Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP) Replacement and Expansion Opportunity | AC 11 02 23

Opportunity Information: Apply for AC 11 02 23

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP) Replacement and Expansion Opportunity is a discretionary grant funding opportunity from AmeriCorps (CFDA 94.016) aimed at supporting and growing local programs that mobilize older adult volunteers to help other older adults remain independent. The Senior Companion Program, established in 1974, is built around the idea that trained volunteers age 55 and older can provide practical, person-to-person assistance that reduces isolation and helps seniors continue living at home or in community settings rather than moving prematurely into institutional care. This competition is described as a “replacement and expansion” opportunity, meaning it is intended to sustain existing service capacity where projects may be ending or transitioning while also increasing the reach of the program into additional communities or underserved areas.

At the heart of SCP is in-home and community-based volunteer service. Senior Companions typically spend most of their time serving in clients’ homes, focusing on the kinds of consistent, relationship-based support that can make daily life safer and less lonely. Activities highlighted in the opportunity include offering companionship to ease loneliness and social isolation, providing help with transportation, assisting with light chores, and offering support to informal caregivers (for example, family members who are providing care without pay). Another key role is serving as “eyes and ears” for professionals by noticing changes in a client’s condition and helping ensure that concerns are communicated so medical or social service interventions can happen earlier. The opportunity also emphasizes that service is mutually beneficial: while clients receive support, volunteers stay active, connected, and civically engaged, which can improve their own wellbeing.

Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) organizations, excluding higher education institutions in that subset); and private institutions of higher education, with an important limitation that only nonprofit private colleges and universities are eligible. The opportunity description also references State Service Commissions and/or states and U.S. territories, reflecting the common AmeriCorps structure in which commissions and state or territorial entities may play a central role in administering, coordinating, or sponsoring service programs.

From a programmatic standpoint, the funding activity categories listed are wide-ranging, which reflects how SCP can support multiple community priorities at once. The categories include community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment/labor and training, environment, food and nutrition, health, and other areas. In practice, SCP most directly aligns with healthy aging, caregiving support, and community-based health and human services, but the broad categories recognize that keeping older adults connected and stable at home intersects with many systems, from nutrition access to transportation to community resilience.

Key administrative details provided include the Funding Opportunity Number (AC 11 02 23), the funding instrument type (grant), the opportunity category (discretionary), and the original application closing date of February 1, 2024. The listing as provided does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, suggesting those details may be in the full notice of funding opportunity or related AmeriCorps guidance. Overall, this opportunity is intended to fund organizations and public entities that can recruit and support volunteers age 55+, place them effectively with older adults who need assistance, and deliver measurable community impact by reducing isolation, supporting caregivers, and helping seniors safely remain in their homes and communities.

• The AmeriCorps in the community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment, labor and training, environment, food and nutrition, health, other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP) Replacement and Expansion Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 94.016.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for AC 11 02 23

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