Serve Washington Receives $21.3 Million in Federal Grants to Support 1,490 AmeriCorps Members Statewide

Governor Jay Inslee announced today that Serve Washingtonthe state’s Commission on National and Community Service, received $21.3 million in federal grants US Corps funding that will help place 1,490 AmeriCorps members statewide.

AmeriCorps is the national community service program where AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve directly with nonprofit organizations to address the nation’s most pressing challenges. During their service, AmeriCorps members serve in program areas related to economic opportunity, a healthy future, environmental stewardship, disaster services, education, and the needs of veterans and military families.

“AmeriCorps members are a force multiplier when it comes to helping communities thrive,” Inslee said. “Their ingenuity, creativity, and unwavering dedication to service have helped community organizations meet the critical needs of Washington’s most vulnerable. I am proud that we have these AmeriCorps members to help our communities thrive through results-driven service and make Washington State an even better place to live.

In addition to federal allocations, AmeriCorps programs in Washington are leveraging an additional $28.2 million in local matching funds. AmeriCorps is based on public-private partnerships. This means that AmeriCorps grantees must mobilize significant outside resources, including local support, to make their programs work.

AmeriCorps programs continue to be an important partner in addressing critical needs and systemic inequities in Washington that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Serve Washington executive director Amber Martin-Jahn said many AmeriCorps programs have focused over the past two years on addressing issues related to food insecurity and housing, learning loss students and youth mental health.

“AmeriCorps members have stepped up to serve their communities in many ways and have met these critical needs head-on,” Martin-Jahn said. “As powerful as that is, I am reminded daily of the double bottom line AmeriCorps delivers through its investment, development, and support for AmeriCorps members themselves. We are honored that our AmeriCorps programs continue to partner with philanthropic organizations, nonprofits, and state agencies to address these challenges.

Over the next year, 1,490 AmeriCorps members will win up to $9 million in scholarships. Members will receive approximately $6,495 each through an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award after completing 1,700 hours of service to pay for college or repay student loans.

About funding:

Serve Washington is the state commission that administers AmeriCorps state funds in Washington, the majority of which are awarded through a national competition. At the federal level, funds from the highly competitive award process come from AmeriCorps, the federal agency also known as the Corporation for National and Community Service, responsible for the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs.

Occurring in the fall of each year, competitive grants for AmeriCorps program proposals are placed into an applicant pool for a national grant review process. Grants under the formula take place in the spring of each year. Program proposals are placed in an applicant pool at the state commissioner level for a funding decision by state service commissioners.

Twenty-one organizations across the state will run 23 AmeriCorps programs, which will place AmeriCorps members in hundreds of service locations statewide.

Three other organizations also received planning grants. Planning grants help provide training and technical assistance to organizations developing new AmeriCorps programs.

Serve Washington AmeriCorps grants and membership positions will be distributed as follows:

Two Washington-based multistate programs have also received federal AmeriCorps grants: Mount Adams Institute VetsWork Environment and Western Washington University-Washington Campus Compact.

Organizations are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to begin service this fall. AmeriCorps members generally receive a modest living allowance and scholarship after completing their service. Those interested in serving can learn more about the Serve Washington website.

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About Serve Washington: Serve Washington advances national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement to improve lives; expands the ability to meet the local critical needs of Washington residents; and builds community capacity while building healthy and resilient communities. For more information, visit servewashington.wa.gov.

About AmericaCorps: AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteer and national service, provides Americans with the opportunity to serve their country at the national level, address the country’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen the civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps Members and AmeriCorps Senior Volunteers in intensive service roles and enables millions more to serve as long-term, short-term or one-time volunteers. Learn more about AmeriCorps.gov.