an AmeriCorps 

program. Grants are typically for a three-year period, but funds are provided one year at a time, 

contingent upon satisfactory performance, compliance, the availability of funds, and other criteria 

established in the award agreement. Grants include an allocation of AmeriCorps member positions 

and funds for allowable program expenses such as AmeriCorps member support costs (living 

allowance and benefits), staffing, training, travel for program oversight, and overhead. A grant 

applicant identifies a community problem, designs a program to address the problem through the 

service of AmeriCorps members and volunteers, and must demonstrate the capacity to administer 

and monitor a federal grant.

C3. Where can I find the grant application materials? 

If your proposed program will operate within one state or territory, you must contact your local 

Service Commission to receive the appropriate application materials and you must apply through 

the Commission. Do not use the application materials from the AmeriCorps website. You can find 

your State or Territory Service Commission‘s contact information here: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/contact-us/state-service-commissions. Each commission 

sets its own application due date, so it‘s important to contact your local commission as soon as 

possible.

If your proposed program will operate in more than one state or territory or you represent an 

Indian Tribe, the application materials can be found on the AmeriCorps website at the following 

link: http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities. Indian 

Tribes, whether proposing a single- or multi-state program, can apply directly to the CNCS for 

funding.

C4. What is a State (or Territory) Service Commission? 

A Service Commission is a governor-appointment entity responsible for administering national and 

community service programs in its State (or Territory). Funding for AmeriCorps programs 

operating within one state or territory is administered through the local service commission.

C5. What if my State (or Territory) doesn’t have a service commission? 

CNCS accepts applications directly from organizations proposing to operate an AmeriCorps 

program within a state or territory that doesn‘t have a service commission. For the 2014 grant 

competitions, service commissions don‘t exist in American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the 

Northern Mariana Islands.

C6. What is the difference between a Fixed-Amount Grant and a Cost-Reimbursement grant?

With a cost-reimbursement grant, recipients have a minimum match requirement and must 

maintain documentation of all grant expenses. Recipients of fixed-amount grants do not have 

minimum match requirement, are not required to maintain documentation of the match that is 

raised in support of the AmeriCorps program, and have fewer fiscal reporting requirements.

While fixed-amount grants do not have a specified minimum match requirement, the amount 

provided by the Corporation does not cover the full cost of operating a program. The maximum cost 
Page 15 of 39

per MSY for a fixed-amount grant is typically lower than for a cost-reimbursement grant. Under a 

cost-reimbursement grant the grantee can access and retain all funds for legitimate and allowable 

costs. Under a fixed-amount grant, grantees may receive funds based on the enrollment of members 

for Education Award Program (EAP) grants or for the enrollment and hours served for Stipended 

Full-Time and Professional Corps fixed amount grants.

C7. What is an Education Award Program grant?

An Education Award Program (EAP) grant is a type of fixed-amount grant that receives minimal 

financial support from the Corporation for National and Community Service, but allows the grantee 

to enroll AmeriCorps members who can earn Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards. Because of the 

minimal financial support, EAP grants are best suited for pre-existing service programs or for 

organizations with other sources of funding, for whom becoming part of AmeriCorps will add value 

to their program. For instance, the association with AmeriCorps might allow a program to recruit 

more service participants, to recruit a higher caliber of service participants, or serve more 

beneficiaries. New AmeriCorps applicants may not apply for EAP grants.

C8. What is the difference between a Professional Corps grant and other AmeriCorps grants?

The three primary differences are that for Professional Corps 1) applicants must demonstrate that 

there are an inadequate number of professionals in the community(ies) where the corps seeks to 

place members, 2) grants do not include AmeriCorps member living allowances and benefits, and 3) 

that there is no limit to the amount Professional Corps AmeriCorps members can be compensated 

for their service. Covering the expense of the AmeriCorps member’s living allowance and benefits 

are the grantee‘s responsibility. 

C9. How do I determine which funding opportunity is appropriate for me?

For assistance in determining which AmeriCorps grant is right for your organization, you may 

review the PowerPoint presentations, especially the one on Categories of AmeriCorps Grants or 

Section II D. of the NOFO for a brief overview of each grant type.

C10. We are a national organization that does not have free-standing offices in other states. The 

individual sites we seek to work with through an AmeriCorps grant program are all individual 

nonprofits that operate within individual states. Are we eligible to apply for a Multi-State grant, or 

do we need to coordinate the submission of multiple requests to individual state offices?

You are eligible to apply for a Multi-State grant. Many national organizations are intermediary 

organizations or work with a consortium of other organizations. As the grantee, you would have 

specific responsibilities for overall program reporting, management, and oversight and grant 

administration (even if you choose to subgrant funds to any of the nonprofit organizations).

C11. Are organizations that apply for funding through the AmeriCorps State Grant program 

generally awarded less funding than those that apply through the Multi-State program? In 

addition, is the application pool generally smaller if you apply for State Grant funding rather than 

Multi-State funding?

There are many single state programs larger than multi-state programs. Single-state and multistate applicants are reviewed in a combined competition. Information about previous grants 

awarded may be found on our website in the press release area or 
Page 16 of 39

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/open-government-initiative/transparency/results-grantscompetition . You may review this information to learn about grant sizes and distributions between 

state and national programs.

C12. How do you determine if a project should be a single-state or a multi-state application if the 

members travel to do service outside of the state in which they are based?

Multi-State grants are for programs that use service and volunteering to address compelling 

community needs in at least two states. A multi-state program is one in which the members provide 

consistent service over an extended amount of time in two or more states. If members will be based 

in at least two states (in other words, not just a crew that at times crosses state lines to provide 

service), it may be considered a multi-state program. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to 

administer and monitor a federal, multi-site, multi-state grant and have relationships with 

organizations in different states that will operate the local programs. An operating site is the 

organization that manages the AmeriCorps program on behalf of the multi-state recipient of the 

grant from CNCS. A multi-state grantee must have an operating site in each state in which it has 

AmeriCorps members.

C13. The NOFO states that “Fixed amount grants are only available to recompeting programs.” 

Does this include “previous” grantees? Can a current EAP grantee apply for a non-EAP fixed 

amount grant? [updated 12/18/2013]

Both recompeting and previous grantees may apply for fixed amount grants. Only new applicants 

and Tier 1 Education applicants are not eligible to apply for fixed amount grants (although second 

and third-year continuation applicants with cost reimbursement grants must submit a new 

application if they are interested in applying for a fixed amount grant.). A current EAP grantee may 

apply for a full-cost fixed amount grant if it is for a different program design. Tier 1 Education 

applicants (except new applicant organizations) may apply for EAP grants.

C14. Can you have a competitive grant as well as a professional corps grant in formula? [updated 

12/18/2013] 

An organization may have different grants for AmeriCorps as long as they are not considered the 

same project. 

C15. Can you apply for a competitive grant and, if it is not awarded, switch your application to 

apply as a professional corps in formula? [added 11/8/2013]

This is up to the Commission to decide. CNCS policy does not prohibit changing the application 

submitted to formula as long as the applicant adheres to the published rules and deadlines for the 

Commission’s formula competition.

