AmeriCorps VISTA Living Allowance Update

Dear AmeriCorps members,

We are pleased to share that the annual living allowance rate review has been completed. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, the minimum living allowance for members will increase to $24,962 annually (equivalent to $12 an hour). The county-by-county living allowance rates are available to view.

We know that, for many of you, the living allowance is simply not livable. It has left some of you vulnerable to housing and food security issues and has been a barrier to entry for those who don’t have access to a network of financial support outside of our program. As my mom reminds me, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It is important that we put people first and continue to support our members by “filling your cups” as you give to service.

Your sponsors and supervisors have also received this update and are available to address your questions and concerns. Although this is good news, our message to your organization’s leaders provided some in-depth and big picture information detailing potential budget impacts of this decision. On recent calls members have asked for more communications about the VISTA budget. If you will, please allow me a few moments to get into the weeds a bit. We want to be intentional about sharing the information that we have available - especially if there is the potential that it can impact you now or in the future.

Let’s begin with a brief overview of the VISTA program’s budget.

More than 70 percent of the AmeriCorps VISTA annual appropriated budget from Congress is directed toward the member living allowance. Over the last four years, VISTA has increased the living allowance more than 86 percent (from a minimum annual rate of $13,293 in FY 2020 to a minimum annual rate of $24,962 in FY 2024). We previously funded these annual increases with American Rescue Plan funding, which ended last fiscal year. Learn more about the impact of these funds.

This year, we made the decision to continue to increase the living allowance to ensure that you - our members - live with the dignity and security of a life sustaining allowance, even without supplemental funding. In an environment of flat funding (or funding levels equal to those prior to receiving the American Rescue Plan funds) and increased costs, the tradeoff here is one we don’t like - but one we can’t avoid. Raising member living allowances, without increased appropriated funds, means we may have even fewer members in the coming year.

I say “even fewer” because our program is currently dramatically undersized due to the end of American Rescue Plan funds. Historically, our program size has been about 8,000 members annually (including full-year members and summer associates). This year, in 2024, we will have about 3,200 full-year members and our Summer Associate program remains unfunded. As you know, a smaller VISTA program means we are meeting the needs of fewer people and communities living in poverty. It means we are having an impact on fewer lives. It means we are missing opportunities to deliver on our mission.

Although we face the possibility of an even smaller member cohort next year, I am honored to join AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith in this decision, which will help to ensure we continue to maintain our commitment to be inclusive and to care for you and your well-being. Michael and I continue to advance our cause. The President’s FY 2025 budget request, which includes funding for the AmeriCorps VISTA program to support increased living allowances, begins to rebuild the size of our program, and restores the Summer Associate program. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more. In the meantime, please remember to share your stories of service. They have always mattered, and they are even more important now. When your stories of impact are felt, seen, and heard by our community and national leaders the case for AmeriCorps VISTA is made stronger.

Thank you for the commitment that you make each day to partner with communities to help create lasting change through service.

In service,

Maggie Garvey
Acting Director, AmeriCorps VISTA 

VISTA Living Allowance Information and Background

AmeriCorps VISTA will raise the minimum living allowance for members to $24,962 annually (equivalent to $12 an hour). All members will receive a 3.4 percent minimum living allowance increase. The increase will go into effect on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Members can view the living allowance rates.

Each year, AmeriCorps VISTA conducts a review of the living allowance rates to ensure compliance with our governing legislation, the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (as amended). The review factors in the Health and Human Services poverty guidelines, as well as county-by-county cost of living data utilizing the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair market rents, to produce the adjusted living allowance rates for the areas where our members and leaders serve. As part of this year’s living allowance review, AmeriCorps VISTA also accounted for the current rate of inflation.

Additionally, AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith made the decision to raise the minimum living allowance to $12 an hour across all AmeriCorps State and National, NCCC, and VISTA programs.

The updated rates will begin accruing on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. The first paycheck to reflect these adjustments will be in late September. Please note that the AmeriCorps VISTA living allowance rates listed in the table are gross, pre-tax amounts, and that the actual pay may vary to reflect the number of days served in a pay period and members’ tax withholding decisions.

Are there actions that members will need to take?

There are no actions for members to take during this process. AmeriCorps’ portfolio managers are working with your supervisors to ensure a seamless transition to the new rates.

When and how will my supervisor receive this information?

AmeriCorps VISTA sponsors and supervisors are scheduled to receive an email message outlining this update on Tuesday, July 23. Their message will be similar to this message, informing them of the increase in the living allowance and how to access resources. If sponsors have or receive questions that they are unable to answer, they have been directed to contact their portfolio manager for guidance.

How do I ask questions and share my concerns?

Please direct your questions to your supervisor. If they are unable to answer your questions, their portfolio manager is available to help with providing an answer. We have also invited supervisors to share their questions and concerns during our next AmeriCorps VISTA sponsor call, which will be hosted on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m. ET. We welcome supervisors to share members’ questions and concerns during the call, as well.