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Dear Service Leaders,
Last night, President Obama signed the fiscal year 2015 omnibus appropriations bill.
The Administration appreciates the bipartisan effort to include full-year appropriations legislation for most Government functions. As the President has said, the legislation is a compromise and no one got everything they wanted. But, it is a step towards proving that a divided government can work without governing by crisis or threatening an economic recovery that’s growing stronger.
The legislation provides $1.054 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs, a $5 million increase over last year. The budget invests in CNCS programs that engage millions of Americans in building community solutions to our most pressing challenges. It funds AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and other programs at current levels, bolsters the critical role of Governor-appointed State Service Commissions, and supports our focus on impact, accountability, and evidence.
Across all our programs, the budget will move us forward as we seek to expand economic opportunity, drive innovation and impact, grow national service and volunteerism, and demonstrate performance.
I would like to thank bipartisan leaders in Congress, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Mikulski, House Appropriations Committee Chair Hal Rogers, their Ranking Members, and the Chairs and the Ranking Members of the Labor/HHS/Education Subcommittees, including our longtime champion Senator Harkin, who is retiring this year.
This budget is a testament to your work and the critical role national service and social innovation plays in our country. National service can be a cost-effective strategy that engages our nation’s greatest resource—the American people—to get things done. It can offer a ladder of opportunity for those who serve—by helping them gain skills, pursue higher education, find employment, and achieve their dreams. It bolsters the nonprofit, civic, and faith-based organizations that are essential to our communities. It connects us with our neighbors and unites us a nation.
As I travel the country, elected leaders from all backgrounds tell me that national service is a smart investment. With the resources in this budget, the experience of our field, the strength of our network, the professionalism of our staff, and the passion of our members and volunteers, we are poised for greater impact and success in the coming year.
Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our mission.
Warmest Regards,
 Wendy Spencer, CEO
Corporation for National and Community Service
PS. You can see the breakdown of the budget on our website.
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