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2025 OregonServes Preparedness, Resilience and Emergency Planning (PREP) Grant Opportunity

The State of Oregon, acting by and through its Higher Education Coordinating Commission, (“HECC”), is issuing this Request for Applications (“RFA”) for the OregonServes State Service Commission’s (“OSC”) Preparedness, Resilience, and Emergency Planning (“PREP”) Opportunity. The opportunity is to provide small Grants to organizations to help communities be more prepared for disasters.

Important Dates

February 28th | IApplication deadline

March 5 | Application notification (approximate)

March 12 | Issuance of Grant Agreement (approximate)

Applying for Funds

Eligible entities include state and local government, non-profit, and tribal organizations. Eligible Applicants are those that are in the Community Disaster Resilience Zones (“CDRZ”) established by Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”). 

Review the full 24-121-RFA OSC Disaster PREP_Final.pdf

Funding Priorities

  • Activities that engage diverse populations, ensuring inclusion of underrepresented, rural, or vulnerable communities.
  • Activities that foster collaboration among local organizations, businesses, and government to address preparedness needs collectively.
  • Events that provide education, training, or resources to enhance individual and community preparedness for emergencies and disasters.
  • Activities that strengthen community capacity and resilience.

Application Requirements

All Applicants must use the Application form via Survey Monkey Apply located at: 

https://oregonhecc.smapply.us/prog/oregonserves_prep_grant


Contact Information

Email oregon.serves@hecc.oregon.govfor more information.


The Role of AmeriCorps within the Disaster Cycle

AmeriCorps programs respond to disasters including forest fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, terror attacks, pandemics, etc. Since 1994, AmeriCorps programs have provided critical support to communities in times of disaster. AmeriCorps programs support all four elements of the disaster cycle: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.


Funding Overview

Disaster Corps grants help individuals and communities prepare for and adapt to disasters.

Eligible activities include:

  • Improving readiness to respond to disasters
  • Support recovery efforts from disasters
  • Assist in the implementation of pre-disaster mitigation and adaptation measures
  • Support and engage individuals and communities in planning for disasters

Program Models

Applicants can choose from three types of program models to apply for:

Stand-alone AmeriCorps Disaster Corps program that has either a local or statewide focus

The AmeriCorps Disaster Corps program would have the following components:

  • Provide support to local communities to develop disaster preparedness plans and/or projects;
  • Provide disaster training and certification opportunities to members;
  • Provide education on disaster mitigation and preparedness (i.e., community and climate resiliency activities);
  • Conduct activities that build volunteer capacity and engagement (i.e., creating outreach and communication strategies, improving recruitment and retention, developing, and providing training);
  • At times of a declared disaster, conduct disaster response and/or recovery activities. Response and recovery activities usually include volunteer management, donations management, debris management, call center and data management, sheltering care, etc.

An AmeriCorps program that adds the ADRT component to current programming.

AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (ADRT) is an AmeriCorps program with a disaster component. The program may also have other priorities and focus areas but there is a commitment to disaster response and recovery work. ADRTs engage in disaster response activities and training year-round and deploy when there is a FEMA Mission Assignment (MA). ADRTs work under the direction of the AmeriCorps Disaster Services Unit when an MA work order has been issued and are reimbursed for approved expenses. View the Disaster Services Framework for more information.

Stand-alone AmeriCorps Disaster Corps program that also serves as an ADRT.

The AmeriCorps Disaster Corps program would have the components of option 1 above and would also serve as an ADRT.