HELENA, MT- Sarah R. Sadowski, Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Service and the Montana Commission on Community Service, announce that Montana has received $2,534,356 in funding from AmeriCorps.
The total funding amount is granted to the Montana Commission on Community Service, the Governor-appointed state service commission, which in turn will award the grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the state.
“We’re honored to partner with organizations to use these resources to meet community needs and develop those who serve as AmeriCorps members” said Sarah R. Sadowski, Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Service. “Individuals who answer the call to service bring light to the people and places who need it most.”
The 2023 AmeriCorps competitive grant awards provide $2,534,356 to four sponsoring organizations who will deploy 139 AmeriCorps members who will be deployed into service across the state by four sponsoring organizations.
Big Sky Watershed Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, Inc., $1,057,816, 46 members: The Big Sky Watershed Corps engages members to make measurable contributions in environmental stewardship of America's headwaters in the northern Rocky Mountains and improve at-risk ecosystems critical to the health of Montana's communities.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Montana State Parks AmeriCorps, $432,000, 20 members: AmeriCorps members promote healthy, active and environmentally aware communities by improving the condition of state park lands, enriching education, building volunteer capacity, and strengthening community outreach through service across Montana.
Montana Legal Services Association, Justice for Montanans Project, $460,000, 20 members: AmeriCorps members serve as navigators of the justice system to help income eligible Montanans find the legal information and resources needed to resolve legal problems. Members recruit and support volunteers who serve to increase access to justice.
Montana Campus Compact AmeriCorps, $584,540, 53 members: AmeriCorps members provide college access and success services to first generation college students and youth across Montana. AmeriCorps members leverage 250 community volunteers to engage in National Days of Service and college access programming.
AmeriCorps will make available $773,619 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members funded by these grants. After successfully completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an Ed Award up to $6,895 that they can use toward qualified tuition and student loans. In Montana, more than 10,000 AmeriCorps members have served more than 11 million hours and have qualified for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $27.1 million since 1994.
Across the country, AmeriCorps engages more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors in service annually to serve with nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations. These members help communities tackle pressing needs while mobilizing millions of volunteers.
AmeriCorps is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Volunteer Generation Fund. For more information, visit www.AmeriCorps.gov.
The Governor’s Office of Community Service expands and promotes National Service and community volunteerism in Montana. Visit serve.mt.gov.
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