Serve Washington receives $21.6 million in federal funding to support 1,254 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 $21.6 million in federal AmeriCorps grant funding. The funding will help support 1,254 AmeriCorps members statewide.

The federal funding, awarded through AmeriCorps, underscores Serve Washington’s commitment to promoting volunteerism and addressing local challenges. The funding will support a range of programs that focus on improving lives and strengthening communities across Washington.

“We are thrilled to see such a diverse group of organizations receiving funding for their AmeriCorps programs, said Serve Washington Executive Director Trish Almond. “These programs will not only create opportunities for individuals to give back, but they will also have a profound impact on the resilience and wellbeing of our local communities. By addressing these critical needs, AmeriCorps members will help build a brighter future for all Washingtonians.”

Over the course of their service, AmeriCorps members will serve at hundreds of service sites in program focus areas related to economic opportunity, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, disaster services, education and the needs of veterans and military families.

“National service strengthens communities and is an essential part of the solutions to challenges we face in our state,” Inslee said. “These AmeriCorps members help meet pressing local needs while developing civic and leadership skills that will last a lifetime. I thank all who serve Washington through AmeriCorps.”

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.

Local sources will match the total federal funding by more than $36.1 million.

By the end of 2024-2025 service year, these AmeriCorps members will earn up to a combined $8.75 million in education awards. AmeriCorps members will receive approximately $7,395 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.

Serve Washington AmeriCorps grants and member positions will be distributed as follows:

Competitive grants – (Operating)	Total federal award	# of AmeriCorps members	Counties serving
City Year, Inc	$1,387,500	56	King
College Possible Washington	$624,999	25	King
Earth Corps	$736,000	36	Island, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish
New ESD 101 (Spokane Service Team)	$366,955	50	Spokane
Student Conservation Association	$260,500	20	Statewide with emphasis in King & Pierce Counties
United Way of King County	$1,428,840	60	King
Washington State Department of Ecology (Washington Conservation Corps)	$3,327,012	273	Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Grant, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap
Washington State Employment Security Department (Public Health Corps)	$215,728	8	King
Washington State Employment Security Department (Washington Reading Corps)	$1,742,680	76	Statewide
Washington State Employment Security Department (Washington Service Corps)	$6,931,800	450	Statewide

 

 

Formula grants – (Operating)	Total federal award	# of AmeriCorps members	Counties serving
Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council	$513,000	20	Chelan, Douglas
College Success Foundation	$297,000	11	King. Pierce, Yakima
Girl Scouts of Western Washington	$403,985	22	Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz
Pasco School District 1 (Serve Tri-Cities)	$540,000	20	Benton, Franklin
*Phoenix Conservancy	$219,999	15	Whitman
Port Angeles School District	$280,263	15	Clallam
CivicSpark WA (Public Health Institute)	$405,000	15	Statewide
Sea Mar Community Health Center	$400,982	15	Clark, Grays Harbor, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Whatcom
Tacoma Boat Builders (Imagine Justice)	$594,000	24	Pierce
United Way of Benton and Franklin Counites	$324,000	20	Benton, Franklin
Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs (Vet Corps)	$215,000	8	Statewide
Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs	$389,888	15	Statewide

* indicates a new AmeriCorps program.

 

Formula Planning grants**	Total federal award
None	$0

**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.