[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15133-15136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6987]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Availability of Funds for AmeriCorps*VISTA Grants Nationwide

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter ``the Corporation'') announces the availability of funds 
for fiscal year 2000, for new AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service 
to America) program grants throughout the United States, the District 
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Project applications 
will be written to cover a 12-month period and grants will be awarded 
for a 12-month period with a renewal option. As part of this effort, 
the Corporation is soliciting applications from public or private non-
profit organizations, including current AmeriCorps*VISTA project 
sponsors. Approximately 10 to 12 grants are expected to be awarded in 
summer 2000, subject to the availability of FY 2000 funding.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Application instructions and kits are available from the 
Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps*VISTA, 1201 
New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20525, (202) 606-5000, ext. 134; 
TDD (202) 565-2799, or TTY via the Federal Information Relay Service at 
(800) 877-8339. Five original signature copies of the application 
should be submitted to the Corporation for National and Community 
Service, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Room 9207, Attn: Matt Dunne, 
Director, AmeriCorps*VISTA, Washington, DC, 20525. The Corporation will 
not accept applications that are submitted via facsimile or e-mail 
transmission. Applications submitted via overnight mail that arrive 
after the closing date will be accepted if they are postmarked at least 
two days prior to the closing date. Otherwise, late applications will 
not be accepted.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact 
AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters, in Washington, DC, at (202) 606-5000, 
ext. 134.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

A. Background

    AmeriCorps*VISTA is authorized under the Domestic Volunteer Service 
Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. 93-113). The statutory mandate of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA is ``to strengthen and supplement efforts to eliminate 
and alleviate poverty and poverty-related problems in the United States 
by encouraging and enbling persons from all walks of life, all 
geographical areas, and all age groups * * * (to) assist in the 
solution of poverty and poverty-related problems, and * * * to generate 
the commitment of private sector resources, to encourage volunteer 
service at the local level, and to strengthen local agencies and 
organizations to carry out the purpose (of the program).'' (42 U.S.C. 
4951) AmeriCorps*VISTA carries out its legislative mandate by assigning 
individuals 18 years and older, on a full-time, year-long basis, to 
public and private non-profit organizations whose goals are in accord 
with AmeriCorps*VISTA's legislative mission. Each AmeriCorps*VISTA 
project must focus on the mobilization of community resources, the 
transference of skills to community residents, and the expansion of the 
capacity of community-based organizations to solve local problems. 
Programming should encourage permanent, long-term solutions to problems 
confronting low-income communities rather than short-term approaches 
for handling emergency needs.
    AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors must actively elicit the support 
and/or participation of local public and private sector elements in 
order to enhance the chances of a project's success as well as to make 
the activities undertaken by AmeriCorps*VISTA members self-sustaining 
when the Corporation no longer provides resources.

B. Purpose of This Announcement

    This is a nationwide effort to create and expand opportunities for 
low-income individuals in one of the following areas: (1) Technology 
assistance to community based and school based learning centers; (2) 
Welfare to work initiatives including job creation, micro-business 
enterprise, business training and assistance to public assistance 
recipients who are starting new businesses to work in these areas; and 
(3) Literacy, after-school and summer reading programs for youth.

AmeriCorps*VISTA Projects in These Initiatives will Focus On

    1. National, local, state or multi-state organizations working in 
conjunction with local affiliates that share a vision of promoting 
economic self-sufficiency; or literacy, afterschool and summer reading 
programs for youth; or technology assistance with communities and/or 
schools.
    2. Promotion of partnerships and collaboration between the public 
and private sectors including businesses, community-based 
organizations; faith-based organizations and other service programs;
    3. Recruitment, training, and coordination of local volunteers;
    4. Mobilization of resources needed to support the project; and
    5. Development of a sustainable capacity in local communities.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants for AmeriCorps*VISTA program grants supporting 
these initiatives must be public or private non-profit organizations: 
regional or national non-profit organizations, tribal or territorial 
governments, or organizations representing tribal populations. Current 
AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsoring organizations may apply without affecting 
the status of their existing projects.

