Update on FY 2011 National Service Budget

Dear Colleagues,

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun to take action on spending bills for Fiscal Year 2011, and we want to update you on the progress so far.

As you recall, the budget process kicked off last February, when President Obama released his budget request for Fiscal Year 2011. In that budget, the President proposed $1.416 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service to strengthen our nation's volunteer sector, foster innovation, and mobilize millions of Americans to solve critical problems through national service.

Yesterday the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved a spending bill that includes $1.366 billion for the Corporation, an increase of $215.9 million over last year's funding level but $51 million below the President's request. At this time, details aren't available about how this funding breaks down among programs. The full Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to take up the bill tomorrow, Thursday, July 29.

On July 15, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved $1.305 billion for the Corporation and its programs, a $155 million increase over last year but $111 million short of the President's request. As with the Senate, details on the funding breakdown are not yet available.

As the bill moves through the legislative process, we will continue to push for full funding of the President's FY 2011 request. As social needs continue to mount, and as Americans look for ways to give back, national service is a critical, cost-effective investment that engages citizens in tackling our most serious challenges in education, health, clean energy, economic opportunity, veterans, disaster response, and other critical issues.

The next step is for the full Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate to vote on the bills approved by the Subcommittees, followed by floor consideration. We will continue to provide you with updates as the budget moves through Congress.

As always, you can learn more about the Corporation's budget by visiting the budget page of our website.

All the best,

Rhoda Glickman
Director of Government Relations
Corporation for National and Community Service