Washington D.C. -The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced that it is approving $57.3 million in second- and third-year grants to 128 organizations to support 9,682 AmeriCorps members for the 2006-2007 program year.

If all members supported by these grants complete their terms of service, they collectively will be eligible to receive nearly $27 million in AmeriCorps Education Awards to pay for college or to pay back student loans.

“These grants will enable these extremely strong programs to continue to make a difference in communities across the country, said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation, which administers AmeriCorps. “And they also will enable nearly 10,000 individuals to gain the skills and experience they need to make a difference in their own lives.”

AmeriCorps grants typically are for three years, with annual renewals contingent on performance and availability of funds. This “continuation grant” funding announcement represents the second or third year of support to organizations currently administering an AmeriCorps program.

All but two of the awards announced today are part of the AmeriCorps*State Competitive grant competition, in which Governor-appointed state service commissions submit their top programs for consideration on a nationwide basis. The remaining two are part of the National Education Award Program competition. (For a complete list of grantees, the amounts awarded, and the numbers of AmeriCorps members to be supported, click here.)

AmeriCorps members—who are recruited directly by the organizations that receive grants—participate in a wide range of service projects in the areas of education, public safety, the environment, and other human needs communities across the country. Among many other activities, they teach disadvantaged students in low-income school districts, mentor at-risk youth, serve people with disabilities, help communities respond to disasters, restore parks and trails, and mobilize volunteers to meet vital community needs.

The grants announced today represent only part of the grants to be made this year by AmeriCorps. In total, the fiscal year 2006 budget for AmeriCorps will support a total of approximately 73,000 positions, the majority of which are awarded through Governor-appointed state service commissions. Most of the positions will be available starting in the fall. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and submit an online application by visiting http://www.americorps.gov.

"AmeriCorps is a great way to get skills and college aid while making a difference for your community," said Eisner.

At the end of a successful full-time term of service, AmeriCorps members earn an AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 that they can use to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Part-time members earn awards in "pro-rated" amounts. Most AmeriCorps members also receive health benefits, student loan deferment, and a living allowance to offset food and housing costs during their term of service.

In addition to the AmeriCorps*State and National grant program, AmeriCorps also includes: AmeriCorps*NCCC, a 10-month, full-time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 who carry out projects in public safety, public health, and disaster relief; and AmeriCorps*VISTA, whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, or bridge the digital divide.

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

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