FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jul 14, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps and leads the nation’s volunteering initiatives, today announced more than $6 million in Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) grants, a record high for the program since its creation in 2009.  The VGF is designed to expand opportunities for more Americans to serve while enhancing the capacity of nonprofits to have sustained impact in local communities.

VGF grants were awarded to 22 state service commissions representing the states of California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A complete list, including grant totals, can be found here. 

“This year, we’ve seen that volunteers are stepping up, finding new ways to strengthen their communities,” said Chester Spellman, director of AmeriCorps. “To meet the unique challenges of today’s America, we need to find innovative ways to strengthen our nation’s volunteer sector and engage even more volunteers in service. With these Volunteer Generation Funds, state service commissions will be able to advance volunteer efforts in their state, making it easier for Americans to make a difference.”

These grants will allow state service commissions to better support local organizations efforts in recruiting, managing, and retaining volunteers, expand opportunity for those who serve, and grow volunteer programs that address critical community needs. State service commissions may also use their award to make subgrants to local organizations, supporting the goals of the VGF.

Furthering the mission of CNCS, the VGF is designed to grow the nation's volunteer pool and create a sustainable infrastructure of volunteer organizations to increase the impact of volunteers. It was first created by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009.

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.