D. Scope of Grant

    Each grant budget will support a minimum of 15 AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members on a full-time basis for one year of service. The average 
Federal cost of an AmeriCorps*VISTA service year, i.e., total Federal 
cost divided by total number of members, will range from approximately 
$11,000 to $13,000 in the continental United States depending upon the 
location of the assignment(s). (Higher rates apply in Alaska and 
Hawaii.) Specific budget guidance is available in the project 
application kit; average allowance costs contained in the instructions 
should be used to prepare the budget submission.
    Each grant will include funds for the grantee to pay: a monthly 
subsistence allowance for AmeriCorps*VISTA members that is commensurate 
with the cost-of-living of the assignment area and covers the cost of 
food, housing, utilities, and incidental expenses; an end-of-service 
cash stipend payment, accrued at the rate of $100 per month, for those 
members not selecting the AmeriCorps education award; and relocation 
expenses for those AmeriCorps*VISTA members who must relocate in order 
to serve. The grant will also include funds for member in-service 
training, member supervision, and member/supervisor job-related 
transportation.
    The following costs will be covered by the Corporation: an 
AmeriCorps education award in the amount of $4725 for AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members who complete their year of service and do not elect the 
stipend, health support for all AmeriCorps*VISTA members; a child care 
allowance for eligible AmeriCorps*VISTA members; travel from home of 
record to training to assignment for all AmeriCorps*VISTA members as 
well as travel home at the end of service.
    Grant applicants should demonstrate their commitment to matching 
the Federal contribution toward the operation of the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
program grant by offsetting all, or part of, the costs of member 
supervision, transportation, and training, as well as the basic costs 
of the program itself (e.g., space, telephone, etc.). This support can 
be achieved through cash or in-kind contributions.
    Grants will be awarded on a 12-month basis with a renewal option 
subject to need, satisfactory performance, and the availability of 
Corporation resources. Publication of this announcement does not 
obligate the Corporation to award any specific number of grants or to 
obligate the entire amount of funds available, or any part thereof, for 
grants under the AmeriCorps*VISTA program.

E. Responsibilities of the Grantee

    The applicant organization must demonstrate a strong institutional 
commitment of personnel, resources, training and technical expertise. 
Applicant organizations must develop a strong and well-coordinated 
multi-site or single site project rather than loosely tying together 
several unrelated local programs.
    The applicant organization will have several crucial roles and 
responsibilities in operating an AmeriCorps*VISTA project. All 
applicant organizations must: identify local sites and assist them with 
preparation of Part A of the Project Application (CNS Form 1421A) (OMB 
Control Number 3045-0038), provide on-going monitoring, training, 
technical assistance, and support to local sites, assist in member 
recruitment, and work with sites to develop long-term sustainability 
plans.
    After selection, the grantees will be advised by the Corporation of 
specific requirements related to the AmeriCorps*VISTA project, 
including the submission of Project Progress

[[Page 15135]]

Reports (CNS Form 1433) (OMB Control Number 3045-0043), to the 
Americorps*VISTA project manager and assistance in the design and 
delivery of training. The Corporation State Office works with the local 
project affiliates to develop Part B (CNS Form 1421B) (OMB Control 
Number 3045-0038), of the project application and to provide in-service 
training and technical assistance for the members. The Corporation 
State Office also provides training to AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisors 
through periodic site visits and meetings with supervisors. A Project 
Progress Report is submitted by each local affiliate to the Corporation 
State Office on a quarterly basis.

F. Submission Requirements

    To be considered for funding, applicants must submit five copies, 
with original signatures on items 2 and 3, of the following:
    1. A one-page narrative summary description, single-spaced, single-
sided in 10-12 point, of the proposed AmeriCorps*VISTA project 
including the name, address, telephone number, and contact person for 
the applicant organization as shown on the SF 424. The summary should 
include the major objectives and expected outcomes of the project. The 
summary will be used as a project abstract to provide reviewers with an 
introduction to the substantive parts of the application. Therefore, 
care should be taken to produce a summary which accurately and 
concisely reflects the proposal.
    2. Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424, with a detailed 
narrative budget justification.
    3. AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Application, Form 1421, Parts A and B. 
All project information must be contained in the space provided on the 
application form except where additional sheets may be submitted for 
the Project Work Plan and/or Member Assignment Description(s).
    4. Current resume of potential AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisor(s), if 
available, or resume of the director of the applicant organization.
    5. List of members of the Board of Directors including their 
professional affiliations and/or program-related activities.
    6. Organizational chart illustrating the location of the 
AmeriCorps*VISTA project within the overall applicant organization.
    7. Letters of support must be provided from outside organizations 
that will be collaborating in the overall project effort. Letters 
should reflect knowledge and endorsement of the specific objectives of 
the project, as well as any commitment of resources to the project if 
applicable.
    8. For each local site that will be hosting AmeriCorps*VISTA 
member(s), Part A of the application must be included. No other 
documents pertaining to the local sites should be attached.

National Applicant Organizations Must Also Submit One Copy of the 
Following

    1. Current Articles of Incorporation.
    2. Proof of non-profit status, or an application for non-profit 
status and related documentation.
    3. CPA certification of accounting capability.
    4. A copy of most recent annual report, if available.
    5. No additional attachments are to be included. Such attachments 
will not be read or given to reviewers.

