Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Grant

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Department of Aging
Amount: US $21,731 - US $70,890
Last Updated: January 19, 2026

Summary

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) engages individuals aged 55 and older in meaningful volunteer service to address critical community needs. This initiative, supported by the Illinois Department on Aging, enhances the quality of life for volunteers while providing essential services to the community. With a focus on utilizing the skills and experiences of older adults, RSVP fosters partnerships with various organizations to ensure impactful volunteer opportunities. The program exemplifies a commitment to dignity, independence, and the enrichment of lives.

Overview

The mission of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is to serve and advocate for older Illinoisans and their caregivers by administering quality and culturally appropriate programs that promote partnerships and encourage independence, dignity, and quality of life. The Department has an annual budget of over $1.6 billion and provides both federal and state funding to a network of community-based providers throughout the State of Illinois that provide services and supports to older adults to help them remain in their homes and communities. The Department also monitors the community-based providers that comprise the Aging Network to ensure high-quality and culturally appropriate services. IDoA administers the largest Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Medicaid waiver in the state, the Persons Who are Elderly Waiver. This waiver, also known as the Community Care Program (CCP), serves over 150,000 older adults age 60+ in the State of Illinois. Under CCP, eligible older adults may receive services such as in-home care, adult day service, emergency home response technology, and medication dispensing technology. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Short Description The purpose of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is to engage persons 55 years of age and older in volunteer service to meet critical needs and to provide a high quality of experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. Funds will be used to match and/or complement the federal funds the Grantee receives from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Objective The purpose of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is to engage persons 55 years of age and older in volunteer service to meet critical community needs and to provide a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. RSVP volunteers have developed a lifetime of skills, talents, experience and work ethic that makes them a valuable resource in their community. RSVP recognizes the strength and wisdom of these older adults and places them in assignments that maximize and utilize their time and abilities. The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program is an opportunity to identify and provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for seniors and assist not-for-profit agencies and other organizations in meeting their needs and goals. RSVP offers “one stop shopping” for all volunteers 55 and over who want to find challenging, rewarding, and significant service opportunities in their communities. Matching Requirements Individuals age 55 and older utilize their skills and experiences to help their communities. They can serve from a few hours a week to forty hours a week in one or more efforts. Volunteers receive a pre-service orientation, followed by on-the-job training from the agency or organization where they are placed. While on duty, volunteers also receive supplemental insurance.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligibility Type: PublicEligible Applicants: Government Organizations, Education Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, OthersGrants are eligible to public agencies, Indian Tribes, secular and faith-based private non-profit organizations. Applicants are required to be currently funded as a RSVP provider. Additional Eligibility Information:To be considered eligible for funding under this application, applicants must:Be designated as a RSVP under the AmeriCorps Seniors grant;Have an Affirmative Action Plan for staff regardless of the composition of the community;Comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Comply with the financial and programmatic reporting requirements set forth for this program on a regular and timely basis (quarterly program progress reports and fiscal reports are due to IDoA 30 days following the end of each quarter);Hire appropriate staff and provide adequate supervision;Include appropriate staff in orientation, training, and other meetings scheduled by the IDoA for this program; andPermit access to program operations and records to IDoA staff for evaluation and monitoring purposes.Grantee shall respond to all inquiries, requests, emails, and phone calls from the Department within three business days. In the event the contact person at the Grantee agency is unavailable, Grantee will immediately provide an alternate contact person who will respond within three business days.Grantee shall participate in any Department directed surveys or requests for feedback from persons receiving assistance funded by this Grant. Failure to do so may result in withholding of payment pending compliance. See the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR 200.339) and 13.3 of this contract regarding non-compliance. Failure to comply with any of the “Applicant Requirements” during the program year can result in denial or discontinuation of funding for this program.

Ineligibility

Purchasing of gift cards of any kind is not an allowable expense for this grant.