Host an AmeriCorps*VISTA
As a non-profit, public agency, faith-based organization, educational institution, or other community organization, you may apply to create a VISTA project in one of two ways: directly applying for sponsorship to the Oregon CNCS state office or indirectly through one of Oregon’s intermediaries (CBVC, OABC, ORCC, UCAN, CSC). All applications are approved solely through the Oregon State Office of CNCS.
Project sponsors must be able to direct the project, supervise the AmeriCorps*VISTAs, and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project. The goals and objectives must be clearly defined and directed toward alleviating problems of low-income communities, and meet the regulations of the AmeriCorps*VISTA program.
One consistent goal for every AmeriCorps*VISTA project should be the sustainability of the project by the sponsoring agency and the low-income community after AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsorship ends.
There is no required match for new AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors, but there is the option to cost-share. Cost sharing is not required but is strongly encouraged, particularly in projects wishing to have AmeriCorps*VISTA resources beyond the third year. As a cost-share project, your organization contributes the living allowance-about $9,500-for each AmeriCorps*VISTA member. Cost-sharing is an excellent way to leverage additional funding resources and see where the dollars will be matched by AmeriCorps*VISTA. In finding funding for your organization's share of the partnership, consider approaching:
- Community foundations;
- State government funding sources;
- Municipalities and school districts;
- Colleges and universities; and
- Local corporations.
Applying through an Oregon VISTA Intermediary
There are many advantages to applying for a VISTA through one of Oregon’s VISTA intermediaries. Intermediaries provide VISTAs with a sense of community, additional resources, and training opportunities. Applying through an intermediary will reduce your reporting requirements as the intermediary assumes responsibility to report to the CNCS State Office on behalf of all project sites. If you apply through one of Oregon’s intermediaries, you will likely incur a share of cost, which varies by corps. For more information about each intermediary’s application process, please check back in December 2009 for the RFP applications.
