Newly-announced federal investment will go toward positions supporting tutoring, disaster response, environmental work, veterans, and more in communities throughout Washington state
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that Washington state will receive $24.6 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service. The investments will help tackle some of the toughest problems in Washington, including providing mentoring and tutoring for at-risk youth, assisting in disaster response, preserving the environment, supporting veterans and military families, and more. Senators Murray and Cantwell have consistently advocated for increased federal investment in the AmeriCorps program to support these volunteer positions.
“AmeriCorps volunteers represent some of the best our country has to offer – working to better our communities and tackle issues facing families in Washington state and across the country,” said Senator Murray. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact these volunteers have in Washington state, and will continue to support programs like AmeriCorps that help individuals learn how to serve and contribute to their communities.”
“AmeriCorps plays a vital role in strengthening communities across Washington state and our country. Whether it’s helping young students learn how to read or building and preserving hiking trails, AmeriCorps enriches both the lives of the volunteers and the communities they live in,” said Senator Cantwell. “I’m certain these AmeriCorps volunteers will make a lasting difference in our communities.”
“For more than 20 years, AmeriCorps members have had a positive and lasting impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “Building on Washington’s strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across Washington. While they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves – gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers. I salute every AmeriCorps member for his or her dedication and determination to ‘get things done’ and respond to the needs in their communities.”
“National service strengthens communities and is an essential part of the solutions to challenges we face in our state,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “These AmeriCorps members will help meet pressing local needs, develop civic and leadership skills that will last a lifetime and strengthen community organizations. I thank all those who serve Washington State through AmeriCorps.”
The federal investment includes 19 grants totaling $16.3 million to support 1,474 AmeriCorps members. Most of the funding will be directed to Serve Washington, the Governor-appointed state service commission, which in turn will award grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the state. CNCS will also provide up to $8.2 million in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants to help pay for college, job training, or repaying student loans. This federal investment is projected to generate an additional $18.7 million in local support to increase community impact and return on federal investment.
See below for the eight AmeriCorps competitive grants in Washington. In addition to the competitive grants, Serve Washington, the Governor-appointed state service commission, will be making 11 grants through formula funding provided by CNCS. Click here to see more information on both types of grants.
- EarthCorps: ($360,000 grant; 30 AmeriCorps members)
- College Access Now: ($384,900 grant; 30 AmeriCorps members)
- Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs: ($630,500 grant; 50 AmeriCorps members)
- Washington State Department of Ecology: ($1.8 million grant; 285 AmeriCorps members)
- Washington Campus Compact: ($672,000 grant; 56 AmeriCorps members)
- Mt. Adams Institute: ($499,489 grant; 58 AmeriCorps members)
- Washington State Employment Security Department will receive two grants.
- Washington Reading Corps: ($1.8 grant; 150 AmeriCorps members)
- Washington Service Corps: ($7.1 million grant; 567 AmeriCorps members)
AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 21,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.
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