C16. If an organization decides to submit two applications, one as a National program and the 

other as a State program, can the state program design and approach also be a part of the 

National Program application? [added 11/8/2013]

Yes, the state program design and approach can be included as part of the National Program 

application, but the organization cannot receive funding for duplicate programs (the NOFO 

provides a definition of "same project" that would indicate a duplicate program). Thus, if the state 

program and the national program were both selected for funding, the applicant would not be 
Page 17 of 39

eligible to receive funds for the portion of the national program that duplicated the state 

program. Please keep in mind that the geographic/programmatic scope of the two proposed 

programs would be different, as applications submitted to state commissions are for projects that 

operate in only one state, while applications submitted directly to CNCS are for AmeriCorps 

programs that operate in more than one state and territory. 

C17. What % of available funds do you anticipate will be available for new grants versus continuing 

grants? [added 11/8/2013]

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to provide these types of projections.

C18. We have an applicant that had been funded through a National Direct grant from CNCS 

(currently in their 3rd year of funding) that is applying to the competitive process through our 

state commission. Can they apply for a fixed amount grant? [added 12/18/2013]

If the applicant to you is the actual national direct organization that received and operated the 

previous grant, then they are eligible to apply for a fixed amount grant from the commission. If the 

applicant to you is a subgrantee of a national direct and the subgrantee does not have experience as 

a direct AmeriCorps grant recipient from CNCS or the commission, then they are not eligible to 

apply for a fixed amount grant.

D. Funding Priorities and Selection Criteria 

D1. What are the funding priorities for AmeriCorps? 

In 2014, CNCS seeks to target its AmeriCorps grantmaking in the Economic Opportunity, Education, 

Disaster, and Veterans and Military Families Focus Areas, and the Governor and Mayor Initiative. To 

maximize the impact of the investment in national service, CNCS is seeking to fund programs that 

can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems through an evidence-based 

approach (e.g. performance data, research, theory of change). Details on the priorities for a 

particular grant competition can be found in the relevant NOFO.

D2. Are there targeted percentages of funding for each priority area? 

No. CNCS has not pre-determined how much funding will be allocated by priority area.

D3. Will my program receive more priority for selecting more than one Focus Area and/or more than 

one National Performance Measure?

No additional preference is given for selecting more than one Focus Area and/or more than one 

National Performance Measure.

D4. Will CNCS eventually stop funding programs that aren’t represented in the Focus Areas or the 

National Performance Measures? 

CNCS’ Focus Areas were delineated in the 2009 Serve America Act and are unlikely to change in the 

near future. The 2014 National Performance Measures reflect the Agency-wide priorities and telling 

the story of where national service can make the greatest impact. These Agency-wide Priority 

Measures provide a focused set of outcomes for programs and initiatives across CNCS; they drive 
Page 18 of 39

accountability and take achievability into consideration. Our performance measurement framework 

is iterative and we plan to refine and update the Measures as we learn from the data we receive. We 

will regularly assess our priorities in light of local and national needs.

D5. What does evidence-basis/evidence-informed mean and what documentation is required?

Evidence-basis/evidence-informed refers to a program‘s demonstration of support that a particular 

intervention will lead to the intended outcomes and address the identified community problem(s). 

Evidence for the intervention could include results from research, performance data, or results 

from a similar, successful program and would provide the basis for decisions about the design, 

frequency and intensity of the proposed intervention.

For example: An applicant proposes to engage AmeriCorps members to recruit and manage 

volunteers. The volunteers will tutor third-grade students in a low-performing school for an hour a 

day, three days per week. The proposal indicates that as a result, the students’ academic 

performance will improve. The applicant must describe in its proposal the evidence that the design 

of the intervention (a certain set of tutoring activities delivered for one hour three times per week) 

will result in improved academic performance. There are more detailed definitions of evidenceinformed and evidence-based in the appendix of the NOFO.

D6. What other type of evidence is required in a proposal? 

An application must provide evidence of the need, which refers to data that demonstrates the 

extent or severity of the need in the target community.

D7. Are Economic Opportunity Measures in Tier 1 or Tier 2? How should MSY be allocated across the 

PMs?

Complementary Program Measures in Economic Opportunity are in Tier 1. Priority measures in 

Economic opportunity are in Tier 2. Member-oriented measures (O12, O14, O15, O17) must also be 

accompanied by priority or complementary measure to reflect the community impact of the 

program. Members should be allocated to the community impact measures.

D8. Is there a focus on “summer slide” and if so, is it in Tier 1?

While addressing summer slide is a strong interest of CNCS and one reason we have set the 

announcement date early enough for summer programing, it is not in and of itself a focus area and 

therefore not in any particular tier. It could be a component/focus of any topic or tier.

D9. CNCS placed a great deal of emphasis on cost/MSY in last year’s competition yet the application 

lists a higher cost/MSY limit than the reality of the current year. Is the cost/MSY what is listed?

Cost/MSY is a competitive factor. The pool of cost/MSY depends on what the cost/MSY of submitted 

applications. While CNCS understands that the across the board cut of cost/MSY was not optimal, 

the savings that resulted allowed us to place 1,000 more AmeriCorps members on the ground. 

D10. Does a continuation fall within the tier system?

No, continuations are not put into tiers unless the applicant is proposing an expansion.
Page 19 of 39

D11. How will member experience be assessed if it is no longer a required section in the application? 

[added 11/4/2013]

It is correct that member experience is no longer a discrete category within the NOFO. However 

reviewers will assess member experience by reviewing what the members’ service activities will be 

and potentially efficacy of the interventions (AmeriCorps members as highly effective means to 

solve community problems and evidence based and measurable community impact), the training 

that will be provided to members (member training), and the supervision of the members (member 

supervision). All three of those sections will provide adequate information for a reviewer to assess 

the potential quality of the member experience.

D12. Does CNCS allocate grant funds by tier and is there a point value associated with the tiers? 

[added 11/22/2013]

We do not have a specific amount of grant funds allocated per tier – there is one amount for the 

entire competition. CNCS does not assign points to applications because they fall within a tier. The 

tier and the application score are factors, along with others, that CNCS will take into consideration 

when making funding decisions. 

D13. In the final revised NOFO on page 7, it states that CNCS will “prioritize the investment of 

national service resources in rural schools.” However, in our state, there are only 8 priority/SIG 

schools in rural areas, though a majority of the geographic area of the state is considered rural 

and these areas are in desperate need of assistance. Will programs focusing on serving rural 

schools be considered Tier 1? If so, how should programs proposing to serve our rural areas 

respond to the specific Tier 1 requirements, especially that applications will be disqualified for 

failing to propose eligible schools? [added 12/18/2013]

Programs focused on serving rural schools that are not SIG/Priority schools would not qualify for 

Tier 1 Education. However, CNCS seeks to fund a diversified overall portfolio of programs that 

includes a meaningful representation of rural and urban communities. A program that serves rural 

schools is welcome to apply under the AmeriCorps NOFO even if it does not qualify for Tier 1 

Education.