G. Criteria for AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Selection

    All of the following elements must be incorporated in the 
applicant's submission:

I. Program Design

a. Getting Things Done
    The proposed project must:
    1. Address the needs of low-income communities and otherwise comply 
with the provisions of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as 
amended, (42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.) applicable to AmeriCorps*VISTA, and 
all applicable published regulations, guidelines, and Corporation 
policies.
    2. Be internally consistent, i.e., the problem statement that 
demonstrates need, the project work plan, the AmeriCorps*VISTA member 
assignment description, and all other components must be related 
logically to each other.
    3. Contain clear and measurable objectives/outcomes in the project 
application for a 12-month period that address the overall objectives 
of the initiative. Proposed projects must show how the activities of 
the AmeriCorps*VISTA members contribute to specific outcomes related to 
increased economic opportunity for low-income people. It is expected 
that outcome objectives will reflect the evolution of the project over 
the 12-month period.
    4. Include activities and mechanisms that provide for the 
involvement of beneficiaries of the project.
    5. Indicate how the proposed project complements and/or enhances 
activities already underway in, or planned for, the community(ies) 
which will be served by the project. To the extent possible, projects 
should seek out opportunities to collaborate with other Corporation 
programs, as well as with other community partners, including the 
business sector.
    6. Describe how the number of AmeriCorps*VISTA members requested is 
appropriate for the project goals/objectives, and how the skills 
requested are appropriate for the assignment(s).
b. Strengthening Communities
    The proposed project must:
    1. Describe how the project will develop a sustainable capacity in 
the local community to effectively foster the long-term self-
sufficiency of the community. Project services should provide 
assistance oriented towards long-term solutions.
    2. Demonstrate collaboration with organizations which provide 
supportive services to enhance job creation and community development.
    3. Be designed to generate public and/or private sector resources, 
and to promote local, part-time volunteer service at the community 
level.
    4. Describe in measurable terms the anticipated self-sufficiency 
outcomes at the conclusion of the project, including outcomes related 
to the sustainability of the project activities.
c. Member Development
    The proposed project must:
    1. Clearly state how AmeriCorps*VISTA members will be trained, 
supervised, and supported to ensure the achievement of program goals 
and objectives as stated in the project work plan.
    2. Describe how AmeriCorps*VISTA assignments are designed to 
utilize the full-time AmeriCorps*VISTA member's time to the maximum 
extent.

II. Organizational Capacity

    The proposed project must:
    1. Ensure that resources needed to achieve project goals and 
objectives are available.
    2. Have the management and technical capability to implement the 
project successfully.
    3. Have a track record or experience in dealing with the issues 
addressed by the proposed project.
    4. Have systems for the evaluation and monitoring of project 
activities. Applicants must describe the methods that will be used to 
track progress toward the stated objectives, and the procedures that 
will provide the feedback needed to make adjustments and improve 
program quality. Projects must also be prepared to cooperate with the 
Corporation for National Service and its evaluation partners in all 
Corporation monitoring and evaluation efforts.

[[Page 15136]]

III. Budget/Cost-Effectiveness:

    The proposed project must:
    1. Include a budget that adequately supports the program design.
    2. Include a budget that adheres to budget guidance provided with 
the application.
    3. Describe how the applicant organization is committing resources 
necessary for program implementation.

H. Application Review

Proposal Evaluation

    To ensure fairness to all applicants, the Corporation reserves the 
right to take action, up to and including disqualification, in the 
event that a proposal fails to comply with any requirements specified 
in this Notice.
    1. Program Design (60% as described below):
    The project application allows the Corporation to assess the 
capacity of the applicant organization to implement the project and 
accomplish the purpose of the initiative. The overall quality of the 
application will be evaluated as follows:
    a. Responsiveness to Getting Things Done Criteria (25%).
    b. Responsiveness to Strengthening Communities Criteria (30%).
    c. Responsiveness to Member Development Criteria (5%).
    2. Organizational Capacity (25%):
    The applicant organization's capacity to direct, manage, support, 
provide technical assistance, assess the project, and promote long-term 
implementation of the project's efforts, must be reflected in the 
Project Application.
    3. Budget (15%):
    Applicants must prepare the budget according to information 
contained in Item D, Scope of Grant, above, and instructions about 
costs and allowance levels contained in the application kit. A detailed 
Budget Narrative must identify and justify each line item and cost. The 
Corporation will assess the cost-effectiveness of the proposed project 
and the project's ability to leverage significant resources from 
private and/or public sources.

I. Geographic Diversity

    After evaluating the overall quality of the proposal and its 
responsiveness to the criteria noted above, the Corporation will take 
into consideration whether funded projects are: (1) geographically 
diverse, including projects in both urban and rural areas, and projects 
are identified throughout the five geographical regions as designated 
by CNS, and (2) in areas of high concentration of low-income residents, 
including those in empowerment zones, enterprise communities and 
homeownership zones.

J. Program Authority

    Corporation Authority to make these grants is authorized under 
Title I, Part A of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as 
amended (Pub. L. 93-113).

    Dated: March 16, 2000.
Matt Dunne,
Director, AmeriCorps*VISTA.
[FR Doc. 00-6987 Filed 3-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-U