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Dear incoming members of AmeriCorps NCCC,
Over the past few days, you may have come across news articles and social media posts regarding reductions in funding for national service, including AmeriCorps NCCC, for Fiscal Year 2016 (beginning October 1, 2015).
We understand that this budget process is complex, so we wanted to reach out to you to explain where we are and what comes next. At this point, your most important take-away is that our staff members are currently continuing with plans to welcome you into AmeriCorps NCCC this fall.
Each year, the budget process begins when the President sends his proposal for funding federal agencies to Congress. When President Obama did this in February, he requested strong support for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), including full funding for AmeriCorps NCCC. As you may know, CNCS is a federal agency that administers all AmeriCorps programs, including NCCC. The next step in the funding process is underway, with the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees putting together their own budget proposals.
We’re fighting for the President’s budget that supports AmeriCorps NCCC. The budget process for federal agencies is a lengthy one with many steps and we appreciate your patience as it progresses.
As was mentioned in a recent message from Wendy Spencer, the CEO of CNCS, please rest assured that our agency’s leaders are helping lawmakers understand how cuts to national service programs would affect the communities we serve and on individuals like you who want to give back to their country. National service programs have a lot of support—from President Obama, governors, nonprofits, and business leaders. As Friday’s New York Times editorial said, CNCS “has enjoyed strong, bipartisan support among mayors and county officials whose constituents have benefited from it.”
The best thing we can do as we wait for this process to move forward is to continue Getting Things Done, and that’s exactly what our currently serving members are doing. Their sweat and dedication will leave a mark on communities, honor the hard work of the classes before them, and continue to build the legacy of service we are preparing to welcome you into this fall.
Warmest Regards,
 José Phillips
National Director, AmeriCorps NCCC
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