D14. How will my program’s evaluation of member outcomes be considered when assessing level of 

evidence? [added 12/18/2013]

Evaluations of member outcomes will be considered part of a program’s evidence base if the 

program’s theory of change (problem, intervention, outcomes) includes a member development 

focus.

D15. If we are considered Tier II because we are not serving SIG schools, does that place a lower 

priority on our grant? [added 1/11/2014]

CNCS will give priority consideration to applicants in Tier 1. However, all eligible applications will 

be reviewed for quality and considered for funding. 
Page 20 of 39

E. AmeriCorps Members

E1. Is an AmeriCorps member the same as a volunteer? 

No. An AmeriCorps member is an individual serving in an approved national service position for a 

pre-determined term of service. AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps 

Education Award and might receive a living allowance and other benefits such as health insurance 

and childcare. Additionally, there are limitations on the types of activities in which an AmeriCorps 

member can engage. Volunteers are not eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, and 

typically do not receive compensation or have a pre-defined term of service. Volunteers and 

AmeriCorps members might serve side-by-side and AmeriCorps members often recruit and manage 

volunteers.

E2. Does CNCS recruit and train the AmeriCorps members? 

No. While CNCS has an online recruitment system that AmeriCorps programs can utilize, each 

program is responsible for recruiting its own AmeriCorps members. Additionally, AmeriCorps 

programs are entirely responsible for training their AmeriCorps members

E3. Must an AmeriCorps member serve for a certain amount of time? 

Yes. An AmeriCorps member may serve either a full-time term of service, which requires a 

minimum of 1700 hours of service within a one-year period of time; or a part-time term, which can 

range from 300 hours to 900 hours. The AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO, 

provides additional detail. In your application, you must specify the terms of service you are 

proposing for your AmeriCorps members.

E4. Can AmeriCorps members take the place of current staff or volunteers at my organization? 

No. AmeriCorps members may not displace staff or volunteers at your organization, nor may they 

perform any services or duties that would supplant the hiring of employed workers.

E5. Are there certain activities in which AmeriCorps members and staff cannot engage? 

Yes. While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or 

otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or CNCS, staff and members 

may not engage in the following activities (see 45 CFR § 2520.65):

-Attempting to influence legislation; 

-Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; 

-Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing; 

Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements; 

-Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of 

an election to any public office; 

-Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or 

against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected 

officials; 

-Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of 

a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating 
Page 21 of 39

facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or 

inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious 

proselytization;

-Providing a direct benefit to: (1) a business organized for profit; (2) a labor union; (3) a 

partisan political organization; (4) a nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the 

restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (participating 

in partisan political activities or spending funds on lobbying and grassroots efforts in excess of 

allowable limits); and (5) an organization engaged in the religious activities described above, 

(unless CNCS assistance is not used to support those religious activities); 

-Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive; 

-Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services.

AmeriCorps members may not engage in the above activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, 

training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in one of the activities listed 

above. Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate in the activities 

listed above on their initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, and using non-CNCS funds. Individuals 

should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.

Nonduplication. 

Corporation assistance may not be used to duplicate an activity that is already available in the 

locality of a program. And, unless there is nondisplacement, Corporation assistance will not be 

provided to a private nonprofit entity to conduct activities that are the same or substantially 

equivalent to activities provided by a State or local government agency in which such entity resides. 

Nondisplacement. 

(1) An employer may not displace an employee or position, including partial displacement such as 

reduction in hours, wages, or employment benefits, as a result of the use by such employer of a 

participant in a program receiving Corporation assistance. 

(2) An organization may not displace a volunteer by using a participant in a program receiving 

Corporation assistance. 

(3) A service opportunity will not be created under this chapter that will infringe in any manner on 

the promotional opportunity of an employed individual. 

(4) A participant in a program receiving Corporation assistance may not perform any services or 

duties or engage in activities that would otherwise be performed by an employee as part of the 

assigned duties of such employee. 

(5) A participant in any program receiving assistance may not perform any services or duties, or 

engage in activities, that—

(i) Will supplant the hiring of employed workers; or 

(ii) Are services, duties, or activities with respect to which an individual has recall rights 

pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or applicable personnel procedures.

(6) A participant in any program receiving assistance may not perform services or duties that have 

been performed by or were assigned to any—

(i) Presently employed worker; 

(ii) Employee who recently resigned or was discharged; 

(iii) Employee who is subject to a reduction in force or who has recall rights pursuant to a 

collective bargaining agreement or applicable personnel procedures; 

(iv) Employee who is on leave (terminal, temporary, vacation, emergency, or sick); or 

(v) Employee who is on strike or who is being locked out. 
Page 22 of 39

E6. What AmeriCorps funding opportunities are available?

AmeriCorps has annual competitions for program implementation grants, Tribal grants and 

possibly planning grants. Consult the AmeriCorps website for a list of upcoming competitions. 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities. 

E7. Is it acceptable to have AmeriCorps members whose primary responsibilities are office-based 

computer work? 

Allowable member service activities can be direct service or capacity building. Direct service 

activities must be designed to impact a documented compelling community need, should be 

evidence-based and lead to measurable impact. Capacity building activities must also be designed 

to impact a documented compelling community need and cannot be solely intended to support the 

administration or operations of the organization. Capacity Building activities include:

- Recruiting and/or managing community volunteers

- Implementing effective volunteer management practices

- Completing community assessments that identify goals and recommendations

- Developing new systems and business processes or enhancing existing systems/processes.

E8. Can a program have members serving in more than one focus area as long as a primary focus area 

is identified and the majority of members are serving in that area? 

Yes, a program can have members serving in more than one focus area as long as a primary focus 

area is identified and the majority of members are serving in that area.

E9. How does a program assess members as economically disadvantaged if they are current members, 

especially since some receive Food Stamps. [added 11/22/2013]

If a member qualified as economically disadvantaged when they entered AmeriCorps, they can 

continue to be so classified in subsequent terms. However, members who are voluntarily lowincome simply due to the fact that they are an AmeriCorps member do not qualify as economically 

disadvantaged in the second term.

F. Governor and Mayor Initiative 

F1. Who can submit a Governor and Mayor Initiative application?

The application must be submitted by a government agency. It is up to the governor who submits it 

– either the governor’s office or a state agency he or she designates or the mayor’s office or a city 

agency he or she designates. [The State Commission cannot be the applicant. Statute prohibits State 

Commissions from administering AmeriCorps programs.] The submission is limited to one Mayor. 

(A group of mayors may not submit.) However, the project design could place members in multiple 

cities or regions of a state. Commissions without a Governor (i.e. District of Columbia) may submit a 

proposal for the Governor and Mayor Initiative and follow all other instructions for the initiative, 

with the exception of a Governor’s involvement.
Page 23 of 39

F2. Does an application submitted for the Governor and Mayor Initiative still need to go through the 

State Commission’s regular application and review process?

An application submitted by the State Commission should follow established standard procedures 

for submitting a competitive application. 

F3. Would a partnership between a Governor and a Board of Supervisors be considered an eligible 

applicant? Would a Public School District that is a subdivision of a State be an eligible applicant?

