FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec 09, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday, Congress took a significant step on the FY 2010 budget for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs.

A joint House-Senate conference committee approved the conference agreement on the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes funding for the Corporation and other agencies across the government.

The bill is a strong vote of confidence in the value of national service 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. The measure provides $1,149,721,000, fully funding the President’s request, and $260 million above the FY 2009 enacted level. The funding breaks down as follows:

  • AmeriCorps Grants: $372,547,000
  • AmeriCorps VISTA: $99,074,000
  • AmeriCorps NCCC: $29,000,000
  • National Service Trust: $197,000,000
  • Senior Corps: $220,900,000
    • RSVP: $63,000,000
    • Foster Grandparents: $110,996,000
    • Senior Companions: $46,904,000
  • Learn and Serve America: $39,500,000
  • Innovation and Demonstration: $60,500,000
  • Training and Technical Assistance: $7,500,000
  • Disability Grants: $5,000,000
  • Evaluation: $6,000,000
  • State Commission Administration: $17,000,000
  • Salaries and Expenses: $88,000,000
  • Office of Inspector General: $7,700,000

We are grateful to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Daniel Inouye, Vice-Chair Thad Cochran, Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Chair Tom Harkin, House Appropriations Committee Chair David Obey, Vice-Chair Jerry Lewis, House Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee Vice-Chair Todd Tiahrt, and other members of the Appropriations Committee for their hard work to produce a strong funding level for national service during this tough budget year.

We have updated the Corporation’s budget page to include the legislative text of conference agreement, the statement of the managers, and an updated budget chart detailing the FY 2010 funding levels at every stage of the budget process.

The next step is for the House of Representative and the Senate to each take up the conference agreement on the floor, which could happen in the coming days or weeks. We will keep you posted on any developments.

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.