(Washington D.C.) - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced that it is approving $155 million in second- and third- year continuation grants to 266 organizations to support 27,591 AmeriCorps members for the 2005-2006 program year. An additional $87 million in funding was set aside for AmeriCorps Education Awards for members who complete their service to pay for college or pay back student loans.

“These programs represent the strongest, most innovative, and most impactful efforts in the country to harness citizen service in support of our communities,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation, which administers AmeriCorps. “The 27,000 Americans who will take the AmeriCorps service pledge next year as a result of these grants will change the communities in which they serve - and themselves - for the better.”

The funding is for “continuation grants” to provide a second or third year of support for organizations administering AmeriCorps program. Groups receiving AmeriCorps support must compete for funding. The grant period is usually for three years, with annual renewals contingent on performance and availability of funds.

AmeriCorps members - who are recruited directly by the organizations that receive grants - participate in a wide range of projects in communities across the country. 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, among many other activities.

AmeriCorps grants are made in two general categories: grants to organizations nominated or selected by Governor-appointed state service commissions, and grants made directly to organizations from the Corporation. Today’s grant announcements fall under the following sub-categories:

• AmeriCorps State Competitive: These grants are awarded to organizations nominated to participate in a nationwide competition by Governor-appointed state service commissions. The 208 organizations selected in this category will receive grants totaling $104.8 million to support 13,115 AmeriCorps positions.
  
• AmeriCorps National Direct: These grants are awarded to organizations that operate in more than one state, and include such well-known national organizations as Habitat for Humanity, the Hands On Network, Public Allies, and YouthBuild USA. The 33 grantees in this category will receive a total of $45.3 million to support 8,327 AmeriCorps members.
  
• AmeriCorps National Direct/Education Award Program: Under this program, organizations receive only a small administrative grant - roughly about $400 for each full-time member - and use their own or other resources to cover AmeriCorps members’ living allowance and other program costs. The members earn AmeriCorps Education Awards that they can redeem after completing their terms of service. The 15 grantees in this category will receive $1.3 million to support 5,943 members.
  
• AmeriCorps Tribes: By law, 1 percent of AmeriCorps grant funding is set aside to support programs operated by Native American Tribes. The seven grantees in this category will receive $3.3 million to support 168 AmeriCorps members. This number includes 90 members who will serve as part of team-based residential programs.
  
• AmeriCorps South Dakota: Because South Dakota does not have a state service commission through which AmeriCorps grants are administered, grants to organizations in that state are made directly by the Corporation. The two grantees in this category - Habitat for Humanity/South Dakota and the Red Cloud Indian School - will receive a total of $330,522 to support 38 AmeriCorps members.

A complete list of organizations in the above categories, the amount they will receive, and the number of AmeriCorps members to be supported can be found at www.nationalservice.gov/news/pr/05_0506a.html.

The grants announced today represent only part of the grants to be made this year by AmeriCorps. In total, the fiscal year 2005 budget for AmeriCorps will support a total of approximately 70,000 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 www.americorps.gov.

"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.

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 programs, of which these competitions are a part, 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 1.6 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.gov.

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