Funding Opportunity Title: FY2022-2023 Volunteer Generation Fund Announcement
Grant Period: January 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023
Award Range: $7,500 – $15,000
Award Type: Cost reimbursement
Type: Initial Announcement for New Applicants
Federal Agency: AmeriCorps
CFDA Number: 94.021
Volunteer NH invites eligible organizations to apply for a nine-month Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) grant. These federal AmeriCorps funds will be subgranted through Volunteer NH to increase the capacity of community-based entities to recruit, manage, and support volunteers serving New Hampshire communities.
View the full Notice of Funding Opportunity & Application Instructions
Application deadline: Wednesday, October 12, 2022, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Note: This funding opportunity is currently open to those who submitted the Intent to Apply form (mandatory) by the September 28 deadline.
Official funding decisions announced: Mid-November 2022
Contact: Mikayla Collins, mikayla@volunteernh.org or 603-271-7200
Funding Purpose
VGF grants will be used to increase the capacity of community-based entities to recruit, manage, and support volunteers serving New Hampshire communities. VNH seeks to fund effective approaches that:
- Expand volunteering.
- Strengthen the capacity of volunteer programs to recruit and retain skill-based volunteers.
- Develop strategies to use volunteers effectively to solve problems.
Appropriate grant proposals could include (but are not limited to) expenses such as:
- Staff time or consultant fees for activities meant to improve the capacity of the volunteer program, including (but not limited to):
- Developing or enhancing a comprehensive volunteer program handbook.
- Developing or enhancing webpages or social media strategies focused on volunteerism.
- Developing and/or delivering a training curriculum for new/existing volunteers.
- Working on any of the activity examples listed below.
- Performing a needs assessment and/or piloting new strategies for utilizing volunteerism to address community needs.
- Purchasing software for volunteer recruitment, training, and/or management.
- Purchasing/printing costs of materials to support volunteerism (volunteer handbook, training curriculum, marketing materials, etc.).
- Hosting a volunteer training event (orientation, specific skills required to be a successful volunteer, leadership skill-building, etc.) – excluding food/beverage costs.
- Hosting a volunteer recognition event (event space, speaker fees, etc.) – excluding food/beverage costs.
- Hosting a staff/community training event related to supporting volunteerism (fundamentals of volunteer management, technology used within the volunteer program, etc.) – excluding food/beverage costs.
- Developing or improving a community-based or statewide disaster-focused volunteer plan, such as a volunteer preparedness initiative, disaster volunteer training, preparations to serve as a disaster volunteer reception center, etc.
- Creating projects on National Days of Service such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service or September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Note: Purchasing recognition supplies and materials is allowed, but no more than 10% of the overall budget can be used for this purpose.
Eligible Applicants
The following non-federal entities serving New Hampshire communities are eligible to apply:
- Indian Tribes (2 C.F.R. §200.54)
- Institutions of higher education (2 C. F.R. §200.54)
- Local governments (2 C.F.R. §200.64)
- Nonprofit organizations (2 C.F.R. §200.70)
- States (2 C.F.R. §200.90)
Details & Timeline
Q&A opportunity (strongly recommended):
Wednesday, September 21, 10:00-10:30 AM
- Recording (YouTube) & Slides (PDF)
- Q&A Written Answers (PDF)
Intent to Apply Form due (mandatory for all applicants): Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 5:00 PM
Grant Training (mandatory for all applicants): Thursday, September 29, 10:00-11:00 AM
Application due: Wednesday,October 12, 2022, 5:00 PM
- Note: Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered for funding without prior approval from Volunteer NH.
Feedback delivered to applicants by: Friday, October 28, 2022
- Including potential requests for clarification
Clarifications due (if applicable): Sunday, November 6, 2022, end of day
Official funding decisions announced: Mid-November 2022
- Funding decisions are made at the discretion of Volunteer NH and are based on the following criteria:
- Availability of funds
- Eligibility of applicant organization
- Completeness of application
- Allowability of costs requested (based on guidance in NOFO)
Grant start date: Sunday, January 1, 2023
Grant end date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Important Documents & Resources
Notice of Funding Opportunity & Application Instructions (PDF)
Q&A Recording (YouTube) & Slides (PDF)
Q&A Written Answers (PDF)
Application Form (Word)
Budget Template (Excel)
Sample Budget (Excel)
Applicant Operational and Financial Management Survey (Word)
Estimated Available Funds
Subgrant awards amounts will vary based on the scope of the project. Requests should range from a minimum of $7,500 to a maximum of $15,000. Funding is limited and Volunteer NH reserves the right to fund an applicant at an amount less than what was requested. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of funding.
Additional Benefits
In addition to funding, successful applicants will participate in quarterly training and networking opportunities with fellow cohort participants. Grantees will also have access to Volunteer NH staff for support as needed throughout the grant period.