Grants to Encourage Volunteers in Homeland Security Efforts

Grants to Encourage Volunteers in Homeland Security Efforts

The Corporation for National and Community Service is encouraging nonprofit organizations and public agencies to apply for $4 million in grants for projects to engage volunteers in homeland security efforts in their communities.

The grants are for projects that engage volunteers, especially those age 55 and over, in helping communities prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies and disasters. The Corporation expects to make approximately 12 awards, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 each. The grants will cover one year of program activity, but funding for a second and third year may be provided contingent on performance and availability of funds.

"Americans are eager to serve and can make an important contribution to homeland security," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. "These grants will strengthen the volunteer infrastructure and engage thousands more Americans in disaster relief and preparedness. We encourage organizations to apply for these grants to support more Americans getting directly involved in protecting their communities."

Examples of the kinds of activities that could be supported include engaging volunteers to assist fire or police departments; assisting in disaster response, search and rescue, first aid, coordination of emergency supplies, and establishing communication links for relief workers; organizing immunization programs; and educating the public on preparing for potential disasters or terrorist attacks.

Eligible applicants include both nonprofit organizations and public entities at the state and local levels. The Corporation encourages community groups, both faith-based and secular, and organizations that have never received Corporation funding, to apply or to become part of a community-wide initiative in response to this notice.

The new funding represents an expansion of the Corporation's efforts in the area of homeland security. The Corporation's AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs have worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the

American Red Cross for the past decade to respond to natural disasters. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, President Bush asked the Corporation to devote more resources to homeland security, and the Corporation was the first federal agency to distribute grants after attacks to engage volunteers in homeland security. Those homeland security grants, announced in July 2002, included support for 17 organizations under the Corporation's Special Volunteer Program. These 17 organizations have engaged nearly 37,000 volunteers in the past two years in emergency response planning and coordination, terrorism and bioterrorism response, and strategy development for wide emergency response. The $4 million in new funding for the Special Volunteer Program was included in the fiscal 2004 appropriation bill signed by the President in January.

The application deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, April 23. All applicants are asked to use eGrants, the Corporation's web-based application system. To see an overview of ongoing grants and application instructions, visit www.nationalservice.org/whatshot/notices.html. For further information, call the Senior Corps comments line at 202-606-5000, ext. 554 or email seniorfeedback@cns.gov. The Corporation will announce award recipients this summer.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three main programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Working with national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies, the Corporation engages Americans in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America.

For more information, visit www.national service.org.