Serve Washington receives $24.1 million in federal funding to support 1,502 AmeriCorps members statewide

OLYMPIA--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.

“The best part about this funding is that it provides opportunities for thousands of individuals who want to serve their fellow Americans and brings those service-minded people into the communities that need them,” Inslee said. “Communities around Washington will benefit from AmeriCorps members’ resourcefulness, creativity and passion serving hand-in-hand with local community organizations.”

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:

Competitive grants – (Operating)

Competitive grants – (Operating)	Total federal award	# of AmeriCorps members	Counties serving
City Year, Inc. – City Year Seattle	$2,148,200	94	King
College Possible	$648,000	30	King
EarthCorps	$840,000	40	Island, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish
NEW Educational Service District #101 - Spokane Service Team	$451,250	64	Spokane
Student Conservation Association*	$239,660	20	Statewide, with emphasis in Pierce and King counties
United Way of King County	$1,360,800	60	King
WA State Department of Ecology – Washington Conservation Corps	$2,201,437	285	Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Grant, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kitsap
WA State Department of Veterans Affairs – Vet Corps	$826,650	50	Statewide
WA State Employment Security Department – Public Health AmeriCorps	$225,137	8	King
WA State Employment Security Department –Washington Reading Corps	$2,178,350	95	Statewide
WA State Employment Security Department –Washington Service Corps	$6,594,300	450	Statewide

Formula grants – (Operating)

Formula grants – (Operating)	Total federal award	# of AmeriCorps members	Counties serving
Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council – AmeriCorps	$575,000	25	Chelan
Civic Well	$530,000	20	Statewide
College Success Foundation – College and Career Coaches Program	$286,000	11	King, Pierce, Yakima
Common Threads Farm	$704,366	60	Island, King, Whatcom
Girl Scouts of Western Washington*	$520,000	20	Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz
iFoster – TAY AmeriCorps WA	$395,000	30	King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Yakima
Pasco School District No. 1 – Serve Tri-Cities	$694,969	30	Benton, Franklin
Port Angeles School District AmeriCorps	$333,456	12	Clallam
Tacoma Boat Builders – Imagine Justice Project	$576,000	34	Pierce
Salvation Army*	$233,867	9	Pierce, Lewis, Grays Harbor
Sea-Mar Community Health Center	$523,000	20	Clark, Grays Harbor, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Whatcom
United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties	$330,388	20	Benton, Franklin
Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs	$344,646	15	statewide

* indicates a new AmeriCorps program.

Formula Planning grants

**Formula Planning grants	Total federal award
WA State Employment Security Department – Washington Service Corps	$75,000
Folk Education Association of America – Living Traditions Corps	$75,000
Phoenix Conservancy	$46,233
The Moore Wright Group	$73,949
Your Money Matters	$74,490

**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.

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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.