AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) 94.002

 

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides grants that support volunteers 55 years and older serving in a diverse range of activities that meet specific community needs and respond to the National Performance Measures.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
94.002
Federal Agency/Office
Corporation For National and Community Service
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Currently in FY 2016, we competed the last batch of RSVP grants for renewals. There were 16 awarded applications in the 2016 RSVP Limited Geographical Area Competition. The pool for this competition was smaller due to the small number of grants that were being renewed. Additional data for volunteers, volunteer hours, and number of organizations nationwide are not yet available. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced more that $870,000 in Senior Corps RSVP funding to support senior volunteer service at 16 community nonprofits and organizations across the country. These RSVP projects will leverage the experience and skills of more than 3,000 Senior Corps RSVP volunteers who will serve in schools, disaster response initiatives, veteran's organizations, and other areas. There were 23 funding opportunities (geographic service areas) open for the 2017 RSVP Limited Geographic Area Competition. Nineteen applications were reviewed for 17 funding opportunities. A total of 16 applications were awarded for funding. In FY 2016, the entire RSVP portfolio had more than 208,000 Senior Corps RSVP volunteers serving over 46 million hours across 627 federally-funded RSVP projects.
Fiscal Year 2017 The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) awarded $5 million for the 2017 RSVP Expansion Competition for 50 grants. The award amount varied, as determined by the scope of the RSVP project. The minimum RSVP grant award was $75,000.
Fiscal Year 2018 No Current Data Available
Fiscal Year 2022 Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is one of the largest older adult volunteer programs in the nation, engaging older Americans in addressing a wide range of community needs. AmeriCorps Seniors’ volunteers in the RSVP program address food security, recruit and manage other volunteers, mentor and tutor children, support workforce and job readiness skill development, provide disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance, and serve veterans and military families, among other community needs. In FY 2022, the RSVP program reported 116,372 total volunteers whose service included mentoring 44,386 children, serving 89,963 veterans through a variety of services, providing respite care for 4,033 caregivers, and providing support to 215,840 seniors enabling them to live independent.
Authorization
Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended, Title 2, Part A, Section 201, Public Law 93-113, 42 U.S.C. 5001, Statute 45 CFR Part 2553,
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, Public Law 111-13
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
See the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individuals who serve as RSVP volunteers must be age 55 and older who are willing to volunteer on a regular basis by serving in a diverse range of activities that meet specific community needs. See the program's Notice of Federal Funding for additional information.
Credentials/Documentation
Various records and forms required for first time applicants, as well as a copy of the applicant's last audit, may be requested. First time applicants must certify financial systems. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E- Cost Principles applies to this program. Please see program's Notice of Funding for specific requirements.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity and application instructions for information on award procedures.
Award Procedure
See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity and application instructions for information on award procedures.
Deadlines
Notice of Funding Opportunities, with important dates and deadlines, are listed here: https://americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
More than 180 days. See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
From 120 to 180 days. From 120 to 180 days. See program's Invitation to Apply or Continuation and Renewals Funding Notice.
How are proposals selected?
Proposal selection criteria are described in the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity or Invitation to Apply.
How may assistance be used?
Volunteers are not to supplant hiring, displace employed workers, or impair existing contracts for service. No agency supervising volunteers may request or receive compensation for services of the volunteers. Volunteers may not be involved in and funds may not be used for religious activities, labor or anti-labor organizations, lobbying, or partisan or non-partisan political activities. Grants may be used for staff salaries and fringe benefits, staff travel, equipment, and related expenses, and for volunteer out-of- pocket expenses, primarily for transportation. In addition, eligible agencies or organizations may, with a Notice of Grant Award from AmeriCorps, receive technical assistance and materials to aid in establishing and operating non-AmeriCorps funded RSVP projects using local funds. Refer to the program's Notice of Federal Funding for additional information for uses and restrictions including the prohibited activities.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: AmeriCorps and its grant recipients are required to practice risk-based monitoring and routine field and desk-based oversight of all grant awards and expenditures.
Auditing
AmeriCorps grants are subject to audit by AmeriCorps employees, the AmeriCorps Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office, and auditors contracted by AmeriCorps.
Records
Grant recipients must maintain all grant financial and program records for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final Federal Financial Report for the award. This includes but is not limited to all financial records including receipts, disbursements, and vouchers for federal and non-federal costs; time cards, copies of all contracts, personnel records, and job descriptions; program execution and performance records, criminal history checks, and similar records to reflect all activities and spending performed under the award. Note that all individuals receiving a salary, living allowance, stipend, National Trust Education Award or similar compensation through a national service program funded by AmeriCorps must first clear a National Service Criminal History Check and those check records must be maintained within grant records.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. Matching Requirements: The RSVP sponsor is required to match funds in part for their projects through local, non-federal contributions. The required local contribution in Year 1 of the grant is at least 10 percent of the total project budget. The required portion is at least 20 percent in Year 2, and at least 30 percent in Year 3 and subsequent years, if the grant is renewed beyond three years.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is usually awarded for project periods of three or more years; funding must be obligated during the award project period and liquidated by the end of the closeout period. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
AmeriCorps maintains regional offices. Refer to the AmeriCorps website for address and contact information: https://americorps.gov/contact. Notice of Funding Opportunities are listed here: https://americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities
Headquarters Office
Linda Cook
250 E Street, SW
Washington , DC 20525 US
lcook@cns.gov
Phone: 202-606-6961
Website Address
https://americorps.gov/partner/how-it-works/americorps-seniors-rsvp
Financial Information
Account Identification
95-2728-1-2-000
Obligations
(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$54,298,139.00; FY 23 est $40,863,803.00; FY 24 est $40,863,804.00; FY 21$57,067,587.00; FY 20$47,371,556.00; FY 19$47,975,481.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The range of financial assistance ranges from $0 to $728,668. The average amount of financial assistance requested is $80,239.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity or Invitation to Apply for specific regulations and guidelines.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.