AmeriCorps Program Funding (through ServeMinnesota)

AmeriCorps Program Funding (through ServeMinnesota)

Status: Active - ongoing annual competitive grant program

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

Minnesota has mobilized nearly 10,000 AmeriCorps members since 1994

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.

Contact Information:
ServeMinnesota
120 S. Sixth Street, Ste. 2260
Minneapolis, MN 55402
serve@serveminnesota.org
Phone: (information available through website)
www.serveminnesota.org

Partner Organization:
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
www.NationalService.gov