FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec 08, 2022

18 organizations will use Volunteer Generation Fund grants for student wellbeing, COVID-19 response, and intergenerational volunteerism initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C.— AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, awarded $6.6 million in 2022 Volunteer Generation Fund grants to 18 organizations as part of AmeriCorps' historic $1 billion American Rescue Plan investment. The Volunteer Generation Fund invests in volunteer management practices that increase both volunteer recruitment and retention to engage those who answer the call to serve.

These programs plan to recruit at least 26,000 volunteers to provide high impact tutoring, mentoring, and wraparound supports for academic, mental and overall student well-being; to advance justice and equality in historically underserved communities; to help local communities respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic; to increase volunteerism in youth, intergenerational or family volunteering; and to support activities that specifically recruit skill-based volunteers, particularly in education. Additionally, many of these nonprofit organizations will use their grants to actively rebuild their volunteer infrastructure that was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. See the full list of newly funded programs.

“Through national service and volunteerism, AmeriCorps invests in new and innovative ways to engage communities and foster a sense of action and belonging,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. “We will work with each of these organizations to recruit volunteers to support our nation’s students and address the longstanding inequities and opportunity gaps worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

A majority of the awarded grants will support the National Partnership for Student Success, a public-private partnership between the Biden-Harris Administration, including the Department of Education and AmeriCorps, the Johns Hopkins Everyone Graduates Center and a diverse coalition of education and service organizations committed to providing the academic, mental health and other supports students need to succeed. These organizations will help meet the President’s call for more Americans to step forward in service to students by helping schools and education systems recruit, train and connect more caring adults to their local communities.

Each year, Americans from all walks of life come together in service to others, to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges at schools and shelters, hospitals and hotlines, and civic, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations across the country. These volunteers are essential to the nation’s economic and social well-being and AmeriCorps’ research shows many benefits to volunteerism. For long-term, short-term, or just one-time volunteer opportunities visit Americorps.gov/volunteer.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, 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 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.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.