FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 12, 2012

 

$4 million in funding given to organizations that tutor students, mentor young people, and help military families

Washington, DC – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced just over $4 million in RSVP funding to support organizations and nonprofits across the country that utilize senior volunteers to tackle pressing community needs.

Nearly 40 grants, provided through the 2012 RSVP Relinquished Funds Competition, include 22 new sponsors for RSVP programs that engage an estimated 7,550 new RSVP volunteers. They address a wide range of challenges, from disaster response to environmental stewardship. The funding also includes 16 RSVP augmentation grants to existing RSVP sponsors for increased funding to focus on veterans and military families.

A complete list of grants is available here.

“Senior volunteers bring strong passion and diverse skills that are capable of creating real change in our communities,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “These RSVP grants will go far in providing the infrastructure and resources to connect seniors with meaningful opportunities. They will leverage their experience to help military families, students, and other members of their communities.”

RSVP is part of Senior Corps, which is administered by CNCS. Senior Corps counts more than 330,000 volunteers age 55 and over who are serving through three key programs: Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP. Established in 1971, RSVP is now one of the largest senior volunteer organizations in the nation and engages older Americans in volunteer recruitment and management, environmental projects, mentoring and tutoring, and disaster response. RSVP volunteers serve in commitments varying from a few hours to 40 hours per week in a location of their choice.

CNCS estimates that 18.7 million older adults – nearly a quarter of those 55 and over – contributed on average more than three billion hours of service in their communities per year between 2008 and 2010. The yearly economic benefit of this service to the nation equals more than $64 billion.

Senior Corps funding opportunities are currently available through the 2013 RSVP competition. The deadline for applications is October 18, 2012. Successful applicants will be notified in March 2013.

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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.