If the Board of Supervisors is considered the designated state agency by the Governor then they 

may be the applicant. If a school district is a subdivision of the state, the Governor could identify 

that the school district be the legal applicant.

F4. If the Governor and Mayor Initiative are required to go through the State Commission, are they 

included in the program ranking or is there a separate review process?

The Governor and Mayor Initiative application is the same as any other competitive application. 

Thus, it would be included in the program ranking. 

F5. Does the Governor and Mayor Initiative need to be a new initiative or could an application be 

considered for a recompeting program?

It is not required that it be a new initiative.

F6. Can the Mayor’s office (designated applicant) sub grant funds and can the Commission 

incorporate the 1% fixed administrative cost option for this sub? Can it be more than 1%? 

The requirement in the NOFO is that the legal applicant must be the Governor, Mayor or their 

designated government office. There is no listed restriction on sub granting funds. The same rules 

would apply as for other grants; so yes, the Commission can incorporate the 1% fixed cost but it 

may not exceed 2%, per the new State Commission Fixed Administrative Cost Option.

F7. The Governor and Mayor initiative is limited to one per state. If the state currently has a Governor 

and Mayor initiative in continuation, does that count as that one?

No, states are restricted to one Governor and Mayor Initiative per competition. A state that has 

received a Governor and Mayor Initiative for 2013 can submit another proposal for 2014.

F8. Is the Governor and Mayor Initiative limited to two Mayors? What if the Governor is working with 

a coalition of Mayors?

CNCS wants either the Governor or a designated Mayor to take the lead on the project, but other 

Mayors could participate. It depends on the program design.

F9. Is choosing a performance measure necessary if you are applying for the Governor and Mayor 

Initiative? [added 11/8/13]

Yes, all applicants must submit performance measures with their application, including Governor 

and Mayor Initiative applicants. Applicants must create at least one aligned performance measure 
Page 24 of 39

that includes their primary intervention. They may also create additional aligned performance 

measures.

F10. If a Governor is interested in applying for the Governor and Mayor Initiative to address issues 

in a large rural part of the state where there is a military base, can the Governor partner with the 

County Executive to ensure that the vast region would be sufficiently covered? [added 11/22/13]

A Governor can certainly engage a County Executive to be a significant partner of a Governor and 

Mayor Initiative. To meet the requirements for applying for this Initiative, a Mayor from the county 

should be recruited to be a sponsor. The NOFO says “Only the Governor, Mayor, their designated 

government office (but not the state commission), or a public university may apply for grants under 

the Governor and Mayor initiative. Applications from other entities will be deemed non-compliant 

and will not be considered under this initiative.” So, it is possible for the Governor and Mayor to 

designate the County Executive (as a government office) to be the legal applicant if they so choose.

G. Performance Measures/Logic Model

G1. What is a theory of change?

A theory of change is a theory (or logic model) for how an intervention can address or solve a stated 

problem. A theory of change articulates a problem, a proposed intervention, and the change 

(outcomes) that is expected to result from delivering the intervention. Underlying the theory is a 

set of assumptions, supported by evidence, about why the intervention is likely to lead to the 

outcomes. A Logic Model means a well-specified conceptual framework that identifies key 

components of the proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active “ingredients” 

that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 

relationships among the key components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally. 

G2. What are AmeriCorps’ performance measurement requirements? 

AmeriCorps programs must have an aligned output and outcome that reflects the program‘s 

primary service activity and aligns with the program’s theory of change.

G3. What are National Performance Measures? 

CNCS 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, CNCS has created National Performance Measures in order to aggregate the results of 

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

NOFO document for specifics on our funding priorities.

G4. What is the difference between Priority Measures and Complementary Program Measures? 

The National Performance Measures are split into two groups: Priority Measures and 

Complementary Program Measures. Priority Measures are a subset of the original National 

Performance Measures Pilot. Complementary Program Measures are the remaining measures from 

the National Performance Measures Pilot not included in the Priority Measures. 
Page 25 of 39

G5. How did CNCS decide which grant activities wouldn’t be represented in the National Measures? 

CNCS leadership from across the agency reviewed the goals and priorities in our 2011-2015 

Strategic Plan and focused our work on a limited set of Priority Measures. To identify these 

priorities, CNCS considered whether the measures:

- Were specific, measureable, achievable and result-oriented.

- Provided useful information to guide decision making. 

- Aligned with previous investments that have demonstrated effectiveness.

- Collectively tell a compelling story about the value of national service and other CNCS 

resources. 

G6. What is a “self-nominated” or “applicant-determined” performance measure? 

A self-nominated or applicant-determined performance measure is one in which the applicant 

identifies the outputs and/or outcomes that will be measured, based on its primary service activity. 

This is different from the National Performance Measures, where CNCS pre-determines common 

outputs and, in some instances, outcomes with specific definitions and data collection methods that 

applicants must use.

G7. If I select National Performance Measures this year, will I maintain the same measures next year? 

Yes. Performance measures should be consistent over the life of a three-year grant so that progress 

can be measured over time. However, it is possible that some measures, definitions and guidance 

may change.

G8. Are National Performance Measures required? 

Priority Measures, a sub-set of the National Performance Measures, are required for new and 

recompeting programs whose proposed program fits those measures. Additionally, Education 

National Performance Measures are required for Full-Time Fixed-Amount applicants in the 

Education Focus Area. The use of National Performance Measures is strongly encouraged and is a 

funding priority, but is not required.

G9. Should Formula funded programs use the National Performance Measures? 

CNCS would like all AmeriCorps programs to use National Performance Measures when they fit 

their program activities. While the National Performance Measures are not required for formula 

programs, State Service Commissions are strongly encouraged to use the national performance 

measures for their formula programs.

G10. If we are in a Continuation year of our grant should we select National Performance 

Measures? 

In general, Performance Measures should be consistent over the life of a three-year grant cycle so 

that progress can be measured over time. If a grantee‘s current measures are not serving the 

program well and the grantee would prefer to select National Performance Measures, the grantee 

may choose to revise their measures at the time of Continuation. 
Page 26 of 39

G11. What should a continuation grantee who is measuring an output or outcome that has a 

changed definition do in the continuation application? 

The grantee should continue to measure the output or outcome as defined in the original NOFO that 

was submitted. If a grantee is able to measure using the revised output or outcome definition then 

they may revise their performance measure for 2013, but this is not required.

G12. How do I decide if my program should select National Performance Measures?

If the National Performance Measures align with your program‘s activities, then CNCS strongly 

encourages your participation. The National Performance Measures Instructions provide 

definitions; requirements and guidelines that will help you determine which are right for you. 

These instructions can be found on the NOFO webpage. In addition, the NOFO describes 

requirements for performance measurement selection based on the application tier.

G13. If I select National Performance Measures, will I also have to create “applicant-determined” 

performance measures? 

There are two circumstances in which your program will need to create self-nominated or 

applicant-determined performance measures in addition to the National Performance Measures. 

