Corportation for National and Community Service

"Next Generation Grants"

The Corporation for National and Community Service has announces the availability of approximately $4,000,000 to award Next Generation Grants to eligible nonprofit organizations. The purpose of these grants is to foster the next generation of national service organizations by providing seed money to help new and start-up organizations, and established organizations proposing new projects or programs, plan and implement new service programs that have the potential of becoming national in scope.

These grants will fund innovative strategies to effectively engage volunteers in service, which result in measurable outcomes to beneficiaries and participants. We are seeking innovative models that fall under at least one of three service areas: Programs that engage individuals in an intensive commitment to service in communities (defined as serving at least 40 hours per week); volunteer programs for seniors (age 55+); and programs that connect service with education.

      Organizations may focus on various issue areas including, but not limited to: Education, environment, health and human services, homeland security, public safety, or other critical areas.

     Eligible applicants for this funding are nonprofit charitable organizations, such as public charities, community organizations (faith-based and secular), private foundations, and individual schools.

      Applicants other than individual schools generally will have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less. We encourage submissions from community organizations (faith-based and secular) and from organizations with little or no experience with federal grants, where our investment could dramatically increase community involvement in service.

      Applicants cannot have received a previous grant award from the Corporation. Applicants must also be able to develop programs that have the potential for becoming national in scope, or provide a compelling statement that the model could be replicated in other locations.

      The Corporation must receive the concept paper, budget, IRS form 990, and a completed Survey Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants by 5 p.m. e.s.t. on November 17, 2003. The Corporation will not consider concept papers, budgets, survey's, or IRS form 990's received after this date.

      Application requirements / additional background at http://www.cns.gov/whatshot/notices.html. Any future updates, and additional guidance on 2004 living allowance parameters, will also be posted at the Corporation's Web site.