Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
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
Authorization
Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended, Title 2, Part A, Section 201, Public Law 93-113, 42 U.S.C. 5001
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
See the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Persons 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. Please program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.
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
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
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. See program's Invitation to Apply.
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 the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), receive technical assistance and materials to aid in establishing and operating non-CNCS 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: The Corporation for National and Community Service 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
Corporation for National and Community Services grants are subject to audit by Corporation for National and Community Service employees, the CNCS Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office, and auditors contracted by CNCS.
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 the Corporation for National and Community Service 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. 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
CNCS maintains state offices in most States. Refer to the CNCS website for address and contact information: https://www.nationalservice.gov/about/contact-us/state-offices.
Headquarters Office
Courtney Sutton
Corporation for National and Community Service Senior Corps - RSVP 250 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20525 USA
csutton@cns.gov
Phone: (202) 606-6773
Website Address
https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps
Financial Information
Account Identification
95-2728-1-2-000
Obligations
(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 18$46,425,049.00; FY 19 est $48,557,281.00; FY 20 Estimate Not Available FY 17$46,508,000.00; FY 16$47,854,586.00; -
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.