The DC Citizen Corps is awarding grants to support the development of high-quality, preparedness-related programs in DC-based organizations. The goals of the emergency preparedness grants are to fund programs that:

• Expand and institutionalize effective emergency preparedness programs in the District of Columbia;
• Inform and train citizens to both respond and ready their communities in the time of a disaster;
• Mobilize and coordinate emergency preparedness-related responders in specific, strategically planned functions in the event of disaster;
• Support local community partnerships in the planning, development and execution of emergency preparedness projects and trainings;
• Enhance the overall success of Emergency Support Function #16- Volunteer and Donations Management, outlined in the District Response Plan upon its activation during an emergency. *Note: Prior knowledge and/or experience with Emergency Support Function #16 is preferred but not required. However, a willingness to be trained in details surrounding this Support Function is mandatory.

Amounts of Grants
The grant amount will vary by circumstance, need and program model. Serve DC has $153,532 available for funding and will award grants up to $75,000 to organizations currently operating emergency preparedness programs within the District of Columbia.

Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are organizations currently operating Emergency Preparedness programs within the District of Columbia.

An organization described in Section 501 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501 (c) (4), that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to apply, serve as a host site for members, or act in any type of supervisory role in the program. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

All eligible applicants must meet all of the applicable requirements contained in the application guidelines and instructions.

Training and Technical Assistance Sessions
Serve DC has scheduled three technical assistance sessions for school-based grant applicants. All interested applicants must register and attend one technical assistance session in order to apply for funds.

The schedule for technical assistance sessions is as follows:
March 26, 2008 from 5:00-7:00pm (Room 1116S)
April 22, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 pm (Room 1107S)

One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street NW, 11th Floor South
Metro Accessible - Red Line to Judiciary Square, exit 4th Street/Courthouse). Please register for a training session by emailing Regina Moran. Please prepare by reading this Request for Applications carefully.

Deadline
The deadline for application submission to Serve DC is Monday, May 5, 2008 at 5:00 pm. Late applications will not be accepted. An application is considered late at 5:01 pm. A checklist is provided to assist in meeting submission requirements. Incomplete submissions will be ineligible for review. Applicants must submit one original and 10 copies of the application. Please bind copies with binder clips only, do not staple.

Grant guidelines and application

Serve DC also seeks grant reviewers. Learn more about the grant review opportunity!* For more questions contact Regina Moran at (202) 727-0709.