Date:
Thursday, March 23, 2023
For Immediate Release
March 23, 2023
Contact: Betsy Shelton
515.348.6228
betsy.shelton@volunteeriowa.org
Des Moines, IA - Volunteer Iowa is pleased to announce applications are now open for two grants funded through the Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) American Rescue Plan (ARP).
2023 ARP Volunteer Generation Fund Youth Mentoring Grants will be awarded to four K-12 schools across the state of Iowa. Grantees will each receive $20,000 to support planning and starting new mentoring programs in any school serving students in any grades ranging from K-12.
Youth Mentoring Grants will help students succeed academically and support their mental health and overall wellbeing. Funding is provided for school staff time to develop a youth mentoring program in accordance with the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoringâ„¢ with consulting provided.
Schools funded under this RFA will be required to 1) Create policies and procedures for a youth mentoring program; 2) Begin operation of a mentoring program with active mentoring matches; and 3) Create a sustainability plan for a mentoring program beyond the grant funding.
2023 ARP Volunteer Generation Fund Youth Service-Learning Grants will be awarded to five K-12 schools across the state of Iowa. Grantees will each receive $15,000 fixed-price grants to support the development and strengthening of service-learning programming in K-12 school districts.
Youth Service-Learning Grants will help students succeed academically, create meaningful connections within their school and community, improve the overall quality of life within communities, and support students personal and professional development.
School districts funded under this RFA will be required to 1) Engage a minimum of three new classrooms in service-learning each semester, while maintaining service-learning in past classrooms. 2) Participate in eight service-learning trainings and seven one-on-one coaching sessions.
Schools will receive funding for each classroom engaged in service-learning, with no more than $15,000 awarded in year one of the grant.
| YOUTH MENTORING GRANTS | YOUTH SERVICE-LEARNING GRANTS | |
|---|---|---|
| GRANT AGREEMENT PERIOD | July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 | June 20, 2023 – June 19, 2024 |
| GRANT AWARD AMOUNT | $20,000 | $15,000 |
| GRANT OPERATIONS | Regional or Local Areas in Iowa | Regional or Local Areas in Iowa |
| APPLICATION AND MATERIALS DUE | May 1, 2023, 3:00 PM CDT via IowaGrants | May 1, 2023, 5:00 PM CDT via IowaGrants |
Proposals and associated attachments for both grant opportunities must be submitted to the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service via the IowaGrants Management System. For detailed application information, please download the application instructions for each grant opportunity below.
- Youth Mentoring Grants
- Youth Service-Learning Grants
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About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
About Volunteer Iowa
Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts. The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need. The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base. Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.