444

The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and volunteering. The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service in partnership with the California Volunteer Fund and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is seeking to create new programs for the Climate Corps model. Serve Illinois believes there is great opportunity to support communities in Illinois by building relationships and growing areas in need of services. AmeriCorps Climate Corps programs would deploy AmeriCorps members to work on implementing a ‘door-to-door’ outreach strategy to connect and listen to the residents directly impacted by climate change. Climate Corps grantees will have an end product: assessment of the community and its climate challenges, an implementation plan with community buy-in, and goals and objectives to seek additional, multi-year funding among private and public funders to continue the work from the assessment.

45 CFR Part 2522

20 ILCS 505

77 Ill. Adm. Code 2250

By assessing the needs of individuals on a community level, Climate Corps grantees would be able build trust and a plan with hyperlocal input to: 1. build preparedness, 2. create better access to resources, 3. educate in the areas that the individual and/or community are requesting support, 4. breakdown top-down assumptions and decisions, 5. gain buy-in for more long-term plans to build resiliency, and 6. provide assistance in connecting the individuals and community in addressing trauma and other stressed related disorders due to climate change in their regions. IDHS/Serve Illinois is seeking applicants with hyperlocal experience and knowledge across Illinois communities that are facing climate and environmental challenges. Applicants should have 3 years of experience in response to, or models in mitigation in addressing climate/environmental challenges or disaster services. The opportunity is open to nonprofits, universities, municipalities, and partnerships between latter. The following requirements and expectations for AmeriCorps members is essential to the implementation and success of the Climate Corps: 1) Execute a detailed member outreach and recruitment plan, and 2) Ensure that each AmeriCorps member completes the required number of hours of service to qualify for the education award. These requirements and expectations will also be included under the performance measures section.

Yes

a. The Provider will comply with applicable Terms and Conditions for AmeriCorps State and National Grants and General Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions. b. The Provider will comply with member recruitment and selection requirements as outlined in AmeriCorps’ regulations at 45 CFR §§ 2522.210 and Part 2540, subpart B. c. The Provider will ensure that each member has sufficient opportunity to complete the required number of hours of service to qualify for the education award. d. The Provider will adhere to all requirements outlined in the AmeriCorps’ Program Director’s Manual. e. Conduct National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) requirements as outlined in the NSCHC Manual. f. Recruit and retain the allocated number and type of slots (e.g., full-time, half-time) of AmeriCorps members. g. Ensure enrolled members work 100% with climate or environmental issues or disaster services. h. Execute approved overall program plan that addresses the focus area(s) and provide services related to climate, environmental, or disaster issues. Work toward meeting specified outcomes and outputs and engage members and/or volunteers with the approved program plan. i. Develop and execute an approved assessment of the community and its climate, environmental, or disaster changes. j. Adhere to the performance measures and evaluation in the approved program plan as required by Illinois AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps Performance Measure Instructions k. Supervise and train members throughout their service term as outlined in the approved program plan. l. Provide all members with AmeriCorps uniforms, service gear, personal protective equipment and all other service materials required to accomplish the member’s service hours. m. Participate in Illinois AmeriCorps scheduled meetings and trainings (including Program Director’s meetings, AmeriCorps national/regional offerings and regional trainings). n. Certify member enrollment in My AmeriCorps Portal for all members within eight calendar days of the AmeriCorps members’ starting a term of service. o. Host or co-host two national service days. All sites will host/co-host an event for the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday. The Provider will also host/co-host a second event and it is at the discretion of the Provider to select from one of the following options: Global Youth Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 9/11 Remembrance Day or Veteran’s Day. p. Host a National Service Opening Day event/activity at the program site no later than six weeks from the start date of the program. q. Host or co-host an AmeriCorps member recognition event/activity during AmeriCorps week.

ALL;

The following non-Federal entities (all of which are defined in 2 CFR 200.1) are eligible to apply: • Indian Tribes • Institutions of higher education • Local governments, including school districts • Nonprofit organizations • State of Illinois agencies, departments, and commissions Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of experience working with environmental or climate issues or disaster services. Applicants must have a valid System Award Management (SAM) registration and Unique Entity Identifier to receive an award. Refer to Section D.5 System for Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier) for more information. Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps National encourages new organizations that have not received prior funding from AmeriCorps National to apply.

N/A

Project Grants

Human Services

N/A

GATA Registration and Prequalification Eligible applicant entities must be registered and prequalified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal. Additionally, any sub- recipient must also be registered and prequalified through GATA upon application.

