Washington D.C. — The Corporation for National and Community Service announced today that will award a total of $24 million in grants to 17 organizations to support approximately 3,600 AmeriCorps positions for the 2004-2005 program year.

Among other activities, the AmeriCorps members will tutor and mentor at-risk youth, build low-income housing, help communities prepare for disasters, and mobilize volunteers to meet other vital community needs. These grants, known as "continuations," represent funding for the second or third year of AmeriCorps' three-year grant cycle. All of the 17 organizations selected in this competition operate in more than one state. A complete list of grantees can be found at www.nationalservice.org/news/pr/050704b.html.

"We're very pleased with the high quality of these grantees and are fortunate that they will be engaging even more Americans in service to benefit our communities," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps. "On the 10th anniversary of AmeriCorps, these awards are a major step toward reaching our overall goal of enrolling 75,000 members and the direct result of the strong support for the program shown by President Bush and Congress."

The size of the grantee organizations announced today range from large groups with a major national presence - such as the American Red Cross, the U.S. Veterans Coalition, and City Year - to groups known mostly regionally, such as the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services of Dearborn, Mich. In addition to these "national direct" grants, AmeriCorps also makes grants to Governor-appointed state service commissions, who select local groups for funding based on local needs. Grant announcements for the 2004-2005 program year will occur throughout this spring and summer.

Because of the historic budget increase for AmeriCorps in 2004 — an increase of $167 million over the 2003 enacted level - most of the grants are for greater amounts and will support more AmeriCorps positions than were awarded in 2003. Because AmeriCorps members can serve either full time or part time, the actual number of members serving is higher than the number of full-time slots awarded.

In addition to the grant funding, the Corporation is setting aside $9.3 million for the education awards of AmeriCorps members who serve in these programs. At the end of a successful full-time term of service, AmeriCorps members earn an 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.

"Whether you are graduating from college or high school, taking time off from school, or changing careers, AmeriCorps is a great way to get skills and college aid while making a difference for your community," said AmeriCorps Director Rosie Mauk. "AmeriCorps will have more members in more places serving more people in need than ever before, and we urge Americans of all ages to log onto www.americorps.org to find an opportunity that fits your needs."

She added that she was very pleased that the grants could be announced so soon in the calendar year. "Programs that begin in the fall, especially teaching corps, will have more time to recruit qualified people to fill their slots. That way, schools and communities will receive the greatest benefit, and AmeriCorps will be on track to enrolling the largest class in its history."

In addition to the AmeriCorps*State and National grant programs, 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. The programs of the Corporation engage more than two million Americans each year in meeting critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. 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 www.nationalservice.org. For more information on how to join AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.org.

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