First, if your program selects National Performance Measures for activities that do not represent 

your primary service category, then your program will also have to provide an aligned set of 

applicant-determined performance measures for your primary service activity because AmeriCorps 

regulations stipulate that a program must have an aligned set of performance measures that 

represent its primary service activity. Second, if you select a National Performance Measure that 

does not have its own aligned outcome, you will need to create an applicant-determined outcome to 

complete the alignment. The need to create an aligned applicant-determined outcome measure is 

clearly stated in the National Performance Measures Instructions.

G14. What is an aligned performance measure? 

An aligned performance measure is an output paired with an outcome. Most of our National 

Performance Measures include aligned measures, but in some cases you may need to create your 

own aligned applicant-determined outcome measure.

G15. How many performance measures should I propose? 

Each program should have at least one aligned measure (composed of an output and an outcome) 

reflecting its primary service activity. It is appropriate to have additional aligned performance 

measures for other significant components of your program. Performance measures reflecting nonprimary activities should not be included in your application and will not be reported to CNCS, 

although you might still collect the data for your own purposes.

G16. Are member development and volunteer generation performance measures required? 

Member development and volunteer generation are required components of all AmeriCorps 

programs, but performance measures for these activities should only be included in your 

application if this is the primary focus of your program. Programs that focus on member 

development should review the member-focused Economic Opportunity National Performance 

Measures to see if they are applicable. Programs that focus on volunteer generation can select the 
Page 27 of 39

Capacity Building Volunteer Generation Priority Measures. It is also important to note that all 

programs need to report on volunteers generated in their progress report. 

G17. When I last applied for funding, why did AmeriCorps ask me to remove some of my 

performance measures from my grant application? 

Applicants were asked to remove from their applications performance measures that did not reflect 

primary service activities of the program and that did not need to be reported to CNCS. However, 

this was not an indication that these activities were not worthwhile. In many instances, the 

program would want to measure these activities and track the results to ensure program quality 

even though they are not reflected in the approved AmeriCorps application.

G18. If I select National Performance Measures, are there specific outputs and outcomes I am 

required to use? 

Yes, in most cases there are specific requirements for outputs and outcomes as well as data 

definitions and collection expectations. Please read the National Performance Measures 

Instructions carefully for the selection requirements.

G19. What programs can select the Teacher Corps Measures in the Education Focus Area? 

The Teacher Corps measures are intended to be used by AmeriCorps programs where the 

AmeriCorps members serve as the primary teacher in a classroom setting during their terms of 

service. The AmeriCorps members may serve in public, charter, or private schools to address a 

critical shortage of teaching professionals in a high needs area or school.

G20. Can Teacher Corps programs opt into non-Teacher Corps outcomes, such as ED5 or ED27? 

Yes, provided that their theory of change is consistent with the selected non-Teacher Corps 

measure.

G21. Can summer programs select the ED27 performance measure? 

Summer programs may opt into the ED27 measure and consider the definition of over the school 

year to be interpreted as over the course of the summer program.

G22. Can summer programs select the H5 performance measure? 

The H5 output could apply to summer programming, provided the programming meets the 

criterion of being in addition to regular activities that would have been provided by the school or 

camp during the summer term. This interpretation is the same as ED27 above.

G23. Can summer programs select the H12 performance measure? 

The H12 outcome measure is specifically about long-term food security, so it would not apply to 

summer programs that are filling a summer gap. Filling a summer gap would not translate to 

increased food security a few months out.
Page 28 of 39

G24. Is H12 limited only to education activities? 

H12 is not limited to activities that are educational in nature.

G25. Can I count AmeriCorps Members as beneficiaries of service if my program selects National 

Performance Measures? 

Most of the National Performance Measures are NOT designed to capture the impact the program 

may have on the AmeriCorps members. There are specific Teacher Corps measures in the Education 

Focus Area, and certain Measures in the Economic Opportunity and Veterans and Military Families 

Focus Areas where AmeriCorps members are either the sole focus or may be included in the count 

of people served. Programs may count AmeriCorps members as beneficiaries of the services if the 

members receive the services as a member of the general public (or target population) rather than 

as part of their AmeriCorps service or training.

G26. Do the AmeriCorps members in my program have to be directly providing the service counted 

in the National Performance Measures? 

The National Performance Measures selected by an AmeriCorps program should reflect the 

expected result of the AmeriCorps program activities. The AmeriCorps members do not have to 

interact directly with the beneficiaries of the service, but they must provide direct support that 

makes the program‘s results possible. One exception is when the AmeriCorps members are 

providing organizations with capacity building services.

G27. Can I count the same people in more than one National Performance Measure output? 

Read the Performance Measures Instructions carefully. Unless otherwise specified, the same 

individuals may be counted more than once across different Measures for different services they 

may be receiving. However, programs cannot count the same individual more than once within any 

one specific National Performance Measure. For example, if you helped the same individual both 

prepare for a disaster and then respond to a disaster, you may count that individual in both DS1 

and DS2. 

G28. Why is “economically disadvantaged” defined differently for the Economic Opportunity, 

Education and Healthy Futures performance measures?

The definition in each Focus Area is aligned with the relevant predominant government programs. 

For instance, AmeriCorps members working in the healthy futures focus area are likely serving 

populations that are eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP.

G29. If I select a National Performance Measure that includes a specific definition for the 

beneficiary population, will I be required to prove that my program is serving that population? 

Your application narrative should include a depiction of the need your program will address, 

including the beneficiary population, and documentation that the need exists for this population. 

The National Performance Measures you select should align with your application narrative. For 

instance, if you select an Education performance measure that defines the target population as 

students eligible for free or reduced lunch, then your application narrative might provide data to 

show that your AmeriCorps members will be serving at a school for which the majority of the 

population is eligible for free or reduced lunch. In this example, you would not be expected to 
Page 29 of 39

collect and maintain eligibility data for each individual student served. Through your application 

narrative and the implementation of your program, you are expected to provide reasonable 

assurance that you are serving the intended population.

G30. How do I indicate that I am selecting National Performance Measures? 

Programs will select Focus Areas and National Performance Measures in the eGrants performance 

measure screens at the time of application. In addition, the Focus Areas, National Performance 

Measures, and proposed targets should be referenced in the narrative discussion of outputs and 

outcomes.

G31. 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 cost reimbursement grants, these costs must be 

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

G32. We have similar reporting requirements and measures for another funder. Can I just report on 

that measure instead? 

No. If the program chooses to select National Performance Measures, it will need to report to CNCS 

on the measures as they are defined.

G33. What are the reporting requirements if I am using National Performance Measures? 

They are the same as programs not using National Performance Measures. The reporting 

requirements are contained in the grant provisions.

G34. Why does CNCS require applicants to provide information on the proportion of Member 

Service Years (MSYs) devoted to each Focus Area? 

The Focus areas created in the Serve America Act create the expectation that CNCS will be able to 

report resources allocated by Focus area. Because many applicants direct their activities to more 

than one Focus Area, it is important for CNCS to collect expected MSYs devoted to each Focus Area.

G35. How should I determine the MSY percentages for each Focus area? 

A program requests a certain number of MSYs in order to meet particular needs in their 

community. Programs determine what needs are addressed by members serving in that Focus Area 

and assign the MSYs accordingly.

