President Biden seeks $1.2 billion for CNCS
On May 28th, the White House sent their fiscal year 2022 budget request to Congress. The Biden-Harris Administration is seeking $1.21 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service/AmeriCorps agency, an increase of $89.2 million over the FY21 enacted level.
The President’s budget sustains and builds on the national service investments included in the American Rescue Plan Act. It proposes to modestly increase funding across each of the CNCS accounts and programs. It would support an estimated 62,000 AmeriCorps members and 175,000 AmeriCorps Seniors in meeting ongoing health, economic, and education needs related to the pandemic including addressing significant instructional loss, tackling the growing hunger crisis, helping reopen the economy, and assisting those facing unemployment, with a specific focus on supporting underserved and disproportionately impacted communities. The budget would also increase the stipend for low-income seniors participating in the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs from $3.00 to $3.50 per hour.
The Administration is also seeking legislative changes to allow individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Status to earn AmeriCorps Education Awards and to allow AmeriCorps VISTA members who are 55 years of age or older to transfer their Education Award to a child, stepchild, grandchild or foster child.
While presidential budgets are non-binding and rarely passed in their exact form, this budget is a blueprint telegraphing the administration’s priorities. In the coming months, congressional leaders will meet to draft the annual spending bills and determine funding levels for all federal programs for FY22.
Corporation for National and Community Service Budget
| Program | FY21 Enacted | FY22 White House Request |
| AmeriCorps State and National | $455.1 million | $501.1 million |
| AmeriCorps NCCC | $33.5 million | $37.74 million |
| AmeriCorps VISTA | $97.36 million | $103.86 million |
| National Service Trust Fund | $185 million | $191 million |
| RSVP | $53.36 million | $55.11 million |
| Foster Grandparent Program | $118.8 million | $130.9 million |
| Senior Companion Program | $52.86 million | $58.52 million |
| Volunteer Generation Fund | $6.4 million | $6.7 million |
| State Commission Administration | $18.54 million | $19.54 million |
| Days of Service | $3.2 million | $3.4 million |
| Inspector General | $6.5 million | $6.96 million |
| Salaries and Expenses | $86.49 million | $91.19 million |
| CNCS Total | $1.121 billion | $1.210 billion |
Click here to read Voices for National Service’s statement on the administration’s FY22 budget request.
Click here to view the CNCS budget page and their FY22 Congressional Budget Justification.