Skip to Content

Menu Navigation

Toolbar Options

Member Options

Breadcrumb

Frequently Asked Questions

Americorps Funding FAQ

Question: How do I submit a nomination?
Answer: Your nomination may be submitted in either of the following ways:

Complete the online nomination form on our website and submit it electronically. Letters of support can be submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail. You may also download the nomination packet, complete and mail or fax it to our office.

Mailing Address:
Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards
Office on Volunteerism and Community Service
801 East Main Street, 15th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-2901
Fax: (804) 726-7088
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: What is AmeriCorps?
Answer: AmeriCorps is a federally-funded program that gives citizens the opportunity to engage in full or part-time service to their local community. The network of local, state, and national service programs within AmeriCorps connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: How long is the nomination period?
Answer: The nomination process lasts one (1) month, beginning Wednesday, January 4, 2012 through Monday, February 6, 2012. All nominations must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) via fax, mail or submitted online no later than 5:00 PM, Monday, February 6, 2012. Any incomplete nomination or nomination received after 5:00 PM on February 6, 2012 will not be considered. Nomination narratives received without the two letters of support are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Is my organization ready for AmeriCorps?
Answer: The Office on Volunteerism and Community Service has developed an Organizational Assessment designed to help organizations determine if they are ready to administer an AmeriCorps program. You can download the assessment at: http://www.vaservice.org/go/national/americorps_rfp/#presentation
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: What do AmeriCorps members do?
Answer: Members in Virginia work with organizations such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as many other national, state, and local nonprofit organizations. AmeriCorps members recruit and train volunteers, tutor and mentor at-risk youth, make schools and neighborhoods safer, build and rehabilitate homes, clean rivers and restore parks, help seniors live independently, provide health care in underserved rural communities, and provide emergency and long-term assistance to victims of natural disasters, among other things.

View the listing and brief overview of operating Virginia AmeriCorps State and AmeriCorps VISTA programs.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Is it necessary to complete the nomination profile form for the nominee and the nominator in addition to the nomination narrative?
Answer: Yes. Please include the full name (first, middle and last for individuals) or full legal name (for organizations and businesses). It is very important that the category selected is that of the nominee, rather than the affiliation or category of the nominator.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: How long must the nomination narrative be?
Answer: For online submissions, the nomination narrative is comprised of five questions, each with a 200 word limit (totaling roughly one typed page). For offline submissions (PDF or MS Word downloads), the nomination narrative must be no more than one page single-spaced on 8,5 x 11 paper with one-inch margins and typed in 12-point font.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Who can be an AmeriCorps member?
Answer: An individual must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S. to be an AmeriCorps member. For AmeriCorps State, an individual must be at least 17 years old, although some service opportunities require an individual to be at least 18. For AmeriCorps VISTA, an individual must be at least 18 years old. For most programs there are no upper age limits. Some programs have specific skill requests in certain areas, and others look for a bachelor's degree or a few years of related volunteer/job experience. For others, an individual’s motivation and commitment may be the primary requirement.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Who can apply for AmeriCorps funds?
Answer: AmeriCorps funds can be awarded to nonprofit organizations, state and local units of government, institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information on the application process, please see the presentations at: http://www.vaservice.org/go/national/americorps_rfp/
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Does the nomination narrative need to follow any specific format?
Answer: Yes. The nomination narrative should answer all of the questions, as stated in the nomination narrative section of the nomination form and in the order presented.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Have the nomination categories changed since last year?
Answer: No, the award categories have not changed since 2011. A list of the award categories can be found at this link: http://www.vaservice.org/go/volunteer/award_category/

arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: May I nominate someone for a category that isn't listed on the nomination form?
Answer: No. Nominators must select only one of the listed categories. Please do not select multiple categories for the same candidate.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: May I submit multiple nominations for different individuals or organizations?
Answer: Yes. An individual or organization may submit as many nominations as desired for different individuals and organizations.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: What are the general requirements for the letters of support?
Answer: Two letters of support are required, no longer than one page each. Letters should clearly state the author's relationship to the nominee and knowledge of his/her service in order to provide sufficient information on the individual or organization. Letters may not be used to serve as both a letter of support and the nomination narrative. Letters must be submitted by someone other than the nominator and by someone not directly related to the nominee. If possible, letters of support should be signed and submitted on the letterhead of the letter writer.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: How do I apply for AmeriCorps funds?
Answer: Organizations interested in applying for funding for a potential AmeriCorps State program must submit its application in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Office on Volunteerism and Community Service (OVCS). Currently, the RFP is issued statewide via print media and the OVCS web site.
http://www.vaservice.org/go/national/americorps_rfp/
Sealed Proposals will be received until March 13 at 3:00 pm.

Proposals Received After The Deadline Will Be Returned Without Consideration.

Organizations interested in applying for funding for a potential AmeriCorps VISTA program please contact the Corporation for National and Community Service Virginia State Office at (804) 771-2157.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Can the author of the letter of support remain anonymous?
Answer: We prefer that the nominator provide the contact information of those submitting letters of support. Providing the contact information allows us to contact the author in case we need to track the letter of support.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: More Information
Answer: For more information about the AmeriCorps programs funded through the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service call: (804) 726-7068 or (800) 638-3839.

For more information about AmeriCorps, visit http://www.americorps.org
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Can the author of the nomination narrative also write a letter of support?
Answer: No. A letter of support must be submitted by someone other than the nominator. Letters must also be written by different individuals, not the same person.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Are previous Governor's Award winners eligible for nomination?
Answer: Previous winners of a Governor's Award are eligible to be nominated again provided that five (5) years have elapsed since receipt of previous award.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: May I submit additional information such as additional support letters, photographs and/or news clippings to further support my nomination?
Answer: No, such additional information will not be considered. However you may mention this information in the narrative. Two letters of support is the required number and additional letters will not be accepted.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: Who reviews the nominations?
Answer: Nominations are reviewed by a diverse panel of independent judges. Judges are selected based on their experience and expertise in the field of volunteerism.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: When will I be notified about my nomination's status and when is the 2012 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Awards ceremony?
Answer: A judging panel will review and score the nomination during February to determine the 2012 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service awardees. Letters will be mailed to all nominators in late March notifying them of the judging results. The awards ceremony will take place in late April 2012 in a location yet to be determined.
arrow up iconBack to Top

Question: If I have further questions, where may I call or e-mail for assistance?
Answer: You may contact the Office on Volunteerism and Community Service at (804) 726-7065 or e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
arrow up iconBack to Top