G36. Is my program expected to monitor member time to ensure that it corresponds to what is 

entered into the MSY charts for the Focus Areas? 

Grant applicants will enter MSYs into the MSY charts according to the distribution of time that 

members are expected to engage in each Focus Area. At the end of the grant year, grantees will 

report on how the members actually spent their time. CNCS expects the MSY amounts entered at 

the time of application and in the grantee progress report to be very close unless the program 

received permission to change the activities causing change in the proportion of time devoted to 

each Focus Area.
Page 30 of 39

G37. I find the terminology in the Performance Measures section of eGrants to be confusing. How do 

I translate eGrants language to the terms used elsewhere? 

The following is a guide to some of the common terms you will see in eGrants followed by language 

that is consistent with the NOFO and training materials:

- Strategy = Intervention (The strategy/intervention will be the same for all components of 

the measure—output, intermediate outcome, end outcome—because all of these should 

result from the same intervention.) 

- Result = Output, Intermediate Outcome, or End Outcome 

- Indicator = For outputs, a description of the number of beneficiaries to be counted. For 

outcomes, a description of the measurable change that will occur. 

- Target Statement = The indicator plus the expected number (100 beneficiaries will...) 

- Target = The number in the target statement (100) 

- Instrument = The specific tool that will be used to collect data (AIMSweb Letter Sounds and 

Letter Names pre/post-test) 

- Data Collection Methodology = How data will be collected (survey, pre/post-test, etc.) 

- Tip: Within each output or outcome, the result statement, indicator, target statement and 

target number will seem repetitive: 

i. Result Statement: Students will demonstrate improved academic performance... 

ii. Indicator: Number of students with improved academic performance 

iii. Target Statement: 100 students will demonstrate improved academic 

performance...

iv. Target: 100 

- eGrants Tip: Applicants will get an error message and will not be able to submit if: 

- The total across all MSY charts does not equal MSYs in budget (+/- 1 to account for 

rounding) 

- A primary service category has not been selected for each focus area selected.

G38. Should sample data collection tables be included in the application? Where should they be 

placed?

eGrants will not allow you to submit tables. In the eGrants Performance Measures section you will 

describe your data collection strategy. Follow the instructions for entering the performance 

measures and enter this information in the Description of the Intervention field.

G39. In order to measure ED5, which is the number of students with improved academic 

performance in literacy and/or math? May we propose to use state assessments because they are 

consistently available and are aligned with our goals of building student proficiency in ELA and 

math and helping schools to improve on the outcomes that are most meaningful to them?

In the submission of the application Performance Measures section you should state the assessment 

strategy and indicate any variance from the requirement. This will be reviewed in the application 

and during Clarification, if appropriate; the variation from the requirement would be noted. In 

some cases a waiver of requirements is noted in a grant Special Condition. If what you propose to 

do is approved in the application, then it is approved.
Page 31 of 39

G40. Where do I find a copy of the webinar that helps applicants walk through the new 

performance measures module? [updated 11/18/2013]

This tutorial, http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/online-courses/egrants-performancemeasure-module-for-americorps, designed for 2014 new, continuation and re-compete AmeriCorps 

applications, guides users through the new eGrants performance measures screens. It demonstrates 

how to complete the pages in the new performance measure section of the application. The tutorial 

also includes some program specific content information as well as shows users how to create an 

aligned performance measure for their chosen primary focus area and intervention. Instructions for 

the new performance measures module specific for continuations can be found on pages 21-23 of 

the application instructions.

G41. On the logic model chart there are three levels of output (short, medium and long) being 

requested. The focus has been on understanding that outputs and outcomes in performance 

measures should be linked by a sound theory of change and evidence. Do you have any new 

guidance on linking outputs and outcomes and how they mesh given the new output structure?

The logic model is a well-specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 

proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active “ingredients” that are hypothesized 

to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 

components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally. A program may have a theory of change 

that is based on accomplishing a long-term change in conditions that is not measurable in the 

program year. However, there may be shorter-term changes that can be linked to this ultimate goal 

that are strong indicators that the long-term change is likely to happen. Since we define outcomes 

as changes that can be measured within the program year, there may be a need to list short, 

medium and long-term outcomes to understand the conceptual framework of the program. Not all 

programs need to use all three levels of outcomes – just those that are relevant to a solid 

understanding of their theory of change and the evidence of change that they will measure in the 

performance measures.

G42. Does CNCS expect Continuation applications to submit a Logic Model Worksheet, 

organizational chart, and/or letters of commitment from most significant community partners?

No.

G43. What does CNCS consider to be economically disadvantaged? How is that tracked? Is this 

where the county level economic data comes in? [added 11/4/2013]

“Economically disadvantaged” is defined/tracked slightly differently depending on what performance 

measures are being used by the applicant. You can refer to the performance measure instructions for 

more information about how economically disadvantaged participants/recipients are defined in different 

contexts. But county level economic data could be a useful reference to assess and describe the 

community/ies being served by a proposed project.

G44. Are the National Performance Measure instructions going to change from FY 2013 or not? 

How do we get a copy of the 2014 PM instructions? [updated 11/18/2013]

The 2014 National Performance Measure Instructions are available on the NOFO page: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/fundingopportunities/2014/americorps-state-and-national-grants-fy-2014
Page 32 of 39

G45. Under the Theory of Change and Logic Model instructions, there are a set of bullet points. The 

text above the narrative indicates those bullets should be answered in the logic model matrix. The 

items asked in the bullets are not what is asked in the matrix - the bullets are much more 

information. Can you please clarify? [added 11/8/2013]

The bullet points are intended to provide guidance to applicants on what information should be 

entered in the logic model. The headings at the top of each column in the logic model matrix 

provide additional guidance, although, as you noted, the text in the column headings is not as 

detailed as the text in the bullet points. Please use the guidance provided in the bullet points plus 

the guidance provided in the column headings to fill out the logic model matrix.

G46. An FAQ answer states “you should only select performance measures for a particular activity if 

it can be considered a significant program activity/aspect of your program design.” If my 

program will have about 40% effort in a Tier II National PM, does the program need to have a 

second PM to account for the other 60% effort? [added 11/8/2013]

“Significant” in this context refers not necessarily to the number of MSY devoted to a particular 

activity but to how important the activity is to a program’s theory of change or project design. This 

may or may not be directly correlated with the number of MSY assigned to that activity. In the 

example you provided, you may certainly choose a second PM to account for members’ effort 

beyond the 40% captured in the Tier II National PM. While some programs use only one aligned 

performance measure (only one is required), other programs may use two or more. However, it 

isn’t necessary to include the full 100% of your MSYs under performance measures.

G47. Can we reformat the logic model chart and how long can it be? [updated 11/15/2013]

We want all charts to be in the same format (like the chart in the NOFO) although the size of the 

columns can change. The final chart should be landscape orientation, with a font size not smaller 

than 10 points, and not exceed 2 single-sided pages when printed. These two pages do not count 

toward the overall proposal page limit.

