FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jul 31, 2009

Dear Colleagues:
Yesterday the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

The Committee bill provides $1,157,016,000 for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs. This funding level is $267 million above FY 2009 enacted level and will enable the Corporation to strengthen and expand existing programs and invest in key initiatives authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Following is a breakdown of the numbers:

  • AmeriCorps Grants: $372,547,000
  • AmeriCorps VISTA: $100,000,000
  • AmeriCorps NCCC: $29,000,000
  • National Service Trust: $197,000,000
  • Senior Corps: $221,269,000
    • RSVP: $63,000,000
    • Foster Grandparents: $111,269,000
    • Senior Companions: $47,000,000
  • Learn and Serve America: $40,000,000
  • Innovation and Demonstration: $65,500,000
  • Training and Technical Assistance$8,000,000
  • Disability Grants $5,000,000
  • Evaluation: $6,000,000
  • State Commission Grants: $17,000,000
  • Salaries and Expenses: $88,000,000
  • Office of Inspector General: $7,700,000

We are grateful to Subcommittee Chairman Tom Harkin, Vice-Chairman Thad Cochran, full Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, and the other members of the Committee for producing a strong funding level for national service during this tough budget year. As our Volunteering in America report demonstrated, America's spirit of compassion has remained strong even during our current economic crisis. But to meet our challenges, we need more Americans to answer the call to service. Fully funding the President's request for national service will help expand the reach and impact of volunteers in tackling the tough challenges facing our communities and nation.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. Please check our budget page for more details. We will keep you posted on further developments.

In Service,

Nicola Goren
Acting CEO
Corporation for National and Community Service

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.