National Service Agency Awards New Senior Corps Grants

Funding will support more than 3,000 Senior Corps RSVP volunteers in 16 communities across the nation

WASHINGTON, DC – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced more than $870,000 in Senior Corps RSVP funding to support senior volunteer service at 16 community nonprofits and organizations across the country. These RSVP projects will leverage the experience and skills of more than 3,000 Seniors Corps RSVP volunteers who will serve in schools, disaster response initiatives, veteran’s organizations, and other areas.

These funds were awarded as part of a grant competition for RSVP, one of three Senior Corps programs administered by CNCS. Selected grantees plan to address a variety of community issues including emergency response efforts, early childhood education, military families, and environmental stewardship.

A complete list of grants is available here.

“For generations, seniors have been making a powerful impact in their communities, and their service is more important now than ever,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers Senior Corps. “As a result of these grants, senior volunteers will make a difference in the lives of children, veterans, the elderly, and disaster survivors. We congratulate these organizations on their strong application, and thank all Senior Corps volunteers for their dedication to service.”

Established in 1971, RSVP engages Americans age 55 and older in volunteer opportunities across the country and allows citizens to find solutions to community challenges. While serving, RSVP volunteers also improve their own lives, by living active, healthy lives through volunteer service. A growing body of research points to mental and physical health benefits associated with volunteering, including lower mortality rates, increased strength and energy, decreased rates of depression, and fewer physical limitations.

According to last year’s Volunteering and Civic Life in America report by CNCS, more than 21 million older adults – nearly a quarter of those 55 and older – contributed more than 3.3 billion hours of service in their communities. Based on the Independent Sector's estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour, the yearly economic benefit of this service to the nation is valued at nearly $184 billion.

In 2015, more than 232,000 Senior Corps RSVP volunteers served in their communities. Through community and faith-based organizations, RSVP volunteers served more than 329,000 veterans, mentored more than 78,000 children, and provided independent living services to 797,000 elderly adults.

Visit nationalservice.gov/seniorcorps to find local volunteer opportunities with a Senior Corps program in your area.