Description: AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. VISTA supports efforts to alleviate poverty by encouraging individuals from all walks of life to engage in a year of full-time service with a sponsoring organization to create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Rather than providing cash grants, the VISTA program places individual VISTAs, Summer Associates, and Leaders with sponsoring organizations. Resources are provided to sponsors on an annual basis. In very limited circumstances, small grants may be available at the discretion of the CNCS State Office.

VISTA provides a small living allowance and certain benefits for members. Sponsoring organizations absorb most of the costs related to project supervision and logistical support. Investment by the sponsoring organization and the community is fundamental to the VISTA program, as the VISTA resource is intended to be short-term.

Funding Title: AmeriCorps VISTA

Agency Name: Corporation for National and Community Service

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid: No

Target Population: Populations in poverty

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

How to Apply: Applicants must apply using eGrants, Corporation for National and Community Service’s web-based application system

Eligible Applicants: Public, private, or faith-based nonprofit organizations and Local, state, or federal agencies

Focus areas:   

Programs and organizations work in these four Focus Areas in Goal 1 of the CNCS Strategic Plan:

• Economic Opportunity
• Education
• Healthy Futures
• Veterans and Military Families

Link to Full Announcement:  http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/page/2014_VISTA_Program_Guidance.pdf

Contact Information:    Organizations interested in becoming a sponsor can visit NationalService.gov or contact the CNCS office in their state. Organizations may also review Is VISTA Right for Your Organization and VISTA 101 for more in-depth information about becoming a sponsor. Interested organizations may apply by submitting a concept paper and application through the CNCS eGrants web-based system, under the FY 2014 AmeriCorps VISTA 2State Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Prior to submitting a concept paper, interested organizations should contact the CNCS office in their state.

Categories: Corporation for National and Community Service, Government Organizations, Non-profit Organizations