Olympia, Wash. – Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that Washington has been awarded $15.6 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
These grants will support 1,433 AmeriCorps members across the state serving with 17 organizations. AmeriCorps members will tackle critical challenges in Washington, including helping in education settings, preserving the environment, assisting with disaster response and recovery, and supporting veterans and military families.
Of the total amount, $14.4 million plus $82,000 in carryover funding will be directed to Serve Washington, the governor-appointed state service commission, which in turn will award grants to 15 nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the state. Funds will engage 1,334 AmeriCorps members in service. In addition, $1.2 million is being awarded to two multi-state programs headquartered in Washington, which will add 99 AmeriCorps positions.
“National service is an essential part of the solution to many of the challenges facing our state,” Inslee said. “These AmeriCorps members will meet pressing local needs as they develop civic and leadership skills to last a lifetime. I congratulate these outstanding organizations and thank all those who serve their communities through AmeriCorps.”
“AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer. “Building on Washington’s strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across the state. As they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves, gaining skills and experience to jump-start their careers.”
CNCS will make available $7.9 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of $5,730 they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans.
The current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive due to the strong demand by organizations seeking its resources. The 2015 competition prioritized investments in economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, and disaster services.
Since 1994, more than 35,000 AmeriCorps members have served more than 52 million hours and earned more than $122 million in education scholarships in Washington.
AmeriCorps grants and number of positions will be distributed in Washington as follows:
Competitive grants
EarthCorps – EarthCorps Corps Program $360,000 30
Mt. Adams Institute – VetsWork (multi-state) $531,050 43
Washington Campus Compact – College Access Corps (multi-state) $672,000 56
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs – Vet Corps $630,500 50
Washington Department of Ecology – Washington Conservation Corps $1,823,920 285
Washington Employment Security Department – Washington Reading Corps $1,860,000 150
Washington Employment Security Department – Washington Service Corps $7,149,870 567
Formula grants
College Access Now $255,600 20
College Success Foundation – College and Career Advising Corps $195,000 15
Communities In Schools of WA – WA State CIS AmeriCorps Project $343,250 25
Community Youth Services – AmeriCorps Youth in Service $274,600 20
Kitsap Community Resources – KCR AmeriCorps $303,936 43
Life Works – Cowlitz AmeriCorps Network $322,320 24
NE Washington Educational Service District 101 – Spokane Service Team $276,600 57
Northwest Leadership Foundation – Urban Leaders in Training $156,092 12
Pasco School District #1 – Regional Service Corps $270,019 20
Port Angeles School District – Port Angeles AmeriCorps $219,200 16