Formula Planning Grant
Organizations are often interested in creating an AmeriCorps program, but could use some time to fill out their plan. The AmeriCorps Formula Planning Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) was created to reduce organizations' barriers to creating a new AmeriCorps program. Grantees receive direct technical assistance from Serve Wisconsin and up to 12 months of funding to plan and launch a new AmeriCorps program.
Planning grant activities may involve work to establish a new program in Wisconsin or to replicate a successful existing program model in new, unserved or underserved areas of the state. Organizations use planning grants to become better prepared to compete for an AmeriCorps program grant in the subsequent grant cycle.
The State of Wisconsin receives an annual Formula allocation of funds from AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps State Formula Planning grants of up to $75,000 are awarded on a competitive basis to allow organizations to begin developing their plans to manage an AmeriCorps program. Planning grants may not be used to support AmeriCorps members. Costs associated with writing an AmeriCorps application may not be charged as direct costs to the grant.
The Request for Proposals for Formula Planning Grants is not currently accepting applications.
Email ServeWisconsin@Wisconsin.gov with any questions.
2024-25 AmeriCorps Serve Wisconsin Formula Planning Grant Request for Proposals
Important Dates & ACTIOns required for 2024
February 5: RFP Release
February 22: Required Notification of Intent to Apply due (by midnight)
March 8: Last day for submitting questions regarding this RFP (by midnight)
March 12: Completed Applications and Additional Documents due (by 4:30pm)
April 30: Program Evaluation & Development Committee Meeting - selected applicants required to present to committee
May 9: Wisconsin National & Community Service Board Meeting
Appendices and Attachments
Appendices are for your reference as you write your application
Appendix 1: Planning Grant Budget Instructions
Appendix 2: Planning Grant Review Form
Appendix 3: Alternative Match Request Instructions
Appendix 4: Glossary
Attachments must by submitted
Attachment A: Planning Grant Budget Worksheet (Excel)
Attachment B: Planning Grant Additional Document Checklist
Attachment C: Assurances and Certifications
Attachment D: Serve Wisconsin Financial Management Survey
Note: this requires Additional Documents to be submitted, in addition to the survey itself
Attachment E: AmeriCorps Operational and Financial Management Survey
Technical Assistance
Serve Wisconsin provides access to training and technical assistance for applicants.
ON3LEARN Training Workshops
On3Learn provides online workshops for applicants that are new to AmeriCorps grants.
To access On3Learn online workshops at no cost, please contact Serve Wisconsin at ServeWisconsin@Wisconsin.gov for a coupon code as soon as possible.
Please do not enter a credit card number when selecting an On3Learn online workshop. Instead, contact ServeWisconsin@Wisconsin.gov for a coupon code that will allow you to complete as many online workshops as you would like at no cost.
Other Resources
Serve Wisconsin Planning Grant Info Session 2/2/24 recording slide deck
WISCONSIN EVALUATION COLLABORATIVE (WEC)
One-on-One Consultation
Serve Wisconsin, with support from AmeriCorps, is providing each AmeriCorps program applicant a limited number of free one-on-one consultation hours with evaluators from the Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative (WEC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The evaluators at WEC are great resources for AmeriCorps applicants and programs in creating and refining evaluation plans, reports, evidence, performance measures, and more.
Please fill out this survey form, and WEC will get in touch with you to schedule a time to discuss your needs.
Live Training
The experts at WEC also provided a training session on Logic Models and Theory of Change training (slide deck)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
All questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing via email by March 8, 2024 to ServeWisconsin@Wisconsin.gov. Questions for Serve Wisconsin via telephone will not be accepted. Questions asked between February 5, 2024 and March 8, 2024 and their answers will be collected in one document, updated regularly and posted here.
Questions & Answers
(final version updated 3/11/24)
Do you have suggestions for additional training and technical assistance? Let us know!
Email ServeWisconsin@Wisconsin.gov