Volunteer Organization Capacity Building

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For more than a decade the Corporation—through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve programs—has worked to mobilize new generations of engaged citizens. In 2008, more than 3.8 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will work through Corporation-supported programs to help thousands of national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies to meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. The Corporation anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $5,000,000 to a national organization to develop and execute a plan to support and build the capacity of local Volunteer Connector Organizations. These organizations connect individuals with volunteer opportunities and support organizations and professional volunteer coordinators in effectively using those volunteers to create meaningful change in local communities. Activities that will be funded through this competition include, among other activities, those previously supported through a partnership grant. As part of the Corporation’s fiscal year 2008 budget Congress appropriated sufficient funds to support first year funding for a competitively awarded grant that would include funding for activities carried out under the previous partnership. The Corporation is looking forward to establishing a strong partnership with an organization committed to advancing the volunteer sector through dynamic leadership and high-quality programming. Additional grant competitions under Subtitle H to support youth programming and better linking of schools to community resources will be announced later in FY 2008. The successful applicant will, in conjunction with the Corporation, provide financial resources, training, and other assistance to local affiliates/organizations that match individuals with appropriate service opportunities. The applicant will train professional volunteer managers and other nonprofits to deepen the engagement and increase the effectiveness of their volunteers. The Corporation anticipates that the successful applicant will propose a plan, subject to the Corporation’s approval, that allows up to approximately 50 percent of funds provided under this agreement to be distributed on an annual basis to such local organizations through a subgrant process. The Corporation expects to work in close collaboration with the successful applicant to:• Provide grants to local Volunteer Connector Organizations for operating support, capacity building, and special projects;• Deliver training and technical assistance to Volunteer Connector and other local organizations (including other Corporation grantees) in such areas as volunteer management, volunteer retention, and local partnership development with an emphasis on distance learning and other cost-effective methods for delivering training and technical assistance; • Collaborate with other organizations in the sector to streamline and consolidate on-line resources related to volunteer management and national service;• Develop outreach strategies and conduct a national campaign to get more Americans to volunteer. Strategies should complement the Corporation’s Strategic Plan in areas such as encouraging Baby Boomers to serve, engaging more at-risk youth and students in service, and mentoring more at-risk youth;• Convene and co-design a national conference on volunteerism and service and other national meetings to provide training, inspiration, and networking opportunities for individuals and organizations engaged in community service and volunteerism;• Provide sector-wide leadership for development and marketing of web-based technologies that encourage creative, efficient electronic means to match volunteers with opportunities and organize service projects; and,• Build private sector support for volunteering, including the development and promotion of corporate employee volunteer programs and convening and supporting an advisory council of for-profit corporations committed to advancing volunteerism and effecting change in the communities across the nation.Applicants should propose a three-year plan that is compatible with the Corporation’s strategic interests in the area of generating and managing volunteers.

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