Volunteer Florida is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) funding opportunity to operate an AmeriCorps program.

AmeriCorps programs support local community efforts to address education, environmental, homeland security, public safety or other human needs. AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides opportunities for citizens to serve their community. Participants of AmeriCorps called “members” join a local program and provide intensive community services such as tutoring students who need extra help, assisting in after-school programs, and a host of other services that strengthen communities. AmeriCorps members are not staff but can assist in capacity building efforts such as volunteer recruitment and management.

A full grant application will be posted on the Volunteer Florida website: www.volunteerflorida.org, by February 13, 2009. Proposals are due in the federal eGrants system by April 17, 2009, 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).

Volunteer Florida, The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service was established in 1994 by the Florida Legislature to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. The Commission administers the state’s AmeriCorps programs; promotes volunteerism in emergency management and preparedness; and helps to strengthen and expand Volunteer Centers in Florida.

AmeriCorps is a program funded by the U.S. Congress under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 94.006. The national public/private partnership supporting AmeriCorps is the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). For more information about the CNCS and national AmeriCorps programs, visit: www.americorps.org.