As the Lead Agency for the 2012 Global Youth Service Day campaign in Iowa, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) will utilize a $2,000 GYSD Lead Agency Grant to award up to four Semester of Service Mini-Grants that incorporate service-learning into youth service projects. The Semester of Service will begin on January 16, 2012 with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, continue through the spring semester, and finish on Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) 2012 (April 20-22).
Mini-Grant Details:
In support of youth-led Service-Learning projects, the ICVS will grant four $500 mini-grants to local projects that include an MLK Day, Semester of Service, and GYSD component. To meet this requirement, one extended service-learning project or three separate but related service-learning projects may be supported by mini-grant funds. Applications should include service projects on MLK Day and GYSD and a Semester of Service component to be considered for funding. (A Semester of Service component will include prolonged engagement of youth in service-learning over several months. Participating youth apply knowledge and skills to solve problems that they determine are important. Successful projects will incorporate the IPARDC service-learning model.)
*Important Deadlines:
Semester of Service Mini-Grant applications are due December 9, 2011 by 4:00 PM in Survey Monkey. There will be a technical assistance conference call for prospective applicants on November 28 from 1-2 PM. Please call 866-685-1580. The conference code is 515-242-5466, followed by #.
Additionally, last year ICVS did a webinar for prospective applicants on the details of service-learning. While specific details for the GYSD 2011 grant competition are out-of-date (slides 18-end), viewers can pay attention to slides 5-17 for a background on service-learning and the IPARDC process: https://iowalifechanging.webex.com/iowalifechanging/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=8563452&rKey=8e37a8c8638ef9ef
Grant recipients will be announced December 16, 2011. Applications will be reviewed by a neutral team of Semester of Service planning committee members and ICVS staff.
MLK Day projects supported by ICVS mini-grants must be posted on Volunteer Solutions and MLKday.gov by January 2, 2012. Technical assistance will be provided, as needed. GYSD projects must be posted on Volunteer Solutions and GYSD.org by April 2, 2012.
Other Information:
Please see www.iowaservicelearning.org for more resources, including the Semester of Service mini-grant scoring rubric and 2012 Global Youth Service Day handbook.
Successful applications will detail a Semester of Service strategy for service-learning that includes: learning objectives, incorporating youth voice throughout the project, community partnership development, ongoing reflection, and assessment to ensure sustainability. (Use Page 3, Question 1)
Only one mini-grant application per organization/program will be accepted.
Mini-grant applications must be written primarily by Youth Representatives (ages 5-25) of the applying organization.
The Semester of Service Mini-Grant program is a reimbursement grant. Due to contract restrictions, we are only able to award grants and issue payments to an organization or school, not an individual.
Reimbursements may be issued after each component of the Semester of Service project. A project invoice and report, along with itemized receipts for project expenses, will be required prior to each reimbursement from the ICVS.
Reimbursement will not be issued for supplies valued at greater than $200, food, or staff time.
Please contact Mike Henneberry (515-725-3179; michael.henneberry@iowa.gov) or Justin Villere (515-725-3074; justin.villere@iowa.gov) with additional questions.