Electronic Application Submission in eGrants Applicants must submit applications electronically via eGrants, AmeriCorps' web- based application system. AmeriCorps recommends that applicants create an eGrants account and begin the application at least three weeks before the deadline. Applicants should draft the application as a Word document, then copy and paste the text into the appropriate eGrants field no later than 10 days before the deadline. The applicant's authorized representative must be the person who submits the application. The authorized representative must use their own eGrants account to sign and submit the application. A copy of the governing body's authorization for this official representative to sign must be on file in the applicant's office. Applicants should contact the AmeriCorps Hotline at (800) 942-2677 or via eGrants Questions if they have a problem when they create an account, prepare, or submit the application. AmeriCorps Hotline hours are posted. Be prepared to provide the application ID, organization's name, and the name of the Notice to which the organization is applying. If the issue cannot be resolved by the deadline, applicants must continue working with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit via eGrants. Submission of Additional Documents All documents must be submitted to AmeriCorps by the Prime Applicants (State Service Commissions or National Directs). AmeriCorps Documents All applicants must submit to IDHS/Serve Illinois: Evaluation briefs, reports, studies. Uniform Grant Application for State Grant Assistance Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure Additional documents must be emailed to DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov with the following subject line: "Legal Applicant Name" - "Application ID Number." Labor union concurrence (if applicable) All applicants regardless of funding level are required to submit an Applicant Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS) found here: Manage your grant | AmeriCorps. Please submit the OFMS as a Word document. Forms submitted as a PDF, or any other document format may not be accepted.

Program Staff will conduct an initial eligibility review to determine if an application meets the eligibility requirements published in this Notice and will advance to the next stage of the process.

Applicants selected for funding will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include: Grant award amount The terms and conditions of the award. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative (ICQ), and merit-based review. Note: IDHS cannot issue an award until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into CSA. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. This signed NOSA is the document authorizing IDHS to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to IDHS as instructed in the notice.

Specific deadlines are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Varies

Appeals submission IDHS contact information: Name of Agency contact for appeals: Kristen Bethke Email of Agency contact for appeals: DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov

New Program

Applicants are required to match funds based on the information below. The applicant's match can be non-AmeriCorps cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applicants must indicate whether the match is proposed or secured. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the match requirement at the time of application submission. A first-time successful applicant is required to match at 24 percent for the first three-year funding period. Starting with year four, the match requirement gradually increases every year to 50 percent by year ten, according to the minimum overall share chart found in 45 CFR 2521.60 and below. AmeriCorps Funding Year 1, 2, 3 (24%), 4 (26%), 5 (30%), 6 (34%), 7 (38%), 8 (42%), 9 (46%), 10 (50%)

All applicants will use grant funds according to the guidelines, conditions, and parameters set forth in this funding notice and in compliance with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of any applicable federal awards. Please refer to 2 CFR 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, PART 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs. Allowable costs: Allowable costs are those that are necessary and reasonable based on the activities contained in the Scope of Work, are justified in the Budget Narrative, and are allowable under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved. Program budgets and narratives must detail how all proposed expenditures are necessary for program implementation. Unallowable costs: Please refer to 2 CFR 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, PART 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs. In addition, and specific to this grant, the following costs will be unallowable without specific prior written approval from IDHS: Entertainment costs, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized in the approved budget (2 CFR 200.438) Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, including any vehicle regardless of cost, buildings, and land (2 CFR 200.439) Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life (2 CFR 200.439) Food, and other goods or services for personal use of the grantee's employees, contractors, or consultants of the grantee unless authorized as per diem under the State of Illinois Governor's Travel Control Board (2 CFR 200.445). Deposits for items, services, or space

Recipients are required to submit a variety of reports that are due at specific times during the life cycle of an award. All reports must be accurate, complete, and submitted on time. Upon execution of the grant agreement, reporting shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Uniform Grant Agreement and related Exhibits.

Subject to monitoring visits, desk reviews, AmeriCorps audits, and Fiscal Administrative Review (FAR) audits.

The Provider is required to maintain until December 31, 2031, adequate books, all financial records and supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to this Award. If any litigation, claim, or audit is started before the expiration of the retention period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit exceptions involving the records have been resolved and final action taken. The Provider agrees to provide or make available all records related to this grant upon request.

N/A

N/A

Varies

New Program

Any Regulations, Guidelines, or Literature necessary for program implementation will be provided by the DHS Program Office responsible for managing this program grant at no cost to the provider.

DHS.ServeIllinoisNOFO@illinois.gov

AmeriCorps State and National

https://serve.illinois.gov/

Formula Traditional, Formula Fixed, Competitive Fixed, Competitive Traditional, and Public Health AmeriCorps

See https://serve.illinois.gov/

4/29/2024

FY 2025 : $2,500,000