AmeriCorps Program Funding (through ServeMinnesota)

Geographic Scope: Minnesota statewide; funding supports service in more than 200 communities across the state

Program Administrator: ServeMinnesota, the governor-appointed commission on national and community service in Minnesota

Funding Amounts:

• 2014-2015: $19,595,887 in competitive AmeriCorps grants
• 2015-2016: $20,036,237 in AmeriCorps funding (largest competitive grant amount received by any single state)
• Additional state formula funding: $2.0-2.1 million annually
• Multi-state program expansion funding: $1.8 million

Member Count: Approximately 1,771-1,900 AmeriCorps members annually serving across the state

Focus Areas:

• Education (early literacy, math skills)
• Affordable housing
• Employment and economic stability
• Environment
• Disaster services
• Veteran and military family services
• Police-community relationships
• Addiction recovery

Funded Programs (2015-2016 example):

• City of Lakes AmeriCorps (Minneapolis Public Schools)
• College Possible
• Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP)
• Conservation Corps Minnesota
• LEAP (Learning Early Achieves Potential) – Southern MN Initiative Foundation
• Minnesota Green Corps
• Minnesota Math Corps
• Minnesota Opportunity Corps
• Minnesota Reading Corps
• Promise Fellows
• Minnesota Alliance with Youth
• Promise Neighborhood Program (Northside Achievement Zone)
• True North AmeriCorps (Duluth Area YMCA)
• Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

AmeriCorps Member Benefits:

• Living stipend during service (approximately $900/month or $480 every two weeks)
• Education Award upon completion (Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards): $5,645-$5,730 per member
• Can be used for college tuition or student loan repayment
• Members age 55+ can defer awards to children or grandchildren
• Service term: 10-11 months

Eligibility:

• AmeriCorps members: ages 18-24 for most programs (some variations)
• Minimum requirement: high school diploma or equivalent
• Must commit to full service term
• Citizenship/legal permanent residency requirements apply

National Recognition:

• Minnesota led the nation in competitive AmeriCorps funding for three consecutive years (2014, 2015, 2016)
• One of only a handful of states achieving 100% funding of all grant applications
• Members train and support more than 300,000 volunteers

Education Awards Funded:

• 2014-2015: $8,862,449 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards
• 2015-2016: $10.6 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards

Application and Grant Cycles:
AmeriCorps funding follows a competitive annual grant cycle administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Recent cycles have prioritized:

• Economic opportunity
• Education
• Veterans and military families
• Disaster services

State Role:
The law creating AmeriCorps gave states a key role in determining how national service resources are used. ServeMinnesota determines which organizations and programs receive funding based on community needs and program innovation/effectiveness.