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Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that Serve Washington, the state’s commission on national and community service, has been awarded more than $24.1 million in federal AmeriCorps grant funding. The funding will help support 1,502 AmeriCorps members statewide.
AmeriCorps is the national and community service program where members serve directly with non-profit organizations to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. It’s made possible through a federal-state partnership with a central role for governor-appointed state service commissions. Over the course of their service, AmeriCorps members serve in program focus areas related to economic opportunity, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, disaster services, education and the needs of veterans and military families.
“AmeriCorps and Serve Washington provide opportunities for thousands of individuals every year who want to engage in public service by working with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities,” Inslee said. “These folks add tremendous value to communities across Washington with their resourcefulness, creativity and passion. And through programs like the Climate Corps, they also develop skillsets that will serve them well in their careers."
Serve Washington Executive Director Amber Martin-Jahn said the award is a testament to the importance of the service AmeriCorps members provide in communities across Washington.
Three of the 24 organizations awarded funding will be launching new AmeriCorps programs in the 2023-2024 service year.
“AmeriCorps investment in Washington programs is critical in removing barriers to national service participation, both for local organizations running programs and for people who choose to serve,” Martin-Jahn said.
Martin-Jahn noted AmeriCorps programs received additional support from state lawmakers to create more equity in service opportunities. The 2023 Legislature approved bills that allowed the creation of the new Washington State Climate Corps Network, which is designed to engage young people and veterans to address climate change in Washington through service that prioritizes overburdened communities. It allowed Serve Washington to create an equity fund for BIPOC-led and small non-profit organizations to offset the costs of starting up AmeriCorps programs. It also helped provide small increases in benefits for AmeriCorps members.
“AmeriCorps is a public-private partnership and requires investment from all partners. This year we are proud to have the support of the Washington State Legislature to add state monies over the next biennium to support organizational and individual access to national service opportunities.”
Local sources will match the total federal funding by more than $32.2 million.
Over the next year, these AmeriCorps members will earn up to a combined $9.5 million in education awards. AmeriCorps members will receive approximately $6,895 each through an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award after they complete 1,700 hours of service. The award can be used to pay educational expenses at eligible colleges, training and vocational programs, or to repay qualified student loans.
Organizations receiving the funding will place AmeriCorps members at more than 800 community-based organizations, higher education institutions, tribal organizations and government entities in 2023 and 2024.
Serve Washington AmeriCorps grants and member positions will be distributed as follows:
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Competitive grants – (Operating)
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Total federal award
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Number of AmeriCorps members
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Counties serving
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City Year, Inc. – City Year Seattle
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$2,148,200
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94
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King
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College Possible
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$648,000
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30
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King
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EarthCorps
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$840,000
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40
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Island, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish
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NEW Educational Service District #101 - Spokane Service Team
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$451,250
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64
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Spokane
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Student Conservation Association*
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$239,660
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20
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Statewide, with emphasis in Pierce and King counties
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United Way of King County
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$1,360,800
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60
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King
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WA State Department of Ecology – Washington Conservation Corps
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$2,201,437
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285
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Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Grant, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kitsap
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WA State Department of Veterans Affairs – Vet Corps
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$826,650
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50
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Statewide
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WA State Employment Security Department – Public Health AmeriCorps
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$225,137
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8
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King
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WA State Employment Security Department –Washington Reading Corps
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$2,178,350
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95
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Statewide
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WA State Employment Security Department –Washington Service Corps
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$6,594,300
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450
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Statewide
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Formula grants – (Operating)
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Total federal award
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Number of AmeriCorps members
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Counties serving
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Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council – AmeriCorps
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$575,000
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25
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Chelan
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Civic Well
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$530,000
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20
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Statewide
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College Success Foundation – College and Career Coaches Program
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$286,000
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11
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King, Pierce, Yakima
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Common Threads Farm
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$704,366
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60
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Island, King, Whatcom
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Girl Scouts of Western Washington*
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$520,000
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20
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Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz
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iFoster – TAY AmeriCorps WA
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$395,000
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30
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King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Yakima
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Pasco School District No. 1 –
Serve Tri-Cities
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$694,969
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30
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Benton, Franklin
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Port Angeles School District AmeriCorps
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$333,456
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12
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Clallam
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Tacoma Boat Builders –
Imagine Justice Project
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$576,000
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34
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Pierce
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Salvation Army*
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$233,867
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9
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Pierce, Lewis, Grays Harbor
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Sea-Mar Community Health Center
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$523,000
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20
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Clark, Grays Harbor, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Whatcom
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United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties
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$330,388
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20
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Benton, Franklin
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Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs
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$344,646
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15
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statewide
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* indicates a new AmeriCorps program.
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**Formula planning grants
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Total federal award
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WA State Employment Security Department – Washington Service Corps
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$75,000
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Folk Education Association of America – Living Traditions Corps
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$75,000
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Phoenix Conservancy
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$46,233
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The Moore Wright Group
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$73,949
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Your Money Matters
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$74,490
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**Formula planning grants do not support placement of AmeriCorps members. They help organizations develop new AmeriCorps programs.
AmeriCorps federal grants are also awarded to two multi-state programs headquartered in Washington state: Mt. Adams Institute VetWorks Environment and Western Washington University-Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good.
Organizations are now recruiting for AmeriCorps members to begin service this fall. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living stipend while they are serving and receive an education award after they successfully complete their service.
To learn more about serving in AmeriCorps visit americorps.gov/serve.
About Serve Washington: Serve Washington advances national service, volunteerism and civic engagement to improve lives; expands opportunity to meet the local critical needs of residents of Washington; and strengthens community capacity while creating healthy and resilient communities. For more information, visit servewashington.wa.gov.
About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
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