Deal announces $12.5 in AmeriCorps grants
Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that Georgia organizations will receive more than $12.5 million from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund grants and education scholarships for 909 AmeriCorps members serving in 17 nonprofit and public agencies.
“Service is an essential part of the resolution to many challenges facing our state,” said Deal. “These funds will provide AmeriCorps with the means to train new members and retain experienced personnel, so they are equipped to meet pressing needs and strengthen their communities. I commend this outstanding organization, and thank those who serve through AmeriCorps.”
These agents will address critical areas including education, homelessness, the environment, veterans, natural disasters, healthcare and career development.
Of the total funding amount, AmeriCorps will grant $3,452,514 to the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism, a part of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that awards grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the state.
“DCA is proud to have the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism as a vital member of our team in providing resources to Georgia’s citizens,” said DCA Commissioner Camila Knowles. “The funding provided by AmeriCorps helps us continue to support job creation and to sustain the great quality of life we enjoy in Georgia, all while giving AmeriCorps members invaluable training in leadership and service.”
In regards to education scholarships, AmeriCorps will receive $4,509,510 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards from CNCS to distribute among members. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps participants are eligible to receive an award of $5,730 to use as payment for college or student loans.
AmeriCorps engages 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations at 25,000 locations across the country. Since 1994, more than 900,000 Americans have provided over 1 billion hours of service addressing critical challenges from poverty and hunger to disasters and the dropout crisis. More than 17,000 Georgia residents have served more than 24 million hours and have qualified for education awards that reach a total greater than $50,350,000.
“AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer. “Building on Georgia’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 jumpstart their careers.”
Due to the strong demand by organizations seeking AmeriCorps resources, the current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive. The 2015 competition prioritized investments in economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families and disaster services.
Below is a listing of 2015 AmeriCorps grants in Georgia:
Clayton State University AmeriCorps Program - $179,390
Communities in Schools of Georgia Reading Tutorial Program - $172,705
Covenant House Georgia, Inc. – CHGA AmeriCorps - $136,984
Georgia Department of Natural Resources/GA State Parks & Historic Sites AmeriCorps Program - $205,810
Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc. – Technology, Engineering, Environment, Math & Science (TEEMS) - $174,646
Georgia Tech Research Corporation – Georgia Tech AmeriCorps Academic Mentoring Program - $197,523
Hands on Atlanta, Inc. – Hands on Atlanta AmeriCorps - $386,994
Jekyll Island State Park Authority dba Georgia Sea Turtle Center – AmeriCorps GSTC - $275,649
New American Pathways – AmeriCorps Project RISE - $302,057
The University of Georgia – Georgia 4-H AmeriCorps Project - $439,357
United Way of Metro Atlanta – Project Health Access - $268,391
WINGS for kids – AmeriCorps Georgia - $320,571
Youth Villages – Inner Harbour Campus – Youth Villages AmeriCorps Program - $305,907
Habitat for Humanity International – Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps (Multi-state) - $3,890,250
Points of Light Foundation – Disaster Services Project (Multi-state) - $315,487
Points of Light Foundation – Veteran Leader Corps AmeriCorps Program (Multi-state) - $384,416
Teach for America — Atlanta -$86,530
About the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) partners with communities to create a climate of success for Georgia’s families and businesses through community and economic development, local government assistance, and safe and affordable housing. Using state and federal resources, DCA helps communities spur private job creation, implement planning, develop downtowns, generate affordable housing solutions and promote volunteerism. DCA also helps qualified low- and moderate-income Georgians buy homes, rent housing, and prevent foreclosure and homelessness. For more information, visit www.dca.ga.gov.
About The Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism
The Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism is a part of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Our mission is to promote service and volunteerism in Georgia through AmeriCorps national service grants, community volunteer recognition, and support of local volunteer organizations and efforts. For more information, visit http://www.americorpsga.org/.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Volunteer Generation Fund, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov.