AmeriCorps Planning Grant (25-444-80-3328-01) Appendices, Technical Assistance, Questions and Answers

AmeriCorps Planning Grant (Illinois) Appendices:

AmeriCorps Formula Fixed (Illinois) Technical Assistance Session

This technical assistance session will provide participants with an overview of the 25-444-80-3328-01 AmeriCorps Planning Grant (Illinois) Notice of Funding Opportunity and information on how providers can apply for FY25.

AmeriCorps Formula Fixed (Illinois) Questions & Answers:

April 10, 2024:

  1. Question: Would one still qualify to apply if receiving AmeriCorps VISTA funding in the past but not AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) funding?
    Answer:     Yes, you would still qualify and can apply.

April 16, 2024:

  1. Question: What is the specific title of NOFA in eGrants?
    Answer:     The NOFA in eGrants will say: FY2024 AmeriCorps State and Territory commission (New and Cont). The Grant Application ID is: 24AC264672.
  2. Question: I didn't see a separate section for Evidence Base part (like the Logic Model), so should this be entered in the Rationale and Approach/Program Design section?
    Answer:     That is correct.
  3. Question We were assigned a UEI, however, we're not yet active in SAM.gov. Should we wait until our UEI is active in the system to register for Illinois GATA Grantee Portal?
    Answer:     Yes, please wait until your UEI is active to register.
  4. Question: Do you prefer to speak with potential applicants before we submit an application, or do you avoid those conversations during the application window?
    Answer:     We cannot provide private technical assistance, however any questions you encounter while applying can be directed to DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@Illinois.gov.

April 18, 2024:

  1. Question: Our organization recently applied for the AmeriCorps Fixed Formula grant offered by Serve Illinois, and we are now interested in applying for the AmeriCorps Planning Grant. Are these grant awards mutually exclusive, as in, if we were awarded the Fixed Formula grant would that rule out the possibility of being awarded the Planning Grant?
    Answer:     Since you applied for fixed already, it rules you out to apply for a planning grant. Applicants should only be applying for fixed and traditional grants IF they have a developed program and can recruit and enroll members. By applying for fixed, you are telling us you already have an existing program. Planning grants are intended for those who have no members and need to develop a plan to get members.
  2. Question: Do applicants have to register for this before we submit the eGrants application too?
    Answer:     You can register in the CSA; however, you won't enter anything in there until instructed to do so by IDHS/Serve Illinois staff.
  3. Question: We have a large food pantry and volunteer program on our campus. At times we are challenged with staffing and challenged with offering enough through our food pantry and volunteering efforts. Is this grant able to give us some additional financial resources and support.
    Answer:     This is an opportunity to plan for a future AmeriCorps program. There are not specific requirements as to what type of AmeriCorps program but rather to follow all requirements of the NOFO and AmeriCorps programming including the section regarding eligible organizations and funding priorities.
  4. Question: Our national organization mailing address is in Philadelphia, however the program will be executed in the State of Illinois. Would you recommend that we put the national mailing address or the program address?
    Answer:     You can list the program address location as long as you are able to get any mailed correspondence without any issue.
  5. Question: Is there a requirement for a commission fee to be included in the budget?
    Answer:     No, there is not a commission fee.
  6. Question: Is there a way to get assistance in procuring a Secretary of State File ID? We submitted our paperwork more than two years ago and are still under "pending" status.
    Answer:     For additional assistance with the pre-qualification and pre-award process, please visit IDHS: Pre-Qualification Instructions and Resources (state.il.us)

May 1, 2024:

  1. Question: Do you have to be GATA Certified to apply for this grant? Or can you just be a registered 501c3 Not for Profit organization to receive funds.
    Answer:     Please refer to Section C.4. Mandatory Requirements of Applicant/Application.
  2. Question: We have to file for the Secretary of State file ID, and it may not be completed by the time the application is due. Are we able to submit a grant without that ID number as long as we have it before the award is made? Or does not having it yet disqualify us from applying?
    Answer:     Under IDHS: Pre-Qualification Instructions and Resources (state.il.us), you must be actively registered with the Illinois Secretary of State .
  3. Question: Our program is planning to submit for the upcoming Serve Illinois planning grant. I'm not clear about the order of operations - should we be submitting the GATA and the grantee conflict of interest from in advance of the May 3 deadline, or at the May 3 deadline with our eGrants submission?
    Answer:     Per Section 2.b. Application and Submission Information, The Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure form must be completed, signed, and submitted to DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@Illinois.gov by 04:00 PM CST on May 3, 2024.