FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb 22, 2022

National service agency to increase investments in tribal communities’ education and economic development

WASHINGTON, D.C.— AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, announced today the 2022 State and National Tribal Grants competition. Each year, AmeriCorps allocates a portion of its funding to federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native Tribes or tribal organizations to address their communities’ greatest needs through national service programs.  

“This funding opportunity addresses obstacles to equality and economic opportunity,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. “We are shining a spotlight on American Indian and Alaskan Native Tribes that are underserved while growing the impact that AmeriCorps programs have nationwide. Through these grants, national service members will have meaningful impact in COVID-19 recovery, economic mobility and other pressing issues in tribal communities.”  

In 2021, AmeriCorps awarded $3.4 million in national service resources and grants to 12 American Indian and Alaskan Native Tribes and tribal entities. Grantees included organizations like Alaska Pacific University’s Partnering for Native Health, the San Pasqual Tribal AmeriCorps Mentoring and the Red Lake Tribal Council’s Service to New Scholars programs. 

With the 2022 AmeriCorps State and National Tribal Grants competition, AmeriCorps seeks to prioritize the investment of national service resources into disaster services like COVID-19 response, economic opportunities, education including traditional knowledge and indigenous language, civic and social engagement, environmental stewardship, healthy futures and veterans and military families. 

Opportunities include three-year operating grants which engage AmeriCorps members in time-limited-service commitments and planning grants to develop programs that implement evidence-based solutions to community needs.   

AmeriCorps is hosting technical assistance webinars for federally recognized Tribes and tribal organizations that are controlled, sanctioned or chartered by federally recognized Tribes. Applicants are encouraged to attend, ask questions and learn more about the funding opportunity and AmeriCorps’ grant application process. 

The application deadline is Wednesday, May 4 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. AmeriCorps expects to notify successful applicants in early July 2022. Read more details about the grant criteria and technical assistance opportunities. 

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 invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 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.