Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP engages people ages 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers tutor children, help prepare simple taxes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide nutrition/food support, facilitate opioid and substance abuse education workshops, and serve in their communities in many other ways. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged.

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programming is designed to meet community needs. Applicants may propose activities intended to address community needs by thoroughly explaining the unmet need and activities to be completed by volunteers to address that need. In addition, AmeriCorps is interested in programming that addresses agency priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• Supporting older adults and their caregivers: Caregiver respite, support groups, system navigation, care coordination, and resources for custodial grandparents.
• Helping older adults re-enter the workforce: Job readiness support, mentoring, training, and removing barriers to employment.
• Preventing and mitigating fraud and scams: Digital navigators and other methods to prevent and mitigate financial fraud, abuse, and exploitation.
• Reducing the number of people who are unhoused: Provide affordable housing, support the unhoused, and addressing housing needs.
• Supporting local climate change initiatives: Energy efficiency, waste management, and ecosystem restoration.
• Supporting behavioral health initiatives: Reduce isolation, improve mental health, offer peer support, provide support, and use harm reduction methods.