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.Apply for AC 11 02 23
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2024 AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP) Replacement and Expansion Opportunity?
It is a discretionary grant funding opportunity from AmeriCorps (CFDA 94.016) intended to support and grow local Senior Companion Program projects. The opportunity is focused on mobilizing trained volunteers age 55 and older to help other older adults remain independent and safely stay in their homes or community settings.
What does "replacement and expansion" mean for this competition?
"Replacement and expansion" indicates the funding is meant to (1) sustain existing service capacity where Senior Companion projects may be ending or transitioning, and (2) expand the program's reach by bringing services to additional communities and/or underserved areas.
What is the Senior Companion Program (SCP)?
The Senior Companion Program is an AmeriCorps Seniors program established in 1974. It is built on a person-to-person service model where volunteers age 55+ provide practical assistance and companionship to help older adults maintain independence and avoid premature institutional care.
Who do Senior Companions serve?
Senior Companions serve other older adults who need support to remain independent. The opportunity highlights supporting seniors in home and community-based settings, particularly those who might otherwise face increased isolation, safety risks, or a higher likelihood of moving into institutional care.
What kinds of activities do Senior Companions provide?
Activities described include companionship to reduce loneliness and social isolation, help with transportation, assistance with light chores, and support to informal caregivers (such as unpaid family caregivers). The program also emphasizes consistent, relationship-based support delivered through regular contact.
Is the service primarily in-home or in community settings?
The opportunity emphasizes in-home and community-based volunteer service, noting that Senior Companions typically spend most of their time serving in clients' homes.
How does the program help reduce isolation and improve wellbeing?
For clients, regular companionship and practical help can reduce loneliness and create a stronger sense of connection and safety. The opportunity also notes the service is mutually beneficial, since volunteers stay active, connected, and civically engaged, which can improve their own wellbeing.
What does it mean that Senior Companions act as "eyes and ears" for professionals?
The opportunity describes a role where volunteers notice changes in a client's condition and help ensure concerns are communicated. This can support earlier medical or social service interventions by helping surface issues sooner.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants 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 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) organizations, excluding higher education institutions in that subset); and private institutions of higher education, with the limitation that only nonprofit private colleges and universities are eligible.
Are nonprofit private colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility description specifically notes that private institutions of higher education may apply only if they are nonprofit private colleges and universities.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the list of eligible applicants.
Are local governments eligible to apply?
Yes. State, county, and city or township governments are included as eligible applicants.
Does the opportunity mention State Service Commissions or states and territories?
Yes. The description references State Service Commissions and/or states and U.S. territories, consistent with the broader AmeriCorps structure where commissions and state or territorial entities may have central roles in administering, coordinating, or sponsoring service programs.
What funding areas or program categories does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity categories listed are broad and include community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment/labor and training, environment, food and nutrition, health, and other areas. The description notes that while SCP most directly aligns with healthy aging, caregiver support, and community-based health and human services, the broad categories reflect how aging-in-place intersects with many systems.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity category is listed as discretionary.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is identified under CFDA 94.016.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is AC 11 02 23.
When was the application closing date?
The original application closing date listed is February 1, 2024.
Does the listing specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, indicating those details may be available in the full notice of funding opportunity or related AmeriCorps guidance.
What is the core goal of the Senior Companion Program as described here?
The core goal is to help older adults remain independent by providing practical, consistent support that reduces isolation, supports caregivers, and helps seniors continue living at home or in community settings rather than moving prematurely into institutional care.
What would a funded organization be expected to do, based on this description?
Based on the information provided, a funded organization or public entity would be expected to 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.
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