G48. Which grant applicants need to use the new Performance Measures module when developing 

their application? [added 11/8/2013]

All applicants need to use the new Performance Measures module in their application submission.

G49. Is a logic model necessary for each performance measure? [added 11/8/2013]

No, only one logic model should be submitted for each application. The logic model should reflect 

the Theory of Change for the application as a whole.

G50. What age group is considered disadvantaged youth, according to AmeriCorps? [updated 

11/22/2013]

“Disadvantaged youth” is defined in the National Performance Measure instructions for 

performance measure ED4A 

(http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/upload/ACSN_2014_PM_Instructions.pdf) as 

follows:
Page 33 of 39

Disadvantaged youth: “includes those youth who are economically disadvantaged and 1 or more 

of the following: (A) Who are out-of-school youth, including out-of-school youth who are 

unemployed. (B) Who are in or aging out of foster care. (C) Who have limited English proficiency. 

(D) Who are homeless or who have run away from home. (E) Who are at-risk to leave secondary 

school without a diploma. (F) Who are former juvenile offenders or at risk of delinquency. (G) Who 

are individuals with disabilities.” (from SAA) It is the grantee’s responsibility to ensure the 

beneficiaries of service meet the eligibility requirements provided in the definition. 

Economically disadvantaged: eligible for free (at or below 130% of poverty) or reduced (between 

130% to 185% of poverty) lunch; may or may not actually be accessing free/reduced lunch. See: 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/ChildNutrition/lunch.htm

“Opportunity Youth” is defined in the NOFO as “economically disadvantaged individuals age 16-24 

who are disconnected from school or work for at least six months prior to service.” Opportunity 

youth are a sub-set of individuals who might be a good fit for the member outcomes performance 

measures. The definition for Tier I qualification related to opportunity youth is narrower than the

definition for economically disadvantaged National Service Participants in the O12 performance 

measure instructions. If your program engages opportunity youth and you would like your 

application to be considered in Tier I, the “at least 30% of the total MSY” allocated to the eligible 

performance measures must meet the narrower definition provided on p. 34 of the NOFO.

G51. Can our members be considered economically disadvantaged members who will receive 

financial literacy services? [added 11/18/2013]

Economically disadvantaged National Service Participants (i.e. AmeriCorps members) are defined 

in the National Performance Measure Instructions for performance measure O12 

(http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/nofa/13_1031_2013_NOFO_PM_Instructions_

ECONOMIC_OPPORTUNITY.pdf) as follows:

Economically disadvantaged National Service Participants: Current National Service 

Participants who are receiving or meet the income eligibility requirements to receive: TANF, Food 

Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SCHIP, Section 8 housing assistance. 

However, the economically disadvantaged individuals counted under performance measure O1 and 

O9 as receiving financial literacy services should be service recipients/beneficiaries, not National 

Service Participants. AmeriCorps members may be counted under measures O12-O17.

G52. Do all members have to work on the exact same activities or can the activities differ slightly, if 

they are all working toward the same performance measure targets? [added 11/18/2013]

As long as the activities in which the AmeriCorps members engage are consistent with your 

program’s Theory of Change and align with the performance measure instructions for the National 

Performance Measures you wish to use, the activities do not have to be exactly the same for all 

members.
Page 34 of 39

G53. As stated in the NOFO, in order to be considered for Tier I status, CNCS expects at least 30% of 

the MSYs be in the complementary program measures or priority measures. Does this mean total 

MSYs for the overall application or the total MSYs in the complementary/priority measure(s)? 

[added 11/18/2013]

Tiers apply to the application as a whole; therefore, the concentration of at least 30% MSY in the 

Tier 1 measure would apply to the application as a whole. Please note that Tier 1 Education and 

VetSuccess AmeriCorps program models have different MSY allocation requirements.

G54. Please clarify the following sentence describing qualifications for Tier II (on p. 11): “Have less 

than 30% or more of their MSYs in those performance measures.” Is it less than 30% or more than

30%? [added 11/22/2013]

If you are using the following measures, the threshold for MSY allocation for Tier II is less than 

30%: 

- Priority Measures in Veterans and Military Families, or 

- Priority Measures in Disaster Services, or 

- Complementary Program Measures in Economic Opportunity (O1, O2, O3, O9, O10, 012, 

O14, O15, O17) 

Applicants in these categories with 30% or more MSY would be considered in Tier I. 

G55. Is there a guide that we can print out that defines interventions listed under each performance 

measurement objective? [added 12/6/2013]

We do not have a list of interventions or a guide that describes them, as they are fairly generic 

under each objective, such as “training,” “tutoring,” etc. If the applicant does not see an intervention 

that describes their activity, they can always select “other.” You can also go to the web page for the 

eGrants Performance Measures tutorial located here: 

https://www.nationalserviceresources.gov/online-courses/egrants-performance-measuremodule-for-americorps and select the “National Performance Measures Chart” link. This shows 

which objectives and performance measures are linked in eGrants.

G56. How do I enter MSYs in the performance measures section of the application? [added 

1/11/2014]

The performance measures module collects information about MSYs in two locations: the MSY tab 

and within each performance measure. 

MSY Tab

The MSY tab is intended to show how program resources are allocated to activities that serve 

program beneficiaries. The total number of MSYs entered on this tab must equal the number of 

MSYs requested in the budget. For each strategic plan objective selected, except the “Find 

Opportunity” objective and the “Teacher Corps” objective, enter the number of MSYs that will be 

allocated toward activities that address the objective.

The Find Opportunity objective addresses member development activities and is connected to 

national performance measures for member development. If you have selected Find Opportunity, 

enter .01 MSYs for this objective on the MSY tab and allocate your remaining MSYs to the other 

objectives you selected.
Page 35 of 39

For Teacher Corps programs using ED15 to measure beneficiary outcomes under the Teacher Corps 

objective, enter the number of MSYs that will be allocated to meeting the outcomes of ED15 for the 

Teacher Corps objective and allocate any remaining MSYs to other objectives you may have 

selected.

For Teacher Corps programs measuring beneficiary outcomes in other focus areas, such as K-12 

success, enter .01 MSYs for the Teacher Corps objective on the MSY tab and allocate your remaining 

MSYs to the other objectives you selected.

Performance Measures

MSYs entered at the performance measure level show the proportion of program resources 

allocated to achieving the outcomes of the performance measure. 

MSYs may not be allocated to member development performance measures. Information about 

MSYs allocated to member development activities is collected in the demographics section of the 

application.

MSYs should not be allocated to Teacher Corps performance measures unless the measure contains 

a beneficiary outcome. If the measure does not contain a beneficiary outcome, enter .01 in the 

performance measure. If the measure contains a beneficiary outcome, enter the number of MSYs 

that will be allocated toward achieving this outcome.

G57. Does the ED5 measure apply to adult education? [added 1/11/2014]

Education measures are for K-12, not adult education. Adult education is addressed by Opportunity 

measures.

G58. What is the definition of "National Service Participant" for O13 and O16? [added 1/11/2014]

National Service Participant refers to the AmeriCorps members themselves. Because these 

measures apply to the members, programs that select them must also select additional 

performance measures that measure community impact. If a performance measure does not state 

that it is for national service participants, it refers to the beneficiary population being served by the 

AmeriCorps members (community impact).

H. Budget/ Match Requirements

H1. Are there any sample budgets available from successful programs that we could review?

CNCS does not provide sample budgets, but the Knowledge Network website has resources on how 

to put together a budget: http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/

H2. We have a State program which has operated as an education award only program. They are 

recompeting and applying as a cost reimbursement AmeriCorps program. Are they considered a 

‘new’ program under the competitive application process and start at the 24% match level? 

Since Match Requirements do not apply to EAP’s, the match schedule for a program that was EAP 

would start anew, at the 24% rate. 
Page 36 of 39

H3. Do we enter a three-year budget?

Submit the budget only for the first year of the project. Unless otherwise specified, the grant 

generally covers a three-year project period. In approving a multi-year project period, CNCS 

generally makes an initial award for the first year of operation.

H4. If an organization is awarded funding through AmeriCorps, is it possible to increase the funding 

request when you re-apply in years 2 and 3? If so, is it common practice for organizations to do so, 

or would this be out of the ordinary?

Currently funded grantees may request additional funds or positions in Continuation applications 

for years 2 and/or 3. This is not out of the ordinary. The additional funding is subject to many 

factors including grantee performance, AmeriCorps funding, funding priorities, and funding 

decisions on New and Recompete applicants.

H5. If budget explanations are now to be part of the budget narrative rather than the proposal, will 

there be ample space to provide complicated explanations?

The character limits in the budget narrative will not change. If you cannot provide enough 

information to explain a line item, you may include additional explanation in the proposal narrative 

as part of the 15 page limit. If you received clarification on an item in a previous funding round, it 

will likely be clarified again unless you can provide the additional information in the budget 

narrative.

H6. Can the grant funds be used for any programming or must the program designed include the use 

of AmeriCorps members?

As an applicant, you would propose a program that addresses a local community need. You would 

document that need, propose the intervention (service activities) that AmeriCorps members would 

engage in to address that need and describe the outcomes you expect the program to make that 

would demonstrate a measurable impact on the need. The only way AmeriCorps State and National 

would award a grant that does not include the use of AmeriCorps members, would be if we 

awarded you a planning grant. 

H7. Do all grants have to have a cash and in-kind match? If so, does the entire cash amount given 

through the grant have to be matched in full? [added 11/4/2013]

Match requirements, required for cost reimbursement grants, can be met by cash or in-kind 

sources. The acceptable sources of matching funds are federal, state, local, private sector, and/or 

other funds in accordance with applicable AmeriCorps requirements. If you are applying for the 

first time, you must match with cash or in-kind contributions at least 24% of the project’s total 

Operating Costs (Section I) plus Member Costs (Section II) plus Administrative Costs (Section III). If 

you are recompeting, please see the match schedule below.

AmeriCorps Funding Year 1, 2, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+

Grantee Share Requirements 24% 26% 30% 34% 38% 42% 46% 50%
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H8. How do we determine our budget? How much/ what percentage of the grantee match must be 

cash? What is the match requirement for living allowance? [added 11/18/2013]

The budget should be determined by you based on your organization’s needs/resources and the 

structure of your proposed program. There is no required percentage for the portion of grantee 

match that must be cash. There is also no specific match requirement for living allowance; it may 

be covered by CNCS funds, non-federal cash match, or a combination of both.

H9. Are the members on our payroll (with taxes and other deductions) or on your payroll? [added 

11/18/2013]

When you apply for an AmeriCorps grant, your proposed grant budget must include a living 

allowance for full-time members that is between $12,100 (minimum) and $24,200 (maximum) per 

member. The living allowance may be supported by the federal share of the budget, by matching 

funds, or by a combination of both. The grantee must pay FICA for any member receiving a living 

allowance and must withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from the member’s living 

allowance. The grantee must also withhold Federal personal income taxes from member living 

allowances, requiring each member to complete a W-4 form at the beginning of the term of service 

and providing a W-2 form at the close of the tax year. The grantee must comply with any applicable 

state or local tax requirements.

H10. We noted that sponsors should provide health benefits to those members serving a 1700-hour 

full-time term who are not otherwise covered by a healthcare policy at the time each begins 

his/her term of service. Is this requirement in any way negotiable? [added 11/18/2013]

Except for Education Award Program (EAP) grants, AmeriCorps programs must provide health care 

coverage to all full-time members who do not have adequate health care coverage at the time of 

enrollment or who lose coverage due to participation in the project. In addition, projects must 

provide coverage if a full-time member loses coverage during the term of service through no 

deliberate act of his/her own. The requirement to offer or make available health care benefits to 

full-time AmeriCorps members is not negotiable.

H11. What is the difference between a member living allowance and an employee salary/wage if 

both require FICA and tax payments? [added 11/18/2013]

The living allowance is paid by the grantee using federal grant funds, matching funds, or a 

combination of both. Unlike a wage, an AmeriCorps living allowance is paid in regular increments 

throughout the service term regardless of the number of hours served during a pay period. You 

also may find the opinion letter from the Department of Labor informative in relation to this 

question. It can be found on the CNCS Office of General Counsel resource page: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/guidance-from-office-generalcounsel. 

H12. Are Tribal applicants exempt from budgeting for healthcare for members if members already 

receive coverage through the Indian Health Service facilities? [added 12/6/2013]

Tribal applicants are not exempt from providing healthcare to full-time members or those serving 

in full-time capacity who do not have health care coverage. If your members already receive 

coverage through the Indian Health Service facilities, you can note that in the application. However, 
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your program must also have a plan and a budget for providing coverage for individuals who may 

not have coverage through this or other sources.

H13. What is the impact on the living allowance for residential programs, or programs that provide 

housing? [added 12/18/2013]

Residential programs, or programs that otherwise provide housing, should ensure that the living 

allowance that they are providing, in addition to the value of the housing, does not equal more than 

the maximum living allowance.

I. Evaluation Requirements 

I1. What are evaluation requirements for 2014 application? 

See evaluation FAQs

http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/page/ACSN_Evaluation_FAQs_FINAL_7_17_13.

pdf

I2. How should evaluation reports be submitted to CNCS? [added 11/22/2013]

Evaluation reports should be sent to americorpsgrants@cns.gov with an email subject that includes 

your organization’s name and Application ID number.

J. Sampling

J1. Under what circumstances is it ok for grantees to use sampling? 

In performance measurement, sampling presents a tradeoff because it does not allow us to count all 

of the individuals who demonstrated the desired change (outcome) we are trying to measure. 

Methodologically speaking, sampling is appropriate 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.

J2. When would CNCS not allow sampling? 

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

whole population. CNCS 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.

J3. How does a grantee set targets and outputs 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 
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200 children. Of these, 180 students (90%) demonstrate the desired change. In this case, the 

program could report an extrapolated outcome of 900 students.

J4. If an existing program has not been sampling, can it switch to sampling now? 

We 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. If a program is currently collecting data from the whole 

population, they would need to make a compelling case for why they can no longer do so.